In many cases, your presence can provide vital reassurance. While it's often said that dogs behave “better” without their guardian present, what we’ve found is this: your dog feels safe enough with you to express how they truly feel. That’s not a problem—it’s a good starting point.

Some dogs find separation deeply stressful, and unfortunately, this distress can become associated with grooming. By allowing you to stay, we reduce that stress and make the experience more positive.

You'll also have the chance to observe, ask questions, and receive guidance. We can demonstrate techniques and provide exercises to help you support your dog’s progress at home.

Note: In certain situations, some dogs may benefit from working with us one-on-one. Similarly, you may choose not to stay—and that’s perfectly okay. We approach each case individually.

We're Adaptable

Every dog is different, and we tailor our services to meet individual needs.

• Hates the dryer? We can do a bath one day and a cut the next after natural drying.

• Fearful of clippers? We’ll work on desensitisation, and use scissors in the meantime.

• Needs shorter sessions? We offer split grooms to reduce overwhelm or focus only on challenging areas.

We believe flexibility leads to better outcomes. Our goal is always to support your dog—not to force them through a one-size-fits-all routine.

At Minds Alike, grooming is about more than just looks. It’s about creating trust, confidence, and a positive experience—for both you and your dog.

Grooming is not just about appearance—it’s about how your dog feels during the process. Our groomer is not only skilled and compassionate but also undergoing training with our in-house behaviourist to deepen their understanding of dog behaviour and emotional wellbeing.

We pay close attention to your dog’s signals. We pause for breaks. We play. We reward. We adapt. If a particular part of the groom is causing stress, we assess whether it’s best to continue or reschedule for a focused training session.

Where There's Anxiety, We Train

At Minds Alike, we believe in using training to create predictability and build trust.

This might involve using “start cues” to establish consent-based practices—giving your dog the option to participate voluntarily. When dogs feel they have choice and control, they become more relaxed and cooperative.

We also prioritise reading and responding to body language, helping to ease anxiety before it escalates.

Our approach is always mindful and present.

We only groom one dog at a time. This ensures a quiet, calm, and focused environment—reducing stress and giving your dog the full attention they deserve.

Fair Pricing

Hourly Rates -

To be fair to you, and our groomer, we charge an hourly rate, or for longer grooms a package rate.

How long it takes to groom any particular dog varies, not only depending on breed, size and coat type, but also temperament. Some dogs will require more breaks or training throughout. For some dogs we will split the groom into more manageable steps.

Our hourly rate/package rates:

Puppy Intro Sessions - £35
Anxious Dog Training Sessions - £35
1 hour - £42
1.5 hour - £63
2 hour - £84
2.5 hour - £90
3 hour - £108
3.5 hour - £126
4 hour - £144

New Puppy? Let’s Start Their Grooming Journey Right!

Our puppy packages aim to gently expose young dogs to grooming in a calm, positive way. By the time they reach six months of age, they’ll have had a series of low-stress introductions and some light coat maintenance.

Got a new pup in the family? From as early as 10–12 weeks old, we can begin gentle, positive grooming introductions.

Our puppy grooming sessions focus on building trust, confidence, and calm through short, tailored experiences that grow with your puppy.

30-45-minute sessions (£35)

Has your dog had a tough start to their grooming journey? We’re Here to Help.

Maybe they show signs of anxiety—hesitating at the door, trying to escape, or appearing distressed.
Or perhaps they’ve become reactive or even aggressive when certain areas are groomed.

You're not alone—and it’s not too late to turn things around.

For anxious or fearful dogs, we begin with our Training Grooms—slow, supportive sessions designed to reduce stress and build trust. Over time, we aim to transition them to standard grooming appointments when they’re ready.

45 -minute sessions (£35)