Hi, I’m Ayla!
Dog groomer, professional treat dispenser and the person behind Groomies. 🐶✂️
Believe it or not, becoming a dog groomer was never actually part of the plan!
Groomies began at Salthouse Pet Boarding, thanks to my sister Corri, who decided — while six months pregnant, because apparently she didn’t have enough going on 😂 — that opening a grooming salon sounded like an excellent idea.
She tried to convince me to join her and my immediate response was basically absolutely not. I was convinced I'd be terrible at it.
Turns out… she was right and I was very wrong. 😂
After 10 years running my home bakery, I took the plunge, retrained as a dog groomer and completely fell in love with it.
🐾 Meet Your Groomer
❤️ Grooming My Way
For me, a good groom isn't just about how your dog looks when they leave.
It's about how they feel while they're here.
I work on a 1:1 basis, giving each dog my full attention and allowing me to adapt the groom to the individual dog in front of me.
I'm not interested in forcing a dog through a groom just to achieve the "perfect" haircut. I'd much rather build trust, take things at their pace and have them come back next time feeling a little more confident.
My grooms are practical, individual and designed around your dog's coat, lifestyle and temperament — because one size definitely doesn't fit all.
I have lots of experience working with nervous and reactive dogs, and the salon is completely cage-free, with patience and gentle handling at the heart of everything I do.
🎓 The sensible grown-up bit…
🐾 Canine First Aid trained
🐾 Grooming First Aid trained
🐾 Fully insured
🐾 1:1 appointments - or multiple dogs from the same household
🐾 Cage-free salon
🐾 Experienced with nervous & reactive dogs
🐾 Gentle, dog-led approach
🌸 A new chapter for Groomies
I'll always be incredibly grateful to Salthouse Pet Boarding for giving Groomies its first home. It's where I learned, grew in confidence and built the lovely little community of dogs and humans I get to work with today.
Now Groomies has grown enough to spread its wings, and we've moved into our very own salon on Hollow Lane in Cheddleton.
It's a new home, but the important bits haven't changed — just me, your dog, plenty of patience, an unreasonable number of treats and probably a conversation with your dog as though they're going to answer me. 😂🐾
I can't wait to welcome you both. 💗
