Top rated pet groomers on the Sunshine Coast
Studios booked out almost a year in advance and ever-changing trends in the latest look for canines — welcome to the life of a top Sunshine Coast pet groomer.
Sunshine Coast
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Trendy looks, Instagram dogs and a whole heap of fur is all in the day of a pet groomer on the Sunshine Coast.
Proud puppy owners spend up to a thousand dollars a year to keep their furry companions looking smart, sophisticated yet cuddly.
Some have been in the industry for quite literally half their life, while others have started their own business as young as 18, but they all share a passion for cuddling cute pets.
Meet 18 top pet groomers of the Sunshine Coast:
Maroochy-Paw Grooming
Mel Stinton, 46, from Maroochy-PAW Grooming said the “teddy-bear” look has been the trend for several years as her most requested cut.
“It’s also the look I love doing the most,” she said.
“My favourite part of the job is not only making dogs look fabulous, but also feel fabulous.”
Ms Stinton said she is booked out a year in advance, with her furry clients booked in on a 4-8 week regular grooming schedule.
Her first priority is educating pet parents on how to maintain their dog’s coat until their next scheduled appointment.
It is also important to build a relationship with each dog and ensure the dogs learn the routine so they build a trusting relationship, she said.
“Each dog has their own little quirks, just like humans, so it’s learning and understanding these quirks that help make the grooming process as relaxing as possible for each dog,” she said.
Many of her clients who come in for regular appointments have their own Instagram pages which they star in.
“I always make sure they leave my salon looking ‘gramworthy,” she said.
Her regular clients pay between $900 and $1200 per year to get their fur baby’s coat regularly clipped.
Ms Stinton said the hardest part of the job was when a dog passes away – after building a beautiful bond with them and becoming part of their family, she said it broke her heart to receive the sad news.
Madi’s Paws
Madi Steven, 18, opened her own dog grooming business in March this year not long after graduating high school.
Ms Steven said she prefers pets to humans and her deep love for animals is what drew her to a career of pet grooming.
She said she follows a “five freedoms” rule as her trade secret, that being freedom from discomfort, pain, fear and distress, hunger and thirst, and freedom to express normal behaviour.
Ms Steven’s clients spend around $90 every two months for their pet’s grooming needs.
Some of her clients include her former teachers which Ms Stevens says are high-profile clients in her eyes.
Mr Barkley Sunshine Coast
Shayla Knipe from Mr Barkley said they had a “pet grooming empire” on the Sunshine Coast, including Mr Barkley in Maroochydore and Stylish Canine in Marcoola and Mooloolaba.
“We also have a Grooming Academy where we teach groomers across the globe,” Ms Knipe said.
Mr Barkley’s page states Ms Knipe won the Australian dog grooming championships in 2019 and was picked to represent Australia in the world grooming championships.
Grubby Paws Dog Wash
Grubby Paws Dog Wash owner Mark Wyatt has been running his business for about half his life, having started in Brisbane more than 30 years ago.
He adores spending time with the dogs as much as he loves hearing the different stories his clients have to tell and working out in the open.
After spending a few years as an accountant and then curing his travel bug, Mr Wyatt was looking for a change of pace, eventually leading to a Brisbane-based dog wash business in 1992.
He has since moved to the Sunshine Coast, starting up his current business in 2011 and now works part-time.
In his time at Brisbane, Mr Wyatt said he even regularly washed some former Brisbane Broncos players’ furry companions.
Mr Wyatt said he never had trouble finding business – he takes bookings no further than two weeks ahead, but has quite a waiting list for when a slot opens.
His secret to success is simply turning up, being reliable and doing the right thing, he said.
“I just love the dogs, love the outdoors and love chatting,” he said.
He estimated his regular clients spend between $700-800 annually on dog washes.
Outside of the dog life, Mr Wyatt enjoys spending time at the beach, kayaking, biking and more time with his own dogs.
ChouChou Pet Grooming
ChouChou Pet Grooming owner Jerimie Webster, 35, has been running his home-based business for about 10 years.
He loves meeting new people, sharing their passions and the insides of looking after their cuddly canines.
Mr Webster said the “teddy bear” look is highly requested but so is the exact opposite – it is “quite a joy” when someone comes in asking for a different look and to try envision what they’re after.
Mr Webster was 12 when he began breeding pet rats and guinea pigs.
He was eventually traded a little puppy, received a second from his parents and started clipping their coats on his own at age 15.
Mr Webster said pet care is a fast-growing industry with a need for more groomers.
His regular clients spend up to $400 per month on their pets with his full grooming package priced at about $70 depending on dog size.
His trade secret is praying before every groom, he said.
Outside of work, he likes going to the beach and the park with his wife and daughter, as well as collecting pieces for his fish tank.
Pawfect Grooms
The home-based business is run by a mother-daughter team in Tewantin, ready to show some love to every dog which comes into their studio.
Donna Jackson, 59 and her daughter Chantel Giove, 28, have been surrounded by animals their whole lives, from birds to horses, and started the business after their border collie Charlie passed away.
“In honour of him, my daughter and I made it our mission to spark joy in families lives by making their fur babies look and feel gorgeous,” Ms Jackson said.
“Alongside [this], my daughter has a hidden gift and can just instantly connect with dogs.
Ms Jackson it is the “best feeling” bonding with different dog breeds and taking pressure off families who don’t have time bathing their fur babies on weekends.
Having a lifelong dream of running her own business, Ms Jackson said the key to running a business, as well as bonding with pets and customers, is patience, calmness and kindness.
More top-rated dog groomers on the Sunshine Coast:
Limelight Pet Salon
Limelight Pet Salon is located in Buddina close to Kawana Shoppingworld offering a range of grooming services. The salon is rated 4.5 stars on Google with 45 reviews.
Purrfect Pet Spa
This Bli Bli home-based salon has also taken on the challenge of cat pampering in addition to their dog grooming – everything from a kitty bath and blow dry to and cat “nail cap” sessions.
Purrfect Pet Spa is rated 5 stars on Google and has 29 reviews listed.
Buderim Dog Grooming
As the name suggests, this pretty-in-pink Buderim salon offers bath, clip, hair colouring and even nail colour.
Buderim Dog Grooming is rated 4.6 stars on Google with 16 reviews.
Dave’s Dirty Dog Wash
You may have seen a Dave’s Dirty Dog Wash trailer before zooming around the Coast when you’re on the road, sporting a clever spin on a well-known song lyric – “dirty dogs done dirt cheap.”
Established in 1999, the business has been servicing the Sunshine Coast for more than 20 years.
The mobile dog wash is owned by David Doughty.
The business is rated 4.6 stars with 41 Google reviews.
Doggy Day Spa
This Buderim-based business is led by a mother and daughter providing a variety of grooming services, their web page states.
The salon is rated 4.8 stars and has nine Google reviews.
Groovy Grooming
Groovy Grooming is a dog grooming salon in Coolum Beach offering full sessions, tidy ups and other extra services.
It has a five star rating on Google with 20 reviews.
Fresh Fido: Dog Grooming Sunshine Coast
The mobile grooming service was founded in 2011 by Drew Bowden with hopes to achieve the best reputation on the coast, their web page stated.
Fresh Fido is rated 4.6 stars and has 10 reviews on Google.
22 Poodles Professional Dog Grooming
This salon is located at Maroochy River, not far from Yandina and is owned by Susie Smith, their web page states.
Her grooming packages are named after several Sunshine Coast localities, including the “Bli Bli Bath and Dry” and “Coolum Classic Clip.”
The business is rated five star with 10 Google reviews.
The Wag Club Grooming Studio
Owned and operated by Lynne Cousins, the face behind the Brightwater home-based dog salon is a big believer in positive reinforcement on top of a good haircut.
Her salon has a five star rating with five Google reviews.
The Groomery
The Groomery is temporarily operating out of the Wunderdogs Doggie Day Care in Noosaville after a blaze which tore through the Hilton Tce and Earl St shopping complex in Tewantin.
A post on their Facebook page revealed they secured new premises at Pelican St, Tewantin to open on June 26, 2023.
The Groomery owner Deb Scott and her team groom any dogs, big or small, and several of her staff specialise in certain breeds, their localsearch page stated.
The salon is rated 4.7 stars and has seven Google reviews.
Peanut’s Pet Palace
The Pelican Waters pet salon, born in loving memory of an adorable and fluffy little dog, the business offers different grooming services including a doggie manicure.
Peanut’s Pet Palace has a five star rating with 10 reviews.
Barkhouse Grooming and Doggie Day Care
Pet stylist Demi Thompson works alongside the Caloundra daycare for their furry little guests’ grooming needs.
The business has a five star rating with 18 Google reviews.
Pet Grooming Yandina
Pet Grooming Yandina provide care for their feline guests in addition to dogs, offering washes, brushing and more.
The business has a 4.8 star rating with 40 Google reviews.
Glitter Pawz Pet Studio
Glitter Pawz is owned by Jodie Graham who runs her studio in Tinbeerwah backed by more than 30 years of pet grooming experience.
Her salon is rated 4.9 on Google with 10 reviews.
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