Lil Red Waggin’ Dog Grooming

Lil Red Waggin' Dog Grooming is a small salon in Petersham, in Sydney's inner west, run by Hayley with a small team alongside her. Its standing in reviews rests on nervous dogs: owners repeatedly describe bringing in a dog that is wary of new people and watching the groomer slow right down, read the dog and let it settle before any clipping begins. First appointments come up often, and they tend to go well.

Nail trimming earns almost as much comment as the haircut. Several owners say their dog had never let anyone near its feet, and one notes that dark nails were clipped properly rather than barely tipped, with owners welcome to stay and hold their dog through it. The other constant is the transformation — owners talk about barely recognising their dog at pick-up and walking home with a visibly pleased one. Best suited to anxious dogs, first grooms, and anyone who has struggled to get nails done elsewhere.