Pampered Floof

Pampered Floof is a small-dog grooming salon in Menai, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, run by Julie, who started out as a veterinary nurse in 1997 and has spent more than 30 years working with animals. The grooming side focuses on small-to-medium breeds under 14kg, with full grooms and bath-and-tidy services that cover the everyday essentials like nails, ears and hygiene trims.

What shapes the experience here is Julie's veterinary background and her force-free, fear-free way of working. Dogs are given more than enough time to settle in before anything begins, and the approach leans on positive reinforcement rather than rushing a nervous animal through the process. Julie rejects the idea of a "problem" pet, treating anxious or behaviourally complex dogs as animals that simply need more patience and understanding. For dogs that find grooming overwhelming, she also offers short desensitisation training sessions to gradually build their tolerance. Clients are welcome to view the facility before dropping their dog off.

It suits owners of smaller breeds who want a calm, unhurried groom from someone with genuine animal-health knowledge. Grooming is currently at capacity, so new clients join a waitlist via enquiry.