Paws! then play

Paws! then play is a dog grooming service working out of Buchfelde on the edge of Gawler, in South Australia's Light region. The business covers the full range of coat care, from complete grooms and tidy-ups through to straightforward dog washing, and treats each visit as a chance to keep the dog calm rather than just clipped.

The approach is most clearly spelled out in how puppies are handled. First grooms are built around making the experience happy and safe, with the groomer stating plainly that looks are not the priority for a young dog learning the ropes. Sessions cover bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and a full haircut, and the recommended rhythm is tailored to the coat: short three-week intervals to begin with, a steady four, six or eight-weekly cycle for the doodle and oodle crosses whose coats mat quickly, and fortnightly visits for nervous puppies until their confidence grows. That patience-first thinking suits owners of anxious dogs and high-maintenance curly-coated breeds in particular.

It is a good fit for Gawler-area families who want grooming that puts the dog's comfort ahead of a rushed clip.