TLC K9 SERVICES

TLC K9 Services is a small, owner-run dog grooming service based in Strathmore, in Melbourne's Moonee Valley. Groomer Tineke works with one dog at a time, and the thing clients raise most is speed without a drop in the finish — the owner of a large groodle notes a full groom that used to run to three hours at other salons is done in around an hour here, which they credit with making the whole appointment far easier on the dog.

Handling nervous dogs is the recurring theme in feedback. Owners of rescue and previously unsettled dogs describe pets that have relaxed with her over time, in one case to the point that sedation before grooming was no longer needed. Reviewers also mention flexible scheduling, fair pricing and a patient manner with all sorts of temperaments. It suits owners of larger coated breeds such as groodles, and anyone whose dog finds a long salon session hard going.