About me
Hi, I’m the face behind Dorsett Dogs. I began my grooming journey in May 2024, after leaving behind a busy corporate career in London to pursue something I’d always felt passionate about - working with dogs. I’ve grown up around animals of all kinds and have always had dogs in my life, so becoming a dog groomer felt like a natural step.
I started out with no previous grooming experience in a very busy salon - truly jumping in at the deep end. To say I underestimated the complexity of dog grooming would be an understatement! I put everything into learning my craft, working what felt like every minute of the day for a year, I finally completed my professional grooming qualifications, including dog first aid and puppy-specific grooming.
During that time, I gained a huge amount of hands-on experience, working with dogs of all breeds, ages, personalities and behaviours - and while I’ve seen almost everything, I still learn something new every day. This experience gave me the confidence to create my own calm, one-to-one grooming space, where each dog receives my full attention.
I truly believe that the more open and honest you are with me about your dog, the better the grooming experience I can provide. My aim is always to build trust and a bond with your dog, helping grooming feel less frightening and more relaxed over time.
I share my home - where my studio is based - with my two beautiful Shih Tzus, and I completely understand how important your dog is to you. I treat my own dogs like family, and I offer that same level of care, patience and understanding to every dog that comes through my door.
Thank you for trusting me to care for your dog. I look forward to meeting you both and welcoming you to Dorsett Dogs.
Maria x
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The more open and honest you are, the better experience I can provide for your dog. Please let me know about any medical conditions, behavioural concerns, sensitivities, previous grooming experiences, or anything that may cause anxiety. This allows me to tailor the groom to your dog and ensure their comfort and safety at all times.
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Yes - one-to-one grooming is ideal for nervous, anxious, elderly, or first-time dogs. The calm setting, lack of other dogs, and unrushed approach helps reduce stress and build trust over time. My goal is to create a positive, reassuring experience so grooming becomes more comfortable with each visit.
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One-to-one grooming means your dog is the only dog in my care for the duration of their appointment. There is no overlapping with other dogs, which creates a quieter, calmer environment. This allows me to give your dog my full attention and tailor the grooming experience entirely around their individual needs.