About Us
Our Story
Hi, I’m Melanie — the face behind Mellow Mutts. My journey into dog grooming began in 2018 when I qualified as a Level 3 groomer. Working in busy salon environments, I quickly became aware of a major challenge: many dogs, especially those who were nervous, anxious, or reactive, were struggling during traditional grooming. The rushed pace, unfamiliar surroundings, and handling methods often caused stress and fear, leading to a cycle of resistance and frustration for both dogs, groomers, and owners.
Determined to find a better way, I dedicated myself to understanding dog behaviour and became a Fear Free® certified groomer, learning how to reduce stress, build trust, and create safe, calm experiences.
Through this journey, I discovered the transformative power of cooperative grooming — an approach that prioritises patience, trust, and giving dogs a sense of control. I realised that when dogs feel safe and supported, even basic grooming tasks like brushing, bathing, and nail care become manageable and less stressful.
This understanding inspired the creation of Mellow Mutts. I wanted to provide a grooming service that truly puts the dog’s wellbeing first, offering house-call sessions where dogs can feel secure, owners can be involved, and grooming becomes a cooperative, positive experience rather than a source of anxiety.
Our Approach
Humanity before vanity — that’s the heart of everything we do.
At Mellow Mutts, grooming isn’t just about how a dog looks — it’s about how they feel. We love giving dogs beautiful haircuts, but never at the expense of their physical, emotional, or mental wellbeing. A happy, healthy dog will always come before a perfect finish.
Our focus is on your dog’s comfort, safety, and trust. Grooming should support the health of the skin and coat, not just the style — and it should never be something your dog has to fear or simply tolerate.
We take the time to listen to your dog’s voice — observing their body language, picking up on subtle signs, and responding with empathy before stress escalates. We work at their pace, using patience over pressure, and offering as much choice and control as safely possible.
For dogs who are anxious or fearful, we don’t push through — we support them. We help dogs build confidence with handling and grooming equipment by using positive experiences and gradual training, turning fear into trust over time.
Our goal is to make grooming a positive, cooperative experience — one that fosters calm, builds connection, and nurtures wellbeing.
We also believe in honest, open communication with owners and see grooming as a team effort. We work in partnership with guardians and like-minded professionals, supporting long-term progress and a truly holistic approach to care
Cooperation, Not Consent
Some grooming is essential for a dog’s health — brushing, bathing, nail care, and coat maintenance all keep skin and coats healthy.
While our work is inspired by consent-based practices, we do not advertise as a “consent groomer.” True consent requires a level of cognitive understanding that dogs, like young children, do not fully possess. Dogs can’t always choose to have these procedures done, but they can be supported to participate in ways that feel safe for them.
We always strive to offer choice, control, and comfort wherever possible, but there may be rare occasions when a necessary procedure (such as hygiene care or health-related grooming) must be completed even if the dog is uncomfortable in that moment.
Even then, our approach is always the same: use the least intrusive, most compassionate methods, avoid escalation, and keep your dog’s wellbeing at the centre of every decision.
Who Our Service Is For
Mellow Mutts is designed for owners who value their dog’s wellbeing and confidence as much as their appearance. Our cooperative, low-stress approach isn’t about speed or perfection — it’s about creating a calm, positive grooming experience tailored to your dog’s needs.
Who Our Service Is For
- Want grooming to be as stress-free as possible for their dog
- Are patient and willing to support their dog’s confidence at home
- Understand that progress may take time and gentle repeated practice
- Accept that appearance may sometimes be secondary to their dog’s comfort
- Are willing to be involved in a way that helps, rather than stresses, their dog
Who This Service Is Not For
- Owners looking for a fast, traditional “drop-off and collect” groom
- Those expecting a perfect cosmetic result in a single session
- Owners who are unwilling to invest patience or participate in helping their dog
- Dogs or owners who prefer a purely aesthetic focus over wellbeing