Dog Grooming
At Little Feet Retreat, grooming is more than a tidy-up — it’s a calm, gentle experience designed especially for small breeds. Our boutique dog grooming service in Canberra focuses on comfort, kindness, and helping your pup feel their very best.
Regular grooming and brushing not only keeps your dog looking their best, but also supports healthy skin and overall wellbeing.
With a peaceful, home-style setup, your little dog gets the unrushed, personalised care they deserve. Whether they need a simple tidy or a full transformation, we tailor every session to suit their coat, temperament and lifestyle.
Hours
Mondays through Fridays
8.00am - 6.00pm
(flexible times available upon request - at additional fee)
Dog Size
Small - medium breeds under 15kgs
Why choose Little Feet Retreat for small breed grooming?
Specialists in small to medium dogs – We exclusively groom small to medium breeds, meaning your pup is never overwhelmed by big dogs or busy salon environments.
Stress-free and gentle – Perfect for anxious, older, or first-time groomers.
Safe and homely environment – Grooming takes place in a nurturing, safe home.
Our Services
From quick freshen-ups to full grooms, our services are designed to keep your dog feeling comfortable, cared for and beautifully maintained.
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Perfect for dogs who need a regular refresh, our Bath & Blow Dry service will leave your pup feeling clean, soft and beautifully fresh.
What’s included:
Double shampoo and conditioning treatment
Gentle blow dry
Full brush out to remove loose hair and keep the coat tidy
Pricing:
Small dogs (up to 10kg) – from $80
Medium dogs (up to 15kg) – from $100
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Ideal for maintaining your dog’s coat between full grooms, our Bath & Tidy service keeps your pup looking neat, clean and comfortable.
What’s included:
Double shampoo and conditioning treatment
Gentle blow dry
Full brush out
Face trim
Feet and pad tidy
Sanitary hygiene trim
Ear clean
Nail clip
Pricing:
Small dogs (up to 10kg) – from $130
Medium dogs (up to 15kg) – from $140
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Designed for double-coated breeds, our deshedding service helps manage excess shedding, reduce loose hair and prevent matting, keeping your dog’s coat healthy and comfortable.
What’s included:
Thorough coat assessment
Specialist deshedding treatment
Gentle blow dry
Full brush out to remove loose undercoat
Pricing:
Small dogs (up to 10kg)
Short hair – from $80
Long hair – from $130
Medium dogs (up to 15kg)
Short hair – from $100
Long hair – from $190
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Our Full Groom service provides a complete clip and tidy to keep your dog looking clean, neat and easy to maintain. This service focuses on a practical, single-length all-over clip rather than breed-specific styling.
What’s included:
Double shampoo and conditioning treatment
Gentle blow dry
Full brush out
Full body clip (single length)
Feet and pad tidy
Sanitary hygiene trim
Ear clean
Nail clip
Pricing:
Small dogs (up to 10kg) – $145
Medium dogs (up to 15kg) – $160
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For dogs with severely matted coats, a shave down is the safest and most humane option. Matted fur can cause significant discomfort and cannot be brushed out without risking pain or injury to the skin.
This service gently removes matting, helping to relieve discomfort, prevent further skin issues and allow the coat to regrow healthy.
What’s included:
Careful coat assessment
Full shave down to safely remove matting
Gentle cleansing bath
Blow dry (where suitable)
Skin check and aftercare guidance
Pricing:
Small dogs (up to 10kg) – $145 + 20% = $174
Medium dogs (up to 15kg) – $160 + 20% = $192
General Grooming Guidelines by Coat Type
Grooming needs can vary depending on your dog’s coat, but following a consistent routine will help keep their coat healthy and manageable.
Long-haired / continuous coats: Brush daily and book a professional groom every 4–6 weeks
Curly or wavy coats: Brush daily and maintain grooming every 4–6 weeks to prevent matting
Medium to long coats: Brush 3–4 times per week and groom every 6–8 weeks
Double-coated breeds: Brush 3–4 times per week using an undercoat rake, with baths every 6–8 weeks
Short-haired breeds: Brush weekly and bathe every 4–6 weeks
Your Questions, Answered
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Grooming frequency can vary depending on your dog’s breed, coat type and lifestyle, but regular appointments are key to keeping their coat healthy and comfortable.
Most dogs benefit from professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, especially if they’re active or regularly outdoors
Short-haired breeds can often go 8–12 weeks between appointments
Curly and long-coated breeds are best groomed every 4–6 weeks to prevent matting
Double-coated breeds benefit from deshedding treatments 3–4 times per year, typically during seasonal changes
Keeping to a consistent grooming schedule helps maintain coat health and ensures your dog stays clean, comfortable and mat-free.
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Matting occurs when loose hair becomes tangled and tightens into dense knots over time. It’s most common in longer or curlier coats, especially without regular maintenance.
Allowing the coat to air dry after swimming, bathing or rain can cause the hair to tighten and bind together
High-friction areas such as behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar tend to mat more quickly
Infrequent brushing, particularly in breeds with undercoats, can accelerate matting
Regular brushing and proper drying are key to preventing matting and keeping your dog’s coat healthy and comfortable.
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Preventing matting comes down to consistent coat care at home, combined with regular professional grooming.
Brush regularly, daily for long coats and 2–3 times per week for medium coats
Always dry your dog properly after swimming, bathing or rain to avoid the coat tightening as it dries
When brushing, work in sections using a slicker brush followed by a metal comb to reach the undercoat, not just the surface
Keep up with regular grooming appointments to maintain the coat and prevent build-up
A consistent routine will help keep your dog’s coat smooth, healthy and free from painful matting.
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When matting becomes severe, clipping the coat short is often the safest and most humane option to protect your dog’s comfort and wellbeing.
Tight mats pull on the skin, making brushing painful and potentially causing injury or distress
Severe matting can trap moisture, leading to skin irritation, sores or hidden issues
A short clip allows the skin to breathe and heal and the coat to regrow in a healthy condition
While it may not be the preferred look, it prioritises your dog’s comfort above all else
Keeping up with regular brushing and grooming appointments helps prevent matting from reaching this stage.