The latest and greatest news at The Dogs Body!

May 2011 Well, there are changes a-foot in The Dogs Body this year! Amy, our groomer and front-of-shop person is pregnant! She is due in October, and while she will have to take some time off around then to have her baby, she intends to stay around as long as she can, and be back fairly soon after as well. In the mean time we would like to welcome Alex Ferguson to our team! Amy is training her up so she can help her as she gets further along in her pregnancy, and to hopefully keep going with some grooming while Amy has time off too. Alex has weimaraners and does breed showing as well as agility with her dogs, so she is very good with the dogs and will be a great asset to our team.
And we are still keeping busy, with a 2-4 week waiting list at the moment. With Alex starting though we will be able to fit more dogs in over the rest of the year, so that may change over the next month or so! But it pays to be prepared for a wait just in case.


January 2011 Happy New Year!! We are still keeping very busy, and as I type this we are fully booked from now (mid jan) until the second week of March; a whole 7 weeks from now!! Because we are staying so very busy, we stress how important it is to book ahead and if you come more often than 6 weekly we recommend booking out several appointments at once to avoid missing out!!! Many clients are booking their spots in for the entire year, just ask us if you want to do this too as it makes life a lot easier knowing you have your spot already booked in. Also be aware that because we are fully booked for 7 weeks, there is no room to change or move your appointment, and if you cannot make it to your allotted time, then you'll have to reschedule for in 7 weeks time, so please call us ASAP if you think you'll have to change your time!!
Amy is having her annual holiday at the end of Feb, and then she is going to her Master Grooming workshop on March 20th. The workshop is being held down in Invercargill in conjunction with the gundog workshop and she'll be hand scissoring a bichon for it in a practise run for her exam later in the year. If she passes her exam, it will make her a certified Master Groomer; the only one in Dunedin!!!


December 2010 Whew, we are so busy!!! We are fully booked through Dec, Jan, and almost all of Feb is full now too (with only around a dozen spots left in feb as I type this) and with the hot weather at the moment, don't forget to plan ahead BEFORE your dog is overheating and needs a trim!!!
Unfortunately Harrison, passed away barely a week after his 'dad' did, leaving Ailsa with NO dogs around at all! As a result, Ailsa now has a new american cocker spaniel puppy; 'Duffy'! She will be seen in the shop at least every week for her bath. There are photos of her on our photo/facebook page if you want to see her too, and Amy regularly updates the facebook page so keep tabs on there to hear any new updates or photos of her! :)
Our last day open is Christmas Eve, and then we will be closed right through the holiday break and open again on Monday the 10th of Jan. Merry Christmas to you all, and we look foward to seeing you all again in 2011!!


November 2010 Wow, what a month it was last month! We are very very saddened to say that Robin Pitcher; one of the owners of The Dogs Body, passed away on labour weekend after battling for many years against his ill health. We thank everyone who has passed on their condolences and well-wishes, it is hard, but life must go on... I would also like to extend a very very special thank you to all those dogs who were so willing to be moved from the day of his funeral and were done on a saturday instead; I am forever grateful to you all that I didn't have to come to work on that day as I'd have been a total mess!!!
With more sad news, we are now rooting for Harrison; Robins american cocker spaniel, to pull through his auto-immune problems that have only reared their head the week after Robin passed away! When it rains, it pours!! :(

On a lighter note, we are fully booked for all of 2010!!! Very impressive that so many have booked in so far in advance, and we are very happy to be so popular and keeping busy!!! It DOES mean however, that if you haven't already gotten in, then the soonest we can fit you in now is January 2011. Please please book in now, as we expect there to be a lot of 'overflow' bookings filling up Jan fast!!! We are running a cancelation list for appointments this year, but it's a growing list with only very few cancelations so far so it would still pay to book into Jan as well as we cannot promise that even if you're on our list that we will get another cancelation to fit you in to!!
In the mean time, we are heading into the silly season now, enjoy the weather, have fun, and be safe!!! :)


October 2010 Oh dear, what happened to July/August/September!?? We have obviously been very very busy lately, and with only a small window left with free appointments for the entire year, we are remaining very busy!!! If you want an appointment before 2011, you will have to choose a date between the 8th Nov and the 8th Dec as that is all we have left now (and even that is limited, get in quick!) Because we have been so booked out we are recommending you start planning for 2011 as well, as the overflow will quickly be filling that up as well!
With rising expenses every year we have been unable to prevent it any longer, and have had to rise our prices as well. This is the first price rise we've had in over 3 years, and for most people it's only going up by around $5, so we feel this is still reasonable!! We do have a VIP service, and if you pre-book for at least every 6 weeks you will get a cheaper rate than those who don't. See our prices page for more idea of what our prices are now.
Amy passed her Non-Sporting grooming exam in August, so now she has only her masters exam to do next year to become a fully certified Master Groomer! Amy has also been keeping our facebook page up-to-date, with regular photos of grooms as well as updates of appointment availability. If you are on facebook then don't forget to 'like' our page to continue to get updates as they are posted!


June 2010 So far it's been fairly mild, though the rain has certainly kept everything nice and wet, we've also had some sun too! Only a few frosts and a couple of light snow falls on the hills, but I'm sure the worst is yet to come!!
Dog registrations came out this month, and must be paid by the end of July. We put an ad in with the dog registrations this year, as well as a coupon for either "$10 off your dogs first groom with us" OR "A free nail trim for any breed of dog" and we've had a lot of coupons redeemed already! Please remember to call us to check when a suitable time is to come in, even if it's just for a nail trim, as even though it only takes a few mins we can be very busy with other dogs and we dont' want to have to rush anyone!!! The coupons expire at the end of Oct as we get very busy again by then so don't have as much time to be stopping for loads of free nail trims, though nail trims only cost $10 if you need them done after Oct anyway. :)

May 2010 The cold weather is surely coming down on us now, there is even talk of the first snow fall this coming weekend, so remember to wrap up warm, and don't forget your dog might need an extra jacket on cold morning walks now too! Over the cold months we are happy to provide a 'mini groom' service, offering a thorough bath and blow dry, as well as a wee tidy up of any knots and of course a wee trim around the face, feet and tail to let their groom last a little longer than usual through the chilly months ahead. Give Amy a call about having a 'mini groom' before your dog gets knotty and desperate for a full groom though! To help feel warmer and happier on the grey days, Amy has gone ahead and dyed some of Paris in their signature colour; purple! It's amazingly bright and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face if you come in to see her; Paris has brightened many peoples days, and loves the attention it brings her! Check out the rest of the photos on our facebook page if you can't come in to see her for yourself.

April 2010 Well Amy has had a grooming workshop this month, in preparation for her next exam; the non-sporting group! Amy groomed Paris for the workshop, but she will be borrowing a miniature poodle to use in her exam in August. Check out the photo page for photos of the recent workshop and some amazing before & after photos of Paris!!!
The onset of autumn always means the start of our quieter time of year but please make sure you continue to book ahead as we are still booked out for around 2 weeks! We have a new load of Orijen dog food in and it is selling well, please feel free to give us a call if theres something specific you want us to get in and we will try our best to do so!!!
We reccommend that if you want your dog to keep a longer coat over winter that you bring them in for a final trim now, before the coldest weather hits us! A trim up now can mean they will last through the cold winter weather a lot better, rather than just getting overly hairy and muddy and knotted by spring time!


March 2010 We're back into it and we are currently fully booked until after Easter!! The weather is starting to turn against us, depsite still waiting to get the summer weather we're used to!! Because it has been a cold summer, please don't forget to bring your pooch in to see us soon, if you leave them long and hairy now, they will be far more likely to get long and matted in the middle of winter!! It is better to be trimmed up short now, so they last through the worst of the winter weather. If you are needing an appointment soon, please call us now and make one, we are happy to add you to our cancelation list as well, but we aren't getting many cancelations so do still make an appointment as well!!
Amy is preparing for her 3rd year of grooming exams now, with the workshop coming up in April, and the exams later in the year. This year the practical exam is to groom a poodle, so expect Paris to be getting hairy at times leading up to the workshop and exams! If Amy can pass her exams this year, she has only one more year to go to become an "NZ Master Groomer"; the only one in Dunedin!


February 2010 As usual, the year is whizzing by already, we are nearly into March and I'm only just getting the Feburary update out!!! We have NOT SLOWED DOWN yet since Christmas! That means you are looking at a 3-4 week wait until our nearest appointment time!! Please remember to book ahead to prevent missing out like this!
We are very proud to be the only stockist south of Christchurch to stock the #1 pet food "Orijen"! This food is simply amazing, no added presevatives, 70% meat, no grains. It is great, and there are more information on the "Nutrition" page!!
Don't forget we will be close for the last week of Feburary, but opening again on the 1st of March!


January 2010 Wow, a new year already! So far we haven't really quietened down at all, and if you ring up today, the soonest available appointment is about 3 weeks away. I cannot stress enough, the benefit of pre-booking your appointments every time you collect your dog, to ensure you get in when you dog is due; not overdue!
Amy is taking her holiday at the end of Feb again this year, because she works so hard through Christmas for you all! It will only be one week off this year though, so it should be ok to fit everyone in around it, but be aware that because we are full for 3 weeks anyway you need to be booking in NOW if you want an appointment before March!! the last day we are open will be Friday 19th Feb and Amy will be back to work first thing on Monday 1st March
Amy and Paris just got their first official obedience title this month too, and are one of only a handful in NZ to have gained this title so far, so congratulations to them both, and keep an eye out for their new ribbons displayed on the wall at The Dogs Body too!!


December 2009 Whew, the year is almost over!! Amy is nearing 200 appointments this month alone, it is a busy time of year!! We have added a small piece into our 'partial grooming' section on the website to show options for preventing barley grass problems, click here to go and have a nosey.
We will be closing after Christmas Eve and open again on the 4th of January; Amy will be taking a holiday at the end of Feburary instead of having a holiday at the moment.
Check out our new photo album linked from our home page, or click here. Keep an eye on it, because your wee darling might be the next to appear on there!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the whole team at The Dogs Body!!!


November 2009 We are currently FULL FOR THE YEAR; there are no more appointments left until we start back properly on Jan 11th 2010! Amy is running a cancelation list though, so feel free to call up and be added to it, as there has been quite a few cancelations already, so there's definitely a chance you could still get in!
Please call Amy as SOON as possible if you cannot make your appointment! There is no room to change appointments to another time and if you are late for your appointment we may not be able to fit you back in again at all! With a waiting list growing by the day, your missed appointment could be greatly welcomed by one of our other clients who have missed out so far too, so please contact us as soon as possible if you think you can't make it!
Amy has had new business/appointment cards printed too, and is trying to make sure most people are booking their next appointments ahead of time, to save missing out. If you haven't gotten your next appointment for the new year, just give Amy a call and she will sort one out for you before we get fuller there too! Otherwise ask for your next appointment each time you collect your dog to make sure you won't ever miss out.


October 2009 Amy has been busy recently, helping to organise a benefit dog show that raised $8000 for the Otago Community Hospice! Apart from that she has been busy grooming too, with lots of dogs needing their tidy up after winter, and also taking the bookings for christmas. As it stands, December is already filling up, so please do get your appointments sorted soon, and for those who have already booked; thank you!
The Dogs Body will be closed over Labour weekend, from the friday lunch time until the tuesday morning. There is also a big national dog training show being held locally over Labour Weekend and Amy and Paris are entered in it! check out the NDTA website for more information about that, as spectators are welcome. If you do go along, come and say hi to Amy and Paris too!

September 2009 The spring weather is hitting us now, and along with Amys recent win at the national competition, we are getting full!! Currently anyone ringing up wanting an appointment has to wait close to two weeks to get in, so we reccomend booking each appointment ahead of time! It's easiest to book in your next appointment when you pick up your dog, that way you're sure of a spot when you need it! Please start planning for Christmas now too, Amy already hs some days filled up in December, so get in now while you still can!! The professional photos, by Suezette Shaw, from the national groomalong competition are back! Here is the wonderful photo of Amy and Paris taking out the top title, alongside the London judge, Mr Peter Young.

August 2009 Amy has officially been crowned as NEW ZEALAND GROOMER OF THE YEAR 2009!!! Huge congratulations to her! The number of phone calls coming in to congratulate her have been almost overwhelming, but of course as everyone keeps saying, we already knew we had the best groomer around, now it's just been confirmed! Amy Passed her terrier exam with 89% at the national dog grooming competition, and took up Paris the poodle to groom as well. It was with Paris that she took out the top honours under the london judge Peter Young.


July 2009 Brrrr, the first few days of July have been chilly so far, but hopefully with the shortest day behind us now we are on the up swing and will only have better weather!!! Amy is preparing for her next grooming exam now, she will be doing terriers this year, and has to groom two dogs to pass it, as well as sit the theory test! Along with that she is also taking on the national grooming competition with Paris the poodle, so we wish her luck in all of that, and we'll have an update on how she went in august!!!


June 2009 The snow has only caused us to be closed once so far, so good on all those who have been batteling the cold weather and frosts to still bring your dog in for grooming!!! We are quite happy to accomodate those who want appointments for later in the mornings to avoid the frosts too, so do just ask if you'd like to come in a little later than usual!!
Paris the poodle is getting her final trim this month, and then she has to grow out a coat until august and the national grooming competition! Watch out for her fluffy feet popping over the door to say hi when you come in!


May 2009 The workshop went really well and Amy learned heaps! We are now looking forward to the national grooming competition in August! Amy will be grooming an airedale terrier, a west highland white terrier, and Paris for the competition and her exam.
We had our first good snow fall this month, and as a result the bookings have gotten very quiet! Remember even though it's cold now, it will be colder later and you're still better off getting a good groom now, rather than right in the middle of winter! And besides, less hair=less mess when it's wet like this!!!


April 2009 Amy is preparing for her grooming workshop in Christchurch on the first weekend of May, so Paris is looking rather wooly until then! If your dog has shorter hair and doens't need a lot of grooming, daylight savings time is the key to remembering that your dogs need their brush and bath now. Twice a year dogs change from their winter coat to their summer coat, and back again, so it's a good time to give your dog a spruce up before they shed everywhere, or their changing coat gets knotted into the new coat growing in!


March 2009 Big Congratulation to Amy and her new hubby on tying the knot last month! We're back to the real world now, and we have having an un-seasonably cold time of it at the moment, so make sure you get your dogs in soon if you want them trimmed before winter or you'll suddenly find you have a knotted dog that needs shaved down short, half-way-through the cold weather!
Amy is studying for her next exam to be held in August, and there will be a workshop in May for it.
Remember there are a lot of public holidays in the first half of the year, and we ARE closed on public holidays!! Easter in paticular gets very busy, so try to get in early!!


February 2009The year is going fast, there is only one more week with open appointments between now and when Amy gets back on the 10th of March, so do be sure you get in quickly now if you're thinking of booking in your dog!!
We are still getting in lots of new pups, some of them are a bit older now and are getting knotty; remember we cannot clip through knots, only under them! If your pup is rather knotted down it's legs then there is little we can do except shave them short!!! Bring your pup in before it gets that knotted and we can often brush them out enough to still keep them fluffy and cute.


January 2009!!! Happy new year! We have had a lot of new puppies in for their first grooms, it's lots of fun to start them on their way to a life of well-behaved grooming, but remember you need to do a lot of work with them at home to make the rest of their life easier on everyone!! Come in and chat with Amy about what you can do at home to cement good manners about grooming.
With the new year rolling past behind us so quickly, we are now planning ahead for the rest of the year already! Amy will be CLOSING the shop for 2 weeks, while she goes on her honeymoon at the end of Feburary. We will be trying to tell everyone ahead of time so they can be scheduled around those 2 weeks, but we will be unable to take any bookings during the time away.

We will be closed Feb 20th until March 10th
Anyone due for a grooming during that time we are suggesting you come in for a groom earlier rather than later, even if it's just for a wee tidy-up! Better that, than having a knotted uncomfortable dog that needs shaved short when Amy comes back!

December 2008 We are now full for christmas! There is still the odd cancelation, so feel free to call and be added to our waiting list, but it pays to make a January appointment anyway, as you're likely to not get in otherwise!
We are closing on Christmas Eve, and opening again on Monday the 5th if Jan. Thank you to all our customers over this year, both the old and the new ones. It's been great having you all, and we look forward to catching up again in the new year! Keep safe!

November 2008 The community day went well, though not as big a turn out as we'd have liked! Paris has pink ears for the occasion, and was very well behaved for everyone! We had good entries to the colouring comepetition, and congratulatiosn to all our winners!!!
Remember we are nearly full now!! In paticular if you have a big dog, it needs to be booked in within the next week or two or else you WILL be turned away! We love all our customers and hate having to turn anyone away, but when we're full, we're full!

October 2008 We've had a good response from our bulk email, with a great n7umber of people making their christmas bookings early, and as a result we are already filling up!! We are trying to remind everyone who comes in, but if you've been missed please do give us a call and get booked in as soon as you can, we don't want you missing out!!
Paris the poodle has been helping out this month, by wearing her pink ears and the pink ribbon logo groomed in to her hip, and we went out collecting for breat Cancer Awareness day earlier in the month too. A great cause, and we were happy to support them!!
Next month the Dogs Body is organising an open day and community market for the helensburgh shopping center! The Veterinary clinic, hair dressers and liquor store are all supporting the day on the 8th Nov, and an article will be in the Star Newspaper soon! The community is supporting the day with stalls and games as well, and we hope for a fun day for everyone!

September 2008 A bulk email will be sent out this month to all our customers reminding you to make christmas appointments soon! Amy is keeping busy as she is still working for the Stirling groomer "Pets Uptown Parlour" once a week, and with warmer weather on the way buisness picks up again anyway. On top of that, Rose is away from her parlour in the Gardens, and so quite a few new customers are coming to us in the mean time, so make sure you give plenty of time to get an appointment in!!!
The dogs body, in conjuction with Helensburgh Veterinary Clinc, Hair For you, and Helensburgh Liqour Store, are having an open day and mini market for the community on the 8th of November. Stall sites are free to community groups, so give us a call or pop in for a flyer with more information for having a stall or raffle or something; great for fundraising as we will be advertising in the Star as well! And mark it on your calender to come along and see us! A chance to see in the working end of the parlour, as well as the other shops on the block, there will be a colouring competition and games as well as plenty to buy and see!

August 2008 Congratulations to Amy for passing her gundog exam with flying colours!! Amy received the top score of over 95% for her grooming of Harrison, the american cocker spaniel, and for her theory paper on the gundog breeds. Amy is now officially certified with the National Dog Groomers Association of New Zealand for grooming gundogs, and she is looking forward to doing her terrier exam next year.
With so much rain across the country at the moment, that means MUD! Many people are still not wanting their dog to be fully groomed, but we reccomend coming in and getting the feet and belly trimmed a bit closer, especially on the dogs with short wee legs! It will help reduce how much mud and rain is bought inside to your carpets, and make it easier for you to dry them off after running on the wet grass too!
Start planning ahead for your spring grooms and your christmas appointments now too, I know it still feels early but if you miss out because you've forgotten to get in soon enough then no one wins!!