I'm no Edward Scissorhands but I think I've been doing a pretty decent job on my 1-year-old…read moreCavoodle - I deduce this because she hasn't displayed any of the tell-tale cowering that is exhibited by other members of the household when they are shown 'the bowl'. In fact she's always rather enjoyed my bathe and cut sessions BUT I know the limits of my cutting skills and following some work in the garden recently, she was in need of a professional job. So it was that we sought out 'Secret Dogs Business'; a glam dog grooming parlour on Mowbray Road, WIlloughby where the scent that greets you as you open the door is a heady mix of expensive candles with a hint of dog bum. It was with head hanging in shame that I confessed to the groomer that she was matted and handed her over. 'Just do what you can,' I said and so it's only fair to report that the groomer did a very tidy BUT very short job. So this is where my review becomes more of an advice column. Firstly, keep up the brushing and don't let them get matted! Secondly, dogs might FREAK OUT when they realise that they are not a teddy bear and are in fact dogs albeit with baboons jacksies (vanity is not just for humans it seems). So my words to the wise. Be super clear about what you want the dog to look like and don't assume that it was the parlour's fault if your dog takes to their bed to issue withering stares for a few days.

Have been coming here for a few years and they always listen to what I want. My moodle gets a good…read moreshort groom with slightly longer on the legs. Appreciate them being flexible with drop in times too. Always friendly. Thanks

Bark Avenue used to be a really nice, and usually busy, place to bring my pup for a manicure and…read morebum-hair-trim. Recently, it changed management and my last experience there wasn't so impressive. Firstly, I didn't have to make an appointment as they said they were free anytime that day. Convenient, yes, but that could have been a red flag. When I brought my dog over, the front of the shop was full of other people's dogs, which was fine but we had to wait a bit for the managers to clear them out as they were jumping all over the place. Then there was the smell inside. Oh, the smell! It was a putrid mix of different dogs' sweat, incubated in the hot reception area. It was so bad I couldn't even wait there while they took my dog away for his quick treatment, so I chose to go for a wander outdoors instead. The staff were friendly and did their job, but there was just that element of ease missing from the service compared to before.

The first time I casually walked past Bark Avenue I did a double take at the dogs in the window…read more Two shaggy pup were watching the world go by and looked at first to be dog teddy bears. Then a few more dogs scurried from the back of the shop to the window and play was on. Bark Avenue is a dog spa for pooches. Very cool that they have free reign - no cages or collars. I've not seen doggy excretions there yet either though of course the place reeks of dog and shampoo. They take boarders at Christmas which is convenient. It's $40/night for small dogs and $50/night for large ones if you bring your own food - an extra $5 each if you want them to supply it. Sell leads, collars and harnesses also.

Worst service ever experienced - the man was so rude and has no customer service skills. accused…read morecustomer before checking with staff. wouldn't trust my dog there ever again!

They could supervise the dogs in their care and pick up their mess, rather than socialise and be…read morestuck on their phones

The Stellar Paws team have totally changed the behaviour of our two previously insecure Aussie…read moreBulldogs. Notoriously resistant to change, our two boys now look forward to their walks with Beau and his team, and have become so much happier and much more confident. This result would not have happened if it were not for the patience and understanding of Beau. It's obvious that Beau loves dogs and as challenging as our Bug and Busta can be, over the past few weeks they have come to love their trips to the beach and to a seemingly endless variety of parks, where they now play with the other dogs and also enthusiastically show Beau how much they appreciate him...a little too much at times. The only question Bug has for Beau right now is when he can drive the van to the park. But seriously we would not hesitate to recommend Beau and his team xxxxx