Dog Grooming

Dog Grooming Auckland 

One-on-One Care That Puts your dog First.

Looking for dog grooming Auckland that’s calm, kind, and built around your dog’s needs? We offer one-on-one, reward-based grooming for dogs of all ages and sensitivities — including those who are anxious, reactive, or new to grooming.

A Behaviour-Led Approach to Grooming

We don’t rush dogs through grooms. We take our time to help them feel safe, understood, and able to cope. Some dogs may be nervous, unsure of handling, or struggle with tools or certain areas of their body. That’s OK. We tailor every session to your dog’s individual needs and pace.

All grooming is done by trained professionals with a background in canine behaviour. We read your dog’s body language and stress signals to guide our approach, always staying within their comfort level. We take breaks when your dog needs them, using play or enrichment to keep things positive. If they need a slower pace or gradual desensitisation, we plan for that.

Support Beyond the Groom

We also support you between sessions. If your dog finds brushing, towel drying, or nail trims difficult, we’ll show you how to build their confidence at home, without causing more stress or resistance.

For Puppies, Seniors, and Sensitive Dogs

Some dogs need more time, space, or support during grooming — whether they’re young, older, anxious, or just not used to being handled. We adjust each session to suit your dog’s needs on the day. If they’re new to grooming or finding parts of it difficult, we may suggest shorter or introductory sessions to help build confidence at their own pace.

Dog Grooming Auckland Services

Our dog grooming services are tailored for dogs that require gentle, patient care and a low-stress environment.

1. New Client Grooming Assessment & Health Check 

(First Time Booking With Us)

A 30-minute session to check your dog’s coat, skin, and behaviour. We look for lumps, bumps, sore spots, fleas, and any other issues that might affect comfort or safety. Our behaviorally trained team tailors a gentle grooming plan to suit your dog’s emotional and physical needs, reducing stress.

$55 · 30 mins

2. Ongoing Grooming, Handling & Exposure 

(For Dogs Building Confidence With Grooming)

These low-stress, repeat sessions are for dogs who aren’t yet ready for a full groom bath and tidy, or a full groom.

Usually booked after the New Client Groom and Health Check (if needed), this service helps dogs get used to handling, grooming tools, and routine care.
We work at your dog’s pace to build trust, predictability, and comfort.

Each session includes short, positive handling exercises — such as brushing, feet handling, gentle noise exposure, or standing on the table — tailored to your dog’s needs.

Progress varies from dog to dog. We monitor their body language and gradually build tolerance and confidence over time.

Ideal for puppies, nervous or fearful dogs, or those who’ve had negative grooming experiences.
The goal is to reduce stress and prepare your dog for long-term grooming success, without using force or overwhelming them.

$70 · 45 mins

If grooming is stressful for your dog or for you, our behaviourist can help you both feel more prepared. Find out more about our behaviour consultations.

3. Puppy’s First Grooming Desensitisation Session

(For young pups having their first grooming experience)

A gentle session to give your puppy a positive first impression of grooming. We introduce handling, the grooming table, basic tools (like brushes and combs), and the sounds of dryers and clippers—without pressure or restraint.

Play and treats are used throughout to keep the session fun and low-stress. No bathing or trimming is done. The focus is on helping your puppy feel safe, calm, and confident in the grooming environment.

Best booked before their first full groom to build trust and reduce the risk of fear later on. Some puppies may benefit from follow-up Ongoing Grooming, Handling & Exposure sessions to continue building confidence at their own pace.

$70 · 45 mins

If your puppy is still learning to cope with handling, our puppy training classes can help.

4. Puppy’s First Full Groom

(For Puppies Ready For Their First Full Grooming Experience)

A full groom for puppies who are ready to move beyond desensitisation. Includes a bath, gentle brush-out, drying, nail clip, and light trim (if needed). We take breaks as needed and use play, enrichment, and rewards to keep the session positive and low-stress.

Your puppy goes home with a photo and certificate to mark the milestone.

$85 · 60 mins

5. Bath & Tidy Touch

(For maintaining comfort between full grooms.)

A light grooming session to keep your dog clean and comfortable between full grooms. Includes a thorough brush, bath, blow-dry, nail trim, and a tidy of the face, feet, and sanitary areas.

This service can be booked at any time for dogs who have already completed the New Client Groom & Health Check and are comfortable with grooming, or for dogs we’ve already worked with and know are comfortable with this type of grooming.

From $65 – $145, depending on size and coat (See chart below.)

6. Full Groom

(Head-to-paws grooming for double-coated breeds)

Includes a full-body brush-out, bath, blow-dry, and a full trim of the head, body, and legs with fine scissor blending. Breed-specific styles and grooming options are available, depending on the coat type and condition. Also includes a sanitary trim, face and eye tidy, teeth brushing, paw pad cleaning, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. Styling focuses on maintaining coat health, comfort, and the dog’s natural outline.

We continue to monitor your dog’s comfort throughout, using rest breaks, enrichment, and positive reinforcement. 

Only available to dogs who’ve completed the New Client Groom & Health Check and are comfortable with handling.

From $95–$160 depending on size and coat.

7. Add-On Services

Additional Groom Time — $15 per 15 mins

De-matting from $10 – $50

Deep Conditioning –  $10

Paw Pad Care (Clean, Trim under and around paw pads) & Nail Clip — $35

Teeth Cleaning — $15

Nails Only — $20

Sizing Guide

Extra Small
Up to 5 kg
Examples: Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, toy breeds

Small
6 – 10 kg
Examples: Shih Tzu, West Highland White Terrier, Pug, Bichon Frise

Medium
11 – 20 kg
Examples: Cavoodle, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Spoodle, Standard Schnauzer

Large
21 – 29 kg
Examples: Border Collie, Labradoodle, Wheaten Terrier, Labrador Retriever

Extra Large
30 kg and over
Examples: Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, Leonberger, Briard, Rhodesian Ridgeback

Note:

Pricing is based on dogs with well-maintained, standard-length coats.
Extra time required for long, double-coated, or matted coats will be charged at $20 per 15 minutes. This ensures your dog’s comfort and safety during grooming.

Grooming FAQ

Yes — we offer gentle, one-on-one grooming for puppies to help them build positive associations early on.

Dogs with thick, long, or curly coats (like Poodles, Doodles, Cockapoos) usually need professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, depending on how well the coat is maintained at home. Short-coated dogs can go longer but still need regular brushing and nail trims.

Yes — we have an open-door policy. You’re more than welcome to stay if you prefer.

It’s a common belief that dogs behave better without their guardian present, but there’s no evidence that this applies to all dogs. In fact, for some dogs, having a familiar person nearby can reduce stress and improve confidence, especially during early grooming experiences or when working through fear.

We’ll work with you to decide what’s best for your dog. Whether you choose to stay or step out, we’ll always focus on creating a calm, positive environment.

We don’t wait until a dog becomes overwhelmed. Instead, we use careful observation to spot early signs of discomfort — like increased tension, avoidance, or changes in body language — and adjust the session as needed.

Our goal is to prevent distress, not push through it. For dogs who are nervous or new to grooming, we build trust over time using gradual exposure, gentle handling, and positive reinforcement. This approach helps dogs feel safe and develop long-term comfort with grooming.

If your dog becomes too unsettled to continue, we stop or change the plan for that session.

Because each booking reserves time and staff to deliver a specialised, low-stress service, the full fee still applies — even if we don’t complete every step of the groom. You’re still receiving expert handling, behavioural support, and a tailored plan to help your dog progress safely and gradually.

  • Take your dog for a short walk and give them the chance to toilet beforehand.
  • Bring your dog’s favourite treats or toys — they help support our reward-based approach.
  • If your dog finds comfort in familiar scents, feel free to bring a towel or blanket from home.
  • We use gentle, tear-free products. If your dog has a prescribed shampoo or allergy-safe product, bring it along.
  • Let us know about any new medical concerns or sensitivities before we start.

Yes — nail trims and small tidy-ups are available as standalone services. These are often great options for dogs who aren’t yet ready for full grooming, or between full sessions to maintain comfort.

We groom a wide range of breeds and coat types. If your dog has a coat that requires specific clipping styles (e.g., breed-standard trims), or a medical or behavioural history we should know about, just let us know at the time of booking so we can plan accordingly.

Please let us know in advance. We’ll adapt the session for your dog’s comfort — this may include extra time, breaks, or handling changes. If your dog has known health risks, we may suggest a pre-visit consultation and may ask for veterinary clearance if needed.

For some dogs, yes. For others — particularly if they’re anxious, matted, or unused to handling — we may need to break services into shorter, more manageable sessions. This approach helps avoid overwhelming your dog and builds long-term trust with grooming.

No. We do not use drying cabinets or tether dogs with grooming loops.

Drying is done by hand using a low-noise, dog-safe dryer — but only if your dog is comfortable with it. If they’re unsure or sensitive to airflow or sound, we’ll use towel drying instead.

We avoid unnecessary restraint and always follow a low-stress, consent-based approach. For dogs who find standing difficult — including seniors or those with joint or mobility issues — we adapt the setup and can groom them lying down on the floor.

We use a reward-based approach to help your dog feel safe and build long-term confidence with grooming — and trust in us.

This means:

  • We use treats, toys, and play to create positive associations, helping your dog feel comfortable and safe during grooming.
  • We introduce tools like brushes, dryers, and clippers gradually, so your dog can get used to the sounds, sensations, and handling at their own pace.
  • We use lick mats or chews to give your dog something enjoyable to focus on — helping them learn that grooming means good things happen.
  • We give your dog breaks when they need them, rather than pushing through signs of stress.
  • We pay close attention to your dog’s body language to guide what we do, and when we pause or change the plan.
  • Your dog is allowed to move away or say ‘no’ — we don’t force them to stay still if they’re uncomfortable

The goal isn’t just to get through the appointment. It’s to help your dog feel calm and in control so grooming becomes easier and more comfortable over time.

Georgia Williams
Georgia Williams
See Spot Learn is INCREDIBLE, truly worth its weight in Gold!!!!! Emily is amazing, she has taken the time to get to know our furbaby Bean along with the intricacies of Beans anxiety and fear. She has been patient and caring with Bean, building trust with Bean each time we have visited allowing for some truly amazing results!!! Emily has been great at guiding us through the work she is doing with Bean and giving us simple ways we can help build on her work with Bean each day at home. Bean requires a lot of commitment and Emily has taken on the task of Bean head on! Emily has given us regular communication and planning for long term work to get Bean as happy as she can be. I could not recommend Emily and See Spot Learn highly enough for anyone with a dog that has high needs and requires a bit more care and attention than your average groomer would put in. This is the first place we have taken Bean where she has been given the care, time and attention she needs to get comfortable with grooming! We cant thank you enough Emily !!!
Gentle Dog Grooming Auckland
Specialised Dog Grooming Auckland

Our dog grooming Auckland salon is based in Mt Albert.

Welcome to our See Spot Learn family!

Please fill out this form to help us give your dog the best care . All information is confidential and used only for grooming purposes.

New Client Grooming Form

Consent and Agreement: At See Spot Learn Grooming, your dog’s physical and emotional safety, as well as their comfort are our priority. We take every step to ensure a gentle, positive grooming experience, guided by our expertise in canine behaviour. I hereby waive and release See Spot Learn and its employees, directors and officers, members, and agents from all liability of any nature including any claims, costs, losses, liabilities, expenses, injury or damage suffered or incurred as a result of my dogs grooming session, also including any damage or costs, losses or other expenses arising out of any injury resulting from the action to any person or dog, or for any accident or incident occurring in connection with my dog or puppy’s attendance. I understand I am liable for any medical care, expenses and or damages that result from any injury caused by my dog. If an emergency or medical problem develops or arises while my dog is in the care of See Spot Learn I authorise See Spot Learn to do whatever it considers necessary for the safety, health and well-being of my dog. I agree to assume full financial responsibility for any and all expenses, costs or losses incurred in relation to such emergency or problem. See Spot Learn will use all reasonable efforts to contact me as soon as possible upon such an incident occurring. See Spot Learn reserves the right to refuse services to any client, at any time, for any reason. Additional Charges: Matted coats or specific breed/style cuts may require extra time, incurring additional fees. You will be informed of any extra charges before grooming begins. Bookings and Cancellations: Our services are in high demand, and we appreciate your commitment. Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a fee equal to the full cost of the scheduled service.

We follow positive grooming principles supported by the Pet Professional Guild and approaches supported by Fear Free®