Keeping Them Busy Without the Treat Conveyor Belt
Beth Grainger • 6 November 2026
I’ve been quite fortunate with my dogs. I’ve never really needed to distract them or keep them occupied with chews, frozen Kongs, antlers, buffalo horns or an endless supply of enrichment toys.
Then there’s Pilgrim and his regular physio and hydrotherapy sessions.
Sometimes he needs a little persuasion to stay occupied while his therapist gets on with the important stuff. And by "a little persuasion", I obviously mean food.
I’ve tried cream cheese on a LickiMat. I’ve fed cocktail sausages, ham, chicken… the list goes on.
The problem is that a 30-minute session can turn into a conveyor belt of food. And what goes in must eventually come out. Sometimes with consequences for the tummy that I'd rather not discuss in too much detail!
So, I’m trying something different: a frozen Kong.
For my first experiment, I’ve mixed wet dog food with a little coconut oil, pieces of dog pâté and water, stuffed the Kong and popped it into the freezer. The idea is that instead of constantly handing Pilgrim individual treats, he'll have something that takes him a little longer to work through.
But I've already discovered something incredibly useful.
The Kong plug/stand!
It's such a simple idea. The Kong sits upright while you fill it, the plug helps stop the contents escaping through the bottom, and the stand keeps the whole thing upright in the freezer. No balancing a stuffed Kong against the frozen peas and hoping for the best!
Mine was an Etsy purchase from a 3D-printing seller, Holistic3D:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Holistic3D
Now comes the interesting part: will it actually keep Pilgrim occupied during his physio?
I’ll report back after we've tested it properly!
In the meantime, I’d love to know what everyone else puts in their frozen Kongs or enrichment toys. What fillings keep your dog occupied without giving them half a day's calories in one sitting?
I have plethora of hydration powders and drinks at home, in the salon, in the car for when at agility competitions and on dog walks but why ....
Recently, I’ve groomed a couple of dogs who are being fostered due to their owners being unwell in hospital or in respite care. Both are have come about via The Cinnamon Trust (Registered Charity, No. 1134680). The Cinnamon Trust is a charity based in Cornwall who have a nationwide network of volunteers to help the elderly and infirm with their pets; assisting with the animal's exercise or husbandry, trips to the vets (& dog groomers) or temporary foster care. They maintain a Pet Friendly Care Home Register which details care and retirement residences that accept pets and also have their own home sanctuaries if there are no other options. Before I joined the realms of dog ownership, I volunteered for them as a dog walker at the weekends. I walked a variety of breeds; German Shepherd, Greyhound and Cocker Spaniels. Some were only for a short period of time but others continued for a number of years. I believe the owners were extremely grateful their dogs were being taken out, but also the chance for a chat with a different face each week. I notice the Charity are looking for volunteers, although not specifically in the south east. If you, or know of a family member, friend or colleague who may be interested in volunteering, follow this link . It my be opportunities are not immediately available but good things come to those who wait! NB - If you're wondering what's behind the Title; the Charity was named in memory of the founder's (Mrs Averil Jarvis) pet dog - Cinnamon and the Patrons are Virginia McKenna (an actor known for her role in Born Free) and Sir Paul McCartney (a member of the Beetles).
Back in the middle of March, after a lot of thinking and reading conflicting information from Government bodies and those in the industry, I made the tough decision to close and help "flatten the curve". Once again in the middle of this month, I find myself doing a lot of thinking and reading conflicting information from Government bodies and those in the industry. This time I made the decision to reopen and help make your dogs a little more comfortable, be able to see or touch up home grooms! Whilst I do believe the risk of catching Covid-19 is fairly low as it is known canines can not be infected by the virus, they can however be a mechanism of transfer via their fur. In order to reopen, I've put in place a few extra hygiene measures for both my safety and yours. I am trialling a one-way system; arrivals via the external door and collections through Lillico store. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of you crossing paths as one dog arrives / leaves. I have appropriate PPE (gloves, face mask, apron) to prevent the virus, should it be present, transferring to me. There will be a crate at the 'entrance' for you to put your dog(s) in and remove harnesses and leads. Please keep their collar on and I will put it through my UV steriliser. I will spray your dog with Leucillin and then retrieve them using my slip lead and carry out a quick health and coat check prior to you leaving. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of you and I falling within the required 2m social distance. I will not ask you to sign the standard Declaration Form. For existing clients, I will trust your previous signature still applies and for new clients, I will seek your verbal agreement. As soon as possible, I will bathe your dog to wash away any virus should it be present and then continue the groom as usual. On finishing the groom, I will place your dog in a crate at the 'collection point' where you can greet them and fit their harnesses and leads. I will have given you a collection time and would appreciate if you can be prompt. I would prefer if payment be made using Contactless but cash is acceptable. Of course, future appointments can be made but I will confirm by phone / text rather than hand you a business card. Between each groom, I will be cleaning the crates, bathing area, floor and the grooming table using a Safe4 disinfectant that has been certified to kill Covid-19. I will also be steriliser the equipment, including leads. Unfortunately, with extra measures being taken, and considerably more hair growth, the grooms will take me longer. I will be unable to make as many appointments in one day as I had done previously. I appreciate your support and patience and hope you can bear with me a little longer whilst I reschedule you all back in. I do have a list I'm working through of those who were postponed plus those of who have made contact since. Along with the length of time since the last groom, I am also using a 'Condition of Dog' rating (see below). I look forward to being in contact soon and hope to bring a smile to your face when you see your #FreshlyCoiffedCanine.
Last weekend, I was renewing my emergency dog first aid certificate. To help familiarise ourselves in finding the femoral artery, Chris the instructor for Dog First Aid Kent had brought along a willing volunteer, his rescue dog - Cody. In conversation, he mentioned the centre from where he’d obtained her from had said approx. 30% of dogs that pass thru Kent re-homing centres could be returned to their owners if microchip details were up-to-date. That is a staggering statistic. Since 6th April 2016, it is a legal requirement for your dog to be microchipped however, the registered contact details could be that of the breeder, a previous owner, the rescue centre or of course there may not be a chip at all. On collecting your dog, the microchip details should be provided but that may not always be the case. If you don’t know whether your dog has a microchip and / or the microchip number, a vet, dog warden or rescue centre would be happy to run a scanner over them. If you don’t know which database the number is registered to – use the Check-a-chip website which should provide you with a contact number. I found the Government website to be very helpful too. It provides a list of the recognised databases that meet their criteria. If you dog isn’t microchipped - The Dogs Trust offer a free service at their rehoming centres (excluding Basildon), although you may need to make an appointment. In America, Thursday 15th August is being recognised as National Check the Chip Day. However, don’t wait until then, check the chip today ! PS - It is also a legal requirement for your dog, whilst in a public place, to wear a collar which must bear the owner’s name and address, via a tag if necessary.
There is much debate amongst dog groomers as to whether clipping off double-coated breeds helps to keep them cool. However, what most of us agree upon is if the fur is matt and undercoat free, the heat is able to be dispersed more easily. The other thing to consider when clipping off, and this is regardless of dog breed and coat type, their fur does provide protection from the sun. If you're going short, please provide plenty of shade, or try and keep the sun-worshippers from lying outside for long periods of time. What is perhaps a little known fact is dogs sweat thru their paw pads. Keeping them free of hair is a straightforward* way of helping them keep a bit cool - along with plenty of fresh water, dampened towels .... I'm more than happy if you wish to bring your pooch in for a pad fur trim - just give me a call / drop me a text in advance so I know to expect you - 07305 984827. *I won't say easy as I know how 'ticklish' feet can be!
From first hand experience, I declare it is rather wet for June. For a few days last week, I was standing in a field sporting wellies, wet weather gear and a hat. For the horticulturists amongst you, I can hear you say - " it is good for the garden though". I can't disagree but where plants grow, so do weeds! Recently when I've been 'prepping' (bathing, drying and brushing out) dogs, I have found a variety of grass seeds. Not so hazardous you may think but the ones with points can pierce the skin and travel. The outcome could vary from a mild skin irritation to surgery to remove the offending object. If you've walked through areas with particularly long grasses, please take the time when you get home to run your hands through your dogs fur, along their legs, body and especially paying attention to their ears and between their toes. It may save you a trip to your local veterinarian!
I can imagine when you collect your dog after it's groom you look and wonder why a pom-pom. Well, as I'm launching the colour for May, it seemed an opportune moment to explain. Why bother with anything. Yes it is a gimmick I suppose but for me, I believe it finishes off the groom. I liken it to what a bow or ribbon adds to gift wrapping. Your dog leaves K9C, freshly coiffed, neat and tidy. If you leave it on for a few outings, it could also be a talking point and therefore a bit of brazen advertising! Some of you may have noticed, I've tried other embellishments too - foam flowers and printed ribbon. I decided against the flower idea as the colours were restrictive, and my dog Boxley ate them! I do like the printed ribbon but it doesn't always fit the wide collars. I wondered if I could make my own bows but my needlepoint isn't great and I tried following YouTube videos using glue and double-sided sticky tape too! I settled on pom-poms. Using the new generation of pom-pom making gadgets now available rather than the 'cardboard doughnut' method - they take next to no time to make. I can make in any size to suit the dog, change the colour and the band will fit most collars or harnesses. I am a little thwarted with those of you who use slip leads but where there's a will ..... Other groomers use bandanas, bows, ties etc. and are usually themed; Christmas, Valentine, Easter, Halloween. However, I found in working a reduced week, there are not so many opportunities for themes Instead, I've chosen to use the colours of the monthly birthstones: January - Red garnet (Deep Red) February - Amethyst (Purple) March - Aquamarine (Light Blue) April - Diamond (White with sparkly bits) May - Emerald (Green) June - Alexandrite (Light Purple) or Pearl (Cream) July - Ruby (Red) August - Peridot (Light Green) September - Sapphire (Deep Blue) October - Tourmaline (Pink) or Opal (white multi-colour) November - Topaz (Yellow) December - Tanzanite (Blue) What can you use the pom-poms for - Christmas tree baubles, sew together to make a garland, used as filler to transform a plain vase into a table centre piece .... [answers on a postcard]! The only downside, most of my lunchtimes and evenings are spent making pom-poms!
Wow, a year has passed since Lillico's Spring Open Day on the 14th April 2018 and Canine Coiffures' inaugural day. As is mandatory for birthdays, there were cakes, balloons and games (but no jelly and ice cream though). Congratulations to Amanda Stephens for her guess of 298 and winning the jar of 305 treats, and yes I did count each and every one in. The question is, will she count each and every one out?! The raffle of a free groom in support of Smokey Paws was won by Emma and one of her two pooches, Fudge or Margot. In the process, a great total of £56 was raised and helps their 'Paws for Breath' campaign; to get a pet oxygen mask on every UK fire appliance (https://www.gofundme.com/f/smokey-paws-pet-oxygen-masks-paws-for-breath-campaign). The last year wouldn't have been possible without help. My parents who helped with setting up K9C's studio and still continue to be on hand with laundry, printed photographs and providing emergency kettles when the equipment fails! My friends who relentlessly promote my Facebook and Twitter pages (@k9coiffures). Lillico's who continue to support this venture. Finally to my clients and their dogs. Yesterday's last groom was Ted the Bedlington Terrier - my 188th . I'm looking forward to number 189 and all that follow thereafter.
