Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming

Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming Animal Reiki Practitioner. I am qualified to Level 1 DAATA-ICDG International Certification of Dermatological Grooming.

Holistic, Behaviour-Led, Dog, Cat & Small Animal Grooming by Caroline
City & Guilds qualified
Fear-free Certified
Low-stress Handling Silver Certified
DAATA Level 1
First Aid Trained
Fully Insured DBS Checked
ASA Winner Holistic Groomer of the Year 2025 I hold a Silver Certification in Low Stress Handling. Currently studying:
Level 2 DAATA-ICDG
Diploma in Safe Handling with the ISCP
Diploma in Canine Behaviour with the ISCP
I am also a member of the Holistic Grooming Academy and am studying for a Holistic Grooming Diploma. I am constantly trying to better myself in order to give the dogs in my care a compassionate, safe and kind groom using the latest science backed, evidenced based techniques. I take a holistic approach therefore your dog's emotional wellbeing during their grooming experience is as equally important to me as giving them a great groom.

Can you tell January is quieter for me 🤪 I groomed everything that moved in December. I won’t lie, it’s nice to have had...
14/01/2026

Can you tell January is quieter for me 🤪 I groomed everything that moved in December. I won’t lie, it’s nice to have had a slower week and HMRC are happy at least (whilst I went to tax return hell).

Anyway I digress… I just wanted to share that after six years of practising Reiki at Level 2, I’ve recently received my Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher attunements.

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive energy practice that supports relaxation, emotional balance and overall wellbeing. It works by encouraging the body’s own natural ability to settle, regulate and heal — which is why it can be particularly supportive for animals, who are often deeply receptive to calm, subtle input.

My new certificates reflect my Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher attunements, meaning I have been formally attuned to work with Reiki at Master level and to teach Reiki should I wish to in the future. I see this not as an endpoint, but as a natural progression in a long-term practice that continues to evolve with experience.

I am fully insured to practise Reiki professionally.

While I can work with humans, my heart — and my ongoing development — is very much focused on animals. In particular, pets who may be anxious, sensitive, ageing, recovering, or simply in need of a little extra emotional support alongside their regular care.

Reiki is never a replacement for veterinary treatment or professional advice, but it can sit beautifully alongside conventional care as a complementary, supportive therapy.

I’m really looking forward to continuing to hone my skills, deepen my understanding, and explore how Reiki can best support the pets I work with — always respectfully, always gently, and always led by the individual in front of me.

Always learning, even between busy days in the groom room ✨I’ve just passed Cat Grooming Essentials with Julie Harris, s...
12/01/2026

Always learning, even between busy days in the groom room ✨

I’ve just passed Cat Grooming Essentials with Julie Harris, scoring 100% 🎓

Although I’ve been grooming cats professionally for over five years, I still make a point of checking in on updated techniques, current guidance, and any changes in legislation whenever time allows. Our industry doesn’t stand still — and neither should our knowledge.

This course was a valuable opportunity to refresh core skills, explore current best practice, and ensure the care I offer remains informed, ethical, and cat-centred.

👉 If you’re looking for a cat groomer who values experience and staying up to date, your cat is in safe, knowledgeable hands here.

Music to our ears everyone!! 🐾 🫖 ☕️ ❤️
11/01/2026

Music to our ears everyone!! 🐾 🫖 ☕️ ❤️

Soon you will all be able to drop off your furry friends and go for a cuppa at the new Curiositea Rooms on the High Stre...
06/01/2026

Soon you will all be able to drop off your furry friends and go for a cuppa at the new Curiositea Rooms on the High Street.
I believe they’re opening on 1st February. 🤎

All three venues open tomorrow from 10.00am. Come along and see us for delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch and so much more.

Here’s a sneak peek as promised at Edlesborough - we are so excited to see it coming together…. The new counter is being installed

See you all tomorrow at
Pitstone Park
The Natural History Museum, Tring
Leighton Buzzard Railway, Page’s Park

🐰 Rabbit grooming at Bentley & Bear 🐰Rabbits are often labelled as “easy” pets, but they’re actually one of the most spe...
03/01/2026

🐰 Rabbit grooming at Bentley & Bear 🐰

Rabbits are often labelled as “easy” pets, but they’re actually one of the most specialist species to groom well.

As prey animals, rabbits are incredibly sensitive — both physically and emotionally. That means grooming needs to be slow, thoughtful and guided by the rabbit, with a deep understanding of their bodies, balance and stress responses.

✨ Why rabbits may need grooming support
• Heavy moults that produce surprising amounts of loose coat
• Dense or woolly coats that tangle quickly
• Reduced ability to self-groom due to age, weight or mobility
• Ingested fur, which can affect gut comfort
• Occasional hygiene support when needed

For rabbits, grooming isn’t about appearance — it’s about comfort, safety and wellbeing.

✨ Handling is where the skill lies
Rabbits have delicate spines and powerful back legs, so everything about how they’re handled matters.

At Bentley & Bear, rabbit grooming is:
• Fully supported at all times
• Carried out low and securely
• Led by body language, not the clock
• Adjusted or paused the moment a rabbit tells me they need it

Shorter, carefully paced sessions often work best — calm always comes first.

🚫 A few important don’ts
❌ No bathing
❌ No scruffing or flipping
❌ No rushed handling
❌ No ignoring subtle signs of stress
❌ No treating rabbits like small dogs or cats

💚 The aim
A comfortable rabbit.
A lighter coat.
Less fur ingested.
And a grooming experience built on trust rather than tolerance.

Featuring the lovely Cookie & Lunar — quietly proving that rabbit grooming, done properly, is a skill in its own right 🐰🐰

🥰 Aww what a lovely thing to read. Do have a listen if I haven’t talked your ears off in the groom room enough. 😜
30/12/2025

🥰 Aww what a lovely thing to read.
Do have a listen if I haven’t talked your ears off in the groom room enough. 😜

Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming 🫶 some lovely reviews about your approach and our podcast

The Pet Groomer Community Podcast is there to support pet groomers in our industry. Head over to Spotify or Apple to listen xx

Finished work at 8pm last night — December has been absolutely bonkers busy. Aside from some cat 🐈‍⬛ and chicken 🐓 sits,...
24/12/2025

Finished work at 8pm last night — December has been absolutely bonkers busy. Aside from some cat 🐈‍⬛ and chicken 🐓 sits, I won’t be picking up my clippers again until 29th December. I’m really looking forward to a few days enjoying my home and the people who will be in it. ❤️

Big thanks to Martin for single handedly doing all the Christmas prep and cooking me dinner every evening and weekend whilst I have worked. I appreciate you. 😘

Some of you may have met Ellie and Liam during December, who have both been doing work experience with me alongside their Animal Management college courses. They have been absolutely brilliant. 👏🏻

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish season’s greetings to all my wonderful clients ✨

While I personally celebrate Christmas 🎄, I want to send heartfelt thanks and warm wishes to each and every one of you, whatever this time of year looks like in your home. ❤️

Thank you for your continued custom, trust and support. Every dog, cat (and small furry) I care for means so much to me, and I never take that trust lightly. Bentley & Bear exists because of your belief in calm, compassionate, one-to-one grooming — where emotional wellbeing, agency and low-stress handling are always prioritised.

This season also holds space for remembrance. To the much-loved companions who crossed the Rainbow Bridge this year, you are remembered with tenderness, and you will always hold a place in my heart. 🌈

Sending love to those whose homes feel a little quieter, and wishing all of you — and the animals you love — peace, comfort and good health as we move into the New Year 🐾✨

Caroline x

19/12/2025
I know I’ve been a little quiet on here… it’s December and as per every other year it’s been relentlessly busy in the be...
19/12/2025

I know I’ve been a little quiet on here… it’s December and as per every other year it’s been relentlessly busy in the best possible way, and I’m forever grateful. 🎅🏼 🐾 🌲

Socials have had to take a back seat this month, but something lovely has been happening in the background — a handful of beautiful new Google reviews have landed in the last week alone. I do seem to get lots of reviews from cat owners and not so many from dogs so please feel free to add yours if you’d like to support my little business.

https://g.page/r/CdCDB7jg4rAjEAE/review

These have made me feel really proud, so I’m giving myself permission to blow my own trumpet and share them with you. 💗✨

Address

The Bell, Church End
Dunstable
LU62EP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447980676897

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