There's a heckuva lot of attrition in dog grooming. We've seen many well-intentioned friends and colleagues (competitors too) open new salons with much fanfare and messianic mission statements only to close after a short while. This is not a vocation for the faint-hearted. 

We encourage you and your dog therefore to sniff out the professionals with established experience. No truthful groomer can say they've gotten it right every time with every dog. But over the years, and with proper training and accreditation and being hands-on, they learn all the breeds, they've seen and done it all, they can identify immediately the optimum handling and styling required based on a dog's temperament and behaviours as well as skin and coat condition. They put in place the systems and processes to ensure every dog is treated individually and safely to ensure its wellbeing. And they remain committed to ongoing continual sharpening of their skills, not just their scissors.

You may have come across the American business writer Simon Sinek and his book Start With Why. It made a great impression upon us and we have been led since the earliest of days that our WHY with Just Barking is to ensure the very best treatment for a dog's welfare and wellbeing every single time. It's simple. Everything we do flows from this commitment.

Established in 2009

We are long-established in the local Kensal / Queen's Park community, a wonderful privilege that we appreciate and respect enormously. Some team members have changed over the years. But the owners, Martin and Kristian, have remained constant.

Martin is an International Certified Master Groomer and also Level 3 City & Guilds Qualified with more than 15 years experience.

Martin's partner Kristian is the founder Chairman of the leading pet groomers' trade body, The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA), a volunteer role he held from 2015 to 2025. He is also the author of The Dog Grooming Business Course, and editor of the award-winning book What Would Colin Do? 101 Situations and Solutions for Every Dog Groomer by Colin Taylor. He has featured frequently as a speaker at dog grooming educational events in the UK and contributed regularly to pet industry publications.

Martin and Kristian are also the founders of Dogs & Horses UK, London's award-winning leather dog collar company. The D&H workshop is based in the same building as Just Barking, right here in Kensal Rise. Click here to visit the D&H website.