About

Organix Canine Wellness Centre (OCWC) is a natural healthcare facility nestled in the beautiful Manor Lakes community. We began as a dedicated Dog Spa focused on providing a more comfortable and enjoyable grooming experience. Using techniques from dermatological grooming and balanced training to connect with your dog. Our Dog Spa uses organic, plastic-free products made locally in Melbourne.

OCWC has since flourished into a full-service wellness centre for dogs. Alongside our purpose-built Dog Spa, we provide Myofunctional Therapy in the same relaxing setting. Our myotherapy practitioner is able to help dogs with all aspects of musculoskeletal dysfunction, from remedial and performance to maintenance programs, utilising massage and physio-therapeutic exercises.

We take the time to understand your dog’s individual needs in a calm and friendly space, so we can provide an individualised service that supports their health and happiness.

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Your dog needs a little fat in their diet to be healthy.

A long time ago, someone, somewhere, demonised eating fat. Saying it was bad for you and would actually make you gain weight.

This person was wrong. Eating the right amount and right types of fat is very good for your dog; in fact, it's necessary.

Fat = energy. 

Fat is the main source of energy for dogs; it transports and absorbs fat-soluble nutrients and is, therefore, involved in many important cell functions. In fact, a deficiency in EFAs can result in learning and cognitive deficits, nerve and sight issues, and skin and coat issues.

I'm not saying feed your dog a slab of chicken skin; I'm just saying don't completely remove all fat sources from their diet, there are benefits.

When I know more, you'll know more 🙌
Is your dog feeling the cold at the moment?

It can be tempting to pop on some knitwear or a onesie, but please don't (unless you have a smooth-coated sighthound or a hairless breed) because you are taking away your dog's freedom to warm up and cool down.

Meaning:
- Dogs feel the temperature differently to us.
- It's easy to forget to check your dog's temperature if you've left on a jumper or jacket.
- Their body already thermoregulates with the help of a properly maintained coat.
- Overheating is a real issue.

Instead, provide extra bedding and blankets and ensure their bed or house is away from drafts. A dog house or bed that is a "cozy" size will be easier for your dog to warm themselves.

I almost never recommend anything except a windbreaker when on a walk and the extra bedding rule for all other times.

Your dog is not stupid, they will curl themselves up when they need to and can then come out of their cocoon when they are too hot. 

Leaving a jumper or jacket on prevents them from making these choices - a bit like leaving your dog in a hot car or tied up in the sun 🫢
Nervous dogs don't get off-lead time. We already know that they will pace and fret and worry, so why would we allow it to happen?

Penny used to be a drooler and a panter and would stress herself out. 
She actually couldn't care less about being washed or dried or clipped or scissored.

She just missed her family 💙

By preventing her nervous behaviour, offering her moments of pause and praise, and being gentle and patient, Penny rarely reaches the same level of stress.

What may have seemed like she was missing out on fun time has turned in to her feeling more relaxed.

What's best for your dog won't always feel good to you. But it's not about you; it's about your dog 🐕

Hit 💙 if YOU try to do what's best for your dog.
Had a new client today and had the best chat about dogs 😝 It's so cool to meet people that just want to do the absolute best for their dogs 💙

There I was, rambling away - as usual 💁‍♀️ 
Blah, blah, good food. Blah, blah, brush more. Blah, blah, good dog. Blah, blah, training.

And I had to stop myself because I remembered not everyone is as crazy as me 😝 But, instead of thinking I was crazy, they thought I was passionate, informative and helpful 🥰

Hunter was a gentle, nervous boy who could really benefit from a calmer environment, and he was a pleasure to work with 🥰 We did become friends in the end, which is always my first priority 😉
You may have noticed my sign had been down for a few weeks. That's because I was waiting for this guy to arrive 🥰
I don't know why I never thought to use my ol'boy as my logo 😝 he's just magic...
I only stock products I believe in. If you like the idea of a lead that is kind to the planet, better for your dog's skin, comfortable to use, contains no plastic fabrics or components and looks good, then my lead is for you.
If you have a medium-large breed dog that is very difficult to walk, I have been told that this lead may not be strong enough for you as the soft hemp has some "give". 
Once trained, and for all other dogs, this is the best everyday lead I have found, and it is the lead I choose to use on my dog and my client's dogs.
Why is this dog so relaxed?
The remedial massage aspect of a Myotherapy session taps into the Parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages the mind to rest.
When in this state, the body can heal itself better 💙
Myotherapy is not just a "nice treat" for our dogs; it is an extremely effective modality for improving the function of many bodily systems.

Want to know more? We can help.
Due to his play style, Tyler is always tight in his chest, neck and shoulders. To maintain his mobility we use massage and targetted exercises which he very much enjoys 🥰
Basically, If you have a dog living in our modern world, you should look at adding Myotherapy into their wellness plan, just like a yearly Vet check-up.
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We assess your dog for areas of weakness, injury, and pain by examining symmetry during movement and other postures. Dogs don't always show pain as obviously as limping or refusing to participate in activities until the pain is quite severe. Myotherapy is an effective way to identify issues before they become serious injuries.
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Why is it important for modern dogs?
Modern dogs (AKA every dog alive today living in the Western world) live lives that are, in a lot of ways, unnatural to them. Working dogs don't always get to work, and companion dogs aren't always treated as canine companions. 
When we exercise our dogs in unnatural ways, like taking them for walks on weekends only or letting them pace the fence line, we set them up for injury.
When we allow/don't work through excessive behaviours, we set them up for injury.
When we carry our dogs around like human babies, we set them up for injury.
When we allow our dogs to run up and down the stairs, we set them up for injury.
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Noticing and understanding movement patterns that don't serve our dogs is the first step to preventing injury. 🩵
My dog always had a weird skin thing going on, but when he developed chronic ear infections and allergies, I wanted to do more for him. Western medicine had him going up and up in medication that would ultimately cause issues later in life.
I've always been interested in food and natural medicine but it wasn't until I was forced to really dive deep into the science that I realised his issues could be from poor nutrition.
For ages, I recommended and fed my own dog dry kibble - because I was taught by my teacher at Uni, a Veterinarian, that it was scientifically formulated to be everything a dog needed. This info is so wrong its scary.
I worked with a Naturopath and his condition improved so much. The only thing left to do was switch to a more natural diet.
The improvements I saw in my dog were second to none. His behaviour after eating fresh food is night and day.
When my clients started asking about food, I knew I had to learn more. This is why I'm studying to become a qualified canine nutritionist. It's for you.
While I'll share little bits along the way, I am not currently qualified to help with anything personal.
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Nutritionists I like:
@hunde.au 
@chadwick_nutrition
I'm generally pretty booked out, so I don't often have time for new clients. Today wasn't one of those days! I was so happy to meet Snoopy, the ex-guide dog 🥰
Firstly, what a stunningly well-bred boy, secondly. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to work with a dog that has been socialised and has some obedience training under their belt.
The reason this is so awesome is not just to make my life easier; it's actually because the dog is calmer and more open to new experiences. For Snoopy, it was a little bit excitement overload, and then once he knew I had treats, he kept checking in with me, wondering what he could do for me to get treats. That's the exact attitude that will lead to a positive and fun experience. 
Definitely looking forward to seeing him again 🩵 Coz we're buds now 🤙
This grain-free crusade has to stop.
Some grains are good, others are not. Sprouted grains are super nutritious and can be added to your dog's diet occasionally for a pop of concentrated nutrients. Unsprouted grains, so just grains, would need to be cooked before being fed as they contain enzyme inhibitors that will prevent digestion. Once they are cooked, their nutritional value decreases, which is why sprouted grains are best.
Since companion dogs still have the same digestive system as their wild ancestors, feeding some grain (particularly sprouted grains) has some benefits as they will have eaten the stomach contents of their herbivorous prey and will have ingested all kinds of partially digested plant content - including grains. I am NOT saying grains should make up a large portion of your dog's diet!
While I'll never recommend dry dog food (again), it's important to at least be informed about what you're feeding your dog so you can make up your own mind. Grain-free kibble formulas are often filled with legumes instead of grains, marketed as being healthier for your dog or better for sensitive stomachs. 
However, nutritionally speaking, if you are feeding legumes, you should add roughly the same amount of grains to the meal and vice versa. This balances out both of their nutrient deficiencies. So, if you choose a grain-free diet that is probably then filled with legumes, your dog is most likely missing out on a better-quality protein.
Remember that the quality of the ingredient is just as important as the ingredient itself. If you'd like to try sprouting some grains for your dogs, let me know in the comments, and I'll make a tutorial on that 😊 Including where I source my grains from.
Grooming ASMR anyone?
Charlie tends to be anxious-excited, so I often have no music when he comes in. Although, I usually end up singing to him.
You can see how engaged he is with me and how I'm able to keep him calm while still letting him be a dog and have some fun.
Before I opened my business, I studied photography. I fully intended to become a professional photographer, but I decided it wasn't for me. Coz dogs 💁‍♀️
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What do you think of my Charlie portrait? Or should I stick to my day job? 😆
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@feisty_wellbeing
In December, I shared a little teaser video of this dog, Khaleesi, who had a rather large matt inside her ear. I totally forgot to share the other half of me actually getting the mat our of her ear - so here it is.
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I think these videos are important because it's easy to think of a groomer as someone who just washes and cuts hair, but more often than not, we actually have a fair bit of work to do that doesn't directly involve washing and making dogs pretty. 
Khaleesi is a breed that grows long hair inside her ear, and so it is common for her to have some debris and dirt inside. This time, it was stuck deep into the ear canal, and it had become entwined with her hair which created a thick matt. 
I tried quite a few different methods to gently remove it, but it was just too deep. 

In the end, I needed to use Haemostats to reach the base of the knot and pull it out. Had I not done this for her, she would have had to go to the Vet. If this was hurting, I would have left her to go to the vet, but luckily, it was attached to her "pluckable" hair. That means the particular ear hair had a short root system, and she wouldn't have felt anything; it was more annoying than anything.
I love working with senior dogs 🥰 I think because I live with a senior dog, I seem to have a good connection with them. Nothing better than providing a calm, quiet service to a gentle soul...
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Similarly, I bond really well with young puppies, but I think it's because they're so malleable 😅
Whole food is exactly that, whole! 
While it might look a bit gross, it is what it is. A deer leg. Fur, hooves and all.
This is exactly the type of food our dogs should be offered because it is - no matter how squeamish you are, what your Dachshund, Cavoodle, Retriever, Shepherd and Labrador are all designed to eat.
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Benefits of Deer Feet
These are from @rogue.raw which means they are wild free-ranged, preservative free, chemical free and unprocessed. Apart from chopping. The healthier the animal, the more nutrients in their meat and bones. By buying wild free-ranged, you're ensuring your dog gets the highest amount of nutrients and the animal lives its normal life.
- Fur helps clean the intestines of parasites
- Small to medium dogs it's an excellent recreational bone.
- Helps clean teeth
- Enriches the mind and body
- Good source of Manganese and Iodine
- Great for bone and joint health
Happy Easter Everyone 🐰
Good weather, homemade hot cross buns and the family. What more could you want? 🥰
When I worked at a dog grooming/training/daycare facility, the types of dogs that needed special consideration were either elderly or had been injured. As time went on, more and more dogs were having mobility issues. It took me a while to realise this, and it wasn't until I opened my own business that I realised even dogs I had groomed from puppies, with no clinical injuries or fear of being groomed, were developing mobility issues.
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Difficulties standing on three legs, difficulties giving me their paw, lots of fidgeting, inability to rotate as they should - this wasn't stemming from fear of being groomed; these dogs were actually incapable of normal movement. I am shocked by how many dogs are unable to move as they should, and I want to help as many dogs as I can. I want to educate owners on correct exercise and activities to prolong their mobility, and I want to teach owners how to spot issues so they can be fixed before they turn into injuries. 💙
Not all dogs enjoy being groomed, for a multitude of reasons, so when I find something a dog DOES enjoy, I use it. We don't need the entire experience to be amazing for these dogs, but we do need to help them see the good where we can.