Every Dog Deserves a Little Luxury

Why McKinnons?

At McKinnon’s Dogwash & Grooming, we believe every dog deserves care, patience, and a positive grooming experience.

Founded by Mel and James, we’ve been proudly serving the Illawarra, South Coast, and Highlands for over 7 years. Along the way, we saw a real need for specialised grooming — tailored to dogs with anxiety, reactivity, fear, aggression, rescue backgrounds, or past trauma. That’s where our passion lies: helping the dogs that others often turn away.

Our award-winning team, recognised with the Local Business Award for Outstanding Pet Care, is made up of highly skilled groomers and qualified behaviourists. We don’t just groom — we retrain and rehabilitate dogs in the salon environment, helping them build trust and confidence. All of this is done without sedation and with muzzles used only in rare cases for safety.

At McKinnon’s, we’re more than just groomers — we’re your one-stop shop for everything dogs, providing compassionate care that truly makes a difference.

Grooming Rehabilitation Program

Apply now

{"contact_email":"","showCustomForm":"on","custom_form_html":"<div class=\"custom-form-steps\" data-total-steps=\"3\"><div class=\"custom-form-step step-1\" data-step=\"1\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"paragraph\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><address>Our Rehabilitation Program is a Free program designed to help those most desperate in need of grooming intervention.<div><br><\/div><div>Highly anxious, reactive, fear aggression or dogs suffering groomer trauma, where other groomers are unable to attempt service are candidates for this program.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>We require a referral from your vet and previous groomer outlining the issues your pet has with regard to the grooming process.<\/div><\/address><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152615111\">Full Name<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152615111\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152636134\">Suburb<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152636134\" placeholder=\"Suburb\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152650750\">Mobile Number<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152650750\" placeholder=\"Mobile Number\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"email\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"email-1743210531134\">Email Address<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"email\"  name=\"email-1743210531134\" placeholder=\"Email Address\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152673216\">Dogs Name<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152673216\" placeholder=\"Dogs Name\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152688332\">Breed<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152688332\" placeholder=\"Breed\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"custom-form-step step-2\" data-step=\"2\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"textarea\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"textarea-1743152756197\">Tell us a little about the issues with your dog<\/label><span>*<\/span><textarea  name=\"textarea-1743152756197\" placeholder=\"Tell us a little about the issues with your dog\" class=\"form-control\" rows=\"10\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"textarea\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"textarea-1743288386118\">Please provide contact details of your current\/previous groomer<\/label><span>*<\/span><textarea  name=\"textarea-1743288386118\" placeholder=\"Please provide contact details of your current\/previous groomer\" class=\"form-control\" rows=\"3\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"textarea\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"textarea-1743288414998\">Please provide contact details of your Vet<\/label><span>*<\/span><textarea  name=\"textarea-1743288414998\" placeholder=\"Please provide contact details of your Vet\" class=\"form-control\" rows=\"3\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"text\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"text-1743152938544\">Age of Dog (approx)<\/label><span>*<\/span><input type=\"text\"  name=\"text-1743152938544\" placeholder=\"Age of Dog (approx)\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"select\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"select-1743288448627\">Sex<\/label><span>*<\/span><select  name=\"select-1743288448627\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><option class=\"c-f-field-title\" disabled selected>Sex<\/option><option value=\"\">Please Select....<\/option><option value=\"\">Male<\/option><option value=\"\">Female<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"select\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"select-1743288492330\">Desexed<\/label><span>*<\/span><select  name=\"select-1743288492330\" class=\"form-control\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><option class=\"c-f-field-title\" disabled selected>Desexed<\/option><option value=\"\">Please Select....<\/option><option value=\"\">Yes<\/option><option value=\"\">No<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"custom-form-step step-3\" data-step=\"3\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"header\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><h3><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"paragraph\"><div class=\"form-group\"><div><address>TERMS OF SERVICE<div><br><\/div><div>It is a condition of applying for our Rehabilitation Program that the client can commit to a training schedule developed by the team here at McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming. All appointments under our Rehabilitation Program will be performed free of charge, providing the client commits to the program. Failure to attend follow up appointments will result in full fees being charged for all services performed.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>All dogs being put forward for acceptance must have been refused service at other groomers, be able to provide prior groomers details or currently require full sedation by a Vet to undertake grooming. A referral from the Vet and letter from your former groomer will be required, alternatively, former groomer can contact Mel directly on 0434892844.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>Should we extend the offer of our free program and find conflicting or misleading information regarding the dogs need for our program, full fees will be charged to the client and client will be liable for full payment.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>All services will be provided to the best of our ability, and the client understands that there may be situations which prevent us from completing all services in the first instance. McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming reserve the right to cease service of a high risk dog at any time if the service is no longer deemed safe for the dog or the groomer. Services will be completed during subsequent sessions.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming are not held liable for any issues\/conditions uncovered during services.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>The team at McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming understand we are undertaking a high risk task and take responsibility for any injury or damage sustained to ourselves or equipment during service of a high risk animal. <\/div><div><br><\/div><div>The client provides permission for McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming to take footage\/photographs of their pet during all services performed under our program and the footage will remain property of McKinnon's Dogwash and Grooming. This media may be used for advertising purposes.<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>Please consult our Standard Service Agreement as this will also apply to all dogs being serviced by our team at McKinnons Dogwash and Grooming.<\/div><\/address><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 c-f-field-type\" data-field-type=\"checkbox\"><div class=\"form-group\"><label for=\"checkbox-1743153641995\" class=\"checkbox-label\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"checkbox-1743153641995\" name=\"checkbox-1743153641995\" class=\"\" required data-msg-required=\"This field is required.\"><span class=\"checkbox-custom\"><\/span><span class=\"input-title\">I agree to the above terms of service:<\/span><\/label><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row step-form-btn\"><div class=\"col-xs-6\"><a class=\"previous-form-btn\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"return false;\" aria-label=\"Previous\">Previous<\/a><\/div><div class=\"col-xs-6\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-block next-form-btn\" aria-label=\"Next\">Next<\/button><button type=\"submit\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-block submit-form-btn\" aria-label=\"Submit\">Submit<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>","thankYouMsg":"Thankyou for your application. ","buttonNum":0}

Grooming Services

Expert Grooming, Right Here in Unanderra

At McKinnons, we’re all about making dog grooming a calm, positive experience — for you and your pup.
Whether your dog is here for a tidy-up, a full groom, or a fresh breed-specific style, you can feel confident they’re in kind, capable hands.
Our experienced team brings a wide range of skills and real dog-lover patience.
We’re especially passionate about supporting dogs who find grooming stressful.
If your pup has anxiety, fear, reactivity, or has had a tough grooming experience in the past, we take things slowly and gently, always working at their pace.
From the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, our goal is simple:
to help every dog feel safe, comfortable, and cared for — and to head home looking (and feeling) their absolute best.

Because every dog deserves to be groomed with understanding, not pressure.

View pricing

Hear what our clients have to say...

Hi Mel and James I would like to thank your business and the amazing staff who gave my little Bernie the best groom he’s ever had yesterday. The last year since an incident at a groomer Bernie has been so anxious that it has been impossible at time for his face to be tidied. Bernie came out of the salon so handsome and happy. I also really appreciate that you are open late to accommodate people who are working 9-5. I so happy and relieved to have found your services.
Helena: Bernie - Shihtzu

Highly recommend as I have 2 pups and both have anxiety sensitivity issues which I had to sedate them to get groomed and I struggled for years to find the right grooming and since seeing McKinnons they no longer need medication before grooming.YaY happy customer, happy Dogs very appreciative for their services ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Faye T: Alfie - Moodle and Pluto - Maltese

We couldn’t rate McKinnons highly enough. They originally fit us in at the last minute after my dog had a bad experience with a different groomer, and we were so happy with how they treated both myself and my dog that we’ve continued to come back. They always go above and beyond to ensure I’m happy with my Scottie’s haircut, fit us in for appointments, and give me honest feedback on how he’s doing with grooming so I know what to work on at home. Mel and James do a fantastic job with the dogs in their care—and Norman looks forward to every appointment!
Hannah G: Norman - Scottish Terrier

I highly recommend Mckinnons, my 6 month old brodoodle,was a little scared, and so was I about her first grooming session, they assured me everything will be fine, and my beautiful puppy was so good and she looked beautiful when I picked her up, already booked my next appointment thank you so much Mckinnons grooming....
Michelle: Montanna - Bordoodle

I get my elderly Maltese x Shih Tzu groomed via their mobile service and the groomer Sunil is amazing. He is so kind and does exactly what I ask to be done on my dog. I’ve been told in the past by other groomers that he is hard to groom, especially around his legs and back end, but Sunil always does an amazing job. Very very happy with McKinnon’s service and will definitely continue to be a regular customer.
Jordyn: Toby - Maltese Shihtzu

Such amazing work with my anxious dog, and the team are all lovey. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Thankyou Sofia
Molly: Jax - Japanese Spitz

Thank you Caitlin. My 2yr old Schnoodle is normally anxious after a groom but today she's very calm. Very convenient having a groomer come to my house. Great work, will definitely be using McKinnons again. Highly recommended
Pam: Ellie - Schnoodle

Keep Your Dog Cool and Comfortable: Summer Grooming Tips

Keep your furry friend cool, comfortable, and healthy this summer with our expert grooming tips and services. From de-shedding treatments to summer clips, McKinnon’s Dog Wash helps dogs across the Illawarra and South Coast look and feel their best in the warmer months.

Helping Anxious Dogs Feel Comfortable at the Groomer

Discover practical tips and expert advice on easing your dog's anxiety during grooming sessions. Our blog post 'Helping Anxious Dogs Feel Comfortable at the Groomer' offers strategies for creating a calm and reassuring experience, cultivating trust, and helping your furry friend maintain both their hygiene and happiness. Ideal for responsible pet owners seeking to improve their dog's grooming routine.

Every Dog Deserves a Little Luxury

Award Winning Groomers, specialising in the rehabilitation of dogs suffering Anxiety, Reactivity, Aggression, Fear, Trauma and Rescues, and dogs requiring sedation for grooming

Client Testimonials

Hear what our clients have to say...

Blog

Keep Your Dog Cool and Comfortable: Summer Grooming Tips

Helping Anxious Dogs Feel Comfortable at the Groomer

The Importance of Regular Grooming During Winter

The Great Grooming Debate: Professional Services vs DIY Care

The Essential Role of Regular Dog Grooming in Maintaining Your Pet's Health