Prime Your Pooch

Meet the faces behind Prime Your Pooch, a local grooming service with heart

After noticing how difficult it was to book regular dog grooming appointments - and inspired by their lifelong love for animals - St Ives locals Jody Rudlin and Liv decided to launch Prime Your Pooch, a mobile grooming service offering one-on-one care tailored to each pup’s needs. 

With a background in tech, a certification in canine behaviour, and a genuine passion for helping dogs feel their best, Jody shares what sets their business apart, why a positive grooming experience matters, and how they’re creating calm, custom experiences for dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and fluff levels.

1. Are you St Ives locals? Tell us more about your connection to the area.

Yes! Both Liv and I are proud to call St Ives home. I’ve had the pleasure of living here for the past year since we got engaged, while Liv has deep roots in the area—she’s been here since preschool and went to school locally. It’s such a beautiful, tight-knit community, and we feel really lucky to be building our business here.

2. What inspired the creation of Prime Your Pooch?

Prime Your Pooch came from a place of pure passion. We’ve both always loved dogs and knew we wanted to work with animals in some way. At the same time, we kept hearing from friends and family how hard it was to book regular grooming appointments, especially after the pandemic, when so many more people became dog owners. I had recently left my job in tech, and Liv was ready for a project she could pour her heart into. It all just naturally came together, and Prime Your Pooch was born.

3. Have animals always played a big role in your life?

Absolutely—they’ve always been a huge part of our lives. Even when we were living in London for a couple of years and couldn’t have a dog of our own, we signed up for dog-walking and dog-sitting services just to stay connected to the canine world. My love for animals actually goes way back. When I was eight years old and living in South Africa, I worked in a reptile shop. We had everything - spiders, frogs, even Burmese pythons! Liv’s just as animal-obsessed. Her family has two Mini Foxies, Timmy and Macy, who just turned 15!

4. What sets Prime Your Pooch apart from other mobile groomers?

We’re really focused on providing a tailored, one-on-one experience for every dog, regardless of their size, breed, or temperament.

It’s not just about making dogs look good - it’s about helping them feel their best too. For dogs that are nervous or anxious, my canine behaviour certification comes in handy. We work hard to create a calm, low-stress environment, so even the most apprehensive pups feel safe and cared for.

And it’s not just about the dogs - we want to make life easier for their humans too. Whether that’s fitting in with a busy schedule or offering reassurance about your pet’s wellbeing, we’re here to support both ends of the leash.

5. How important is it for dogs to have a positive grooming experience?

It’s incredibly important. Grooming isn’t just about appearance - it plays a big role in a dog’s overall health and well-being.

A negative grooming experience can cause long-term anxiety, making future sessions more stressful for everyone involved. On the other hand, when a dog has a positive experience, they begin to associate grooming with safety, comfort, and even enjoyment. It makes the whole process smoother for both the dog and the groomer.

6. What would you recommend for owners of dogs who are anxious or fearful around grooming? Do you work with those kinds of dogs?

We definitely do! Grooming can feel overwhelming for some dogs, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we offer “Introduction to Grooming” sessions - these help dogs get used to the space, sounds, tools, and to us as groomers. For particularly nervous dogs or puppies, shorter grooms can be a great way to build confidence gradually. The benefit of mobile grooming is huge in these cases. There’s no stressful car ride or unfamiliar salon. We come to them, so they’re in a familiar environment. Dogs are incredibly intuitive - they pick up on our energy. If we’re calm, they feel calm. We always use positive reinforcement (including plenty of treats!) and make sure each dog gets our full attention. One dog at a time, no rushing.

7. How often should dogs be groomed, depending on their coat type?

It varies depending on the dog’s breed, coat type, skin health, and lifestyle, but here’s a general guide:

• Short-coated dogs like Staffies, Beagles, and French Bulldogs benefit from a wash, dry, nail trim, and ear clean every 4–6 weeks.

• Medium to long-coated dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Cavoodles, and Border Collies typically need a full groom every 4–6 weeks to keep their coats clean and manageable.

• Curly or high-maintenance coats - think Poodles, Doodles, and Spaniels - require more frequent brushing at home between professional grooms to prevent matting and painful knots.

• Even dogs that aren’t considered “high maintenance” should still be groomed regularly. It helps prevent skin issues, keeps their coat healthy, and lets us spot any lumps or bumps early on.

• We’re always happy to assess and advise on what grooming schedule works best for your dog.

8. Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?

We’re just so excited to be doing this together, and even more excited to be meeting other dog lovers in the local community. Prime Your Pooch is all about connection, care, and creating a positive experience for both pups and their people.