About Absolutely Barkers Grantham
What We Do
We are a small business with head office based in Grantham Lincolnshire where we provide the highest quality pet care for affordable prices.
We pride ourselves on both knowledge based training and qualified training to help improve the quality of our customers relationships with their dogs by providing a variety of training methods, in home help with basic training, rules and boundaries alongside our pet care services to help with mental and physical stimulation.
We also provide a fun, calm environment for dogs to grow, learn and play in whilst in a home setting.
Home Boarding licence number: A32312
Doggy daycare licence number: A31048
Business development from 1st July 2017 to present
Our Story
Working in the pet care industry over the years from kennel assistant to sales assistant at pet shops I would always be thinking - "if I had a dog myself where would I send them when on holiday or at work"? "where could my dog go that would fulfil her needs and they would treat her like we do"? At the time there wasn't anywhere so I began planning and brainstorming ideas for what could be done. I'd always hear customers at the pet shop complaining of the state of their dogs when coming home from holidays or that their health was poor when collecting their dogs so I knew there was something I could do to help.
After 2 years of planning, speaking to the local council in various departments as well as customer research we had built our cabin play area and were granted our daycare licence after passing inspections with flying colours and praised for bringing something new to the table with a new type of dog care service. (To this day we have been told by the local authorities we set the standard for care in our area).
6 months down the line we applied for our home boarding licence and was granted it within 2 weeks of the application being put it, this is where the business really took off.
Due to such amazing reviews by customers, and a great support network we were able to renovate and expand the business departments that were being requested from members of the public, the daycare and boarding facilities received major renovations throughout covid including facilities, routines, training programs and much more! This is where we really stood out and became well known in the area. with our monthly and seasonal changing routines and play areas, dogs are stimulated, trained, relaxed and having fun on a daily basis.
We opened our pet care and yellow lead training department which is the only one of its kind in the area. This didn't take long to become a massive hit, with a dog handler trained in reactive dogs, providing on site training, walks and stimulation for no extra cost.
Fast forward to 2022 where we have opened Absolutely Barkers Online Shop which provides the local community with very competitive prices and help to save money with the cost of living ever increasing. This also allows dogs with high quality food or special dietary requirements to still get what they need without breaking the bank, in 2023 we added our subscription box service which is the only one in the area that provides your dog with monthly treat and toy selections to keep them entertained, we can also customise each box type we offer for dogs with allergies to accommodate for all dog types.
In 2023 we not only accepted several new members to the team at Absolutely Barkers but we also opened a new dog walking department based out in Belvoir to provide training, walks and pet care services to those in the area that we couldn't get to before.
In 2023 we also added some amazing new items to our in home daycare setup to provide new forms of mental and physical stimulation for the dogs, this included and indoor softplay area, giant ball pit, outdoor tyre agility mountain, sand pit, splash matts and paddling pools.
We have many more plans for the future that we cannot wait to share with you all!
Handlers At Absolutely Barkers
Please note, each handler will be in our black uniform with the business logo on for easy identification.
In winter handlers may be seen with high viz vets on for health and safety which also has our logo on the back, dogs will also be fitted with LED light up collars for our be safe be seen protocols.
Please be aware that some dogs may be fitted with yellow dog walking equipment on a daily basis to warn others of reactive tendencies or training, we ask that members of the public keep their dogs under control if they see handlers with yellow dog walking equipment fitted for health and safety.
Marie Barker
Marie Barker is the founder of Absolutely Barkers and the Head of the daycare and overnight boarding department as well as managing the Absolutely Barkers Grantham online pet shop and overseeing all departments.
Nala is Marie's dog and is the resident dog at the daycare and boarding facility, she can often be seen out and about with the dog walkers as well.
Qualifications include:
Natures menu raw nutrition level 2
food and hygiene level 2
Level 3 diploma in dog care and boarding (requirement from DEFRA guidance in order to obtain the licences for the daycare and boarding services)
level 3 pet first aid training
Also a member of pet care professionals uk
Judi Brooks
Judi Brooks is our company partner and head of Our Pet care department which includes caring for cats and small animals as well as providing a dog walking service for basic dog walking and is the head of the yellow lead/ reactive dog training department which also involves correctional training on her walk time at no extra charge.
Judi also offers house sitting services to yellow dogs for those that are not comfortable outside of their home.
Judi is based in Grantham.
Qualifications include:
Natures menu raw feeding level 2
Level 3 pet first aid training
puppy training course
claw clipping
yellow lead correctional training
Jake Fairhurst
Jake Joined the Company on the 1st of July 2024 at the same time as Jasmine, completing his first aid training and induction process at daycare within the first week.
Jake has a multi-job role within the company which includes daycare assistant, dog walker and dog trainer.
Jake is based in the manthorpe and alma park area of Grantham providing training and handling work to both daycare and boarding customers but also can be found out and about dog walking during the week.
Jake is also in the process of becoming a qualified dog trainer to eventually offer 1 to 1 dog training classes and gundog training for the local community.
Canine first aid trained level 2
insured under Absolutely Barkers Grantham
Jasmine Emerson
Jasmine joined the team on the 1st of July 2024, based on the manthorpe estate local to head office her primary roles is to provide dog walking services in the local area and is also the dog assistant to the daycare and boarding dogs at head office on rushcliffe road.
All training is provided by the heads of company Marie Barker and Judi Brooks to ensure all dog handling, health and safety and DEFRA guidance for animal welfare is followed.
Jasmine Also covers cat and small animal care in the local area.
Canine first aid trained level 2
CRB checked
Insured under Absolutely Barkers Grantham
Holly Kirk
Holly Joined the company on the 4th of November 2024.
she has vast yellow dog experience and not only provides training and handling work alongside judi but also offers standard dog walking for groups and solos and pop in visits.
Holly is also Equine and small holding certified to provide holiday care and cover for customers when on holiday.
Holly also offers house sitting services to her customers as an alternative to boarding or kennels.
All training is provided by the heads of company Marie Barker and Judi Brooks to ensure all dog handling, health and safety and DEFRA guidance for animal welfare is followed.
Canine first aid trained level 2
insured under Absolutely Barkers Grantham
Anna Newton
Anna joined the team on the 1st october 2024, Anna will mainly be based at daycare with Marie as well as providing walking services to customers. Anna also makes dog collars, coats, jumpers and leads in her spare time.
All training is provided by the heads of company Marie Barker and Judi Brooks to ensure all dog handling, health and safety and DEFRA guidance for animal welfare is followed.
Anna also covers cat and small animal care in the local area.
Canine first aid trained level 2
CRB checked
Insured under Absolutely Barkers Grantham
Absolutely Barkers Volunteer Team Members
Gail + Robin Barker - Pet transport drivers for the company, including emergency veterinary care travel for all departments, Fully insured.
Adam - Adam is Judis partner and many people know him from pets at home, when off work he can be found helping Judi out with training and dog walking, he is also our reptile specialist for our new department coming soon!
Martin - Property maintenance man at head office in Grantham.
