Ann-Marie Watson of Gorham was named earlier this month as New England’s top dog groomer. Competing with 300 salons, she was awarded plaques and a set of three shears and a travel case by New England Pet Grooming Professionals at its fall festival in Warwick, R.I. “We were shocked,” Watson said Friday.

Watson, 49, doesn’t know who nominated her for the award. Winning was a surprise, although she knew beforehand she had been selected one of three finalists. She credited letters from clients that “set us apart” as instrumental in winning the award. “Our letters had stories,” Watson said.

Watson and her son, Thom Watson, 28, operate Muddy Paw Dog Grooming, a salon in an addition attached to her home at 16 Hope Drive. Watson and her husband, Bill Watson, moved to Gorham in 2001 from Pittsfield, Mass. He was a radio newsman in Western Massachusetts. She first opened her grooming salon in Biddeford in 2002, and relocated to her home in Gorham in May of 2007. The Muddy Paw Dog Grooming business card describes it as “a low volume, high quality grooming salon offering personalized service to our clients and their pets.” In between grooming clients, who come from as far south as Ogunquit, she talked about the work.

Q: What’s your secret for success?

A: We have people (clients) who really care for their animals. Clients who really care about their pets. This day and age they’re looking for more than a spot in a garage.

Q: Do dogs enjoy being groomed?

A: Most dogs loved to be groomed. They like being beautiful.

Q. How important is love in grooming dogs?

A: You have to have a passion. Animals can tell. It’s not always glamorous. It’s hard work. You’re on your feet all day.

Q: What do the dogs get when they come to your salon?

A: The dog is brushed. Teeth cleaned, clean their ears, trim nails. They get a haircut according to the owner’s preference or their breed. They get a bath and a blow dry.

Q: What type of shampoo do you use for the dogs?

A: Hypoallergenic soap-free shampoo. We don’t use scented shampoos. I don’t believe in putting a lot of perfumes on dogs because of allergies. Some owners have allergies. We advise clients to get flea treatments from vets.

Q: How do you cope with dogs that are uncooperative?

A: We refer them to a trainer. If you had a child with behavior issues, you wouldn’t take them to a barber.

Q. Have you been bitten?

A: A few, nothing major. Most will warn you beforehand.

Q: Do the dogs kiss you?

A: There’s a kiss every day.

Q: Before dogs leave your salon you outfit them with a scarf and treat them with cookies. What kind of cookies do they like?

A: We bake a basic hard bone, they’re like pie crust. I could eat them and a vet in Biddeford liked them, too.

Q: Do your regular dogs look forward to the cookies when grooming ends?

A: They sit right there. They know.

Q: They know when grooming is finished?

A: When they get their scarf on they know they’re done.

Q. How much does the average grooming cost?

A: The cost varies to size. The average cost is about $35.

Q: Why did you want to groom dogs?

A: I worked with special needs kids for many years and I was retiring. Our vet suggested I look into it.

Q: Did you go to a school?

A: Yes, the Connecticut K-9 Education Center. I drove four hours a day to school from western Massachusetts. It was the closest. There aren’t many. I have the diploma on the wall.

Q: How long was the course?

A: Sixteen weeks.

Q: Why did you relocate the salon to Gorham?

A: We came to Gorham in 2001 and asked to do dog grooming but the town said no. We started in Biddeford in 2002 in a rented, 12-by-12 foot room. We sat down with Clint (Gorham Code Enforcement Officer Clint Cushman) and he helped us with what the legal square footage is and what was allowed. I can’t sell any products because we’re in a residential neighborhood.

Q. Do you have a dog?

A: Jasper. We had to put him down in July because his tumor got too bad. He was a Bichon, 11 years old.

Ann Marie Watson, of Gorham, receives a kiss from Ella, a 1 year-old Yorkie-Poo. Watson has been named ‘Top Dog Groomer’ of Greater New England. She operates Muddy Paw Dog Grooming at 16 Hope Drive in Gorham. Competing with 300 salons, Ann Marie Watson was awarded a set of three Kenchii shears and a travel case by New England Pet Grooming Professionals at its fall festival in Warwick, R.I.Sadie is a 9 year-old, West Highland White Terrier that was recently groomed by Ann Marie Watson.