About Us

Creative Canines is a family owned and operated business, in the semi-rural small town of Pittsworth, 40kms, 1/2hour drive South-West of Toowoomba. Clients travel from all surrounding districts including Goondiwindi, Moree, Dalby, Oakey, Highfields, Laidley, and Warwick and everywhere inbetween. ​

TARYN BINSTEAD opened Creative Canines in 2012 but has been grooming since 2000 and training dogs since 1995. To say she lives and breathes dogs is an understatment. Taryn has been a professional dog walker, pet sitter, mobile farm hand, Professional  Dog trainer who has also   instructed in Obedience, Agility and stock dog training, She has presented creative grooming seminars and teaches other groomers. She has achieved her Cert 4 Pet Stylist, Cert 3 Dog Behaviour and Training , Cert 2 Kennel and Cattery Operations, Certified Pet Aesthetician and Cert 2 Agriculture ( Jillaroo/jackaroo) plus numerous certificates of attendance to many seminars and workshops. She has also been awarded MASTER CREATIVE GROOMER from Opawz. She has also has 8yrs experience in vet nursing. Taryn specialises in dogs with behaviour problems, Creative Colouring, and Breed standard grooms. She has a strong interest in canine nutrition and breeds working kelpies. Taryn also competes in Grooming Competitions with many wins on display at the pittsworth salon

DEREK BINSTEAD married Taryn in 2010 and joined Creative Canines in 2016 as the business was growing so quickly. He had been helping Taryn from the start though and Taryn has trained him as well as sending him to numerous seminars/workshops. Derek grew up on a 300acre cattle property and is a natural dog trainer. He instrusts in stock dog training and judges in Sheepdog Yard/utlity trials. Derek runs the mobile salon 3 days a week and grooms at pittsworth salon 2 days a week. He has competed a few times successfully and specialises in handstripping and desheds. He is planning on finishing his certificate soon

SAMANTHA HART - Originally from Mackay, Sam has working in salons on the Gold Coast and in Toowoomba. She has learnt from some of Australias best and has a talent for scissoring "oodles" and teddy bear styles. 

ANASTASIA KINGSFORD - A local Pittsworth  resident, Anastasia graduated high school in 2025 and is studying her Cert 3 in Animal Care. She is our Junior Bather/Dryer who is keen to pursue a career with dogs. 

DYLAN AND JASMINE  - Taryn and Derek's children who are often found helping in the salon. From washing to drying dogs, helping clean and spoiling our furry clients with cuddles and love, the kids are both natural animal handlers. Jasmine has shown a keen interest in creative grooming and scissoring. She has entered two Model dog competitions, and has started scissoring ont he model dogs too!!

TIGGA - MYFLAIR LITTLE WHITE TIGER - Creative Canines Mascot is a mini poodle who has tourettes and is rarely white! Clients and locals love popping into the salon to see what colourful designs he is sporting. Tigga identifies as a kelpie and loves being groomed, and Being the center of attention​. 

TWISTIE - Twistie is a standard poodle who   joined the Creative Canines Mascot team in 2025. He was from QLD Poodle Rescue and 

ARABANOO WORKING KELPIES -  Taryn started the kelpie stud in 2001. She moved to QLD with 5 working dogs and competes in Yard/ Utility /Arena Sheepdog  and cattle trials. Derek soon became obsessed with quality working dogs after meeting Taryn's dogs. He also competes and Judges in Sheepdog trials. The Arabanoo Kelpies are bred to work all livestock in paddock and yards but are also bred for conformation and temperment. They have been sold to sheep and cattle stations, Feral animal eradication work and sporting dog homes. You will often see the retired kelpies or the youg kelpies in training in the Pittsworth Salon.