Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Leaving your dog in a new place is never easy. You may have some questions about how the grooming process works. I’ve compiled some of the most common questions we get asked into the list below. If you aren't finding the information you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out via phone call, text, email, or using the Contact section of this website. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is your grooming philosophy?
We believe in humanity over vanity. This approach is centralized on grooming dogs with a focus on health and comfort, as well as listening and responding to their body language and communication. We want the grooming experience to be both positive and successful, and we do this by building a trusting relationship with your dog. We do not force dogs beyond their comfort threshold to accomplish perfection; we work with dogs towards the end goal of the appointment. We focus on having an individualized, relaxed environment for your dog. Part of the way we accomplish this is never over-booking. We ensure that your dog receives one-on-one time with the groomer for their entire appointment. We will never leave your dog in a kennel or ignore them for another client during their grooming time. We are an appointment-only salon to ensure that your dog gets the attention they deserve. This style of booking allows us to accommodate the many different needs of dogs, including fearful dogs that may not be able to socialize well with other animals, or dogs that just do not thrive in a busy place. Our one-on-one appointments are ideal for every dog: from puppies who need patient attention, to seniors who thrive in a low-stimulation environment. To further reduce grooming stress on your dog, we only utilize fear free, gentle handling techniques. We keep you up to date on when your pup will be ready for pickup to reduce their time in an unfamiliar environment. We reserve the right to stop or refuse service to any dog or client, at any time, for any reason. We do not enact this policy frivolously, but the safety of dogs and groomers is of the utmost importance. Aggressive, fearful, or otherwise dangerous dogs may require a prolonged, multi-appointment approach, or may require grooming under the care and supervision of a veterinarian.
We pride ourselves on this unique and successful approach to dog grooming!
My dog is matted. What next?
First of all, don't panic! We've all been there. One moment you have a happy, fluffy dog, and three trips to the lake later ... well, fluffy is now "clumpy". Matting is a common issue in a variety of long coated breeds. Even short, double coated dogs can experience severe coat impacting that can lead to matting. Fortunately, we usually have some options. We will always do our best to provide a thorough de-matting service to save the coat and keep your dog in the style you're hoping for. Sometimes matting can be safely brushed out with the right products and technique. However, this is not possible in all cases. The core of our grooming philosophy is to prioritize the comfort and safety of dogs. Matting can become more severe than an owner may realize in a short amount of time. This can cause bruising, hematomas, pain, infections, hair loss, and a variety of other uncomfortable symptoms for dogs. In the cases where matting is too severe to safely or humanely brush out, it may need to be shaved off in a short length. This is often the best option for matting; it is a more comfortable and safe approach for your dog! Please do not feel ashamed or embarrassed (or angry!) if we need to shave your dog short due to matting. This best thing about hair? It grows back! It's always best to choose the most humane option and remove matting completely. If your dog is matted upon arrival for their appointment, we will have a thorough consult with you to assess whether de-matting the coat via brushing to save the length is a viable option for your pup, or whether they need a fresh shave down to feel great.
Please note: De-matting service fees are charged in addition to the original price of the groom. This is for a variety of reasons. De-matting via brushing requires an extensive amount of additional time and product use to accomplish. De-matting via shaving - although necessary - causes damage to clipper blades due to the use on dirty coat combined with the wear-and-tear of pushing through resistance from the matting. This results in increased frequency and cost for professional blade maintenance and sharpening. We thank you for understanding these additional charges and assure you they are not added without thoughtful consideration.
When should my puppy come in for his/her first groom?
It's important for puppies to become familiar with grooming. Ideally, puppies will develop a positive relationship with the handling and coat maintenance that will help keep them happy and healthy for the rest of their life! We recommend puppies start coming to the salon soon after they've fully recovered from their final set of puppy vaccinations. This could be anywhere from the 10 to 16 week mark depending on your veterinarian's vaccine protocol. Please double check with your vet to ensure your puppy has finished their puppy vaccines before scheduling an appointment! Puppies must be vaccinated for rabies, distemper, and bordatella before visiting our salon!
Our grooming philosophy takes special note of the fact that not all puppies are the same, and we value taking the time to get to know each and every one of them. Some puppies may have already been professionally groomed by their breeder, other puppies may be rescue dogs that have never even had a bath! It's important to be patient and understand that puppies usually require an introduction to grooming over multiple appointments in their young life. Our grooming approach is focused on introducing a puppy to multiple short, positive experiences, and having clients bring puppies in often to socialize them to the grooming environment. Ask about our discounted rates for puppy grooming appointments! We kindly ask that clients be understanding that puppy grooming results are dictated by what the puppy can safely tolerate. Positive associations are more important than perfect results for all dogs, especially puppies. Puppies are busy developing patience and life skills, and it can take time to learn how to be groomed!
How long will my dog's grooming appointment take?
Great question! Unfortunately, this is a difficult question for us to answer online. Grooming appointment times are individual to each client. Generally, it will depend on the service being done as well as the size and temperament of the dog. Smaller dogs generally take a shorter amount of time, but this can depend on behavioral and health concerns. For a better time estimate, give us a call and we can schedule a time to meet your pup! A meet and greet and first grooming appointment are the best ways for us to gauge the time needed for a groom! Typically speaking, most appointments take between 1 & 3 hours, but a variety of factors can change these time estimates! We are a one-on-one, appointment only salon, so we do our best to make sure your dog is completed in a timely manner! We are happy to answer any additional questions about grooming times over the phone, through email, or during pick up and drop off times!
How do I schedule an appointment? Do you take walk ins?
There are a few convenient ways you can schedule an appointment! You can call us, text us, email us, or fill out the contact form on this website! You can also schedule grooming appointments in person when you pick up or drop off your dog to their existing appointment!
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Due to our one-on-one appointment style, we do not service walk-in appointments. This is to ensure we are able to satisfy our commitment to safe and individual handling for every dog. We require an appointment for all services, including nail trims. We kindly thank our clientele for their understanding and respect of these limitations. If you require an urgent or same-day appointment, please call the salon to discuss any accommodations that may be made.
Does my dog need to be vaccinated?
The short answer is; Yes! Your dog does need to be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, and bordatella to visit our salon. We do require proof of vaccination on your dog's first visit, as well as proof of re-vaccination when their vaccines on file have expired. However, we do understand that certain individuals or breeds are prone to vaccination injury or extenuating circumstances that may prevent regular vaccination. We are willing to accommodate dogs that are not eligible to receive vaccination due to legitimate health limitations. These special circumstances will require a letter from a licensed veterinarian documenting that your dog is legitimately exempt from receiving their routine vaccinations. All tools and communal grooming areas are thoroughly sanitized between every single dog, and at the beginning and end of each work day. We do not accept unvaccinated dogs without a letter from a veterinarian.
What is your cancellation policy? Can I arrive late to my appointment?
We do not charge a late appointment fee or a cancellation fee, We ask that our clients respect our policies as a courtesy to our groomer's time and livelihood. Due to the appointment based nature of our business, we kindly ask for as much notice as possible for cancellations. Ideally, 48 hours. We understand that life can be unpredictable, and we always do our best to accommodate your schedule. However, we cannot always make last minute appointment changes in our schedule, as we cannot alter existing appointment times for other clients. We will always do our best to accommodate your arrival if you are running behind, but please be mindful that appointments arriving more than 15 minutes late may need to be rescheduled at the groomer's discretion.
Do you offer deshedding? I don't see an add-ons menu!
Yes, at no additional cost! Our grooming process for each client is customized to their breed and coat type, which means everything your dog needs is included in the base service price. We believe in doing service the right way; our packages are all-inclusive and are tailored to thoroughly address the coat of each dog. Offering a bath without proper de-shedding wouldn't be a bath done correctly in our eyes! We don't have any hidden extra fees to get the service your dog needs.