Will my dog be allowed contact with other dogs while here for grooming?
Your dog will be within eyesight of other dogs in the same room but is not allowed to come into contact with them. If your dog doesn't enjoy the company of other dogs in the same room, please let us know when scheduling so we can make their stay with us as stress-free as possible by scheduling them during a less busy day or time.
How long should I expect to leave my dog for his/her appointment?
We ask that you plan on leaving your small dog for 1-2 hours and your large dog 1.5-3 hours. We like to make sure we can take our time and make your dog as comfortable as possible including giving them periodic breaks, if needed. Rushing leads to stress and injuries so please be patient with us as we take the best care possible of your furry friend!
Do you take walk-ins or do I have to make an appointment?
We are appointment-only for all services.
Does my dog have to have a bath before having his hair cut?
Yes! Even if your dog has had a bath recently, we need to start with a freshly washed, dried, and fluffed coat to achieve the beautiful finished results we strive for. Much like a hairdresser must wet your hair before cutting it to ensure evenness and style, the prepping of your dog's hair is vital for us to be able to trim it appropriately.
Is my dog crated while he's there for grooming?
Yes. We do not allow the dogs to interact with each other so your dog will be crated while waiting for his appointment to begin, and while waiting to go home. If your dog is very stressed out in a crate, we will schedule them early in the day (to prevent delays from requiring him/her to be crated before their appointment) and you’ll be required to pick them up immediately upon completion of the groom.
Can I drop off my dog earlier than my scheduled appointment time, or can they stay later after they're done?
Unfortunately, due to space limitations in our grooming area, we are not able to offer extended stays. Dogs cannot be dropped off more than 15 minutes prior to the appointment and must be picked up within 30 minutes of completion.
What can I do to help make my dog's grooming experience better?
Dogs are better able to relax and stand still when they've had exercise, so taking your dog for a long walk or a visit to the dog park before grooming can be a good idea. Also, make sure they've had a chance to drink and go potty before coming in. Regular brushing and handling of feet, legs, and face at home will also help your dog become accustomed to the sensations he'll experience during grooming.
What if you find fleas or ticks on my dog while they're there for grooming?
If we find fleas, we'll give your dog a flea bath at your expense to prevent the fleas from spreading to the facility and other dogs. If we find ticks, we'll remove them and let you know we found them. There is an additional charge for more than 3 ticks as removal takes extra time.
I know my dog is extremely stressed or aggravated by the grooming process. Can I give him a "doggy downer" my vet provided to help calm him?
Unfortunately we are NOT able to work on pets that have been sedated - even pets that have been sedated with the veterinarian's approval. Sedation can cover up signs of stress and illness such as an inability to regulate body temperature and can have unwanted side effects that we are not medically trained to deal with. If your pet must be sedated to be groomed, we recommend talking to your veterinarian about grooming them at the vet's office or working with a behaviorist to help them learn to accept the grooming process. If we suspect your dog has been sedated, we will stop the grooming process and a fee for services rendered up to that point will apply.
Exceptions can be made for trazodone when prescribed by a veterinarian for as-needed use.
Do you use heated cage dryers?
No! Our cage dryer is basically a large fan that circulates room temperature air into the crates. It does not contain a heating element of any kind. The High Velocity hand-held dryers are heated by the friction of the fast moving air; these dryers are hand-held and used to remove water, to fluff and straighten the coat, and to remove loose undercoat while the pet is on the grooming table. Many pets do not tolerate the faster moving air on their face or feet; these dogs are allowed time in the crate for their feet and face to dry with the slower, room temperature air circulating around them.
Do you shave double coated breeds such as Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, or Malamutes?
Generally, no. We will only shave a double coated dog if it is medically necessary or if the coat is too severely matted to safely de-mat. We make every effort to leave the coats of double coated breeds as natural as possible but the safety of the pet must be taken into consideration in the event of severe matting. Click here to read our blog post on shaving double coated breeds.