What is one-on-one grooming?

Dog Grooming is an art. We do not get the same luxuries as your hairdresser for absolute stillness and pointing our heads in one direction. We are basically working with sharp equipment on a moving target and must be very careful.

Unlike most grooming establishments that take in multiple pets at one time, overlap appointments, and are therefore noisy and busy, we offer a more modern and pet-friendly approach.

We offer grooming to one family at a time. We groom straight through, usually without cage drying, and your pup gets to go home as soon as they are done. This has many benefits. We can fully concentrate on your pet, allowing us to be safer, quicker, and more observant of any health issues. Our shop is quiet, thereby alleviating any of the stress caused by the presence of other dogs, noise, or disruption. Our shop does not look or smell like a 'dog space': it is bright, clean, homey, and calm. 

By grooming one family at a time, we have the chance to really connect with your pet, to soothe and guide them, to get to know them. This is a game changer for pet who are easily stressed.

We try to think of it as a 'spa day' for your pet,  that they should be more relaxed when they leave than when they came in. And cost? It is comparable to any brick and mortar shop in the area.

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Do you groom Great Danes/Rotties/Teacup Chihuahuas?

Yes!! We groom all breeds of dogs here. Everyone is welcome.

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Do you groom sedated dogs?

No, we do not groom dogs that are sedated.

Sedated dogs should be groomed at your vet
 

Do you pluck ears?

We will pluck ears upon request, however, we do not recommend it.

Plucking ears opens up the hair follicles in the ear allowing bacteria to

enter. An infection can result. We find it better to remove the excess

hair with clippers or scissors.

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Do you express anal glands?

We prefer not to: the current advice from our vet is that anal glands should not be expressed unless medically necessary, and in that event should be done by a veterinarian. Expression of anal glands when it is not necessary can cause several health issues.

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Do you brush teeth?

Yes, we offer teeth brushing at an add'l fee.

Please let us know is you wish to add-on this service

when you make your appoitment.

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What on Earth is a blueberry facial??

When we bathe a dog we use a tearless, hypoallergenic shampoo on the face. However the face is a major breeding ground for bacteria (smell and staining, sores...) and dogs will benefit from a special Ph balanced cleanser for for the face if any of these conditions exist. It is a lightly foaming facial cleanser, with natural exfoliating activity that softly hydrates while removing stains and odors. We also offer Oatmeal/baking soda, and cucumber melon.
 

Do I need an appointment or do you accept walk-ins?

All appointments are pre-scheduled. We advise that you call at least one week in

advance to schedule your appointment. We can only groom

a certain number of dogs a day so don’t let your dog get behind the pack!

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Why do I need to have my dog groomed every 4 – 6 weeks?

In order to maintain a proper and manageable coat, it is recommended that you have your dog groomed every 4 – 6 weeks. This is true for non-shedding breeds such as Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Terriers, etc. The coat on these breeds can easily become painfully matted if not properly maintained. Breeds that have short, shedding coats can usually wait 8 -12 weeks between grooming appointments, as long as they are brushed thoroughly at home.

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How long does the grooming take?

The typical stay at the shop is 1.5 hours for small to medium

sized dogs. 2-4 hours for larger breeds with heavier under coats,

and for pet’s receiving hand scissoring or complicated cuts. We

do our best to get your dog groomed and back home to you in a

timely manner. Let’s face it...the less amount of time they are away

from you and their home the happier they are!

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What is your cancellation/ no show policy?

If you must cancel an appointment, please try to give us at least 24 hours notice. In most cases, pets arriving more than 15 minutes late will need to be rescheduled, and will count as a NO SHOW.

No-Shows will be noted.  A no-show may incur a $25 fee, payable up front at the next appointment, pre-payment of your next appointment in order to secure a booking, (This will be non refundable if you do not show), or we may choose not to extend service to you in the future.  

If this seems a bit extreme, please understand that we work on an appointment basis. This is our livelihood! If you miss your appointment, we not only have lost business for the day but also have lost a spot for a customer who could have used it. Treat your grooming appointment as seriously as you would an appointment with your vet.

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Why is punctuality so important? You work from home right?

This means that we do not take in multiple dogs at one time. We have found that this helps reduce some of the anxiety that the grooming experience may cause some dogs.

It is important to us and to your dog that you are able to be on time for your appointment and pick up promptly. This allows us to provide undivided attention to your dog and the next appointment as well.

If you have time constraints, please let us know ahead of time. We are a start to finish salon, each canine stylist servicing one dog at a time, so being on time is very important to us.

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Can I stay with my pet during the grooming?

We prefer that you do not. Pets are calmer and better

behaved for grooming when the owner is not present.

When the owner is present the dog is so focused on the

owner that it disrupts the grooming process. It simply is

harder on the dog and the groomer. We need the dogs’

full attention. We are using very sharp equipment around

your pet’s eyes and other “private parts” of the body. With

the owner present the dog will not remain still enough for us

to groom him safely. Our one exception will be a dog with special

needs and we will discuss this on a case by case basis.

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When is it best to have my puppy groomed for the first time?

We like to see new puppies in our shop as early as 8 weeks of age. It’s never too early to get your dog accustomed to grooming. Your puppy’s first visit will be short and simple. Probably just a bath, blow-dry, nail clipping, and perhaps a little trimming around the face. We need to start very slow and sweet as to not stress the little pup out and to avoid “turning him off” to the grooming process. Please see our Puppy's First Groom page for more information!
 

Is my pet too old to be groomed?

Probably not, but older pets are one of the harder groups to work with. We may recommend that the cut remain simple and short so that the grooming process is as short as possible. Doing this will also insure that your older dog will not need grooming as often, which will surely make your pet happier!

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Does my dog need to be fully vaccinated?

Yes! Please bring a copy of your pets’ vaccination records with you on your first visit. It is in the best interest for your dog, as well as all the other dogs that come to the shop.

 

Top Ten Reasons Why It Costs More to Get Your Pet Groomed Than Your Own Hair Cut:

• 10. Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end

•  9. You don’t go for eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair

•  8. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to give you a sanitary trim.

• 7. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to clean your ears.

• 6. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to remove the boogies from your eyes.

•  5.You sit still for your hairdresser.

• 4. Your haircut doesn’t include a manicure or pedicure.

• 3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.

• 2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser.

• 1. The likelihood of you pooping on the hairdresser is pretty slim.

•  This list may be funny BUT it is TRUE!! Grooming a dog simply takes more time, patience AND COURAGE then cutting human hair!

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What determines the cost?

The cost is based on the breed of the dog, what you want done, the condition of the coat, and the pet’s behavior. All pets are different. As hard as you try to describe your dog, his hair, his behavior and what you want done over the phone, without seeing your dog or meeting your dog, we can not give you an exact price over the phone – Only an approximation.

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My dog is matted but I don’t want him shaved. Why won’t you brush him out?

Because it hurts A LOT, is not fair to the dog! Not only that it doesn’t do any good. We will try our best to save as much of the coat as possible, and use a deep conditioner that works to detangle the hair. If the dogs’ hair is matted, the hair is already damaged and will not brush out to healthy looking or feeling hair. If the dog has a mat or two that is a different story – We will do our best to remove the mat and continue on with the haircut.

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