Frequently Asked Questions

If the hair is allowed to knot or “mat”, it is unhealthy for the dog’s skin. Matting tightens when the coat gets wet. Before washing the dog, it is necessary to brush out all the matting. Sometimes the matting is too close to the skin and this cannot be done. In some cases it may be possible to “demat” the coat but, unfortunately, this is an arduous and painful process for both the dog and the groomer. This process needs frequent rest periods in order to be accomplished. In some cases, dematting may cause or reveal skin irritation.

If your dog is matted, we will advise you on what can be done. If the hair can be dematted without causing pain to the dog, it may be possible to save the coat. If the hair can be dematted, there will be an additional charge of $20 per half hour. Otherwise, we may recommend cutting the hair short, which means applying the clipper behind the mat. If the hair is matted, we recommend meeting with one of our groomers beforehand so that we can discuss your options

Some clients prefer to keep the same groomer. If your dog is nervous and / or you have very specific requests, we find that coming back to the same groomer works best because it fosters a relationship between the client, groomer and dog.

Our grooming areas are visible behind glass. However, if your dog can see you this usually leads to the dog trying to get to you and can result in a dangerous condition. The groomer is working with sharp tools and looks to avoid additional stress and excitement. If you want to watch, you may take a peek from a distance. If you need to watch the entire time, you should consider the option of home grooming.

Sure. The groomer will discuss your options and try to achieve the same result.

We will try our best to get your dog in and out as quickly as possible with out compromising any stage of the grooming process.

We ask that you plan on 4 hours. However, the amount of time it takes to groom your dog depends on several things including the breed, the trim requested, as well as, the condition of your dog’s coat, and his/her temperament. Age is another consideration; older dogs and puppies require rest during the grooming process. This could lengthen the amount of time that we need to complete the groom by as much as 2 hours.

If for some reason your dog is taking longer, then we will call or send you a text to let you know where we are in the grooming process. We will call or text as soon as we finish your dog. All dogs must be picked up by 6:30 pm.

As with time, there are several factors that affect pricing. Breed, size, condition of coat, temperament, trim requested, amount of hand scissoring required are some of the considerations. Our current base prices can be found on our Groom & Play pages. Lodging rates will be added to our Stay page once we are open for lodging.

Grinding nails, cleaning ears, and expressing anal glands

2 Shampoos: One to remove any dirt or odor, the second is to replenish the skin and coat with essential oils and close the hair follicle.

Conditioner: Depending on the coat, we will use a deep conditioner, conditioning rinse, or a leave in conditioner.

Towel dry and comb out

Drying: We will use the least stressful method on your dog. We use variable speed dryers that allow us to decrease the air speed and temperature to ensure your dogs comfort, while he/she is on the table. Some dogs prefer to be crate-dried. In this case, your dog will be placed in a kennel appropriate to his/her size and dried using a dryer that blows room temperature air through a wire kennel door.

Trim: After drying, our professional groomer will trim your dog to your specifications.

Bath-only Grooms include (pricing less than full groom):

Clipping nails, cleaning ears, and expressing anal glands

2 Shampoos: One to remove any dirt or odor, the second is to replenish the skin and coat with essential oils and close the hair follicle.

Conditioner: Depending on the coat, we will use a deep conditioner, a conditioning rinse, or a leave in conditioner.

Towel dry and comb out

Drying: We will use the least stressful method on your dog. We use variable speed dryers that allow us to decrease the air speed and temperature to ensure your dogs comfort, while he/she is on the table. Some dogs prefer to be crate-dried. In this case, your dog will be placed in a kennel appropriate to his/her size and dried using a dryer that blows room temperature air through a wire kennel door.

Yes, in most cases. If we are going from a long coat to a short trim, then we may do a pre-trim to help with the bathing and drying process.

In most cases, we suggest removing the matts. Dematting is a long and uncomfortable process for your dog. It is also an added expense for you. We charge $20.00 per half hour to remove the matts.

If it?s a matter of a few knots here and there, then we can usually brush those out without extra cost. However, if the coat is matted to the skin all over the dog, we cannot ethically dematt. This will require us to place the clipper blade behind the base of the matt and typically leaves the dog?s coat very short.

With the exception of medicated baths and conditioners, all our products are professional-grade and all natural. Even our flea baths use human-grade essential oils to kill the fleas.

Yes, all our groomers are experienced professionals and have been trained in the proper techniques to groom any dog to breed standard.

Yes, we grind nails in our full groom package. With bath-only packages, we only clip the nails. If you want a nail-only appointment, then we can do that too.

Please tell us right away. Our goal is for every dog to look his/her best. If it is a matter of a little more trimming, then we will be glad to do it while you wait. If it is more extensive, then we may need to schedule another appointment. In any case, we will do all we can to make sure that you are pleased with your dog?s groom.

The real answer is ?something you don?t want to deal with at home!? They are the scent sacs right under a dog?s tail. Some dogs empty them naturally, some do not. Your groomer can check if they need to be emptied (expressed). Please let us know if your veterinarian does this or if you do not want us to express the glands.