Frequently Asked Questions
To ensure a safe and smooth grooming experience, here's what I'll need from you:
Proof of Vaccination For everyone's safety, your pup must be up-to-date on vaccinations. Tags alone are not valid proof - please provide vet records (digital or paper) before the appointment. Puppies under 4 months of age are not required to have a rabies vaccination; however it is recommeded all pets are up-to-date on their vaccines to prevent the spread of contagious and or zoonotic diseases.
Proof of Vaccination For everyone's safety, your pup must be up-to-date on vaccinations. Tags alone are not valid proof - please provide vet records (digital or paper) before the appointment. Puppies under 4 months of age are not required to have a rabies vaccination; however it is recommeded all pets are up-to-date on their vaccines to prevent the spread of contagious and or zoonotic diseases.
Start early! I recommend scheduling your puppy's first grooming appointment as soon as they've had their first round of vaccinations (usually around 8—10 weeks old).
Getting your puppy used to the sights, sounds, and sensations of grooming early on helps them build confidence and comfort with the process. The first groom is all about calm, gentle introduction - focused on positive handling, desensitization to grooming tools, and creating a foundation for a lifetime of stress-free grooming. Progress is prioritized over perfection.
Getting your puppy used to the sights, sounds, and sensations of grooming early on helps them build confidence and comfort with the process. The first groom is all about calm, gentle introduction - focused on positive handling, desensitization to grooming tools, and creating a foundation for a lifetime of stress-free grooming. Progress is prioritized over perfection.
There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to grooming frequency. The right schedule depends on your dog's age, health, temperament, and coat type. My goal is always the same: comfort, safety, and a positive experience—not just how a dog looks when they leave.
Adult Dogs & Coat Length For most adult dogs, grooming frequency depends largely on coat type and desired length.
Puppies Puppies benefit from more frequent visits, especially early on. These don't have to be full grooms. Short, positive appointments like nail trims, baths, face or paw tidy-ups, or just coming in to meet the groomer help puppies learn that grooming is a normal, safe part of life.
Senior Dogs & Dogs with Medical Considerations Senior dogs and dogs with health concerns often do best with less frequent, lower-maintenance grooming. Comfort is the priority.
Anxious or Sensitive Dogs Dogs who are nervous or anxious often benefit from more frequent visits, but with varying levels of intensity.
Adult Dogs & Coat Length For most adult dogs, grooming frequency depends largely on coat type and desired length.
- Short Coats: Can typically go longer between appointments.
- Long or Curly Coats: Require more frequent grooming to prevent matting and discomfort.
Puppies Puppies benefit from more frequent visits, especially early on. These don't have to be full grooms. Short, positive appointments like nail trims, baths, face or paw tidy-ups, or just coming in to meet the groomer help puppies learn that grooming is a normal, safe part of life.
- Frequent low-pressure visits:
- Build confidence and trust
- Reduce fear later in life
- Make future grooming easier and less stressful
Senior Dogs & Dogs with Medical Considerations Senior dogs and dogs with health concerns often do best with less frequent, lower-maintenance grooming. Comfort is the priority.
- I typically recommend:
- Shorter, easier-to-maintain haircuts
- Shorter appointments
- Gentle handling with plenty of breaks
Anxious or Sensitive Dogs Dogs who are nervous or anxious often benefit from more frequent visits, but with varying levels of intensity.
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This may include:
- Simple walk-in nail trims
- Bath-only appointments
- Partial grooms before working up to full services
Proper brushing at home can really help maintain your dog's coat between grooms and avoid unexpected shave-downs!
What You'll Need:
The Comb Test After brushing a section, run your comb through it. If it glides smoothly from root to tip with no snags, you're doing great! If the comb gets caught, mats are still present - and if I can't get a comb through, my clipper guards can't either, which means the coat may need to be cut shorter for your dog's comfort.
What You'll Need:
- A soft pin slicker brush
- A metal comb
- A detangling spray - never brush a dry coat! It can cause breakage and discomfort.
The Comb Test After brushing a section, run your comb through it. If it glides smoothly from root to tip with no snags, you're doing great! If the comb gets caught, mats are still present - and if I can't get a comb through, my clipper guards can't either, which means the coat may need to be cut shorter for your dog's comfort.
It depends on the condition of the coat. If your dog is pelted (severely matted close to the skin), the safest and most humane option is a shave-down. Mats pull tightly on the skin and can cause pain, bruising, or sores - so when clipping them out, I work very slowly and carefully to avoid injury. This adds significant time to the groom.
If de-matting is possible, it still requires extra time, patience, and care - especially for dogs with sensitive skin or anxiety.
Because of the added time involved, I charge a $2/minute matting fee. This is not a de-matting fee—it's a time-based fee that applies whether I shave a pelted coat or gently work through tangles. If you do not agree to this fee, or do not consent to a shave-down when necessary, I will respectfully decline to groom your dog for their safety and well-being.
My goal is to keep pets safe, comfortable, and stress-free—even if that means starting over with a shorter haircut.
If de-matting is possible, it still requires extra time, patience, and care - especially for dogs with sensitive skin or anxiety.
Because of the added time involved, I charge a $2/minute matting fee. This is not a de-matting fee—it's a time-based fee that applies whether I shave a pelted coat or gently work through tangles. If you do not agree to this fee, or do not consent to a shave-down when necessary, I will respectfully decline to groom your dog for their safety and well-being.
My goal is to keep pets safe, comfortable, and stress-free—even if that means starting over with a shorter haircut.
If your dog has fleas, I can remove the ones currently on their body during the grooming session—but grooming alone will not prevent reinfestation. Fleas lay hundreds of eggs that fall into your home, bedding, and yard, which can lead to a new outbreak within days or weeks.
Treating your home is just as important as treating your dog. I recommend a thorough cleaning, vacuuming, washing bedding, and using safe home treatments.
For long-term protection, speak to your vet about a prescription-strength flea and tick preventative. Over-the-counter products are often not strong enough to stop the flea life cycle.
If your dog is heavily infested, I may refer you to a veterinarian before grooming. Severe infestations can lead to serious health concerns like tapeworms, anemia, and flea-borne illnesses (such as Bartonella). In these cases, your dog's health comes first—and vet care is the safest next step.
Treating your home is just as important as treating your dog. I recommend a thorough cleaning, vacuuming, washing bedding, and using safe home treatments.
For long-term protection, speak to your vet about a prescription-strength flea and tick preventative. Over-the-counter products are often not strong enough to stop the flea life cycle.
If your dog is heavily infested, I may refer you to a veterinarian before grooming. Severe infestations can lead to serious health concerns like tapeworms, anemia, and flea-borne illnesses (such as Bartonella). In these cases, your dog's health comes first—and vet care is the safest next step.
Long nails can cause real pain and long-term damage. When a dog's nails get too long, they start to push back into the nail bed with every step. Over time, this can lead to:
Regular nail trims can help! With consistent care, we can gradually encourage the quick (the vein inside the nail) to recede, allowing for shorter, healthier nails over time. This keeps your pup more comfortable, mobile, and happy.
Even if your dog is nervous about nails, I work gently and patiently - and regular appointments help build trust and confidence.
Bonus: Here is a link to my tutorial on clipping black nails!
- Painful, splayed feet
- Reduced traction, making slips and injuries more likely
- Strained tendons as your dog's posture shifts to compensate
- Arthritis and joint issues from long-term pressure and misalignment
- And in severe cases, nails growing into the paw pad, which can cause infections or require vet intervention
Regular nail trims can help! With consistent care, we can gradually encourage the quick (the vein inside the nail) to recede, allowing for shorter, healthier nails over time. This keeps your pup more comfortable, mobile, and happy.
Even if your dog is nervous about nails, I work gently and patiently - and regular appointments help build trust and confidence.
Bonus: Here is a link to my tutorial on clipping black nails!