FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you groom cats? 

A: No, unfortunately we do not have a cat-certified groomer on staff currently, but we highly recommend checking out the following:

• Pampered Pussycats, (419)-389-1060, 3135 West Sylvania Avenue, Toledo OH

• Hot Dog’s Pet Salon, LLC, (419)-214-0889, 2940 Douglas Road, Toledo OH

Q: Do you groom big dogs?

A: Yes, our service pricing goes by weight.

Q: When should my puppy come in for its first groom?

A: It’s important to have your puppy groomed as soon as possible so they can get used to and learn to love the grooming experience. Two weeks after their last set of vaccinations is recommended. We will not clip your puppy on their first visit as the evolution from puppy to adult coat is depends on breed. A grooming regime will be suggested to suit your puppy. During their first visit your puppy will be introduced in a relaxed and fun way to the sights, sounds, and smells of the grooming salon ensuring that future visits are stress free. 

Q: Can I stay and watch while you groom my pet? 

A: As your pooch loves you very much, they will wiggle and move around trying to get close to you which is not safe while we are grooming. It is best to drop off your pooch at their scheduled appointment time, You'll be notified when to pickup. Please wait for pickup notification to avoid grooming interruption.

Q: Should I trim my dog at home?

A: Please don’t try to cut out any knots or matts at home with scissors. It is quite easy to cut your pet’s skin. Please wait until your groomer can shave it out. 

Q: Can I drop off my dog before my appointment time?

A: Upon Arrival, Please check-in on our booking app. After Check-In- You'll receive a ready to start service notification, then you may enter.  

​

Q: How much will it cost for the services I want?

A: We offer a variety of services, All services are starting points and may change due to each individual dog. Price depends on many things, including size/weight, condition of coat, desired services, behavior of dog, etc. Prices are subject to change at any time and are outlined in our Service/Price page as well as our online booking.

Q: Do you give discounts on multiple dogs?

A: No. They will still be priced as they would be individually, Each dog should be booked separately as they will have there own profiles, for our records. But checkout can be completed together.

Q: Why did my dog’s nail bleed?/ Why didn’t you clip the nails as short as I wanted?

A: Unfortunately, even the most experienced of us groomers sometimes cut the nail too close to the quick, which results in bleeding. Most dogs do not sit well for the nail clipping, and some have especially thick or dark nails that are difficult to clip safely. Our highly trained groomers will do their best to avoid clipping them too close, they also have to try to clip them as short as possible or clients get upset. It's a difficult balance to find, and we do the best we can. If the nail is clipped too short, we always make sure the bleeding is stopped before your dog goes home. We always clip the nails as short as it is safe to do so. On some dogs, this means just tipping the ends of the nails due to long quicks. There is nothing that can be done to make them shorter that won't hurt your dog. Regular nail clippings every 2 weeks can help guide the quick back and allow us to clip them shorter, but it takes a very regular clipping to do this. 

Q: Do you buff/file the nails?

A: Nail buffing is available upon request at an additional $10 per dog, on top of the normal nail clipping price. 

Q: Do you do teeth brushing?

A: Teeth brushing and fresh breath spray are available upon request at an additional $5 and $3 per dog, but will need to be done regularly to be beneficial. If your dog has plaque build-up, it is highly recommended that you take them to your veterinarian for a dental cleaning. 

Q: Do you express anal glands?

A: Yes, but upon request at an additional $10 per dog. However, unless your dog is licking their behind excessively or scooting, it is not something that needs to be done as most dogs naturally express their glands when they go to the bathroom. If your dog has any anal gland issues, we recommend that you seek advice/treatment from your veterinarian. 

Q: I didn’t want my dog’s hair that short! Why didn’t you leave it long?

A: The groomer will try their best to give you the haircut you want on your dog, however sometimes it just isn’t possible. ALL long coated breeds require brushing and combing several times a week or even daily, as well as grooming every 4-8 weeks (depending on the dog and their coat). Coats with extensive matting will need to be shaved short for the comfort of your dog.

​

Q: Can’t you just brush the matts out?

A: Sometimes, yes, but it is very painful for your dog as well as time-consuming, which is reflected in the price. Sometimes if matting is too tight, we simply will not put a dog through such a painful experience, and will therefore opt to shave them down instead for their comfort. Imagine if your hair wasn’t brushed or combed out for weeks on end and then you tried to brush it out all at once. It would be extremely painful. This applies to your dog as well. Your groomer will be happy to teach you how to care for their coat between grooms though, so that next time your pet will not be so matted. Please always feel free to ask your groomer any questions about what they recommend for any issues your pet may have. 

Q: Should I get my long haired dog groomed in the winter? 

A: YES! In fact, in the winter you should be bringing your dog in more often so that the coat is completely brushed out and kept clean. If you go too long between grooming in the winter, your dog will end up having to be shaved short.  Even if you just book a bath, brush out, face and feet trim, you will be able to keep the coat longer and still keep the dog in good shape. 

Q: But if you shave my dog in the winter, won’t they get cold?

A: Honestly, your pet will be much more comfortable without matted hair. Matted hair gets wet and cannot dry, as there is no air flow under the hair. I have shaved dogs that were actually moldy under the matts from rolling in the snow, being in the rain or getting baths while matted.  Think of it this way: if you went and jumped in a lake wearing layers of fur coat or a thin, insulated jacket, which would you be more comfortable in once you were out of the water?  The thin jacket will dry much faster, and you will warm up better than being weighed down with heavy wet furs. Dogs have a higher body temperature than we do.  Unless they are 24/7 outdoor dogs, just going out to potty or for quick walks with shaved fur is fine.  If they are shivering a lot, get a doggie coat or sweater until the hair grows back a bit, and book appointments more often or keep that brush handy!

Q: I was told by my vet/another groomer/breeder/some random person that you are not supposed to shave my *insert breed*.  

A: It is not advised to shave down double coated breeds because sometimes the hair does not grow back properly, something that is called clipper alopecia. This is a risk you as the owner take any time you have your double coated breed shaved. Some dogs grow back just fine. Some do not. 

We almost always advise a bath/brush out and trim versus a shave down if asked for our opinion.

HOWEVER...if your dog is not in good condition and the coat is very matted, you may not have a choice.  Dematting the entire dog is painful, time consuming and very irritating to their skin.  We will not put dogs through this unnecessary pain due to owner negligence.  If you do not want your double-coated dog shaved down, you need to maintain the coat with regular grooming year round.  

Q: My dog came home with razor burn. Is this common?

A: It SHOULDN'T be common, but when a dog has matted fur, it can often get irritated from removing that fur for a few reasons. For one, the hair has been pulled tight for many weeks or months.  Once the blood flow to this area is lessened by the removal of matts, the area is often irritated as a result.  Think of someone pulling your hair constantly and twisting it. That's what matts feel like to a dog.  Getting the clipper under those matted knots often requires me to kind of dig the clipper in harder than I normally would to get the blade under the hair, as well as using a blade that is shorter than I normally would use if the hair wasn't matted.  All of this results in razor burn and irritation. The only way to prevent this is to be sure your dog is free of matts by combing and brushing often.

Some dogs are also just more prone to irritation, much like humans.  No matter how sharp the razor is or how much shaving soap I use on my legs, I get irritated. Some dogs are much the same, especially white dogs with pale pink skin, and spaniels with heavy dense fur.

Another reason dogs may end up with razor burn and irritation is because they fight the groom.  When a dog is pulling away, jumping around and squirming, it's very hard to get a nice smooth clip without irritating them. If your dog is not one that sits well for the groom, unfortunately they often don't get the nicest groom as a result.

Underarms, groin area, behind ears and the front of the neck are areas that are most prone to irritation (and to matting!).  Be sure to brush these areas carefully and often. 

Q: How come I didn't get the haircut I wanted? My dog wasn't matted.

A: Sometimes customers don't get the haircut they had in their minds, and it's almost always because they did not communicate their wishes to their groomer clearly.  If you have someone else drop off your dog, be SURE to include a note detailing the haircut you want and a number to reach you at if your groomer has questions. We groom a lot of dogs each week, so just saying “same as last time” will likely not provide a complete picture of what you want done. Please ensure to give as many details as possible. If you are a regular client, your groomer will go over the previous notes with you to ensure they understand what you want as much as possible. 

Sometimes the dogs are more matted than realized when you drop off, and your groomer may agree to a haircut they end up not being able to give.  Until they have the dog on the table and a comb in hand, they may not always be able to tell the extent of matting on the dog, so the coat has to be taken shorter than the client wanted.  Don't worry, it grows back, just be sure to brush and comb more often to keep them matt free.

Q: Your policy page says leashes are required. I forgot my leash, can I still bring my dog in?

A: Yes, BUT...please make every effort to follow this rule and remember your leash. There are many dogs in the shop at any given time, and many people coming and going. If your dog is not on a leash, we are not able to control them, and the risk of them getting into a fight with another dog or running out the door is high. You should never take your dog into a public place without a leash on, no matter what size they are. We absolutely require leashes. No exceptions. Retractable leashes are discouraged for safety reasons. Please purchase a simple flat leather or nylon leash for your pet, at least for when going to the groomers or the vets.

Q: Can I bring my dog in a carrier?

A: Yes, Carriers are allowed upon arrival, and must be release by owner only, a worn lease is required.

After release and dog is leashed, be sure to take the carrier with you.

Due to the lack of storage space, we also ask that you please take the carrier with you when you leave. 

Q: Do you use perfume/cologne on my dog?

A: Most products used have fragrances unless stated otherwise. We love adding a perfume/cologne on all our dogs to give them a boost of freshness. If your dog or any other members of your household have any allergies, please inform us both in your appointment information as well as during drop off. 

 Q: Should I feed my dog before I bring it in for the groom?

A: No.  If you usually feed your dog in the morning, refrain from doing so the day of their groom. Grooming can be stressful, and being nervous can cause your dog to get the runs or vomit. Having food in their stomach before getting groomed is not a good idea. Please skip the meal (if possible) until you take them home. We do however allow personal treats to be brought in with the dog for positive reinforcement. :)

Q: My dog has dandruff or skin issues. Can you fix this?

A: Skin issues must be addressed by a vet. If your vet gives you a specific shampoo to use, please bring it in for us to use on your pet! If your dog has skin issues or reacts to anything we use during their appointment, please let us know.