At Shampoodles, we generally serve one client at a time, so each dog can receive individual attention. This also allows for shorter groom times, so your pet doesn't needlessly spend an entire day in a cage surrounded by strange dogs. We've found this schedule to be far less stressful than the alternative.
Your dog's beauty treatment begins with a hydromassage bath, which deep cleans while offering an invigorating massage action. A variety of environmentally friendly shampoos and conditioners are available to match to your dog's particular skin & coat type. After the bath, your pet will be thoroughly dried by hand. Ears will be cleaned, nails clipped, paws trimmed, hair combed, and undercoat thinned out to reduce shedding. Breeds in need of styling will be clipped and scissored to your specifications. The amount of time this all takes will of course vary, but on average most dogs are done in less than two hours.
Can I stay with my dog?
Many groomers don't allow owners to stay, as it is a distraction to both dog and stylist. This is a personal preference, and generally should not be held against the groomer. Still, at Shampoodles we understand many owners' concerns and desires to remain with their pet, and so welcome them to stay during grooming. Sometimes it's simply a matter of time - the dog is finished so quickly it isn't worth driving home just to turn back around for pick up time. Tara often enjoys chatting with the people as she works, and the owners often appreciate being able to see the grooming process. However, if the dog becomes too distracted by the owner's presence, then they may be asked to wait out of sight during grooming, for the safety and sanity of all involved.
How often should my dog be groomed?
This will vary according to breed and amount of proper brushing given between grooms. Six weeks is usually a pretty good schedule for any dog. Of course, some dogs can go longer, while others need more frequent attention. I do feel that all dogs should be bathed at least seasonally - just think how much environmental toxins (along with dirt, dander, and who knows what else) they accumulate in three months! Now obviously, if you have a breed that requires styling, this is far too long to wait, and even the majority of "wash & wear" dogs need a bath long before then. But it is good to set minimums, as unfortunately many people still do the once a year thing. If you have a longhaired dog in a full style, 4 - 5 weeks is often the best interval for professional grooming, while 6 - 8 weeks is usually sufficient for short clips or deshedding treatments.
What is the best age to start?
Any age is better than never! But obviously, when you start young it is usually much easier for all concerned. I find 4 months to be an ideal time to bring a puppy in for her first groom. At this age they tend to adapt to new things quicker, and with some practice can learn to take all grooming procedures in stride. If nothing else right now, these young pups need their sharp little toenails trimmed! Even just a social visit for some quick handling and table training is a good start. When owners wait until the dog is 6-10 or so months old (during the "teen" phase) it's often more difficult, as the unsocialized pup may find every new experience scary and harder to get over than a youngster. They can learn to deal with it, but training often takes longer at this point. Do yourself, your groomer, and your dog a favor, and start him out right from the start.
How much does professional grooming cost?
This varies widely according to breed, size, coat condition, style, and behavior. Therefore we are unable to give definite quotes until working with the dog. You may however call or email Shampoodles for an estimate.
Should I shave my dog for the summer?
Not necessarily. There are some concerns with the practice of clipping double coated breeds, along with the danger of sunburn when shaving light-colored or thin-coated dogs too closely. Sunburn is easily avoided by leaving hair at a reasonably protective length and/or using sunblock made for pets or children. As for the clipping of undercoated dogs, the possibility of coat damage remains a problem. The shorter the clip, the greater the possibility of the coat not growing back properly, or in some cases, at all. The reasons are unknown, though theroies abound, but regardless the fact is that it can happen. Some dogs never have this problem, while others still aren't affected until after years of clipping. Of course, it is purely an asthetic condition, so if after this warning you still prefer your pet in a shorter clip, then by all means go for it. The truth is that many dogs are more comfortable in the summer without their excess of fur. So while we often recommend a more natural alternative, the question to shave or not is entirely an individual choice.
What is deshedding?
Your groomer will use a variety of special tools and methods to remove the bulk of your dog's undercoat. This can dramatically reduce shedding, as well as improve skin & coat health. The technique may also be called carding, or "furminating" when using the Furminator tool. Of course nothing can completely stop the natural shedding cycle, and the process should be repeated on a regular schedule to keep loose hair to a minimum.