This is Stumpy. He likes to sit on his stump, thinking about things. Sometimes he has questions, and we’re sure that you do too! Here are answers to some of the questions you might have.
Are you insured?
- Yes. We are a commercial business with a business license and are fully insured.
Are you certified?
- There is no central certification body for dog grooming in BC. We are very experienced, professional groomers who have over 25 years of experience in the grooming industry. When groomers say that they are certified it often means that they took a short course that provides a certificate at the end, not an official certification from a central industry body. There is no requirement to be certified to groom in BC. We have attended many workshops and seminars over the years. In the past Angela has a been member of a number of grooming associations such as International Professional Groomers, Western Association of Groomers, and International Association of Canine Professionals, and she is a long time member of the Canadian Kennel Club and a lifetime member of Forbidden Plateau Obedience & Tracking.
How much does grooming cost?
- We charge based on our hourly rate, so it depends on coat condition, behavior, size and the style desired. We are happy to give you an estimate range based on the trim desired and the breed if you call or stop by. We do our best to keep our prices reasonable for everyone and we give discounts for frequent grooming visits.
How long will my dog be at the groomer and can I stay?
- Grooming is a more involved process than going to the barber and does take more time. You will be asked to leave your dog for 2 – 3 hours depending on the amount of work required.
- We don’t allow dog owners to stay on site while their dogs are groomed. There are many reasons for this, including space, disruption / distraction us and for your dog and other dogs, and liability, but the most important reason is that your dog is much more likely to settle if they can focus on us instead of their human. If you are concerned, you can call and check in, and we will certainly call you if there are any concerns. The vast majority of dogs settle in just fine. Please give us the time and space that we need to give your dog our undivided attention.
Is there anything I should do before my dog’s grooming appointment?
- Please take your dog for a walk. Walking not only burns off excess energy, helping your dog be more still and calm for grooming, but it gives your dog lots of opportunities to take care of business before coming into our shop and home. Having to “go” can cause additional stress for a dog, as usually they don’t like to have bathroom accidents inside. For groomers, such accidents create a lot of additional work, sometimes requiring starting over, re-bathing and drying the dog, putting us behind in our work.
Is there anything I should bring?
- We always have treats in the shop. If your dog is on a special diet, please let us know, and you are welcome to bring your own treats. Please bring your dog in on a leash.
My dog gets hot in the summer, should I clip him?
- Double – coated dogs (such as Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, Northern breeds, Shepherds etc) should never be clipped unless they are so matted there is no choice. Instead, the insulating undercoat should be brushed out, preserving the guard hairs. See Double Coated Dogs.
Will you brush my dog’s teeth?
- No. Toothbrushing should be done daily, so it needs to be done at home. We will happily give you some tips on how though!
What if my dog has tangles?
- Severely matted dogs will need to be clipped short. It is cruel to try to brush out mats. If your dog is matted we will clip them and give you lots of advice on preventing it in the future.
How often should my dog be groomed?
- Depending on breed and desired style, every 4 – 12 weeks. The longer the desired coat, the more often the dog should be groomed. If you decide to return within 6 weeks you will receive 10% of your next grooming. Within 4 weeks you will receive 15% off.
- Dogs who are groomed infrequently are unaccustomed to the handling that grooming requires, tend to be stressed, and are overgrown and often matted.
Do you treat for fleas, ticks or lice?
- If your dog has fleas we will use a flea and tick shampoo, followed by an oatmeal shampoo. This is to avoid spreading the fleas to other dogs, but your dog will still need to go on flea control. Flea control products can be purchased from your Veterinarian.
- Please do not bring in your dog if it has lice. Ask your veterinarian for treatment options and be sure that there are no lice before your dog is in contact with other dogs or goes to a groomer.
- If we find ticks, we will remove them and recommend that you speak to your veterinarian about treatment.
Will my dog be kept in a crate or kennel:
For short periods, your dog may be in a clean, comfortable kennel. Think of it as a waiting room where your dog can relax and look around and be safe. While waiting to go home, between stages of grooming, or if we are interrupted during the grooming, your dog will be placed in his or her own space. See this post to read the detailed reasons why crating keeps your dog clean and safe. Most of the time, your dog will be getting one on one attention from the groomer.
More questions? Please have a look at our Blog which covers topics such as brushing, nail trimming, senior dogs, double coated dogs, and canine obesity
Thoughtful Paws Grooming 