A: First, find a groomer that is willing to work at the puppies pace. And have regular scheduled visits set up. At home, have some basic grooming tools on hand, like a brush and comb. The next thing you can do is practice some aspects of grooming at home. Touch and reward your puppy. Teach your pup to allow and enjoy handling; Hold feet and toes, hold puppy’s face, introduce your puppy to noises like a hand dryer, a vacuum, clipper sounds using electric toothbrush, or clipper app. Use a spoon (emulates scissors) and let your puppy experience it close to his face and body. Have your puppy stand while you brush. And use rewards that your puppy responds to like: praise, a treat or toy. Think of training to groom just like any other skills you do when puppy training.

A: Our companion dogs need to learn that they have a job when visiting the salon. Grooming does not come naturally for our furry friends. They have to learn how to be groomed. It is recommended that we start grooming as soon as possible. Which is after your puppy has been seen by a vet and has had all their required vaccinations, then it is deemed safe for them to be exposed to other animals and environments. A puppy’s first groom might be a quick visit to be introduced to various parts of grooming: standing on a table, having nails clipped, ears looked at, brushing, hearing the sounds of a clipper or dryer. A second visit within a month may consist of repeating all the steps from their first visit. For some puppies a bath and dry and a tidy may be added this time around. Not all puppies progress at the same rate. Sometimes a full groom is not recommended the first couple visits but is something we instead strive to work up to. And a pet parent’s understanding that the entire grooming process takes effort from the puppy is vital. The goal is to set a puppy up for success and to enjoy a lifetime of grooming.

A: While I strive to keep appointments on schedule, delays can occur due to various reasons. Working with animals means that some days may require extra time for aspects of the grooming process. Additionally, interruptions such as unexpected delays, drop-ins, or necessary breaks for the pets may also contribute to appointment extensions. Rest assured, your pet’s well-being and grooming quality are my top priorities.

A: Many factors can help decide how you want your furry friend to look. Breed standards; these are set to enhance the natural characteristics of the particular breed. Often these aesthetics are part of the reason we choose the breed we have. Deciding a look can be influenced by your personal preferences (ie: fluffy, long or short ears), grooming schedule agreed on, time and ability to brush or maintain your pets coat at home, the pets age, health, lifestyle as well as your pets hair type and personality. Often the best way to decide this is by discussing what you like or don’t like with the groomer (bring photos) and both of you can consider all the factors that can impact your choice. For example, if a client explains “my dog gets food stuck in his beard and it stinks”, I may suggest a shorter beard is a good idea.

No, I am a one-on-one groomer. I believe in working with each pet at their own pace, using treats, praise, and patience to ensure a comfortable grooming experience. (Note: The only exception is if the pets are siblings arriving together.)

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