Information on the products used:
Nature’s Specialty Shampoo’s, conditioner and Skin Care products are made with all natural oils and contain vitamins, deodorizers and degreasers in a mild cleansing base to help eliminate many difficult skin problems, and provide soothing relief with healthy beautiful skin and coat. Adds texture and volume to your pet’s coat, safe to be used on dogs and cats.
Epi Pet Shampoo provides skin enrichment and hair conditioning. Uses Witch hazel, Cedar Bark oil, Lavender oil, Vanilla, Honey, Cucumber and Rosemary. Safe and gentle cleanser used on dogs and cats with a mild, pleasant scent.
Les Pooch’s F&T Shampoo. Only the best ingredients will do for your best friend. In developing the items in our line, we focused on using only the finest ingredients sourced from exclusive regions. Our fragrances, which were developed in the South of France, are scented with natural botanical extracts, Provencal mountain herbs, Regal Pear Williams harvested exclusively in Switzerland, and Rare Essence of the Osmanthus flower. Shampoos are formulated with a blend of Pro-Vitamin B5, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, along with our opulent fragrances.
The Tools and Equipment chosen for the Salon are of high quality, tried and tested, designed for the best grooming results.
Frequently asked questions.
When should my dog start getting groomed?
We recommend that your pup have his or her first grooming between 10 and 12 weeks, as soon as s/he has received the second set of shots. During this critical learning period, pups are typically curious and unafraid of new things. A short, positive grooming session will ensure that your puppy has a fun first experience and does not find grooming scary or stressful. Pups that wait until they are over six months to be groomed are typically much more difficult, afraid, or aggressive to work on. If you have already missed this window with your pup, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
How often should my dog be groomed?
Frequency of grooming depends entirely on the breed and coat type of your dog, and how much maintenance work you do at home. Some long coated breeds require daily brushing and weekly grooming. Most dogs require a grooming schedule of 2, 4, or 6 weeks in between appointments. Short-coated dogs should be groomed about every 12 weeks, with monthly nail/ear/dental procedures in between. Any one of our stylists would be happy to assess your dog’s grooming needs and come up with a care plan that suits your dog’s needs and lifestyle.
How long does the grooming process take?
Typically a grooming on a dog in good condition takes approximately two hours of hands on time. If a dog requires an intricate trim, has matting, an adverse temperament, or substantial amounts of coat the time required can increase considerably. We will typically ask to keep your dog with us for about 5 hours to complete the grooming process. We like to let the dogs settle in and explore the environment before their grooming, take breaks during their groom, and have enough time for us to be patient with difficult dogs or dogs requiring extra care. If you are in a rush to have your dog groomed and returned quickly, please notify us when booking your appointment and we would be more than happy to accommodate.
I’m not sure I want my dog groomed. Where do I start?
There are many resources to help you choose an ideal grooming regimen and style for your pooch. If you find pictures in magazines or on the internet that you like of a similar dog you could bring them in to show one of our stylists. We can also give you suggestions based on what other owners of similar breeds or coat types usually prefer. Practical considerations including current condition of the coat, weather conditions, your lifestyle and how big of a maintenance commitment you are willing to make may also influence your grooming choice.
My dog does not do well with other dogs. Can I still have him groomed at your facility?
Yes. If for any reason you do not want your dog to participate in a mixed environment, simply let our intake associates know and your dog will be kept apart from the other dogs.
What happens upon intake of my pet?
Upon intake, our associates will examine your dog, checking for matting and any other conditions that may affect the grooming process. If your dog is matted, you will be alerted at this time, and the severity of the matting will be assessed. A severely matted dog’s skin is often very easily irritated during the shaving or dematting process. Please expect some red skin, irritation, itching, or other reaction should we have to shave your pooch very close due to matting. If any other issues arise that weren’t noticed on check in, a call will be placed to you immediately to discuss the issue and any costs, different grooming options.
I heard it was bad for my pet to be bathed often.
In the past, the use of harsh shampoos or those designed to the ph of a human were known to strip the natural oils of a dog’s skin leaving the coat brittle and the skin dry. Today, we use gentle, high quality products designed to balance the ph of your dog’s skin. All natural ingredients gently clean dirt and grime without stripping the oils or causing any irritation. As long as you use good products and replenish the coat with a good conditioner, your dog’s’ coat can be washed as often as you like.
My dog has really sensitive skin…what sort of products do you use?
We use and recommend a variety of high quality all natural products each specifically formulated for each coat type and skin condition. If your pet has particularly sensitive skin or is currently dealing with a skin irritation please advise our intake staff and we will choose a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, or medicated formula for your dog. Should your dog even become itchy or irritated after a groom, please let us know as soon as possible. It is impossible to predict a reaction to a certain ingredient, but we can certainly re-bath your pooch in a different product and avoid using the irritating product in the future.
What sort of nail care do you provide and how often should my dogs or cats nails be done?
All of our grooming services include a nail trimming and filing completed by one of our highly trained staff. This service is also offered a la carte on a walk in basis. It is very important to maintain your dog’s’ nails at as short a length as possible. Long toenails can cause the dog to carry weight on the nail rather than the pad of the foot, leading to injury, arthritis, and other long term side effects. In extreme cases, the nail can grow around and back into the dog’s own foot! A general rule of thumb is that if you can hear them clicking on the ground when your dog walks, they are too long. Most dogs are able to maintain a healthy toenail length with monthly trimming and filing, although if the nails are too long already, it may take bi-weekly visits to push the nail length back.
My dogs toenail is bleeding, why? What can I do?
There is a blood vessel inside your dog’s toenails frequently referred to as the “quick”. If this is exposed due to being cut too short, or other injury, it may start to bleed. Often dogs are squirmy when they are having their paws handled making it very difficult to trim the nail as precisely as possible. Other times, a dog may have a longer than normal quick. A bleeding quick is generally not a big deal, and can be cauterized instantly with a product called quick-stop. This will be performed immediately upon noticing that the nail was quicked. You will be notified and some quick-stop can be sent home with you as a precaution.
My pet is scooting their bum across the floor when we get home after grooming. Why?
A little bit of butt-scooting after a grooming is completely normal. We only use scissors around this area, so as to make sure that there is no clipper irritation to the rectum. However, often dogs still scoot. Usually it is just a reaction to the new “naked” feeling of having the hair removed from the area… they’re not used to feeling the wind back there! If the scooting is excessive, or the dog is also licking at the area, try to discourage the behavior. Rubbing and licking can irritate otherwise normal skin and cause the skin to become red. Butt-scooting in between grooms may indicate an anal gland impaction, or infection.
What equipment do I need to care for my pet at home?
The equipment you need to care for your dog’s coat, feet, teeth, and ears at home will depend on your breed and coat type. We work with only the best products and equipment, and are more than happy to customize an at-home care plan and shopping list for your pooch.
What sort of ear care do you provide?
All of our full service grooming procedures include a complete ear check-up and maintenance. We will examine the inside of your dog’s ear for signs of infection, mites, or other abnormalities and advise you of any issues you may want to discuss with your vet. Any excess hair in the ear canal will be plucked, and the ear canal will be cleaned out with a gentle cleanser.
What sort of oral care do you provide?
Oral care is about more than making your pets’ smiles sparkle—it’s an important component of their overall health. In fact, 80% of dogs begin to show signs of oral disease by age 3. Our Advanced Whitening Clean Teeth Gel is a synergy of powerful natural ingredients that works at the micro level to gently dissolve plaque and tartar, destroy bad breath and help defend against new formation. Clean teeth, fresh breath, no brushing!
My pet has a red rash on their belly after the groom, what caused this, what should I do?
The common name for this is “clipper burn” but it usually has nothing to do with the temperature of the clippers. The skin on the belly can be particularly sensitive, and can show small marks or irritation very easily. If your dog shows no signs of discomfort, the red marks should disappear in a few days. If the dog is fussing at the area, a little baby powder should sooth the itching.
We usually clip the belly coat of a dog considerably shorter than the body coat for sanitary reasons. However, if you notice these marks showing up after a grooming please contact us. We will mark your dog’s file and use a longer blade or scissors to avoid the irritation during future appointments. Burns, rashes, or knicks on other areas of the body are not typically normal unless a very short blade was used to remove matting.
If you notice any of these marks, please contact us, as your dog may have particularly sensitive skin to a product or technique that should be avoided in the future.
I’m not entirely happy with my dog’s haircut. What should I do?
Please let us know immediately. We work hard to exceed your expectations and we want you to be thrilled with how your dog looks and feels. It is often difficult for us to know exactly what you want, so we are often left using our own judgment. If we can alter the style to your pleasing we will do so immediately, and if some hair needs to grow out, we will mark your file so we know what you’re looking for next time.
I’m thrilled with my dog’s haircut! What should I do?
Please let us know so we can make sure to write detailed notes in your dog’s file so we can do the same thing next time. Also… please tell all your friends!