How to Have a Successful Grooming Appointment

Dropping your pup off (especially for the first time) can be a little daunting. Every dog groomer's setup and needs are different. So I thought I'd share with you what's going to happen from start to finish.

After you've paid your non-refundable book deposit, you should have gotten a confirmation email or text confirming your appointment is in my schedule (if you didn't please call me and check your contact details with me).

On the day of the appointment, you'll arrive on time. A minute or two early is OK, but too early and you could upset a dog who had the appointment before yours, and if your pup's not too happy about dog-to-dog interactions, they may not enjoy their entire grooming session due to stress caused by an unwanted dog-to-dog interaction (and that could just mean eye-contact). Whilst I won't let another client's dog interact with yours, I can't stop eye contact and for some dogs that's enough to stress them out for the next few hours.

If you're a client before the grooming van is ready for use, then you'll press the doorbell on the gate in my home's alleyway (address will be in the confirmation email) that's clearly marked for dog grooming clients. Please be patient as I make my way to the gate to open it. At this point I'll do a quickish check for fleas and other potential health concerns that could affect your pup's experience that day. If they don't have fleas or other health concerns that require a vet then the handover will take place. I'll give you a rough estimate of when your pup will be ready for collection now that I've seen in-person the condition of their fur, and will promise to call you when your pup is ready for collection. You will then leave the premises. If the grooming van's arrived, this'll change a little: I'll knock on your door / ring your doorbell, do the visual inspection on your doorstep, and then do the same as above, but take your pup into the van.

Your dog will then be encouraged to have a quick bonding session of play (if they want to) in the garden with me before we go and begin the grooming session indoors. They'll be carefully washed and dried as per their specific needs, with kindness, compassion and understanding. Depending on your booked service, your pup may also get some scissor work or clipper work after the bath (if heavily matted they will be dematted before the bath and an additional cost may be applied to your service). They'll also be dried and brushed. Some dogs may get a paw massage or nose balm treatment, or other post-bath treatments as per their booked services. When all the services booked are completed, you'll be called and be asked to pick up your dog within 30 minutes (unless discussed beforehand). Please note I'm not a dog day care centre and therefore you must do your utmost to pick your dog up in the collection period. Failure to collect your dog on time more than once could result in additional charges due to my insurance cover, and potential loss of income if I have to turn my next client away.

When you arrive to collect your dog, you will ring the same doorbell as before and I and your pup will come to you. I'll let you know anything I noticed in terms of potential health risks you may/should get your vet to check out before the next appointment, and how your pup enjoyed their session with me and/or behaved. You'll then pay any remaining amount outstanding for your service, and ideally will book your follow-up appointment before being handed your dog.

As per my terms of service, you'll need to tell me on collection if there's anything you're not happy about otherwise I will have to charge you for a follow-up appointment to tend to anything you don't like.

Please remember, being groomed can be a tiring process for a lot of dogs (they have to stand up for long periods of time), and noise-sensitive pups may not enjoy any clipper, scissor or drying work done and may need to have some time to themselves after the groom. Being tired after a groom or needing space for those more sensitive pups is perfectly normal, especially as they get older.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Dogs do need to stand during the majority of their grooming appointment. If they have bad legs, hips, ankles, elbows etc, they should see a vet first and get a letter-headed letter from the vets confirming it is safe for them to be groomed. Failure to provide this letter will result in your appointment being cancelled for the safety of your dog, and your non-refundable booking deposit forfeited. Rescheduling at least 24 hours beforehand is welcome.

2. Dogs may be tired or withdrawn after a grooming appointment. For many dogs this is normal and to be expected. Being groomed requires a lot of interaction, teamwork between the dog and groomer, and most dogs don't stand up for that long outside of grooming sessions.

3. Being 15 minutes late will result in your appointment being lost and your non-refundable deposit forfeited except in cases of force majeure. Failure to show without warning will result in a 100% non-refundable deposit required for the following appointment.

4. Dogs with fleas won't be groomed. Please treat your house (including upholstery, mattresses and all corners/edges) and all your pets before booking your next session and get your pets seen by a vet just in case. Cancellation due to the presence of fleas will result in you forfeiting your non-refundable booking deposit.

5. If you can't haggle your price with Morrisons/Tescos/Waitrose and your dentist, you can't haggle it with your groomer.

6. Parental maintenance at home often dictates the type of work/outcome a groomer can perform.

7. I'm an in-training-still groomer. I'll do my best to create the desired outcome for your dog's appearance, but it may not be perfect straight away.