If you don’t see the answer to your question here, please check out our policy and procedure tab! If you still have questions feel free to call or text us at 603-465-2113 or send an email to barkeasy@aol.com.We feel that each pet is important and we always strive to provide information that will be helpful to our customers.
Q: Why does my dog need grooming?
A: All dogs need grooming at some point. It can be done at home or done professionally. Regular grooming helps keep your dog clean and enables you to become aware of any skin issues, bumps, possible ear infections and other potential problems. It is an opportunity to examine your dog, ensuring that he or she is healthy and does not require treatment.
Q: How much will it cost to groom my dog?
A: The cost of grooming a pet is based on the amount of time it takes. Our base price list assumes that your dog is on a regular grooming schedule, gets regular grooming maintenance at home, and is well behaved for the grooming process. The total cost will be dependent on your dog’s behavior and coat condition, as these factors will affect the total time and products required.
Q: When should a puppy start getting familiar with the grooming process?
A: A puppy’s first trip to a grooming salon would ideally be at 8-12 weeks of age for an introductory bath and brush. In some cases, we will be able to do a little bit of neatening and nail trimming. You can let your puppy ease into the process. Your groomer can give suggestions on how to start conditioning your puppy for grooming. When bathing puppies at home, be sure to use a puppy safe shampoo and that your puppy’s coat is brushed and combed out before and after the bath. If you haven’t been able to groom your puppy at an early age, don’t give up. Some dogs take longer than others to become comfortable with the grooming process.
Q: While at the salon for grooming, will my dog be taken out to urinate?
A: We ask that you make sure your pet has relieved itself prior to being dropped off. Please notify us if your pet will need a potty break within the grooming time. Each groom will take approximately 3-5 hours. We can take your pet out if requested.
Q: Will grooming hurt a dog with sensitive skin?
A: Grooming helps a dog’s skin and coat, especially when combined with the proper shampoo. At Bark Easy, we use high quality shampoos and conditioners. We use a variety of products so we can provide the best care possible to your pet. If your vet has prescribed a specific shampoo, bring it in and we would be happy to use it.
Q: What happens to my dog at your grooming salon?
A: We require appointments for grooming. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so your dog can have an opportunity to relieve itself right before your appointment.
At drop off we will discuss what services your dog needs and what style you would like if your dog is getting a haircut or neatening. Please notify us if you have plans for the day that might affect pick up time. Special accommodations are sometimes necessary for elderly or nervous pets. Based on your input, we will provide the best care possible.
A typical day in the grooming shop will entail a few different stages. We will start with some prep work: a nail trim, brushout, and ear cleaning. Next we will bath your dog in a shampoo and conditioner selected specifically for your dog’s skin and coat needs. Then your dog will be hand dried with a hand held dryer. Usually at this point we will let your dog have some down time in a comfortable crate. This allows them to rest and finish drying if necessary. After a little break your dog will be brushed out again, and we will complete the haircut or trimming as needed.
Q: How do I know if a groomer is properly trained and will treat my pet well?
A: Although there are no licensing requirements for groomers, all Bark Easy groomers have gone through a comprehensive course of study that includes practical experience. Courses of study include college programs, certification programs and apprenticeships.
All of our groomers have an innate sense of love and care for dogs and have experience handling and caring for dogs of many breeds and all sizes. They know how to customize styling for mixed breeds and adjust the grooming for each owner’s unique requirements.
It’s a good idea to interview the groomer or grooming salon, either by phone or in person, before making an appointment. If you call ahead, we’ll be happy to set up a meet and greet with one of our groomers. It’s also helpful for the pet to meet the groomer and get familiar with our facility in advance of the appointment to ensure comfort and a good rapport.
Q: Do I have to choose a particular groomer?
A: No. You can choose the same groomer for each visit or use whoever is available. Let us know if you have a preference when you book the appointment.
Q: What does it mean when my dog has a mat or is matted?
A: A mat is a tight tangle or knot in the fur. This can happen to dogs with many coat types: wiry or soft, curly or wavy.
If you didn’t brush your own hair, it would get very tangled. If you don’t brush out those tangles and wash your hair (or your hair gets wet), the tangles tighten. Sleeping on your hair without proper brushing adds to the tangles. A dog’s hair acts the same way. The longer the hair, the more brushing is necessary to keep it from getting tangled.
Tangles that are not removed will develop into mats. Mats that are not brushed out will get tighter and closer to the skin. We can de-mat dogs that have occasional mats and/or when the mats are not too close to the skin.
De-matting can hurt even if you are gentle, so it’s best to be proactive and groom your dog on a regular basis. Matting that is severe or widespread will require shaving.
Q: Will cutting a dog’s hair reduce shedding?
A: No. If your pet sheds, cutting the coat will not stop shedding; the hair that sheds is just shorter since it has been cut.
Q: Will cutting my dog’s hair in the summer make him or her cooler?
A: No. Dogs do not sweat through their skin as people do; they cool themselves by panting and through the pads on their feet.
To make your dog cooler, we can thoroughly brush out his or her undercoat. This is very important. Typically, the undercoat is constantly shedding and filling in. You will see a bigger loss of coat with seasonal shedding in the spring and early summer. Making sure the coat is regularly brushed and groomed is the best way to keep your dog cool.
For dogs that go swimming and get wet in the summer, it is especially important to keep the undercoat brushed out. If they are not brushed out regularly, they can develop matting or “hot spots” (weepy, scabby spots on the skin because the coat retains too much moisture which irritates the skin).
Q: Should I groom my double-coated dog in the winter? Doesn’t he need that undercoat to keep him warm?
A: Grooming and removing the undercoat will never hurt your dog – and it will help keep him or her from getting matted. Grooming can also prevent hot spots that may be caused by the coat retaining moisture and not drying out. A dog’s coat, once the undercoat is removed, insulates him from the heat and cold, protecting his skin from the elements.
Mats can form if the undercoat is not removed. These are tight and can pull on the skin when the dog tries to move. If the pet is not groomed, the mats will get tighter and tighter. Once the mats get too close to the skin, the only way to remove them is to shave under them.
Mats do not keep your dog warm; they are airtight balls of fur. Keeping your dog’s coat fluffy and brushed out is the best way to ensure that he or she is warm and comfortable during the winter months.
We recommend grooming your double-coated dog at a minimum every twelve weeks. If your dog’s undercoat is only removed once a year, it can make the grooming process difficult, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for your pet.
Q: My dog has hair that grows when not cut but there is no shedding. How often should I have him groomed?
A: If your dog has a long coat, you should be doing a daily brush-out at home. Make sure you are brushing your dog from underneath, working toward the top of the coat, one layer at a time and working from the skin out. Mats form quickly and if you are not brushing them out, they can work themselves closer and closer to the skin. When mats like this form, they will either pull all the hair out when brushed (and this hurts) or need to be shaved out. If bathing your dog at home, make sure he or she is completely brushed out before and after the bath. When mats get wet, they become tighter and more dangerous to remove..
To keep your dog in full coat, we typically recommend coming to Bark Easy every one to two weeks for a bath and brush-out.
Q: My dog’s hair grows out if not cut and I want to cut the hair so it is easier to maintain. How often should I bring my pet in for grooming?
A: Most dogs that need a regular haircut will come in every 4-6 weeks. The time between appointments varies depending upon how much maintenance you do at home between appointments and the desired length of the coat.