Why does my dog need grooming?
How much will it cost to groom my dog?
How often should I bring my pet in for grooming?
When should a puppy start getting familiar with the grooming process?
While at the salon for grooming, will my dog be taken out to urinate?
Will grooming hurt my dog with sensitive skin?
What happens to my dog at your grooming salon?
Do I have to choose a particular groomer?
How do I know if a groomer is properly trained and will treat my pet well?
Will cutting a dog's hair reduce shedding?
Will cutting my dog's hair in the summer make them cooler?
Should I groom my double coated dog in the winter? Doesn't he need that undercoat to keep him warm?
All dogs need regular grooming to maintain their physical health. 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.
The grooming services a dog requires depends on a several factors. Long haired dogs require regular grooming sessions to maintain their coat to prevent conditions such as matting, hot spots, and other skin conditions.
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.
Most dogs that need a regular haircut will come in every 4-6 weeks The time between appointments varies depending on how much maintenance you do at home between appointments and the desired length of the coat.
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. You can let your puppy ease into the process. Your groomer can give suggestions on how to start conditioning your puppy for grooming at home. If you chose to bath your puppy at home, be sure to use puppy safe shampoo and that your puppy's coat is brushed and combed out before and after the bath. Although every dog takes a different amount of time to become comfortable with the grooming process, we find that regular grooming starting at an early age is best to help your dog become comfortable with the process!
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 beak within the grooming time. Each groom will take approximately 3-5 hours. We can take your pet out if requested.
Grooming helps a dog's skin and coat, especially when combined with the proper shampoo. At Bark Easy, we use a variety of high quality products so that we can provide the best care possible to your pet. If your vet has prescribed a specific shampoo, please feel free to bring it in and we are able to use it.
We require appointments for grooming. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so that 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 salon will entail a few different stages. We will start with 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 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 the little break, your dog will be brushed out again and we will complete the haircut or trimming as needed.
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 your appointment.
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 as well as rapport.
No. If your pet sheds, cutting the coat will not stop shedding; the hair that sheds is just shorter since it has been cut.
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 their undercoat. This is very important. Typically the undercoat is constantly shedding and filling in. You will se 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 and/or "hot spots" (weepy, scabby spots on the skin because the coat retains too much moisture and irritates the skin).
Grooming and removing the undercoat will never hurt your dog - 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. 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 are airtight balls of fur and therefore do not keep your dog warm. Keeping your dog's coat fluffy and brushed out is the best way to ensure that they are warm and comfortable in the winter months.
We recommend grooming your double-coated dog at a minimum of every 12 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.