FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BRUSH OUT THE MATTING?
This depends upon the severity of the matting. Shaving the mats is the more humane method. Matting can become very painful. Matting can cause various health concerns such as; infections, skin irritations, and mask other health issues or parasites. Mats cut the airflow and can trap moisture. Even mild matting can cut off circulation to your dog’s skin and cause hematomas.
Some dogs have coats that are higher maintenance and more prone to matting. Any long hair dog can get matted. Poodles, Doodles, curly coats, Cocker Spaniels, Bishons, Shih Tzus, etc. Dogs with long silky coats such as Yorkies can also get matted as well as double-coated dogs.
WHAT CAUSES MATTING?
There are various causes of matting.
Friction: where the collar sits, in the armpits, legs - where they lay down, behind the ears, or areas where they may be scratching.
Seasonal: matting can develop during the time of year when they are blowing their coat and getting their summer coat. If the fur isn’t brushed and removed, dead skin mixes with the fur and it will develop matting.
Allergies or Fleas: longer haired dogs who have allergies that can cause them to lick and itch can develop mats. Same for fleas as well.
Water: Water causes the mats to get tighter and when the hair dries without getting brushed it will cause mats.
SO, WHAT IF MY DOG IS MATTED?
If the matting is mild, it can sometimes be brushed out with the use of multiple products and tools. This is VERY time-consuming and can sometimes be painful.
If it is severe matting, the safest and most humane way to remove the mats would be to clip the hair short. This will depend on how close to the skin the mats are and how tight they are. We must be able to get a blade under the mat right against the skin to remove them. This will result in short hair but would give you a fresh start and make your dog much more comfortable. Although this is often not the style most owners would prefer but is the safest if your dog is matted. And it WILL grow back on most dogs.
NEVER cut out mats with scissors. It is very easy to catch your dog’s skin and unintentionally create a large wound on your dog. Please do not ask us to just “cut out the mats”. This is dangerous, and we will only remove mats with clippers for the safety of your dog.
Ears: The skin on your dogs’ ears is very sensitive and thin. If your dogs’ ears become matted, the mats can cause delicate blood vessels in the ears to rupture, causing hematomas in the ears. Hematomas can be painful for your dog and must be treated by your vet. This is why it is best to shave the ear and start fresh.
HUMANITY OVER VANITY
HOW DO I PREVENT MATTING?
You can prevent matting by brushing consistently, keeping up on grooming appointments, and picking a manageable length. Getting your dog’s hair cut every 4-8 weeks will help keep them at a manageable length. Although some dogs' hair grows slower than others.
Choosing the right brush can be difficult as there are tons of different options.
Slicker brushes have fine wire bristles that bend and are great for long heavy-coated dogs. The heavier and thicker the coat is, the stiffer the pins should be.
Combs are helpful after detangling. There are different sizes and designs based on your dog’s coat length. The comb should go through your dog's coat without getting caught. If it does get caught, you need to brush some more.
Soft bristle brushes are ideal for short-haired dogs to brush the surface. They do not help with matting.
Pin brushes have metal bristles in a rubber base. They are great to separate and untangle silky coats.
The main thing is staying consistent with brushing and detangling.
WHAT IF I AM NOT SATISFIED?
We recommend that you reach out to us and let us know. We cannot attempt to make things better if we are unaware of how your experience was. We do not refund for any services as we still have to pay for the products and time that we have given. We would like to make the situation right under ideal circumstances.
WHY DO YOU CHARGE WHAT YOU CHARGE?
Our prices are a little higher compared to some around us and that is completely fine. We do use high-quality products to ensure the best experience for you and your dog. Grooming is a very expensive career. We also have to pay for our location, power, water, heating and air, shampoo, blades and blade servicing, brushes, towels, cleaning supplies, paying ourselves, paying taxes, etc. Dog grooming is not as easy as it looks. Behind the scenes, we do deal with various things besides just cutting the hair. There is a whole process to the grooming scene.
HOW CAN I MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR MY GROOMER?
Being as specific as possible really helps, sometimes sending a picture of what you’re wanting exactly. If you make an appointment, please show up on time as it affects our schedule. Showing up early can sometimes affect our schedule. Please be vigilant of our time as well, as we are of yours. Ask all questions you are concerned about upfront. If we say we will call you when we are done, we will call you when we are done. We work better when we are not rushed. If you need your dog done by a certain time, let us know ahead of time.
WHAT IF MY DOG BITES?
We have muzzles we can use. Sometimes we may ask that you get mild sedatives for your pets to make it easier for us and safer for them.
Sometimes dogs that are aggressive for grooming are just scared and anxious. It is a possibility that grooming your dog more often than not, can help this situation. Staying on a consistent
schedule can help your dog get used to this.
DO I STAY FOR GROOMING?
We ask that you do not stick around, as it makes the dogs more anxious and less focused on sitting still for us. Nothing against having the owner stay around but it makes things easier in the long run. We can text you occasionally about how things are going but note that we cannot be constantly checking our phones.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept cash, checks, PayPal, or cards (there is a 3% card fee).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
It depends on a few various things, such as; the dogs' temperament, size, how busy we are, if we have to stop and talk to other customers, and what they’re getting done.
A small Shih Tzu, that does good for grooming and getting a full groom, typically takes about two hours. A different Shih Tzu getting the same thing but is aggressive could take three hours depending on what they allow.
WHAT VACCINES DOES MY DOG NEED?
Your dog is required by the Iowa State Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to have Rabies, Distemper, and Parvo shots. If your dog is not current or you cannot show proof of vaccines we will have to cancel and reschedule your appointment.
DOES MY DOG NEED TO BE A CERTAIN AGE?
Dogs must be 12 weeks old to be groomed, per the state's rules. If you have a puppy that has never been groomed before, it is best to start as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the more time you have to get them acclimated to grooming. The first groom for a puppy should only include a bath, blow drying, nail clipping, and slight trimming. Anything more can cause the dog to become too overwhelmed and stressed which leads to them hating grooming.
WHAT IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS?
Accidents are bound to happen and although we try our best to prevent them from happening, sometimes things just happen. We do understand basic first aid when it comes to accidents. If it is something small, we will assess the situation and let you know when you pick up your dog. If it is more severe, we would take care of the situation and call to let you know. If for some reason it is a very serious accident, we will take your dog to one of the vets we trust or your vet if within reasonable distance.