Question 1

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Appointments can be made by texting, calling or emailing us, they can also be made in person or you can book yourself in through our website. If you're a new customer, there is a registration form to fill out which can be found on our booking page. We can fill this out for you over the phone or in person if you'd rather. If you are a returning customer, you can follow the other link on our booking page to make yourself an appointment. If you are looking for a shorter appointment - like a nail trim, ultrasonic teeth clean or a smooth coated dog groom - it is worth ringing or texting us as we may be able to squeeze you in sooner than the available slots on the booking page.

Question 2

When should I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

It's best to book in advance to ensure you can get the slot you need. Generally, for a full groom, we recommend a week in advance to be safe, but in busier periods like Christmas, peak summertime or during periods of staff holidays, it may be a 2-3 week wait. You're welcome to book your next appointment when you come in for a groom, and appointments can be moved if we're given enough notice. If you're only wanting a nail trim, or a smooth coated dog groom, you will normally be able to book for the same week, or even the same day if you're lucky!

Question 3

How often should my pet be groomed?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this depends on your length preferences, and the breed and coat type of your pet. It's different for every dog (and cat!), so feel free to ask when you're in!

For dogs who are clipped (length off all over) - 6-8 weeks is the most popular time frame, but if you prefer to keep their coat long, a 4 week schedule may be best to keep the coat in good shape.

For double coats, 4-6 weeks is recommended.

​For short coated shedding breeds, 4-12 weeks is recommended.

​For handstripped dogs, 1-3 months is recommended.

​How ever often you decide to come for a groom, nail trims every 4 weeks should help stop them from growing too long and damaging the dog's joints. Heavier and larger dogs tend to naturally grind them down better on pavement walks, so may need trimming less often. Some dogs, especially smaller or leaner dogs, have nails that grow more quickly, so may need trimming more often. As a rule of thumb, if you can hear their nails clicking on the floor as they walk, or if you see the nails touching the floor, it may be time for a nail trim!

​For cats, 4-8 weeks is recommended.

Question 4

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

When booking the appointment we will take a deposit to secure your slot- this will be sent as an email request but can be paid in person if you'd prefer. You will pay the remaining balance upon the collection of your pet. We accept cash, contactless or card, but we unfortunately can't accept AMEX.

Question 5

What is handstripping and does it hurt? Will it benefit my dog?

Accepted Answer

Hand Stripping is the process of removing excess hair from the coat by hand, and is a much better, healthier option than shaving for wiry coats. It is painless and helps keep the coat waterproof, prevents skin problems and lasts longer than clipping! It is suited to most wiry coated dogs but sometimes things like neutering, age or previous clipping can alter the texture, so it's best to come in and check with us to see if handstripping is an option for your dog.

Question 6

Should I have my double coated dog shaved?

Accepted Answer

We generally don't advise shaving double coated breeds (Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Pomeranians, German Shepherds etc) as this can damage their coats, causing them to struggle to regulate their temperature, as well as risking sun burn, hair loss and other skin issues. 
Some owners ask for their pet to be shaved to help with shedding, but shaving will not stop shedding, it'll just mean the hairs shed are shorter and often spikier than before. A thorough deshed is recommended for these types of coats. If you're really struggling with shedding, you could even opt for a mud bath!

Question 7

Can I stay with my pet/ wait in the shop?

Accepted Answer

If you've booked a very quick service like a nail trim, you're welcome to wait in the shop as this should only take around 5 minutes. 
We don't have owners stay for grooms for multiple reasons. Pets are generally better behaved without their owners present which makes the process much safer. They're more likely to wriggle and try to get to you if they can see you, which is a hazard when there are scissors and clippers being used! We don't have the facilities for owners to wait in the shop, however there are some lovely independent coffee shops less than 5 minutes walk away!

Question 8

Do you take walk-ins?

Accepted Answer

We can usually take walk-ins for nail trims, but cannot guarantee we can fit you in straight away. We cannot offer walk-ins for grooms as we're usually booked up. We recommend you call ahead to check our availability and we can book you in that way!

Question 9

How long will the groom take?

Accepted Answer

The duration of a groom depends on your pet's breed, size and the service they've come in for! We can't give a definite length of time or collection time, but we aim to send you a text 20-30 minutes before they're ready so that you're prepared to make your way over. We are always happy to give a rough time estimate upon drop-off, but the nature of working with animals makes it difficult to give an exact time.

Question 10

My pet is nervous/ reactive/ aggressive, can you groom them?

Accepted Answer

We're happy to try and groom any dog or cat, and will go at their pace if they're nervous or new to this! If they don't get along with other pets, we can ensure they stay separate. We have muzzles and soft cones which may be used for the pet's and our safety. We will stop the groom if there is a risk of the pet or staff being injured.
If your pet is nervous, you're welcome to visit the shop a few days before your appointment so they're more comfortable with the sounds, smells and surroundings. You could even buy them some treats or a new toy so they learn it's a lovely place to be! 
We recommend doing a quick handover when you drop off your pet, as lingering around can heighten their anxiety in anticipation of you leaving, so if there's any information you'd like to share, you could pop in some days before to chat about them, or you're welcome to give us a call, text or email so we can add any helpful info to their profile.

Question 11

My pet has allergies/ sensitive skin, can you accommodate this?

Accepted Answer

We don't give out treats to the pets we groom to avoid any allergic reactions, so if they have any food allergies, that's nothing to worry about! If you'd like to bring your own treats for your pet, you're very welcome to. 
Our shampoos are all natural, but we also have an extra gentle one for pets that have sensitive skin. We usually use perfume and a conditioning serum, but may opt to avoid this for more skin sensitive pets.

Question 12

Will my pet be crated?

Accepted Answer

Dogs are usually left to roam around the salon when not being groomed, we have toys, sleeping areas and water readily available. We will only crate them if they are consistently urinating in the salon, are aggressive or display repetitive sexual behaviour with other dogs in the salon - or if they feel happier in one!
Cats will be put back in their own carrier whenever not on the table.

Question 13

My pet has bad teeth - can you help?

Accepted Answer

Teeth maintenance is very important, plaque buildup can lead to dental disease, pain and inflammation. Smaller dogs tend to have more crowded mouths, and this can make cleaning difficult, older dogs also tend to suffer more with dental problems. 
We have a wide range of products in store, including chews, toothpaste & toothbrushes, PlaqueOff powder, cleaning gels and sprays to help keep dog and cat teeth clean and healthy, do ask if you need help! We recommend you brush your pet's teeth at home, and we can provide the tools.

Alongside our products, we offer routine teeth brushing for £12 and Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning for £70. This involves holding an ultrasonic toothbrush to each of the teeth (no scrubbing or brushing!), the ultrasonic vibrations loosen the plaque and tartar for easy removal. This can only be performed on a dog with healthy teeth without any exposed roots - if roots are showing this will require a vet visit. Ultrasonic treatments are an excellent preventative for gum disease and other oral problems, and make tartar buildup slower in future. You can do them as often as every month, but we'd recommend at least once or twice yearly. See some pictures of this service here!

Question 14

What do I need to tell my groomer at drop off?

Accepted Answer

When dropping your pet off, you can tell us anything you feel is relevant! Some key points we would suggest mentioning would be the style you're after (photos for reference are always super helpful!), your dog's typical behaviour for grooming and handling- are they likely to growl or bite? How are they at the vet?, if they're sensitive to anything specific, and if they have any injuries, medical problems or disabilities- past or present- that may affect their mobility or cause them discomfort. It also helps us to know if they're friendly with other dogs, as the salon is often bustling with happy waggy friends. 
We love to be well informed about how best to care for your beloved furry family members!

Question 15

When should my puppy come to the groomers?

Accepted Answer

Introducing your puppy to the grooming environment as early as possible will set them up for a life of success, no matter their breed! Even if they don't have long hair it's good to get them used to new things like ear cleaning, nail trimming, the sounds and smells of the groomers. We highly recommend booking your puppy in as soon as they've had their full course of vaccinations, for a puppy intro groom. This will include a bath, blow dry, brush, nail trim, ear clean, conditioning serum and perfume, with a trim around the face, feet and sanitary area for breeds that require it. All of this is done at the puppy's pace, letting them adjust to the new noises and feelings! It's best to text, call or email us to book in for a puppy intro so we can make sure the correct service is booked and get all your pup's info.

Frequently Asked Questions