1. What is “cageless grooming”?

2. What is included in my dog's grooming?

3. What is included in “just a bath”?

4. How long will it take to groom my dog?

5. Can my dog stay all day?

6. Can I watch as my dog is being groomed?

7. Should I tip my groomer?

8. What is hand scissoring?

9. What does my dog do while he is waiting to be groomed?

10. Why do dogs get ear infections?

11. What are anal glands and why do they need to be released?

12. How can I take care of my dog in between groomings?

13. What does it mean when my dog is matted?

14. Why do my dog's nails sometimes bleed after having been groomed?

15. How can Holistic/Reiki energy help animals to heal?

1. What is “cageless grooming”?
Our grooming salon has cubbies instead of cages because we feel that dogs are much happier and less stressed out when they're not "behind bars" for hours. The cubbies can be seen on the dog gallery and are basically shelves with partitions. Dogs are restrained with leashes so they won't fall out and are very safe. They're able to sit or lie down and most of the time, fall asleep on their towel. Larger dogs are in floor cubbies and are separated from other dogs by partitions as well. When possible, big dogs are also allowed to walk around in the gated drying room. Because dogs are not "locked up" we find there is much less barking resulting in a much more stress-free environment for both your pet and our groomers.
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2. What is included in my dog’s grooming?
Did you know that pet grooming is a process that requires time, patience and lots of TLC? After your Best Friend meets his or her groomer, the “Process” begins.

1. Ears are cleaned and hairs are removed from the ear canal to prevent infections
2. Nails are cut
3. Pads are shaved
4. Sanitary clip
5. Your pet then has the first trim or “rough –in”
6. Now it's bath time – at least three shampoos – a de-greaser, coat color enhancer and finally, a conditioner or conditioning shampoo depending on coat type - to ensure that your furry friend is squeaky clean. Please tell us if he or she has a skin condition so that we can use the appropriate shampoo
7. Anal glands are released if necessary
8. Next, the dog is blown dry with a power blower. If your pet has curly hair, it must be straightened, brushed thoroughly and combed out
9. If needed, the dog is then de-matted (this is an extra charge since it is extremely time consuming)
10. Finally, he or she is back on the grooming table for a final trim and / or haircut
11. Bandannas and bows make your furry friend a “paw-fectly” groomed pet
    

The length of time needed for a grooming is dependant upon the cooperation of the dog.

Prices may also vary depending on the length of grooming time, cooperation of your pet and how badly matted he or she is. This is the reason a price range is usually given when the dog is first brought in to the grooming shop.
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3. What is included in “just a bath”?
A bath includes the following:
• at least three shampoos – a de-greaser, coat color enhancer and a conditioner or conditioning shampoo depending on coat type
• shaved pads
• released anal glands
• sanitary clip
• ears are cleaned and hairs removed from the ear canal
• nails are cut and / or filed
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4. How long will it take to groom my dog?
Due to the nature of our business and our large client base, we can not give an exact time your dog will be ready. Appointments are given so as to space out arrival times. We would rather have dogs come in closer to when we can take them than to have all animals arrive at 9:00 and wait all day. Grooming times vary according to the breed, if the dog is matted, length and style of the haircut and cooperation of the dog. Because of this, one dog may be here 2 to 3 hours while another might be with us 5 or 6. It also depends on how many dogs came in before yours and if any of them are difficult (biters and/or aggressive animals are more time-consuming). In addition, your groomer may have 8 to 10 dogs on any given day. Saturdays are always busier than weekdays, therefore we can get dogs out a little faster during the week. We are aware that “moms and dads” want their babies back as soon as possible, but we also want to provide you with quality grooming, so we appreciate your patience and understanding if he or she is with us longer than you would like them to be. Please be assured that we will not keep your pets any longer than is necessary and will call you as soon as they are ready.
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5. Can my dog stay all day?
Although they will get used to being with us after a while, because our groomers treat your best friend like their own, it’s much better for them to be at home in their own environment than to be here all day. Also, since our cubby space is limited, it would be greatly appreciated if you can pick up your pet as soon as possible after being called. If you have any time constraints, please tell us when you make your appointment and remind us when you drop your dog off. We’ll be very happy to work with you. Finally, if you can’t keep your appointment, please call us in advance so that we can fill in the time slot.
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6. Can I watch as my dog is being groomed?
We prefer that you don’t because they react to their “parent” being present and often get very excited. This makes it more difficult for your groomer. Also, it is a liability to have you in our grooming room where you might be exposed to a more “people-aggressive” dog.
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7. Should I tip my groomer?
The grooming process is a long and difficult one. Groomers often have to contend with dogs that bite and /or constantly move on the table and fight them during the entire grooming process. Our groomers spend a great deal of time with your dog and take pride in their work, so tips are always greatly appreciated.
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8. What is hand scissoring?
Hand scissoring is a special technique that your groomer uses to get a rounded, desired effect using just a comb and scissors. It is precision cutting so every hair is even and blended which makes your dog look as if he were sculpted. It goes without saying, hand scissoring takes a great deal of time and patience. (Tips are especially appreciated when a dog is hand-scissored).
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9. What does my dog do while he is waiting to be groomed?
When dogs arrive, they are “roughed in” (nails clipped, pads trimmed, ears cleaned, etc.) They are then bathed and immediately hand dried. Since this is a totally cageless facility, all dogs are dried by hand on a grooming table. (Drying dogs in cages is very dangerous since they can over-heat and / or get burned). They are then placed in a cubby and given a bowl of water and a towel to lie on. Most dogs are very content to sit and watch other dogs or just sleep until it’s their turn. When it’s possible and safe, larger dogs are allowed to walk around in the gated drying room, otherwise they are placed in large floor cubbies with a bowl of water.
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10. Why do dogs get ear infections?
Ear infections are caused mainly by long hair traveling down the ear canal. Wax then builds up on the hair leading to an infection. Long eared dogs (Cocker Spaniels, beagles, etc) are naturally prone to infections because oxygen is not allowed to get into the ear canal due to the dog’s long ears. It is mandatory in our shop that all dogs have the hair pulled from their ears if necessary. We use a special ear powder which helps to dry the wax and pull the hair with as little discomfort to the dogs as possible. The powder will not cause infections.
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11. What are anal glands and why do they need to be released?
It is also mandatory in our shop that anal glands be released if necessary. Anal glands are two sacs beneath the skin near the anus, one on each side, similar to a skunk’s scent glands. They give the pet’s anal region and feces a distinctive odor so that other animals can recognize them. The glands secrete a liquid that is usually pressed out or expressed during each bowel movement. When the feces are too soft and don’t exert enough pressure to empty the glands, the liquid will thicken and clog the glands. Small dogs have this problem more often than bigger dogs. If your pet has a problem with his anal glands, he will tend to lick the area or scoot or drag his bottom in order to open up the impaction. Therefore, we release the anal glands to prevent impaction and ultimately infection and this will hopefully prevent a visit to your vet.
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12. How can I take care of my dog in between groomings?
Your pet should be brushed especially if he has long hair every day. If your dog has a short coat, it helps to brush him 2 to 3 times a week, even if he doesn’t like it. Be firm with your dog. If she cries, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re hurting her – it’s often an easy way out for her so you will stop the grooming. Brushing is essential to keeping your dog’s coat healthy and glowing because it eliminates mats and tangles, removes dead hair and dirt and also distributes natural oils to help promote a healthy skin tone. Not keeping up with your pet’s home grooming results in having to de-mat him or shave him down. De-matting is a very unpleasant process for your dog and is unnecessary if proper steps are taken to keep him from becoming matted. Do not give your dog a bath without drying and combing him thoroughly and completely. A bath without a brush-out results in tangles and mats. Be firm with your dog and let him know you are Alfa (the leader) and that it is unacceptable to bite during a brushing. Proper equipment is very important to good grooming, so ask your groomer what is best for your dog.
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13. What does it mean when my dog is matted?
When your dog is not brushed properly and his fur becomes knotted, the knots then become clumped into mats. If the mats are left on the dog, it can result in skin problems as well as over-heating, since the densely matted fur traps body heat. Mats can also cause bruises and sometimes raw sores, especially under armpits and groins. A pet with matted fur may be reluctant to move because it hurts to walk and he may flinch or snap if you touch him. The dog can be de-matted, however, this is a very painful process and is extremely uncomfortable for your pet. Once the dog has been dematted, you can relieve swelling or discomfort by applying ice wrapped in a wet wash cloth for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day for two days. If the dog is shaved down instead, which many people dislike doing, you can use Witch Hazel, OTC hydrocortisone or a soothing herbal solution to relieve irritation from the clipper blades. The only answer to the problem of mats is to brush your dog as often as possible.
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14. Why do my dog’s nails sometimes bleed after having been groomed?
Most of the time your dog’s nails are very long and we try to cut them as close as possible to the quick (the vein located inside the dog’s nails). If the nails have been neglected, the quick will grow to the end, so when the nails are cut, the quick may also be cut. This is not serious and we have powder that stops the bleeding. However, when the dog walks on pavement, the nail may open and bleed again. You can use a dry bar of soap and scrape it against the nail. You can also use flour or baking powder to stop the bleeding. If your dog’s nails are long, they should be cut every two weeks so the quick will recede and prevent bleeding in the future.
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How can Holistic/Reiki energy help animals to heal?
The human touch can be very powerful. We all have the ability to heal in some way, if we're open to allowing it. Just the simple act of a mother kissing her child's hurt finger is an act of healing. Everything, living and non-living, in this universe is composed of atoms and molecules - energy. Energy healing has been around for thousands of years. For example, Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of healing that was rediscovered in the early 1900's. Energy healing has mostly centered on healing people, however, it has been very helpful for animals as well. With healthy animals, it can help maintain health on all levels because energy helps to boost the immune system, which is the body's own defense against disease. Energy healing can heal physical illness and injury in animals as well as problems on emotional and spiritual levels. It is a powerful tool for emotional healing following trauma, abuse, neglect, fear and trust issues, reaching deeply into even the most damaged animal spirits. Energy healing induces deep relaxation and stress-reduction for high-strung or nervous animals and over time, can reduce the tendency toward nervousness. It can accelerate healing after surgery or illness and complements both conventional and alternative medicine, since it can enhance their actions and lessen their side effects. Finally, for a dying animal and his caretakers, holistic healing and Reiki provides compassionate support that can make the transition more peaceful for all concerned. If you're interested in learning more about holistic or Reiki energy healing, there is an abundance of information on the web. "Animal Reiki - Using Energy to Heal the Animals in Your Life" by Fulton and Prasad is also an excellent book. Finally, we have a website, www.divinelyguidedhands.com which gives a further explanation of Reiki (energy healing) with people and includes a personal account of a remarkable healing experience we had with our cat, Sebastian, who was dying of kidney tumors and lymphoma.
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