FAQ | pawlasgrooming

My dog is very nervous at the groomers, what can I do prior to their appointment to make this as less stressful as possible ?

We always welcome clients to bring their dogs in a handful of times before their appointment. This way the dog can get use to the noises and meet us, we also have lots of yummy treats at our front desk to try to make the experience positive. When your dog comes in for the first time we normally allow them to walk around our back room for a bit before we start them, this usual allows the dog to relax before we begin grooming them.

My dog’s hair is knotted/matted.

Do I really need to cut it short?

If the fur gets knotted or “matted”, it is unhealthy for the dog’s skin. Matting tightens when the coat gets wet. Before washing the dog, it is necessary to brush out all the matting. Sometimes the matting is too close to the skin and this cannot be done. In some cases it is possible to “dematt” the coat but, unfortunately this is a very painful process for both the dog AND the groomer. In some cases, dematting may cause skin irritation. If your dog is matted we will ALWAYS advise you on what is necessary before procedding.

My dog has sensitive skin, what will you use ?

If you have any concerns with your dogs skin please let us know. This will allow us to figure out what shampoo to use, if your dog has sensitive skin we will use a shampoo that is soap free, aloe/oatmeal based and a shampoo with minimal ingredients. We also have a scent-free options as well.

Can I stay with my dog and watch?

Our grooming area is semi visible, however if your dog can see you this usually leads to the dog trying to get to you and can result in a dangerous situation. The groomer is working with sharp tools and needs to avoid additional stress and excitement. If you want to watch you may take a peek from a distance.

Vaccines

We do require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies as it is a bylaw. However the remanding vaccine protocol is up to the owner and their veterinarian therefore we leave it up to each individual owner. As long as you are comfortable with your pets’ level of protection, so are we.

My dog has special needs, how can you help?

Every dog that has special needs may require a bit of extra time. This should be brought up when you book your dogs appointment. For example if you have a larger senior dog they may have sore legs, we will take regular breaks and both groomers will help. These appointments should be booked the first appointment of the day or the last available appointment. If your dog is nervous around other dogs, we will be sure to not let them interact with other dogs. You are more then welcome to contact us as every dog with special needs requires something different.