PAWSitive Reflections

I want your best friend to be as comfortable and calm as possible while in my care, and having only a few dogs' in the salon at a time is very helpful in reducing stress levels and in keeping more of a home atmosphere. Upon entering the salon, your dog will be placed in his/her own personal kennel, usually the same one on every visit. (Most dogs' know their kennel when they come in and go right to it!) There will be a soft, comfy towel to lay on and when their grooming time is complete they will be rewarded with a treat while waiting for you! ( If you prefer your dog does not receive treats, I will note on their card future reference)                     

*Note: All kennels are in the room with me so they are always supervised. (Most dogs' enjoy watching me groom or take a short nap while they wait!)

* If your dog absolutley can not tolerate being in a kennel, you will be given an appointment first or last , and can then pick them up immediately after their groom. (Additional charges will apply)

First, your dogs' coat will be typed and the proper shampoo and conditioner will be chosen. ( I use high quality shampoos that are hypo-allergenic and tear-free)They will recieve a warm, hydro-therapy massaging bath,  and a  conditioner (if needed) for additional moisturizer to the coat and to aid in the removal and prevention of tangles. A tear-free blueberry facial scrub will be used to wash the face and a wash cloth to rinse (They love that part of the bath!)

After the final rinse, I will remove excess water from the coat with a special "absorber" towel where they will only be damp coming out of the bath.

If you have added a teeth/gums treatment to your service this will be done while in the bath.

Drying time:

While your dogs' coat is damp I may add a leave in conditioning spray, while using a pin brush to straighten out the coat to lessen drying time, and to help achieve the proper style for your best friend! (this process is for long coated dogs').

Next, I will completely dry and fluff the coat by hand. (Short/smooth coat dogs', or dogs' that do not do well with the dryer may be dried while in their kennel to avoid stress.)

Only warm,room temperature air will be used to dry your dog. (My dryers do not contain heating elements!)

Last step before the haircut/style:

I will clip & file (to remove rough edges) the nails to the proper length. A dogs' nails should not curl under or cause the toes to spread out when they walk. If your dogs' nails have become overgrown, they will have to be gradually taken down to a proper length(I recommend weekly).When the nails become overgrown, the quick(a small blood vessel that runs through the living part of the nail) also grows longer; If the nail is cut as short as needed, it will bleed. If the nail is clipped back gradually, the quick usually recedes and allows for a safer, shorter cut next time. I recommend monthly trimming to maintain proper length.

Next, I will remove hair inside the ear canal ( hair removal inside the canal will only be plucked if it is easily removed, otherwise it will only be trimmed to allow me to clean the wax/ and or dirt out of the canal)  and clean out the ear with a soothing, PH balanced medicated cleaner.

*If your dogs' ears show signs of irritation,swollen,red,or odor, a visit to the vet may be in order. I will only trim hair away from the ear and clean the ear to avoid further irritation.