PIck-up and Communication: A Reminder

As spring gets into full swing, grooming salons become a busy place! The increase of muddy yards means a lot of dogs need frequent baths. Dogs who are left a little longer for the winter will start to come in for those short spring hair cuts.  As soon as the stay-at-home orders lift, everyone will want to get their pets in for a good clean up! Groomers might be stretched a little thinner than normal trying to accommodate owners and pets alike.

Since we run a very small salon, we have a very limited space to hold onto pets after their grooming has been completed. We just wanted to take a brief moment to remind you that we ask you to be here within one hour of receiving the call letting you know your pet is ready to go home. Our day is a tight dance. We are counting on Fluffy going home so we can clean her kennel and use it for Bob who is expected to arrive shortly after Fluffy leaves. If Fluffy is still here when Bob arrives, we might not have a place for Bob to hang out!

If you know you might be a little late picking Fluffy up, just let us know! Let us know when you make the appointment so we can have an extra kennel available just in case. We do have crates at our homes for our own dogs we are happy to bring in if needed. If something comes up after you have made your appointment, give us a call or shoot us a text message to let us know. We will do our best to accommodate or we will let you know if it would be best to reschedule for another day.

The same goes for dropping off early. We ask that you arrive no more than 10 minutes early for your appointment so we have time to check Fluffy out and clean her kennel. If Bob arrives too early, we might not quite be ready for him! Again, communicate your needs and we will let you know how we can best accommodate them!

We understand things come up. You might not know until the day of your appointment that you need to drop off early or pick up a little later. Just let us know a soon as you can so we can figure something out! Communicating also eliminates the worry factor as well. We do genuinely worry about our clients when they do not show up on time! Was there an accident? Is there a traffic jam? Did someone suddenly become ill? Did the doctor appointment not go well and someone now has to be rushed to St. Louis for specific testing with a specialist? Your groomers are definitely two “Worst Case Scenario” worriers! Let us know what is going on so we don’t stress your pup out!

We anticipate being busier than usual once we are able to reopen.  If you can, please schedule your pet's grooming appointment on a day and at a time where you are not likely to be busy during their service.  This way, you can be ready to come get them as soon as we call.  It is looking like we will be completely booked for at least a few weeks when this is all over.  Help us keep things running extra smoothly so everyone can get the services they need as quickly as possible! Thanks! 

The Grooming Process: What People Think vs Reality

Have you ever wondered what, exactly, it takes to get a dog groomed? Or a cat? It must be such a fun thing to do! Playing with puppies and kittens all day long must be so easy!

The reality is that grooming is an extremely taxing process. Many groomers end up suffering from joint problems, specifically in the knee, hip, and lower back areas due to the long hours bending, twisting, lifting, and standing. Carpal Tunnel and Tennis Elbow are almost a guarantee from the repetitive motions. “Groomer’s Lung” can develop over time, leading to lung infections, chronic bronchitis, and difficulty breathing. It is caused by breathing in the dust, dirt, chemicals, and debris associated with grooming.

At any time, numerous injuries can occur such as bites, scratches, bruises, cuts, sprains, strains, and falls. Plenty of groomers have had their careers ended by accidents. It is far, far more common for the groomer to become injured than the pets! Some of these injuries can be caused by the pets the groomer is working with. Others can be caused by the environment. Still others can be caused by just a moment of inattention. Just about every groomer out there has cut their own fingers and hands with their shears! Many will laugh as they show you the scars and tell you the story!

Compassion fatigue is another huge, potentially deadly, problem in the industry. Most groomers care so deeply for the pets they are trusted with that seeing pelted, once-a-year grooms, dogs with poor skin and over grown nails, and cats so matted they cannot move begins to take a mental toll. Owners who do not properly care for their pets, make impossible demands, and then berate a groomer for doing what is necessary to keep the pet happy and comfortable can make groomers feel like they are worthless. They can’t do anything right. Depression and hopelessness can begin to set in. Compassion fatigue is a problem across the entire animal industry and beyond. Each year, many professionals take their own lives as a result.

So what actually happens in the salon? What makes it so demanding? For a normal, regularly scheduled maintenance groom, the process can seem daunting with all the brushing, clipping, bathing, and drying. For a pet that is not on a regular schedule, it can be even more challenging!

The typical groom will start one of two ways. After we give your pet a quick evaluation, we will either clip their nails or head straight to the bath tub. Long nails must be clipped prior to the bath as they could pose a safety issue, potentially getting caught on kennel grates or doors. If your pet’s nails are in good shape, the bath is started immediately.

A bath is a lot more than just soap and water! Very often, a dog will be washed two, possibly even three times. The first wash with a basic shampoo will remove the bulk of the dirt and grime. Their anal glands will be checked during this first shampoo and emptied if needed. Occasionally, if the pet is excessively dirty, they might get another shampooing with the basic formula but typically, we don’t need to. The second shampoo will either be another round of the basic shampoo or a specific formula picked for the needs of your pet. We might use Avacado for dry or itchy skin, hypoallergenic for pets who might be a little more sensitive, or whitening for those who’s coats could use a little extra help to shine. While the second shampoo is on the dog’s coat, they are often brushed with a rubber curry or a brushing glove to make sure they are clean down to their skin across every single inch of their body from the ears back. The shampoo is then rinsed completely from the dog’s coat and skin. But it doesn’t end there! Next, a high quality conditioner is applied to the dog. It is brushed in with the rubber curry or brushing glove. While it sits, the dog’s face will be washed with either a hypoallergenic or lightly scented face wash or a blueberry facial treatment. This face wash is then rinsed away. The conditioner is rinsed though we quite frequently do not rinse it away completely as a good conditioner is designed to keep a dog’s skin in tip-top shape.

The bathing process will usually take only around 15 to 20 minutes per dog. However, if a deshedding treatment is what they need, there are extra steps of brushing, combing, raking, and blowing that take place. A thorough deshedding process can take up to an hour to complete!

The drying process is the next step. The dogs are wiped down with super absorbent cooling towels. These wick a surprising amount of water out of the fur! So much so that we often don’t even need to use a regular towel afterwards! While in the tub, the high velocity dryer will be used to blow the bulk of the remaining water off the dog. Depending on the size of the dog, they will either be dried further in the tub or they may be moved to our drying table. How dry the dogs get at this point depends on how they feel about the drying process. Some dogs will not tolerate the high velocity dryer. It is pretty loud after all! We don’t blame them! A dog who tolerates the dryer will be dried until they are just a little damp. After this dryer, the damp pet will be placed in a kennel. Using either a kennel dryer or a regular fan, they will take a break while they continue to dry. We will then either work on another dog or take a brief break to fill out paperwork, return phone calls/text messages, or, if we are lucky, scarf down a little bit of lunch!

Dogs may receive another dry on the grooming table using our small, heated, Flying Pig dryer affectionately known as Dumbo. This little dryer is great for taking the last bit of dampness from a dog’s coat or for drying feet and faces. Some dogs will need this last dry, some won’t. Some dogs will need a sanitary shave which is generally done before brushing just in case there are any tangles in sensitive places. Paw pads will usually be shaved at this time if needed and the nails also trimmed and filed. After any prep-work, dogs will be brushed at this point. Longer hair is brushed with slicker brushes and medium and fine toothed combs. The dog is brushed from head to tail, paying special attention to legs, feet, ears, and tail. Small tangles are carefully worked out. Larger mats are brushed around and noted for removal. Shorter haired dogs might still get brushed with a slicker and comb but are more likely to be brushed with a rubber curry, deshedding rake, and a Sleek Ez to remove excess undercoat. No matter the hair length, this brush out process can take 15 minutes or longer. If a dog is getting a deshed treatment, this brush out can take even longer as we need to remove as much of the shedding hair as possible.

For bath dogs, this is pretty much where the process ends. They get to go hang out in their crates until their owners can come pick them up. For dogs getting a haircut, they are only halfway there!

Using clippers, blades of various lengths, comb attachments, and very sharp shears, fur is clipped down to the desired length. This is frequently the longest part of the process. The first pass over the dog’s body is to take off the bulk of the fur being cut. We don’t worry about getting perfect results on the first pass though it is nice when it happens! Using a brush or comb, the fur is fluffed up again for a second pass. This is a more careful clip intended to bring the coat almost to the final state. There will still be finish work to be done though. The fur is carefully combed and fluffed. Longer spots are trimmed down with shears. The tail is trimmed up. The feet are rounded off. The head and face are saved for last. Ears and faces are carefully combed. Cheeks are fluffed up. Fur is carefully clipped and trimmed to make the dog as cute as possible! All in all, the haircut can take up to an hour to complete. If the dog is at all fidgety or uncooperative, it can take even longer!

All in all, a groom can go as quickly as one hour for a very cooperative dog that doesn’t mind being bathed, dried, and groomed straight through or it could take three to four hours if the dog requires frequent breaks.

Cat grooms are a little different. Generally, a cat’s nails are clipped as soon as we take them out of their carriers. They get their brush and/or haircut before they get a bath simply because most cats do not like baths! Cats are immediately dried as much as possible with absorbing towels, regular towels, and our friend Dumbo. If they are resistant to the bath and dry, nothing is forced upon them. Cats can hang out in the kennels with a fan if they need to, however, we prefer to get them in and out as fast as we can. Cats are very prone to stress-induced illness. The longer they spend in the salon environment, the more dangerous it is for them. We try hard to have cats in, groomed, and out in two hours or less.

After repeating this process four, five, six, or more times per day, it becomes easy to see that grooming is not at all just playing with cute critters all day long! It is a very demanding job but it is one that we would not trade for anything!

How Often Should I Have My Dog Groomed? Grooming Frequency Explained

How often a dog should be bathed is a hot button topic in some circles. There are those with the opinion that dogs should be bathed as frequently as possible, sometimes two to three times a week. There are those who say dogs should be bathed no more than twice a year. There are even folks out there who say certain breeds should never be bathed at all unless absolutely necessary!

So what is the truth? Is there a standard time frame for bathing a dog? Well, there is and there isn’t. It really depends on your dog, their habits, their health, and the products you use.

As we have mentioned before, a dog’s skin regenerates every 21 days. The dead skin cells are then shed off. By bathing your dog every 21 days, you can ensure that all the old cells are being fully removed, keeping the surface of their skin as healthy as it can be. Does this mean you need to make an appointment for your furry friend every three weeks? That depends on you and your dog. If you are confident you can bathe, dry, and brush your dog properly at home, go ahead and bathe them at home! If you need a little help, give your groomer a call to set up an appointment.

21 days is a guideline but it is not set in stone. If you bathe your dog after 19 days or wait until 30 days, that is also just fine. While timing is important for maximum benefits, the products you use are arguably more important.

There is an astonishingly wide variety of shampoos available for dogs and cats these days. These products range from low-cost concoctions available in grocery stores to high end, higher cost, more natural products available through only specialty sellers. Along side these shampoos are a more important product: conditioner. While just about any shampoo specifically formulated for dogs or cats will remove all the dirt from their coats, it will also remove the good oils from their skin. Using a conditioner will not only moisturize their fur, it will help to replace those good oils.

By using a good quality, non-drying shampoo and conditioner combo, it is possible to safely bathe your dog once a week. If you have a dog who delights in playing in the mud and water (Looking at you again, Noodles!), sometimes weekly bathing is hard to avoid! Ask us what products we recommend if you need to bathe your mud puppy frequently. We will be happy to help you find something that works!

Another situation that might require frequent bathing would be if your veterinarian has prescribed a prescription shampoo to help with a skin problem such as a bacterial or fungal infection. Some of these shampoos can be extremely drying. While you should always follow all of your veterinarian’s instructions, you might want to ask if you can follow up with a light conditioner to avoid damaging any healthy skin.

“So if I can bathe my dog at home anywhere from every week to once a month, when should I bring them to the salon for grooming?” Once again, it depends on you and your dog! If you like to keep your long haired dog in a longer style or if you live with a short haired breed that sheds buckets every day, you might want to consider appointments every 4 weeks. This will help keep the long hair fluffy and tangle free and that shedding hair to a minimum. For dogs with shorter styles or fur that doesn’t shed quite as much, visits to the salon every 6 to 8 weeks will keep them comfortable and in style! If you find your dogs hair tends to grow faster, the seem to tangle and mat, or they become stinky faster, we can easily adjust their grooming schedule to keep them and you as happy and comfortable as possible!

Waiting too long between groomings can lead to uncomfortable situations for both long haired and short haired pets. They can develop mats and impacted undercoat, both of which will block the airflow to their skin. Their skin may become dry, flaky, or greasy. Yeast and bacterial infections can start to develop. They can get hot spots or other sores and wounds on their skin. If you notice any of these things, it is best to first consult with your veterinarian then think about how you can revamp their grooming schedule!

All Dogs Need Grooming

When we think of dog grooming, we tend to think of show dogs with their beautiful, flowing fur or their perky poms and top knots. Poodles and Shih Tzus immediately pop into most peoples’ heads as examples of grooms. Scruffy terriers with their carefully hand stripped coats might join the mix. And who can forget a perfect Schnauzer cut too?

Grooming goes far beyond styles for the show ring. It even goes beyond hair cuts in general. All dogs need to be groomed. Even short haired and hairless dogs will benefit from a bath, brush, and deshed treatment. Why? It is pretty simple!

Just like humans, dogs shed their skin cells in a 21 day cycle. The new cells form under the skin and mature over this period of time. Once they reach the surface, they hang around for a while before dying and shedding off, revealing healthy new cells underneath. The process happens in a never ending cycle starting the day they are born. It happens with humans too! Unlike humans, the skin surface for a dog is under a layer of fur. This can prevent those old cells from sloughing off in a timely manner. Dogs may develop itchy dandruff, flaky patches, yeast infections, or a host of other problems if they are not able to shed this skin.

Shedding hair can become a problem for even shorter haired pets. All dogs shed. Even so called “non-shedding” breeds like poodles and bichons shed. They simply shed less since their hair has a much longer growth cycle. Their kinky fur also tends to hold that shed fur in, potentially creating mats if it is not brushed out on a regular basis. Any dog with hair longer than an inch or two in length is at danger of developing mats. The longer the hair, the more easily it tangles. But even shorter haired dogs can have shedding problems. Their shed fur can impact into their coat, creating a thick, tight, hard to remove layer of fur and dander.

The good news is that grooming helps to solve both the problems of proper skin overturn and shedding! A proper bath with quality, pet specific shampoos and conditioners along with a good blow and brush out will help all the excess skin cells blow away. The shedding hair will come out as well, preventing any mats or impacting. You pet’s coat will be softer, shinier, and brighter after a bath. They will feel amazing too! Regular appointments will help to keep their nails in tip top shape as well!

Even hairless dogs and cats will benefit from a good scrub. They might not have as much hair to shed, but their skin is still prone to build-ups. They can develop black heads and zits. A moisturizing bath and an exfoliating scrub can greatly reduce the problems!

Help even your short haired buddies feel their absolute best by getting them on a regular grooming schedule. They will absolutely adore all the attention they receive in the salon and at home afterwards too!

Hema-What Now?

**This week’s educational blog will contain talk of blood and injuries. Though it will not be graphic and I will not include graphic pictures, if these things bother you, you might want to skip it!**

Hematoma. It is a word you have probably heard groomers, and maybe even your own doctor, use from time to time. It is often accompanied by a brief explanation of what a hematoma is. Many people still have questions though! So today, we are going to dive into what a hematoma is, how they form, what their relationship to grooming is, and how we can treat, or preferably, prevent them from happening.

What is a hematoma? By definition, a hematoma is a collection of blood outside of the blood vessels. In a way, it is similar to a bruise, however, a hematoma is much more serious. Bruises are caused by small breaks in small blood vessels which lead to minor leakage and the classic black/blue/purple/yellow discoloration of the skin. A hematoma is a much larger break in the larger blood vessels. This can lead to a pooling of the blood in the area near the break. Instead of turning into that classic nasty bruise, the skin will often be red and may appear to be inflamed. Many times, a hematoma is a serious issue that needs medical attention and sometimes even surgical drainage.

So how do hematomas form? What causes those blood vessels to break? In both humans and animals, they can be caused by injury. Generally, there has been some sort of trauma in the area. This can be caused by something like a car accident or a fall. They can also occur during things like blood draws, especially if the patient is on any sort of blood thinners or has an underlying medical condition.

When we talk about hematomas in grooming, they are generally caused by matted fur. The ears on floppy eared dogs are the most common place for hematomas to develop. When their ears mat up, the blood flow becomes restricted due to the skin being pulled tightly. As the groomer shaves off the mats, the blood rushes back in. This rush is not what causes the hematoma to form however it is a major contributing factor. As the blood rushes back in, the dog’s ear will then start to feel weird. Imagine your foot has been asleep for so long that you have gotten used to that tingly sensation. Suddenly, the sock that is too tight and causing the sensation is pulled off. Now you have the pins and needles feeling. You can’t help but twitch your foot around, trying to make it go away! The dog feels much the same way. They begin to shake their heads, often violently, literally trying to shake the sensation away. As their now super sensitive ears flap around, they smack against their own heads, causing further damage to an already compromised area. The blood vessels in the ears begin to pop through the combined centrifugal force and the blunt force trauma. This blood then either pools in the ear, causing a pillowy swelling, or it breaks through the flap at the tip of the ear and leaks out. This causes further irritation, causing the dog to shake it’s head even more. Neither scenario is one a groomer or owner wants to see!

In a non-grooming setting, hematomas can occur for a number of other reasons. The dog may have suffered from some sort of injury to their ears. They may have gotten water in their ears and have been trying to shake and scratch it out. They may also have an ear infection, mite, or flea infestation that is bothering their ears, causing them to shake their heads around. While it is not as common, even dogs with pricked ears like German Shepherds and Chihuahuas can suffer from hematomas. Cats can also develop hematomas as well!

How can we prevent hematomas from forming? It is a simple yet complicated task really. The simplest way to make sure your dog never ends up with a hematoma is to make sure their ears are as healthy as possible. Check their ear canals frequently for any signs of build up or strange smells. Yes, you should know what your dog’s healthy ear smells like! Strange odors can be the first indication of an infection. Treating an infection early can prevent a whole host of problems further down the road! Watch for excessive scratching of the ear and ear canal along with head shaking. These can also be an indication that something is wrong. Keep long-haired dogs’ ears brushed and combed to the skin. If you have trouble keeping up with longer ears, ask your groomer to style the ears shorter. Many long haired dogs look absolutely adorable with fluffy heads and short or shaved ears! This might be an option for your pup, especially if they enjoy running wild outside and come back with the whole world tangled in their ears!

At TLC Pet Services, if we think any matting on your pup’s ears might be tight enough to cause a hematoma to develop, we are going to ask you to consult with your vet for safe removal. We want everyone to be as safe as possible! If we do elect to shave off mats, there are still steps we will take. First of all, any shaving is done slowly, often in stages. By shaving the ear a third at a time, it gives the blood flow a chance to return slowly, lessening the risk of excessive shaking. Secondly, we will shave any matting off before be bathe your pup. This way, as soon as they are in the tub, we can rinse their ear flaps with cool water to help lessen the uncomfortable sensations. A towel or Happy Hoodie may then be wrapped around your pup’s head to hold the ears close to them. The light pressure from the wrap will further aid in the slow return of blood flow along with preventing them from flapping their ears all around. Thirdly, if at any point we feel that there is a risk of the dog shaking their head and developing something, we will not hesitate to wrap their head, give you a call, and ask you to please come take them to the vet! While a hematoma is generally not life threatening in most cases, early treatment will be best for faster healing and a better cosmetic outcome.

How are hematomas treated? Always consult your vet if you think there is anything wrong with your pets! In the case of a hematoma, the vet may take one of a few treatment routes. They may wait and see what happens if the hematoma is small. Sometimes, small pockets will reabsorb over time and require no further treatment. The vet may opt for drainage and placement of a drain tube to keep the area from refilling while it heals. If it is a large hematoma or it continues to reoccur after drainage, the vet may suggest the surgical option of opening the area, removing any clots, and finding and closing up any leaks to prevent further filling. The entire area is then sutured down, sometimes using buttons, to help the skin reattach and lay properly on the dog’s ear.

We strongly believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you are concerned about your pup’s ears matting up between grooms, let us know! We would rather modify Fluffy’s hairstyle now to prevent any problems than find out she has been to the vet three times because she developed a hematoma that just won’t go away!

Chunky Monkeys: Your Pet's Weight and Their Grooming

With the holidays now behind us, many of us have realized we gained a few pounds over the last few months! Maybe we indulged a little too much at all the parties and get togethers with family and friends. Maybe there were a few too many convenience meals while we were traveling from place to place. Maybe we snacked on a few too many left over treats while binge watching our favorite TV shows on Netflix and Hulu during the recent snow storms. Maybe we were just too busy to make it to the gym but all the running around shopping for gifts made up for it right? Hmm. Maybe not.

Maybe when you noticed that you gained a little weight, you also noticed that your dog and cat gained a few more pounds too! Awww! Now they are so cute and chubby and round!


Unfortunately, just like carrying extra weight is not good for us, it is also not good for our pets. Those extra pounds add up much faster for them than they do for us, especially for smaller pets. Extra weight can make breathing problems in brachycephalic pets worse. It can put extra strain on joints, making arthritis and hip or elbow dysplasia worse. Chubby pets have less stamina and will become tired much more easily. This may lead to more irritable behavior. It can also effect their heart and blood pressure. Obese pets can even develop diabetes and heart disease.


When it comes to grooming, that little extra weight can become a big problem for both the pet and the groomer. Overweight pets are much less likely to stand up or stand still for their groom. This leads to the groomer constantly lifting the pets’ hind end in an effort to get them to stay standing or moving a constantly shifting pet back to a correct position. Not only can this make the pet cranky, but depending on how large the pet is, it can really hurt a groomer’s shoulders or back over the course of the groom. Fatigue will quickly set in for both parties, making them even crankier! The increased stress on their joints can make things like sanitary trims or nail trims extremely uncomfortable or even dangerous. An overweight pet is also more prone to injury themselves. They are much more likely to twist an ankle stepping out of the tub or off the table. They are at risk for torn ligaments or pulled joints at the same time. Simply lifting a hind leg for a nail trim puts them at risk for strains and sprains. Should an injury like this happen, the groomers now have to have an uncomfortable conversation with you, the pet’s owner.


Over the years, people have been conditioned to view overweight and obese pets as cute. There are web pages and Facebook groups dedicated to these “chonky” creatures. People brag about how “loved and spoiled” their pets are. Sadly, food does not equal love. We all know our pets, especially our dogs, love treats! Just like many humans, the worse the treat is for their health, the more they love it! I’m guilty! I absolutely love my cookies, ice cream, and chocolate! Wild Skookum loves potato chips. Shaak Ti loves buttered popcorn. All three cats love cheese. I once thought Jerreth AKA Boober AKA Super Duper Uber Boober, my 10 year old cat, was having a joy induced seizure over whipped cream (also called Kitty Crack in my home) because he was so excited he could barely stand up! It is absolutely adorable watching them freak out for their favorite treats. It is also super easy to allow them to over indulge in the process. We are now all so used to equating treats with love and seeing the overweight pets as a result that when many people see a pet with a healthy weight, they think the pet is starving.


If we ever tell you that Fifi seems to be gaining a little weight, please know that we are not judging you or Fifi! We know that sometimes owners don’t notice the slow changes since they see their pets every single day. The groomer is more likely to notice since we see Fifi once every 4 to 6 weeks. We mean nothing by it when we tell you. We simply want to bring it to your attention before the problem is out of control. We want Fifi to remain comfortable and healthy for her grooming! 


If you ever have any concerns about your pet’s weight, please talk to your veterinarian. They can help you figure out the best way to help Fifi drop a few pounds. Quite often it is simply a matter of increasing exercise while reducing the extra treats. Maintaining a healthy weight will not only make grooming more comfortable, it will help your pet live a longer, healthier, more active life!

Honestly? Just Be Honest!

Honesty. It is something we have briefly covered before on our

Facebook page but I would like to take a moment to go a little more in depth about why honestly on both sides of the grooming table is absolutely vitally important. 


Have you ever taken your dog to a groomer and asked how they did? Maybe you were told “Oh they were great!” However, in the back of your mind, you have doubts. How could she be great for the groomer when at home she panics at the sight of a brush? Or, you were told she was a perfect angel by one groomer but the next groomer tells you “Well, she certainly didn’t appreciate her brush out and she did fight a little for her nail trim but we made it through! She just needs a little training!” How can that be? Her last groomer never said anything about her being naughty! Which groomer isn’t telling the truth?!


There are a few reasons why some groomers are 100% truthful and others are not. Maybe the first groomer is afraid that if she tells you the truth about your dog, you will not come back. Maybe she doesn’t think the behaviors are anything to worry about. Maybe she wasn’t actually the one who groomed your dog and doesn’t know the whole truth. The second groomer might have less tolerance for naughty behaviors. She might have a different background and can see that with just a little extra effort on training, your dog will learn that brushes aren’t scary and nail trims are not the end of the world. She wants you to know so you can work on things at home. Maybe she has a medical condition such as a bad back or a bad shoulder that means a little naughtiness from more than one dog ends up hurting by the end of the day. Grooming is a very physically demanding job after all! Little aches and pains can add up in a big way after a few days of less than perfect dogs! But we push through because we love what we do.


In this case, are either one of these groomers really lying to you about your dog? Not exactly. Could the first groomer be a little more open? Yes, but again, she might have a different opinion than the second groomer.


What can you expect from us at TLC Pet Services as far as honesty goes? Honesty! We will let you if your dog is wiggly and wormy, squiggly and squirmy. We’ll tell you if they hate the brush out or the bath or the blow dryer. We’ll let you know if they jump around and require two people for nail trims. We will also let you know if they love the bath, love the dryer, hand over their paws willingly for nails. We want you to know exactly how your dog does for grooming so you understand why we book them the way we do. If Toby needs two people for nails, we have to book him on a day when we know both groomers will be in. If Sammy is nervous around other dogs, we want you to know that we need to book him either first thing in the morning so he can get in and out, later in the day when the other dogs have left, or on a day when we know there will only be quiet, well mannered dogs in the salon. We want YOU to be part of that process and we want YOU to understand why. We will never sugar coat behaviors even if other groomers have in the past. 


Honesty is a two way street. While we promise to be completely honest with you, we also need you to promise to be completely honest with us. If you know your dog has any problems at all, be they grooming related or not, please let us know. Even though we are a women owned and operated company, there are times when we might have a male coming in to do a minor repair. Our husbands might stop by to give us a hand with something. If your dog doesn’t like men, it is helpful to know just in case! If they are scared of storms, we can keep a close eye on the weather leading up to their appointment. Thunder is very loud in our salon! If they are terrified of dogs bigger than they are or smaller than they are, it helps us know how and when to book their appointments.
If your dog has ever been dismissed from a salon, we need to know why. Does this mean we will not groom them? No. It simply means we will have to approach things differently and be prepared. Where they simply too loud and stressed in the kennel? We can try an express type service where they get groomed straight through and sent immediately home. Were they a safety concern during their bath because they flail around? We can try taking a different approach by tethering them differently, using a different setting on the hose, or even taking a bucket and cup approach if we absolutely have to. Did they bite or try to bite their last groomer? What for? We can evaluate their behavior while being prepared for their reactions.


Even things like medical concerns need to be disclosed with open honesty. Arthritis, hip and back problems, collapsing trachea, lumps and bumps, past injuries, allergies and even separation anxiety can make a difference in the grooming process. While every dog is handled with gentle kindness, if we know your old poodle has arthritis in his hips, we will make every effort to handle his hind quarters as little as possible and as comfortably as possible. If we know your Jack Russel Terrier had a gash that required stitches on their shoulder six months ago, we can be careful brushing that area since it might still be a little tender or odd feeling. 


If you are at all worried that disclosing something might mean we automatically turn your dog away, please don’t be! While there may be times when we feel that we are not the best groomer for your dog or that a certain medical condition means they might be safer being groomed at a veterinarian’s office, we will openly discuss all concerns with you. Many times we will be willing to give your dog a chance as long as they are within our weight limits. We have no problem trying as long as you understand that we might not complete the full groom before calling for a pick up.
So please be completely honest with us. Let us know about that dental last week. Or the limp after she chased a rabbit. Or the fact that she didn’t like Uncle Bob over the holidays. We will always be honest with you and your honesty with us only helps!

Meet Glacier!

Every now and then, a groomer will run into a dog they just have to help. It could be a dog that has been severely neglected and needs relief from their impacted, matted coat. It could be a dog that struggles with trusting the process. It could be a dog who has been handled roughly and despises everything about groomers and grooming. But there is a spark. There is a need. We have to help this dog no matter what. Many times, these types of dogs will do best when they stay with one certain groomer so they can develop a bond. That bond helps to create trust. Grooming is all about trust between the dog and their groomer.

 

Glacier is one of those dogs. This handsome boy has been one of Stacey’s friends for many years. They met at a corporate store back when Glacier was just a youngster. He was not a fan of his grooming! Some of the groomers were not fans of Glacier! He acted out in typical husky fashion but Stacey could tell that he was just a scared, frustrated dog who needed someone to trust. She could also tell that the corporate environment with the rush, rush, rush attitude, constant noise, and ever changing bathers were only setting him on edge. This was a dog who needed to take his time for grooming. He needed a quiet, calmer environment with a single person so he could learn to trust the process.

It didn’t take long for Glacier to be dismissed from the corporate environment. Stacey knew she had to do something for him. As a life-long husky owner herself, she knew the importance of keeping him groomed, even if he didn’t appreciate it! So she talked to his owners. She explained that she would be happy to try grooming him at her house if they were willing to drive him out there. As you can guess, they agreed.

Stacey and Glacier began forming a trusting bond. She slowly taught him that grooming is nothing to be scared of. They developed a firm routine which helps him know exactly what is happening and when. Knowing what to expect is so very important for many dogs! He went from acting out because he didn’t know what was going on to actually being excited for his sessions!
Glacier now knows that he will be visiting Aunt Stacey and her pack of dogs. When he arrives at her home, he gets to play in the backyard with his friends Jack, Sophie, Tiberius, and Lucky. After play time, he goes inside for his bath, blow out, brushing, and nail trim. He might sing the songs of his people as huskies tend to do, but he knows exactly what is coming next. Glacier even holds his paws out for his nail grinding! He trusts Stacey that much! Weather pending, he might get to play with his friends some more while he waits for his mom and dad to pick him up!

Glacier’s story perfectly illustrates why we do what we do at TLC. Even though he does not come into our salon (he would not be happy to give up his play time with his friends!), he shows exactly why all dogs need a steady, predictable routine in an environment tailored to their needs with a groomer who is willing to do whatever it takes to make them comfortable.

Grooming and Oranges? Our Pricing Explained.

Without question, the most common inquiry any dog groomer gets is "How much does it cost to groom my dog?"

Without question, that is also one of the hardest questions to answer! It is very often followed up with "Wow that is expensive! Why does it cost so much?" Since we are all about being 100% open and honest here at TLC Pet Services, we are going to explain why we charge what we charge and why it is also extremely hard to give a flat rate for all dogs.

So how much does it cost to groom my dog? And why can't we give an exact price? Think of dog grooming like buying produce. Most items have a base price of a few dollars a pound. How much you end up paying highly depends on how much you buy. Six oranges could cost you $3.00 or $8.00 depending on the type, size, quality, and brand. Time of the year and over all availability is a big factor as well. It is almost impossible to say "Six oranges will cost $4.50 every single day" unless you are buying a bagged product. But you also get what you pay for. Are those six oranges in the $4.50 bag the same quality as the six you picked yourself and paid $8 for? One size fits all pricing doesn't work for produce and it doesn't really work for dog grooming either! 

We'll use Shaak Ti the Wonder Noodle (above) as an example. Shaak Ti is affectionately known as a Mississippi Mutt or a Black Mystery Dog. Her mix is completely unknown. She bounces between 45 and 50 pounds. She has medium length hair but also has long feathering on her legs and hind end. And we can't forget about her glorious tail! How much it costs to groom her depends on several factors. Do you want just a bath and a brush out? Do you want a deshedding treatment (which we highly recommend for all double coated breeds!)? Do you want a light trim, a heavy trim, or do you want her cut short or even shaved (which we do NOT recommend for all double coated breeds!)? What is her temperament like? Does she fidget in the tub? Dance on the table? Fight going into the kennel? Freak out for a nail trim? Is she an angel or are those devil horns there for a reason? Is she well brushed at home or does she have tangles in her tail? Matts in her pants? Do we need to do any comfort shaving?

With all these factors, it is no surprise that we can't give you a flat price! So we typically will give an estimated range based upon the service you pick. Basic bath? Probably $40-60. Deshed? $50-70. Light trim? $45-65. Heavy trim/all over cut? $60-80. If you aren't sure, we are likely to quote you anywhere from $40-80.

Wow. That does look like a lot of money! We realize that it does. Even the base price of $40 to bathe Noodle might seem like a lot. But what does that $40 get you? That $40 bath includes our Tropiclean Spa or Extra Mild Espree shampoos, a matching conditioner, a blow dry, brush out, ear cleaning, sanitary shave (if needed), paw pad shave (if needed), toe hair trim (if needed), nail grinding (if tolerated), and a cologne to make sure Noodle smells her best! Now that base price of $40 might go up a little depending on how she behaves or what the condition of her coat is. If she is naughty or hard to handle, there might be fees. Any matting can incur additional fees. So your $40 base price might end up being $50. The high end of $60 is for upgraded products. Along with our Tropiclean Spa line, we also carry Espree Rainforest, a deep conditioning, more natural, aloe based shampoo. Not only does it smell wonderful, longer haired dogs' coats stay fluffy and bouncy longer! Shorter dogs stay shiny! We also have a specialty treatment shampoo made by EPI. This is wonderful for dogs who might have an extra doggy odor to them or for those with itchy, dry skin. EPI isn't quite a miracle cure, but it is pretty close! These two options do cost a bit more simply due to the fact that they cost us a bit more. But I can assure you that they are worth it! 

Some other salons will charge you extra for the grinding of your dog's nails and the conditioning of their coat. We have done a great deal of, and will continue to do a great deal of, further education. We recently learned that every single dog benefits from a conditioner. It helps their skin stay healthy, prevents dryness, and can even help with the shedding issues! Nail grinding is not only gets their nails as short as possible, it can actually help encourage long quicks to shorten over time when done on a regular schedule! Shaak Ti's base price at another salon might be only $35 but if I want her coat conditioned and her nails ground, I will be charged $18 to $33 more depending on the package I chose! That gives us a total of up to $67 with good behavior, more if she decides to be naughty!

It really is a matter of apples to oranges. Not every dog of the same breed will end up paying the same price. One yorkie might be a perfect angel for an all over hair cut and pay only $45 while another is a demon and pays $55. A fit, properly sized beagle might be only $30 for a bath and brush while one that is 10 pounds over weight might pay $40. There are so many factors! If you have concerns about prices, talk to us. Be as specific as you possibly can be when telling us what you want done. Be honest about your dog's condition, size, health, and behavior. We won't judge you if you tell us your dog is 10 pounds over weight, has matting, and has hated every other groomer out there! We will listen, talk to you about what we will probably need to do, and give you a more accurate estimate.

As always, we are an open book! We aren't out to get rich by grooming dogs. We are out here to provide a top of the line service designed to make your pet feel happy, be healthy, and most of all be beautiful!