Usually three to six hours. The time will depend on a few variables such as your pet’s breed, size, amount of coat, condition of coat, style of groom, health status, grooming experience and temperament. We are a full-service salon, so our procedures are more time consuming than what you may have experienced in the past… but, it will show in the finished product. For example, we use a two-step coat conditioning process for each pet. This adds time to the bathing process, but makes a world of difference in the look and feel of your pet’s coat. We also hand dry each of our pets for good coat and skin health. No cage or fan drying here! The result is a longer lasting professionally groomed finish and will have your pet smelling fresh for a longer period of time.

Please see our Grooming Services page for more information. Of course, your pet will not be standing on a grooming table the entire time in fact, he will have time to rest between the 3-part-process. First your pet will go with his stylist, (we try to match the pet with the same stylist each visit) where he will have his nails trimmed and filed, ears cleaned, coat brushed and combed, and any coat he will not need for his finished look will be clipped or scissored off. He is reviewed for our 10-point health check and then returned to his cozy suite in our Zen Zone, where he lounges on a fluffy white towel and listens to relaxing spa music. Next, a spa tech will take your pet to the Spa Room where he will be bathed, conditioned and hand dried to perfection. While in the Spa Room he will also receive his Signature Spa Treatments and Services you may have ordered, including toothbrushing or one of our proprietary wraps such as the DeShedding Silk Heat Wrap or Mobility Wrap for example. He will then return to his suite, waiting for him lined with a fluffy white towel, where he will rest until his stylist comes for him.

He will then be thoroughly brushed and combed again, and clipped and scissored to perfection. The finishing touches are added, and he is returned to his suite. You will be promptly called when he is ready to go home.

If at any time he acts like he may have to go potty, we take him out. If he appears thirsty we will provide

water. If you send his favorite treats we will offer them at different points throughout the process. Puppies, geriatric pets and barkers take priority over other pets, so we can ensure a comfortable and stress-free visit for all of our guests.

Understand too, that we are working on moving objects with sharp instruments. You cannot safely rush through a grooming appointment. And, it takes time and patience to work with pets and their idiosyncrasies. We will try to accommodate your schedule, but will not rush through the process. We always give you an estimated pick-up or call time and do our best to meet that time frame.

Requiring proof of vaccinations speaks volumes about the way a salon is managed. The short answer is that requiring proof of vaccinations helps to protect your fur baby from exposure to pets that have communicable diseases and ensures to some extent that the pets we see are healthy and being seen routinely by a veterinarian, not to mention that rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states. Many canine diseases do not require direct contact to spread from pet to pet, in fact, many are airborne, or can be spread through the environment from poor hygiene. We make every effort possible to minimize the risk to every pet we see at the spa, beginning with the requirement for proof of vaccinations to the daily thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the spa.

Over my 50-year career as a professional dog groomer, I have seen a lot of neglect in the dogs that we have groomed. Dogs that do not receive routine veterinarian check-ups are typically not vaccinated and can be in poor condition. I could share some real horror stories, but I will spare you the shocking details. We require proof of vaccinations because it is the correct thing to do to ensure your pet is safe, healthy and happy while at the spa. In fact, as a dog lover and professional, I would not feel comfortable leaving my best friend at a grooming establishment that does not require proof of vaccinations.

We understand that some pets can not receive some types of vaccinations. We accept a titer test or veterinarian note in these cases.

Vaccinations we require:

• Distemper and Parvo because these diseases are highly contagious. Rabies, because it is required by law. And if your pet frequents day care, dog parks or boarding kennels, we highly recommend Bordetella and Canine Influenza vaccines.

Because your pet’s health, comfort and safety are our main concern, she will never have any nose-to- nose contact with another pet unless of course she is with a sibling. In between pamper-time, she will have time to relax in her suite in the spa Zen Zone. Of course, she will be listening to calming spa music as she lounges on her fluffy white towel. We don’t want any chilly tushies. The Zen Zone is a low light area, with spacious enclosed suites sized to house small, medium and large size pets.

For extra-large and giant breeds; and fur families that can be housed together, we have the Penthouse, a very large space where these pets can stretch out and enjoy their room with a view! I cringe when pet owners tell me they “don’t want their pet in a cage.” Pets allowed to roam around the salon are not safe, for many reasons. Here are a few:

1. You only have to experience one dog fight to know you never want to do that again. Your fur baby may be very dog and people friendly, but other pets are not. You don’t always know this until it is too late. We would NEVER place your pet in harm’s way by assuming that all dogs are as friendly with other pets as your beloved fur baby. Again, we have a strictly enforced No Nose-To-Nose contact policy between pets.

2. Wandering pets are a distraction. We use sharp instruments around your pet’s face. For safety’s sake your baby needs to be focused on her stylist, not the dog or even salon cat, walking around the room.

3. Not allowing pets to roam around greatly reduces the risk of your pet picking up a flea or other external parasite from another pet.

4. Pets wandering around can create unsanitary conditions in the salon. Even those pets that are strictly potty trained can succumb to the urge to “go”… we do not want another pet to find it first nor do we want to be sidestepping any pet’s pooh.

5. An open door is an invitation for any pet to take. All of our guests are carried or on-lead when moving from the Zen Zone to the Magic Room, to the Spa Room. Pets allowed to roam the salon have a greater risk of escape. Again, this is a potential disaster a professionally managed salon will go to great lengths to avoid.
   

Your pet’s safety, health and comfort are our greatest concern. If you are comfortable and confident about leaving your pet with us, she will feel the same. Don’t think of her time at the spa as being in cage but, instead, her cozy suite is a safe, comfy place where she can relax and enjoy her “me” time!