"The dog has no ambition , no self-interest, no desire for vengeance, no fear other than that of displeasing."

Count of Buffon

• What should I do to prepare my dog for his first grooming appointment?
• Should I take my dog out before the appointment?
• What is a mat?
• What can I do at home to keep my dog mat free?
• My dog is matted, should I bathe him at home?
• What kind of shampoo do you use?
• Can I stay and watch as my dog is groomed? 
• I don’t want my dog shaved, what can be done?
• Why don’t you shave double coated dogs?
• What do I do if my dog faces another heat wave ?
• What styles are available for my dog?
• What is the significance of being certified groomers?
• Can you treat for fleas and ticks?
• Do you have a de-skunking treatment?
• How often should my dog be groomed?
• What forms of payment to you accept?
• Should I tip the groomer?
• Do I get a discount if I have two or more dogs?
• My dog does not get along with other dogs, can you still groom him?
• My dog is aggressive. Will you groom him?
• Do you sedate dogs?

What should I do to prepare my dog for his first grooming appointment?

We want to make the experience as fun and stress-free as possible. We recommend a visit to the shop with your dog. Stop by anytime that we are open and let your dog sniff, say hello and and get treats; this will help associate treats and fun to grooming. At the same time you can talk with the groomers and find out what services we can offer your dog; it’s also the easiest way for us to assess the dog and give you a quote.

For puppies, it’s best to start young and make multiple short sessions, rather than one complete appointment. This allows them to get used to the process and handling, since everything related to grooming could be new and “scary.” For the first appointment, many owners have us brush & detangle, clip nails and bathe & dry, waiting until the next appointment for the hair cut etc.    back to top

Should I take my dog out before the appointment?

Yes, please take your dog out for a bathroom break before coming into the salon. Accidents do happen, but we would rather avoid them. Besides, we would rather your dog be as comfortable as possible.

If you have time, a nice long walk would be appreciated. That way the dog will be less excited and feel more relaxed while with us. We prefer that you do not take them swimming before coming in since it makes our work more difficult when working on a wet dog.    back to top

What is a mat?

A mat is a mass of tangled (often dirty) hair. Many mats form close to the skin and pull and irritate the skin. The skin is often unable to breathe leaving it prone to skin problems such as hot spots and infections that go unnoticed/untreated.    back to top

What can I do at home to keep my dog mat free?

Brushing and combing the coat are key components to keeping your dog mat free. Often people “top brush” leaving the fur underneath and close to the skin matted. Using a comb is very effective in “finding” the mats, so you can then brush them out. This is especially important with non-shedding breeds that like to swim. We can always show you the proper technique. Sometimes you don’t have the time to maintain the coat, which is why we offer a Bath & Tidy service for regular customers.    back to top

My dog is matted, should I bathe him at home?

No, never bath a matted dog. In fact, we advise you to keep a matted dog from swimming. As the mats dry they become tighter, pulling more on the skin and slowly becoming more painful. If the dog is severely matted, the coat often does not dry completely, causing skin irritations.

If you are going to bathe your dog at home, ensure the dog is mat free by brushing and combing thoroughly and use a shampoo formulated for dogs.    back to top

What kind of shampoo do you use?

We use the Nature’s Specialties product line. These products are tearless, completely biodegradable and non-toxic. We have a variety of shampoos and conditioners to suit you and your dogs needs.    back to top

Can I stay and watch as my dog is groomed? 

In most cases, we don't recommend staying with your dog during grooming. When the owner stays, the dog is more anxious and excitable and thus will move more. This makes our job more difficult and unsafe. We work with sharp scissors and blades and do not want to create a higher risk of cutting ourselves or your dog.

This is especially true when you show up early to check in. The dog gets very excited at the prospect of going home. We will call you when your dog is ready to be picked up. If you would like an update, please call us. If you do show up, please peek in slowly and without speaking. We have a doorbell, so we will know that you have entered, from there we can give you an estimate without distracting your dog.    back to top

I don’t want my dog shaved, what can be done?

Clipper blades come in several different lengths and comb attachments provide even more variety. As long as the coat is free of mats there are many options. We do not recommend shaving a dog to its skin, however, if the dog is severely matted, this may be our only option. Its humanity over vanity and shaving to provide relief from pain would be our priority.    back to top

Why don’t you shave double coated dogs?

While shaving a single-coat dog is acceptable and may provide some relief, shaving a double-coat dog will actually have the opposite effect, The main concern is sunburn that can lead to skin cancer. Repeated exposure to sun rays stimulates Melanin production in human skin giving use a tanned complexion. Unfortunately, dog's skin cannot tan and Melanin production is used mainly for skin and hair coloration. A limited Melanin production (photo-blocking agent) combined with the shaving/clipping of the protective coats may be the perfect recipe for sunburns, skin cancer and heat exhaustion. The undercoat is the insulator and the topcoat/guard-coat acts as a light diffuser, breaking up the sun's rays as they bear down on the fur.

In addition, clipping/shaving the topcoat can permanently compromise the quality of the re-growth of this layer of fur affecting the dog in both apperance and health. Meanwhile clipping/shaving the undercoat actually stimulates it's growth; leading to more shedding.

In some cases, shaving a double coat can also cause alopecia and the fur can take years to grow back. A properly maintained double-coat dog should have a lustrous and free-floating top-coat without any appearance of bulk.    back to top

What do I do if my dog faces another heat wave?

A sensible solution to summer heat is a good de-shedding session by a professional groomer. The topcoat/guard coat is left to protect teh dog from heat and UV radiation while groomers can thin out the dense and often matted undercoat. They can execute a meticulous brush-out that will remove the old hairs from the guard-coat, while breaking apart any mats, thinning and removing excessive undercoat hairs. All this, followed by a warm cleansing shower and professional shampoo, a high velocity drying session executed by a trained technician and the groomer's final trims. A professional pet styling session that will transform any double-coat dog into a cool looking show dog.

In addition, the underbelly area can be clipped or thinned out. This would allow the dog to find a cool surface to lie on and soak up the coolness without the risk of sun exposure, while ensuring that the rest of their body still has its insulation coat and guard-coat. People of the deserts do not walkabout in T-shirts and shorts, they have layered clothing to protect them from the heat/UV-radiation and the cold.

We can ascertain that you will see a big difference, in quantity of shedding in your household and, best of all, your pet will feel cooler. A properly maintained double-coat dog will have an optimal heat/UV-radiation protection, a healthy & mat free undercoat and shinny topcoat. Finally, drying time after a cool summer swim will be greatly shorten while avoiding the onset of unpleasant odors and skin irritations (hot-spots) due to dense and often matted undercoat that can take days to dry out.

Here at Furry Friends Spa & Daycare, we can't control the weather, but we can guarantee that our professional groomers will have your pet(s) looking and feeling good all summer long. We wish all pets lovers a safe summer !    back to top

What styles are available for my dog?

Our team is knowledgeable in all breeds. We can have your dog in show quality grooms in accordance to the AKC and CKC breed standards or modify them slightly to suit, while still keeping the breeds’ signature look.

If you are not a fan of the show trims, we can create a beautiful pet trim to suit you and your dogs’ lifestyle. Our most popular pet trim is the Teddy Bear or Kennel Clip with Teddy Bear head. Many refer to this as a “puppy cut” though technically that term is incorrect. The cut can vary in length but is the same on the body and legs. The head is proportionally longer and shaped in a natural, rounded shape.

If there is something specific you would like done, just ask when you come in.    back to top

What is the significance of being certified groomers?

Like any industries there are good and bad businesses. We are not saying that uncertified groomers are bad, however you would never know since certification is not required to open a shop. We are certified through IPG (International Professional Groomers Inc.) Being certified means we have been tested and evaluated by Professional Certifying Officers and have shown to meet a high quality standard within our industry.    back to top

Can you treat for fleas and ticks?

Yes, we can treat for both. We will physically remove the ticks and we can apply a flea and tick shampoo, ensuring all pests and eggs are eliminated. An additional fee applies. (see our rate card)    back to top

Do you have a de-skunking treatment?

Yes we have a de-skunking treatment. If your dog is skunked, do not bath him since this often spreads the smell to other areas. Try to get an appointment as soon as possible to have the treatment applied. An additional fee applies. (see our rate card)   back to top

How often should my dog be groomed?

This really depends on the breed. Often we recommend a dog be groomed every 6 –8 weeks, so we can keep the dog free of mats. Some dogs can go longer between haircuts. Regular brushing/combing maintenance is often necessary if you want to wait longer between appointments. We also offer Bath & Tidy or Deshedding services to regular customers for those in between situations.    back to top

Do I have to make an appointment to bring my dog in for grooming?

Yes an appointment is necessary for our grooming services. We recommend calling at least a week in advance, but sometimes you can get in sooner. We also have a cancellation list that your name can be added to by request.

The only exception is Nail Trimming. You do not require an appointment for this, but calling ahead is best.    back to top

How much does it cost to groom my dog?

This is probably the most common question we are asked. We price according to coat condition, breed, size, type of trim, and the temperament of your pet. We can give you a price range, but it is difficult to give an exact amount without seeing your dog. When you arrive with your pet, we can give you a better quote, otherwise, stop in for a visit with your dog and we can assess it at that time.    back to top

What forms of payment to you accept?

We accept cash, cheques, debit, Visa and Mastercard.    back to top

Should I tip the groomer?

Similar to hairdressers, we provide a service to you and your pet and do appreciate tips. However, if gratuity is not in your budget than a sincere compliment is always welcome.    back to top

Do I get a discount if I have two or more dogs?

Furry Friends Spa & Daycare does not offer multiple pet discounts for grooming. It is not as if you are sharing a service and the dogs are only going to get a percentage of our time. The same amount of work goes into each pet and so they are charged accordingly.    back to top

My dog does not get along with other dogs, can you still groom him?

Yes, we definitely can. The dogs do not come in contact with one another and are not left loose. On your arrival, peek over the door to ensure there are no other dogs in the reception area before entering.    back to top

My dog is aggressive. Will you groom him?

In many cases, we are willing to try. We will muzzle the dog for our safety. If we are unable to control the dog and it would be too high risk for us to continue or we feel the dog will be too stressed for grooming, we will let you know.    back to top

Do you sedate dogs?

No, we do not sedate any animals. We use gentle handling and a lot of patience to get your dog to co-operate in the grooming process. If we think your dog would be best served by receiving medication, we will refer you to your veterinarian.    back to top