Dog Grooming FAQ

Why are you different? 

Dog Spa is a spacious, insured, air-conditioned, clean environment. As a professional salon space, our standards are the highest possible. We are one of the largest salons in Kent, and yet we purposely limit the dog's that are in with us at any one time. 1-1 grooming; one dog in, one dog out (per groomer) and peaceful classical music, all facilitates a calm, serene place for your dog to be groomed.

We have personalised plans for dogs that are more nervous about grooming to try and build their confidence, including out of hour's sessions, shorter grooms, owners staying for the appointment, Behaviourist work, and more. 

Education and expertise are at the heart of our ethos. Each member of our team has achieved a Level 3 Qualification from esteemed Training Schools and continues to expand their knowledge through regular seminars and courses. Moreover, we are all trained in Animal First Aid, guaranteeing the utmost safety for your beloved companions.

At Dog Spa, trust and exceptional standards go hand in paw. 

How long will my dog's groom take? 

It depends on the breed, size, temperament of the dog and condition of the coat. Usually a small to medium dog such as a cockapoo or a westie will take 1.5 to 2 hours. A large de-shed usually takes around 3 hours. We can advise on a individual basis. Feel free to fill in an enquiry form here if you'd like us to give you a rough time frame for your particular pup.  

At what age do I need to start bringing my dog in for a groom? 

After their last set of vaccinations! It's so important to get your puppy used to the experience as early as possible, and as much as possible. This way they will accept grooming as a part of their life, and we can make it as positive an experience as possible. We do FREE sniff arounds/consults which is great for the first experience and you can have a chat with us about your dog's grooming needs. Then Puppy Grooms which will get them used to owners leaving them, the noises and smells, the handling etc. 

 Can I stay to watch my dog being groomed? 

As your dog loves you very much they will wiggle and move around trying to get close to you which is not safe while we are grooming.  It is recommended to drop off your dog at their scheduled appointment time, and then come back when the treatment is finished. We are very happy to show our customers the Spa and discuss your individual needs if you are particularly nervous (which is totally understandable). You can also give us a call any time during the treatment to find out how your pup is doing. 

Will my dog be put in a crate?

No - we don't have any crates! We do have some lovely spatious pens with beds, toys and water in where they can stay safely if they need a rest, or if you're running late to collect them. If it is safe to do so and we can provide one-to-one attention, we will let them roam the salon and play with a toy with them. Sometimes the dogs prefer a nice little rest in our dog beds though! 

My dog is aggressive/hates grooming. Can I still bring them in? 

Our groomers are experienced in dealing with more difficult dogs and can usually get them to a calmer state to complete a groom. Aggression or any type of behavioural issue is usually fear based. If they are really not getting on with us, we won't continue the groom and stress them out unnecessarily. We will recommend the best course of action, which may be a Groomer Behaviourist, or may be shorter, weekly sessions with us to get them used to us. We can advise based on the individual dog's needs. We have plenty of treats, toys and cuddles to give which usually does the trick! 

You can ensure your dog is less fearful of the groomers by bringing them regularly (we can advise how often is appropriate). There are lots of other tips we can share with you - just give us a call or email and we'll talk you through it. 

Will my dog be mixing with other dogs? 

No. We work on a 1-1 basis with our Dog Groomers so the dogs do not need to be roaming the floor with other dogs. We have 4 spacious pens but generally we only need to use them if the owners are running late. Your dog's safety is our first priority. 

For any other questions please fill in our contact form here or call us on 01227 456 195 and we will do our best to help.