FAQ

Why are you different?

Calm, not chaotic. We're one of the largest salons in Kent, but we deliberately keep numbers low: one dog in, one dog out per groomer. Add air conditioning and gentle classical music, and you get a peaceful space where dogs can relax.

Help for nervous dogs. If your dog finds grooming stressful, we'll build a plan around them. That can mean shorter sessions, out-of-hours appointments, you staying with them, or working alongside a behaviourist.

Qualified and always learning. Every groomer holds a Level 3 qualification or equivalent and is trained in canine first aid. We keep our skills up to date with regular courses and seminars as part of our standard.

Fully insured, spotlessly clean, and trusted by local dog owners.

How often should I groom my dog?

A grooming schedule will depend on the breed and type of dog. Below is a general guide that might be helpful...

Any poodle or doodle (cockapoo, cavapoo, golden doodle, labradoodle etc) should be on a schedule of 4-6 weeks for a longer cut, or 6-8 weeks for shorter cuts. This not only keeps them comfortable and mat free, but means they become accustomed to the routine and generally tend to feel happier at the salon.

Spaniels differ as well - show cockers or neutured spaniels tend to be fluffier and harder to manage so a 4-6 week schedule can be important. Working breeds tend to have less coat to manage, so can go around 8-10 weeks between grooms.

Double coated breeds like Huskies and Malamutes tend to need a groom around 3 times a year as the seasons change, to prevent their coat becomming compacted. Chows and Samoyed type coats are longer and often need more regular grooming every 6-8 weeks, and double coats such as Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and German Shepherds can vary depending on grooming at home, levels of shedding and how tidy you'd like their feathers (anything from 6-16 weeks).

It's important in all cases to keep an eye on your dog's nails - they should be off the ground when walking as it can affect their comfort and in extreme cases their joint and bone health. Every dog has nails that grow at a different rate so you can come in between grooms just for a nail trim.

At what age should I bring my puppy for a groom?

It's very important to get puppies in for "puppy grooms" as often as possible wtihin the very small window we have. They have to be fully vaccinated so usually 12 weeks is the soonest we can see them, and then typically a pup will need a full haircut by 16-20 weeks old, giving us 4-8 weeks to get them desensitised!

With this in mind, we'd recommend booking them in early, and get a minimum of 2 puppy grooms before a big haircut as it can be quite daunting for the little mites.

Puppy grooms are often a 'play it by ear' groom as every pup responds differently. If they are very nervous, we will draw it back and do lots of playtime, treats and cuddles. The aim will always be to get a wash, blow dry, brush and trim the essentials i.e. eyes, nails, feet and sanitary area, but their experience will come first.

You can help them get used to the grooming side of things by introducing them to a brush and comb at home, holding their face, paws and general handling.

If your puppy seems to be anxious with you leaving, we may ask you to come back and give reassurance to them whilst we complete the puppy groom.

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.

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). We do have a seating area with WiFi if you'd like to stay and get some work done, but we may close the blinds so your dog can't see you.

Will my dog be put in a crate when being groomed?

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! See more here.

Will my dog be mixing with other dogs?

No. We work on a one in one out per groomer basis so the dogs do not need to be roaming the floor with other dogs and everything is tightly controlled. 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.