Frequently asked questions

Q. How frequently should a dog groomed?

A. It depends on the breed of your dog, the lifestyle and on how you want him to look and smell. While it’s true that a clean animal is a healthier one, excessive bathing can dry out the skin and strip it of its natural oils. Generally speaking, short-coated dogs with no skin conditions can go six to eight weeks between baths unless they have gotten into something dirty or smelly. Longer-coated dogs should be groomed every four to six weeks to ensure their hair doesn’t get matted and isn’t harbouring insects or hiding skin conditions. Of course, certain haircut dogs should be groomed more often than others to maintain their appearance.

Q. Should I have my dog groomed less in the winter?

A. Actually, because of the affects of salt and snow on the animal’s body, in general more frequent grooming's are called for in the winter.

Q. How much does it cost to groom my dog?
A. I aim to keep our prices reasonable but the cost of dog grooming depends on factors like coat type, condition and style required. Check our page dog grooming price list page for approximate price.

Q. How do you get rid of fleas or ticks from my pet?

A. I remove individual ticks with tweezers. If fleas are suspected, I examine the body for “flea dirt” (dry blood that looks like sand grains) with a flea comb. If either is found, I then apply a flea /tick shampoo then shampoo thoroughly to remove any remaining fleas or ticks.

Q. My pet has tangled, matted hair and the more I bath him, the worse it gets. Why is this and what can Wash 'n' Wag do about it?

A. Mats and tangles occur naturally, more so in some breeds with longer, finer hair. Regular (sometimes daily) brushing is required to prevent the build-up. Unfortunately, bathing without removing tangles first, results in a snowballing effect whereby the tangles turn to mats and get increasingly larger and tighter over time. Sometimes I can “de-mat” your pet to save the coat, but often the mats are so established they have to be shaved or cut out. De-matting is uncomfortable for your pet and is inherently dangerous because the de-matting process requires the use of razor-sharp tools. Take advantage of my in between brush-outs to avoid matting in the first place.

Q. When should I first have my puppy groomed?

A. I wouldn’t accept a puppy for grooming prior to completion of initial vaccinations (usually about 15-16 weeks old). Initially I suggest the grooming be brief, trimming the hair around the eyes, paws and anus only. The objective is to have the experience be a positive one at the outset so your pet looks forward to each future grooming experience for a lifetime. Be unemotional when you drop him off and give him a lot of praise when you pick him up so you don’t telegraph anxiety at the outset and show pleasure at the end of the experience.

Q. If I bring you a perfectly healthy pet will you guarantee he will not be injured or become ill during or after grooming?

A. I wish we could give such a guarantee but I cannot. Pets are living creatures that may have unknown or undetectable, underlying conditions that can manifest themselves during the course of, or following grooming. Also, pets may move unexpectedly, and of course, grooming tools are of necessity, sharp instruments that can inadvertently cause an injury.

Q. Do you groom large and old dogs?

A. Yes, I am equipped with equipment that can easily accommodate large and old dogs.

Q. How long will it take to groom my dog?

A. Depending on your dogs coat and the type of groom requested, an appointment can take between 1 to 2 hours.

Q. Do I need to make an appointment for my dog or do you accept walk-ins?

A. It is recommended to make an appointment so you can get your preferred day and time. Walk-in grooms will only be accepted if we are not booked.

Q. How often should my dog visit the salon?

A. Depends on how often you brush, where they play, where they go, eg swimming in the Danube etc., Generally we recommend

4-6 weeks, if you want to keep long coats

6-8 weeks, if you want to keep short coats

You can also alternate between full groom and tidy up to maintain the coat.

Q. Can I stay with my dog during the grooming?

A. Normally its better not to. Pets are calmer and better behaved for grooming when the owner is not present. When the owner is present the dog is so focused on the owner and that disrupts the grooming process. With the owner present the dog may not remain still enough for me to groom safely.

Q. My dog is matted but I want to keep long hair?

A. Because it hurts the dog, I will try my best to save as much of the coat as possible, and use a conditioner to detangle the fur. If the dog has a mat or two, I will do my best to remove the mat and continue on with the groom.

Q. Do I need appointment for my dogs nail trim?

A. Walk-ins are accepted for nail trim.