A note on timing

Dogs are living, moving beings, not machines. Grooming means working on a body that shifts, wiggles, and reacts the whole time. Timing depends on things like behavior, coat condition, the haircut requested, and whether a dog is comfortable with parts of the process, for example having their legs shaved, nails done, or face trimmed. Deshedding and shaving a matted coat both take longer than a standard groom, too. It's not a perfectly predictable process; there are a lot of moving parts.

I always aim to stick to the timelines above. If a groom is running longer, I'll tell you why and what's going on, and you decide whether to continue. I work diligently and as quickly as I safely can, always with your dog's wellbeing in mind, and your vision for the groom too.

The clock starts once your dog is in the tub or on the table, and stops when every part of the service is complete. You're only charged for the actual time it takes, billed by the minute, not rounded up to the next half hour or hour. If a groom runs 1 hour and 5 minutes, for example, you're only charged for that extra 5 minutes. You'll receive updates along the way. I'll text a photo: “We're getting started with [name]'s service!” when we begin, and “We're all done with [name]'s service, they're ready for pickup!” when it's time to grab them.

A note on matting

Brushing out light matting is included in every groom. No extra charge. “Light” means a small, loose mat in one spot, like an ear or the tail, that brushes out in about 5 minutes. But if I find matting in multiple areas, the mats are pulled tight against the skin, or it's going to take real time to work through, I won't brush it out. That coat gets shaved instead, for your dog's health and comfort. Hours of brushing to save a haircut isn't fair to them, and it puts vanity over their wellbeing. Hair grows back.

I'll always talk to you and let you know if I recommend a shave-down, and you choose whether to continue or not. And if your dog tends to mat between visits, the fix is usually simple: shorten the time between appointments, or come in for a standalone brush-out to stay ahead of it.

A note on temperament & safety

If your dog has a history of anxiety, fear, or unpredictable behavior around grooming, including snapping or biting, please tell me before your appointment. It's not a dealbreaker, it just helps me plan and keep everyone safe, your dog included.

Safety comes first. If a dog becomes too distressed or unsafe to continue partway through, I'll stop the service there. You're only charged for the time and work completed, the same incremental billing as above, and I'll let you know exactly what was and wasn't finished.

A note on pickup

This is a kennel-free setup, there's no space to hold dogs for long after their service is done. I'll send a heads-up text about 15 minutes before your dog is ready, then an “all done” text once they're set — please plan to pick up within 30 minutes of that “all done” text.

Running later than that, a late fee applies: $15 for every 30 minutes past that window. If something comes up, just text me, I'm always happy to work with you when I know what's going on.

Referrals & loyalty

Send a friend my way: once their first appointment is done, you both get a $10 credit toward a future visit. No limit on how many friends you refer.

Loyal clients get a thank-you too. Every 3 completed full-groom or bath-only appointments earns a $25 credit toward the 4th (standalone add-on-only bookings don't count toward this).