Where every dog blossoms.

We kindly ask that you read through our Policies, FAQ, and Tips for Grooming Success prior to booking with Groom to Bloom. By booking your groom with us, you are agreeing with the following policies, and procedures.

We are a small team of dedicated groomers. We keep costs down by managing bookings without a receptionist. That means we cannot answer the phone during the day. We provide our full undivided attention to every furry client we see. Some dogs are easily startled, putting both the groomer and dog at risk. For the same reason, we do not accept walk-ins. Please leave a voicemail, email, or Facebook message and we will respond to at the earliest opportunity.

 
 

Policies & Procedures

For the safety, security, and sanity of your dog and your dog's groomer.

Entering and Exiting the Salon
We ask that you have your pet on a leash when entering the salon and leave it on until they are safely behind the gate. There may be another dog inside who does not get along with every dog.

Pee & Poop Business
Please let your dog do his/her business outside before bringing them in. Too frequently pets poop right after arriving and our staff has to stop what they are doing to clean and sanitize the affected area.  

Cancellations, Punctuality, and Fees
Making an appointment reserves space for your pet, but when someone cancels at the last minute or doesn’t show up at all, we not only lose money from that pet but also from the pet we could have booked. We understand emergencies happen. We require 24-hours notice to cancel your appointment. No-shows and appointments cancelled without 24-hour notice are subject to a $25 rebooking fee. If you are a no-show for two or more appointments, you will be asked to find a new groomer or asked to pay in full prior to booking your next appointment.

Please arrive on time. Our days are booked with back-to-back appointments. In some cases, pets arriving more than 15 minutes late may need to be rescheduled. If you cannot pick up your dog within 1 hour of it’s finish time, a $5 per subsequent hour daycare fee will be added to your total with a cap of $25 per day per dog. All fees must be paid in full prior to booking your next appointment. HST applies. Please see all fees here.

The Grooming Process
Bath: We bathe every dog that comes in for a groom. We have plenty of different shampoos from deodorizers to hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioners. Pets skin and overall health are compromised if we do not bath. A fresh clean coat is better for the long-term maintenance of expensive equipment, which helps us keep our costs down.

Blow dry: We use a high power velocity dryer and a fluff dryer on every pet that comes in. Depending on how they tolerate the dryer depends on how long this process takes. The high power velocity dryer helps cut time and get the dog mostly dry. The fluff dryer finishes drying as we line-brush the dog. This achieves the fluffy “just been groomed” look.

Clipper/scissor/de-shedding: After the dog is completely dry. We clean ears, clip nails and trim the sanitary area. After that is when the fun begins! Depending on the breed, we either use clippers or start to de-shed the dog to get the desired look. The last thing we do is usually trimming the face. This is why we ask owners to wait until they hear from us before entering the salon for pick-up. As soon as your dog sees you they will be excited and we may not be able to finish the groom, or the dog may move mid-trim of the shears.

Tipping your Groomer
It’s like tipping your hairdresser, except they don’t have to worry about the possibility of you nipping or pooping on them! If you are pleased with the service you have received we encourage you to show your appreciation to your groomer. Although not required, a gratuity is a powerful way to say “I appreciate your work”. Even a note saying thanks for a job well-done means a great deal.

Muzzle Use
We give every dog a chance to give us a reason to use a muzzle. Our muzzles are safe, breathable and we have multiple different sizes and styles for your pet’s comfort. We only use muzzles on dogs that compromise the safety of our staff.

Anal Gland Expression
We do not offer this service, but we will check the anal glands. When Lauren was learning to groom out east it was considered practising veterinary services without a license and was illegal for groomers to perform this procedure. Anal glands should be expressed naturally when the dog has a normal bowel movement.

Ear Care and Ear Hair Removal
All pets will have their ears cleaned with a mild ear cleaner. If your pet has an ear infection we will let you know so you may consult your veterinarian. Ear hair will be removed/not removed based on your preference and your vet’s advice. Ear hair removal is typically a standard part of the grooming process. If you choose to not have our pet’s ear hair removed please let us know.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

Dogs come in many sizes and shapes and their grooming needs vary.

The cost is based on the breed of the dog, what you want to be done, the condition of the coat, and the pet’s behaviour. A long trim may take more time to make look perfect, more time means a higher cost. All pets are different. As hard as you try to describe your dog, his hair, his behaviour and what you want to be done over the phone, without seeing your dog or meeting your dog, we cannot give you an exact price over the phone – only an approximation. All prices are subject to HST.

How long does the grooming take?

The typical stay at the shop is 2-3 hours for small to medium sized dogs. 3-4 hours for larger breeds with heavier undercoats, and for pet’s receiving hand scissoring or de-matting. We do our best to get your dog groomed and back home to you in a timely manner. Let’s face it….the least amount of time they are away from you and their home, the happier they are!

Do we need to bring proof of vaccination?

Since we don’t let the dogs interact while they are being groomed here, we do not require proof of vaccination. We assume every owner has their dogs properly protected when bringing them to a place that many dogs frequent. We highly recommend each pet is protected against fleas. We have many dogs who come and go from the salon in a single day and unfortunately we do come across fleas from time to time.

WHAT’S YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

If you must cancel an appointment, please give us at least 24 hours notice. In many cases, pets arriving more than 15 minutes late may need to be rescheduled with a $25 rebooking fee. No shows and appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are also subject to a $25 rescheduling fee. After two or more “no shows” you will be required to pay for your grooming appointment in full prior to your next appointment or asked to find another groomer. Note that all fees must be paid prior to your next appointment. If this seems a bit extreme, please understand that we are a small business and we only work on an appointment basis. If you miss your appointment, we not only have lost business for the day but also have lost a spot for a customer who could have used it.
All prices are subject to HST.

MY DOG BITES/IS HYPER/FEARFUL.
WILL YOU STILL GROOM HIM/HER?

Yes. We take on every challenge at Groom to Bloom. We give every dog a chance to give us a reason to use a muzzle on them to keep us and them safe during the process. Please let us know BEFORE we groom your dog if there are any aspects of the grooming process your dog is unsure about. If your dog becomes too excited to the point where they become a danger to themselves or us during the process, we may be unable to finish the groom in one visit and some training techniques will be sent home with you for “homework” to make their next visit more successful. We always suggest that if your dog causes some kind of problem, that you keep them on a regular grooming schedule with the same groomer so that we can try and rehabilitate any issues during the grooming process. “A dog who is groomed every 4-6 months thinks they are being punished, a dog who is groomed every 4-6 weeks thinks it’s just a part of life”

How early should I bring my puppy to the groomer?

Simply put, the earlier you and WE can start handling your puppy, the better. We have no age limitations at Groom to Bloom. 12 weeks old is our latest recommendation for getting your puppy used to the sights and sounds at the groomer. After that, it may take more time for them to get comfortable. As the saying goes, it’s harder to teach old dogs new tricks.

Familiarizing your puppy with getting his/her paws touched for nail trims, tail lifted for rear end grooming, ears and face moved and held still at home will help your groomer safely groom your puppy.  Older and adopted dogs can be taught that these experiences with positive reinforcement. Dog grooming requires training. We manipulate your pets in ways that most families do not at home. The earlier you start teaching your dog that grooming is a part of their routine, the better.

Your puppy’s first visit will be short and simple. Probably just a bath, blow-dry, nail clipping, and perhaps a little trimming around the face. We need to start very slow and sweet as to not stress the little pup out and to avoid “turning him off” the grooming process.

Is my dog too old for the groomer?

Probably not, but older pets are one of the harder groups to work with. We may recommend that the cut remain simple and short so that the grooming process is as short as possible. Doing this will also ensure that your older dog will not need grooming as often, which will surely make your pet happier! Seniors may require breaks in the middle of the groom, please give us lots of time to allow us to be patient with your furry friend so we can keep them happy and stress free during their appointment.

Can i stay with my dog during the grooming?

In general, no. However, we do make SOME exceptions. 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 that it disrupts the grooming process. It simply is harder on the dog and the groomer. We need the dog’s full attention. We are using very sharp equipment around your pet’s eyes and other “private parts” of the body. With the owner present, the dog will typically not remain still enough for us to groom him safely. We do make some exceptions with aggressive or extremely nervous pets, please contact us to make arrangements.

How often should I brush my dog’s hair at home?

Short hair or long hair, ALL dogs should be brushed regularly. Depending on the coat type of your dog, you may have to do this EVERY DAY (like you brush your own hair) while some coat types and breeds can get away with a once a week brushing. The goal is to avoid and PREVENT mats in the coat.  Ask your groomer which type brush is best suited for your dog's breed and don't be embarrassed to ask them how to properly brush your dog to prevent mats and keep the coat healthy (we understand, we were not born with a brush in our hand).

Learning how to brush your dog is the most important way to prevent matting.  Most owners mistakenly brush the "top coat" and don't go all the way down to the skin.  If you can't pull the hair apart and expose the skin easily, the dog is tangled and matted.  Many owners feel the hard layer of "cast matting" underneath the layer that looks brushed to them and think it is the skin.  It is important to be able to get a comb through all of the dog's hair all over its body.

How often does my dog need to be groomed?

That depends on many things. What kind of trim your dog is in, how much maintenance you’re doing at home, what kind of dog you have, what kind of texture they have. Every dog is different and every dog requires different maintenance.

Here is Groom to Bloom’s general guideline for grooming:

Double coated breeds (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Pug, Chihuahua, any breed of dog that grows a topcoat and an undercoat). These types of dogs typically have a 3-month hair growth cycle. This means that every 3 months minimum your dog should have a professional bath, dry and de-shed. Their ears and nails may need attention in between regular grooming appointments.

Drop coated breeds (Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, etc). These breeds require more maintenance due to the texture of their coat. Brushing regularly at home can help to extend grooming appointments, but in general, we recommend every 4-8 weeks for a bath, blow dry, and haircut.

Fluffy breeds (Poodles, Bichons, Havanese etc). These breeds require much more maintenance. These are dogs that naturally have a curly coat, and unfortunately curly means the hair is disorganized which means matting. These breeds should be on a strict 4-8 week schedule.

If your dog is maintained on a regular schedule, your grooming fee will likely be less expensive than if you were to have them groomed once or twice a year. We charge for the specific time it takes to groom your pet, so if it takes longer, it will cost more. The bathing and blow drying takes up the majority of the grooming time and a mat-free coat requires less time during this portion of the groom. Think of it as a membership fee; your grooming costs will reduce with frequency. The less for the groomer to do, the less it costs.

Do you groom cats?

On occasion, we do groom cats at Groom to Bloom, but we prefer to groom cats when there are no dogs in the salon. If the demand increases we will introduce a “cat day”.

Can I bathe my dog at home before you groom him/her?

You can, but we will still bathe and dry them properly with our products and equipment. The “prep” is the most important part of any groom. When not done correctly, the bath and blow dry will result in an uneven groom. When we bathe and dry your dog ourselves we are able to see if there are any issues with the skin and coat that we should be aware of while we are clipping the hair. When you bathe your dog at home, we encourage you to also blow dry and brush them immediately afterwards. When dog hair air dries, this will cause matting to tighten up and built up undercoat could trap harmful bacteria under their fur causing skin issues.

Can you leave the hair longer?

We are happy to groom your dog and “customize” them however you would like. We appreciate longer, fuller grooms and have the skills to accommodate this, HOWEVER, we can only save hair that is salvageable. Leaving your dog’s hair longer requires more frequent grooming appointments and maintenance at home. Often times when we are asked to leave a coat longer, we are brought a matted dog. If your dog hasn’t been properly maintained at home for the last few months, we are unable to brush them out in a few hours to achieve the desired look. The best and KINDEST thing to do with a matted coat is starting fresh. Excessive matting will add time to your groom and incur a minimum $10 matting removal fee.

My dog is matted but I don’t want him/her shaved. Why don’t you just brush it out?

Because it hurts A LOT. This is not fair to the dog! Not only that, but it doesn’t do any good. We will try our best to save as much of the coat as possible, and use a deep conditioner that works to detangle the hair. If the dog’s hair is matted, the hair is already damaged and will not brush out to healthy looking or feeling hair. If the dog has a mat or two, that’s a different story – we will do our best to remove the mat and continue on with the haircut. Matted hair is essentially a dreadlock. Brushing that out would be extremely difficult for the hairstylist and extremely painful for the person. That’s why dreadlocks are considered permanent and can only be cut off. Matting is no different.

What Is matting?
How does it happen?

Matting is tangled, webbed and knotted hair in your dog’s coat. Areas of high friction such as behind the ears, armpits, around the collar, between toes and legs are at higher risk for becoming matted faster. Sometimes matting can be brushed or combed out, but if too severe the only recourse is to shave the matting out. Imagine not brushing your hair for 2, 3 or even 6 months and then trying to brush it. I bet it would hurt!

Dangers
Severe matting can be extremely painful to your dog every day. Matting can cut off blood supply to their skin and extremities and deny regular air circulation. Skin that is denied fresh air and stimulation will become unhealthy very quickly leaving your dog’s skin susceptible to hot spots, bacteria, irritation and more problems. There is usually debris, feces and other nasty things tangles in with the mats. Sometimes these mats and their consequences can be hidden from view.

Removal
“Dematting” using a brush or comb means that we are pulling out the clumped hair or fur from your dog’s skin. This causes a great deal of pain to your dog, and here at Groom to Bloom we will not remove mats in ways to cause more pain to your pet. Please do not ask us to compromise our professional standards to save hair. Shaving a matted coat is a delicate and slow process that takes expertise and patience. Sometimes a dog's current coat condition will require a shorter length than you requested such as that of a very matted coat.  

When you have a matted dog, you have to get under the mat where the hairs are not all bound together. Sometimes there is only about 1/8 inch of unmatted hair separating the skin from the mat. This requires the groomer to use a blade that is short enough to safely separate the matting from the skin without cutting the dog. A dog’s skin is 1/8th of the thickness of human skin and clippers can easily pull or cut loose skin when trying to remove matting. While we take every precaution while grooming your pet, irritated and itchy skin is a common result after shaving excessive matting. Dogs with excessive matting will result in an additional $10 minimum matting removal fee, plus the additional time it takes to groom.

Prevention
Brushing aerates the fur and skin, keeping it healthier. Even double coated dogs that shed seasonally require removal of the dead coat to ensure it does not become tangled with the live hair. Regular, professional grooming is essential in longer haired dogs so that we can pay special attention to the areas that mats form quickly. Keeping your dog at a manageable length for your lifestyle is the best way to prevent matting, with a regular brushing routine at home. Ask us what to use on Fido and how! We are here to help you.

What can I do between appointments?

In addition to brushing your dog daily for mid-longer hair breeds or weekly for shorter-mid-length breeds (see above), please check his/her feet and ears. Keep an eye out for debris, overgrown nails, ear problems such as yeast and bacterial infections, etc. Nails should be trimmed every 3-6 weeks. Ingrown and overgrown nails can cause great discomfort to your dog’s feet and joints. Your dog may require a nail trim in between regular grooming appointments. Many dogs require a weekly ear cleaning which is easy to do at home. We are happy to show you how and recommend our favourite ear cleaner. If you have any concerns about your pet in between appointments please contact us!

 

Set yourself up for grooming success.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Stay calm. Your dog can sense your anxiety.  Also, please don't drop in to see if your dog is finished as it can cause your dog to get excited and make finishing the grooming much more difficult.

Be Specific
Know what you want at the beginning of the appointment.  Please do not call mid-groom with changes.

A common miscommunication between owners and groomers is the "puppy cut" request.  This is not a specific style but rather a blanket description for a style that is one length all over.  Unfortunately, many owners have very different ideas on what a puppy cut is — it's like walking into a salon and asking for a bob.  There are many variations to the bob, so unless you have a clear idea on what exactly you are looking to have done, your stylist...and your groomer...are not going to know exactly what you want.

Another common dilemma is when the owner asks for a cut that is "short but not shaved" and then get nervous when they see the electric clippers.  Many groomers require the use of clippers to make the hair even and to speed the process (if you have ever hand scissored a dog's haircut before, you would understand). Clippers come with a variety of blade lengths to cut the hair to different short-mid lengths.  Before bringing your dog in, familiarize yourself with the length you want the hair to be by looking at a ruler. Having an exact length in mind and communicating that with your groomer will make it much easier for them to understand what you would like the end result to be — how long or short they need to make it.

Sometimes a dog's current coat condition will require a shorter length than you requested such as that of a very matted coat.  When you have a matted dog, you have to get under the mat where the hairs are not all bound together. Please read about the dangers of matting in the FAQ above. Sometimes there is only about 1/8 inch of unmatted hair separating the skin from the mat.  This requires the groomer to use a blade that is short enough to safely separate the matting from the skin without cutting the dog.

Be Open to Your Groomer’s Recommendations
Remember, at Groom to Bloom, all our groomers have gone through extensive professional training.  They can take one look at your dog's hair and tell you whether or not that luxurious cut you saw on the Westminster show dog would work with your dog's coat texture and condition.  If they offer suggestions, kindly hear them out, even if you don't settle upon their recommendation. Like an artist, they take pride in their work. They are not going to steer you wrong and will strive to make your dog look beautiful.

Avoid Matting
Matted fur is probably the biggest problem groomers (and dogs) face, and the dangers are not fully understood by many owners. If you have a mid-long haired dog, please read about matting in our FAQs. It’s more than an aesthetic problem. It’s a health issue.

Mats can mask other health concerns such as parasites, growths, and injuries.  Groomers have found some interesting things hidden in tight mats on their client's dog such as twigs, a fishing hook, a penny, maggots, an earring, a spring, even a seed that sprouted.

When hair gets knotted up, it basically becomes the same thing as a human dreadlock.  If you tried to brush the dreadlocks out of a person's head, it would not only be excruciatingly painful, but it would mostly rip out the hair and break it.  There are humane techniques and products specifically for de-matting, but not in extreme cases, and it is still uncomfortable. Excessive matting removal incurs a minimum $10 de-matting fee and adds time to the groom.

Seek Medical Care for Your Dog's Conditions
Growths, abscesses, infections, infestations, etc. are all things that a veterinary medical professional should be addressing — not your groomer. We do not use dental dremels to clean your dog’s teeth. This is considered a veterinary treatment and can be very dangerous. Ethical groomers do not provide this service or other veterinary services. We do offer teeth brushing.

Respect Your Time Frame
Be on time to your appointment and notify your groomer in the event you must cancel.  Please understand that when a groomer says they have "no appointments available until Wednesday"... you should not respond with "so nothing for Monday then?" No shows, appointments cancelled with less than 24 hour notice, and late-shows are subject to a $25 fee. If you have two or more no-shows, you will be required to pay your fees plus pay in full prior to booking your next appointment. We are a small business that only works an appointment-basis, so no-shows costs us. Our appointments are in high-demand, so no-shows or late cancellations prevents us the ability to fill your spot with another client who needs it. Please read about all fees here.

Understand Why Dog Haircuts Can Cost More than Your Own
And for good reason.  It’s a strenuous and sometimes exhausting job with heavy lifting, wrestling with uncooperative dogs, bites, scratches, getting poop/pee/vomit and who knows what else on the groomer.  But the reward is knowing the clients will be happy in the end when their dogs come out looking and feeling fabulous.

Top Ten Reasons Why It Costs More to Get Your Pet Groomed Than Your Own Hair Cut:

10. Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end.

9. You don’t go for eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair.

8. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to give you a sanitary trim.

7. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to clean your ears.

6. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to remove the boogies from your eyes.

5. You sit still for your hairdresser.

4. Your haircut doesn’t include a manicure or pedicure.

3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.

2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser.

1. The likelihood of you pooping on the hairdresser is pretty slim.

This list may be funny BUT it is TRUE!! Grooming a dog simply takes more time, patience AND COURAGE than cutting human hair!