Give a howl!
MOBILE GROOMING
We speak canine!
Specializing in elderly, behavioral need canines, reactive and anxious pets.
Frequently asked questions
and learning Through experience
I've racked my brain to address some of the most frequently asked questions, but sometimes there are infrequent ones too!
As a homeschool mom, I welcome questions - all are important and all matter!
Feel free to send an email with your question so I can add it to the list. Your questions help others too! CLICK HERE to do so!
Q. What is a dog groomer?
A. A dog groomer is an exterior body focused, fur hygienic pet caretaker.
They clean the exterior of a pets body specific to the breeds ancient history and coat type.
They shorten exterior growth of fur and nails on a pets body for health and manageability.
They create aesthetically pleasing art on fur with scissors and clippers.
They utilize hygienic applications for pets living in home environments.
A groomers position aids in conjunction to veterinarians, with regard to health and safety approaches that
can be of concern with fur and nails, with a pets movement, benefits of clean coat care, skin, seeing and overall comfort.
Payment Related:
Q. What are your forms of payment?
A. I accept all major credit cards, cash payment, check, and Venmo.
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Q. Am I required to tip?
A. No. You are not required to. An alternative compliment, to me, are your referrals, your wonderful online reviews, your loyalty to me as a client. You are always welcome to tip, being I am a service provider. I understand that tipping can make us feel great to show our appreciation and you're absolutely welcome to. If you'd prefer to show appreciation through snacks, home baked goods and etc, I have two children who would love to share such with me. So, for The Taylored Canine, you are welcome to tip if you'd like and if not, that's ok too. You're paying to support me and my children already by being a client and for that I am very grateful.
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Q.Do you charge for cancellations?
A. Yes. In best effort to service everyone and maintain an efficient schedule of those who keep their appointment, I must imply a cancellation fee. The fee is $59 and will be automatically charged if your appointment is not cancelled on the nose of 24 hours prior to your appointment. Please respect my time as I do yours by calling or texting 24 hours notice.
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Q. Do you charge extra for dematting?
A. Yes. Matted pets will be analyzed for a short clip all over. The fee will be higher than usual due to the time necessary to shave down the matted coat. I do not brush out matting in the best interest of the dog. You are welcome to brush your pet out completely prior to your grooming service for a matt free grooming to keep your cost down or preserve the fur. Please ensure you get a comb through the entire body of fur.
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Some tangles are not considered matting. Matting is more rare than common. Moving forward with a fresh short clip, booking regular grooming appointments will help minimize future matting concerns. I am also always happy to show you how to brush and comb your pet for at home maintenance. This is a great way to give your pet some direct one-on-one attention at home as well!
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The Mobile Way:
Q. Is mobile grooming right for me?
A. Being I have worked in every environment suitable for a dog grooming service, mobile grooming provides the pet owner with several benefits! Convenience of being at home while your pet gets beautiful. The idea of not needing to load your pet in the car, leash them and walk them to a store front can be helpful for your mental and physical capacities. If being available while your pet is receiving a groom is important to you, the groomer is only steps away. No worry about drop off or pick up times, requesting off from work or traffic issues.
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Q. Is mobile grooming right for my dog?
A. While mobile grooming can be a significant convenience for us as humans, mobile grooming may not always be suitable for your pet.
Cons:
•Depending on the vehicle used for mobile, many extra large breeds are limited to proper movements/space inside.
•A mobile groomed canine has their coat dried straight through using a powerful hair dryer. Often in a grooming salon environment, dogs are dried using fans and heat blowers to aid in the drying process. This does matter being not all dogs are receptive to being dried straight through with a powerful hair dryer, alternatively, not all dogs like being in a cage to be dried which most salons utilize.
•Dogs who may require an extra hand during their grooming would be suited best in an environment where help is there. Often mobile groomers are limited to just themselves in grooming pets.
Pros:
•Dogs who enjoy being cage free do well in mobile.
•Dogs who prefer a more quiet and safe space tend to be more receptive to grooming by mobile.
•Dogs who are generally well behaved and familiar to the grooming process.
•Dogs who are elderly, reactive or nervous.
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Grooming Related:
Q. How often should my dog be groomed?
A. The general recommendation is 4-8 weeks/once a month to once every two months. This is recommended to keep your pet maintained while not going over on overgrown care. Nails that are too long can cause dogs pain, hair over the eyes makes it difficult to see. If you prefer your pet in a longer haircut, grooming should be at minimum, once a month. Like your pet clipped short and maintenance easy? Once every two, even three months can work. I'm always happy to make recommendation tailored to your pet specifically. I also advise we keep your pet on a pre-booked schedule so there are no worries regarding maintenance care and it'll be a regular service just like anything else that requires timely visits.
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Q.How soon should I get my puppy in for a grooming?
A. Puppy can start the grooming process as early as 8-12 weeks old or after their second round of vaccines. Everyones preference varies.
While a full haircut is not necessary until weeks later, helping puppy get used to the handling process of grooming will be of significant value to you and puppy as puppy ages. First grooming for puppy should be a bath, nail trim and light trimming by eyes and sanitary. Too much grooming too soon can scare puppy. I am also happy to make recommendation on how you can help your puppy get used to being handled for grooming, by practicing some simple training steps at home. It is highly beneficial to implement these steps at home if your pet will require grooming for their lifetime. (It is also always a great idea to get puppy started in training with a professional dog trainer!)
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Booking your next appointment no later than a month after their first grooming is advised. Keeping puppy familiar with the process and fresh will help the longevity of the grooming process be more efficient for you as a pet owner when they are older. Like dog training, repetitive care and schedule is important for the dog in the grooming process.
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Q. My dog has a tendency to try to bite for their groomer. Can you still groom them?
A. Yes. Upon my assessment, I always encourage you try a first visit with me. I ask that you allow me to work with your dog. Often, the dogs reactive bite is based on several factors that can be acknowledged and corrected by the approach. Sometimes, it is an environment concern. A too busy salon or barking can make a dog feel uneasy and overwhelmed. (Dogs are instinctual and pick up on surrounding concerns/energy.) Maybe the dog does require a muzzle for grooming. This is ok. I encourage you to be direct, let me know feedback from previous grooming visits and allow me to do what I do best. I have seen many dogs turn from unwilling to receptive. If I ever feel that your dog poses a significant threat per aggressive based handling, I will recommend solutions for such. There is always a way.
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Q. My dog is a rescue. I have no idea how'll they'll do for grooming.
A. That's ok. Please just let me know their history prior to you adopting them and fill me in on any concerns you have. I will notify you on how they did and what we can do moving forward, steps you can take at home to help, or simply just let you know they did great. (Which they often do!)
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Q. Do you trim nails?
A. Nail trimming with nail clippers is included in all services. I do not grind nails with a Dremel. I do soften the ends with a coarse nail file. I do this for several reasons. Most dogs are not receptive to the noise and feel of a Dremel. A Dremel can get tangled in a dogs coat causing it to be twisted in the spinning apparatus, yanking on a long haired dogs skin. A Dremel is a hardware tool I personally use to grind rocks, metal and other mediums, but not a living animals nails. The Dremel creates a burning smell on the nail, that much familiar of laser surgery in a vet clinic. (I've been around such surgeries working in a clinic.) I find the Dremel can create such force in grinding it can "burn" the nail. While it may be more quick to use a Dremel as a groomer, softening the tips of a dogs nails with a coarse file works just as well. I have found this easier and more gentle on the pet. The pet is less stressed and relaxed.
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This groomer supports VetErinArians!
{...and worked at a VET clinic!}
Q. Do you pluck ear hair?
A. Dog's who have few strands and ears that appear clear, can have the hair trimmed back or gently removed. Each dog is assessed on an individual basis per my own professional experience of grooming as inner ear hair is significantly different for each pet. I have witnessed many situations in regards to such.
Conclusively, plucking ear hair is a veterinarian position. In my experience, as well as working at a vet clinic for several years, it is not a groomers position to pluck or express anything. Groomers are exterior, hygienic caretakers. A vet is an internal bodily caretaker. A groomer is to clean ears. A vet is to pluck, swab, diagnose and treat ear concerns. As humans, your doctor will treat your ear concerns. Your hairstylist will trim the hair around your ear.
Example: When you pluck ear hair that is packed or infected, a groomer can create more damage than good. Such as; ear hematomas in severe cases. Plucking packed ear hair can cause a dog to shake their head constantly. In return, this excessive shaking causes the ears to fill with blood creating large blood filled masses within the ears resulting in further draining and veterinarian care.
Plucking ear hair can open up the canal for inner ear issues, as much as leaving it in can create inner ear issues. Dogs can have already brewing ear infections with or without ear hair from outdoor pathogens, food allergies, swimming, yeast, etc. that may not be cured with just plucking hair in the ear, but cured with a vet analyzing the issue.
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I assess each dog individually for recommendation of such and if your dog has a few strands that can be gently removed, I will. If not, I will notify you of any concerns. I am not able to diagnose or provide cause for any ear issues. I do not force or struggle with an animal to clean ears.
The general rule of thumb here; if it's not an issue, don't mess with it. Even if you think or read it needs to be done. If your dogs ears have been bothering them, ask your vet to check it out, ask the vet to pluck the hair, or ask the vet to diagnose any concerns you may have. If you wish to have your dogs ear hair plucked- ask your vet to pluck it. If they tell you to have your groomer do it, you tell them this above. Any vet should be willingly happy to take care of your dogs inner ears because they are the ones schooled to treat internal anatomy concerns. I have spoke to many veterinarian doctors in the area who agree with me here, this is a misplaced assumption that a groomer is the one to pluck ear hair. A groomer is not equipped to diagnose or treat or prevent any medical ear concerns. A groomer is to make mention there may be something worth checking out within the ear based off smell, color and pets comfort when working around the ear. Your vet is the one to contact for adequate and professional diagnosis.
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Please note: Cleaning the ear is entirely different as any build up of dirt or wax can be gently wiped away, externally, without touching the inner depths of the ear canal. External ear cleaning is included with all services.
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Q. Do you express anal glands?
A. No. Much like ear plucking, anal gland expression is a vet position. Why? Because to adequately and properly express glands, requires the vet to insert their lubed finger in the dogs anus and gently push on each gland directly to release the fluid. Groomers utilize external expression which includes pinching the sacs exteriorally by the anus to release fluids. Dog's often do not like this to begin with and a groomer who is aiming to pinch sacs without knowing underlying concerns is unsafe for all involved. Ruptured glands is a thing. Addressing internal bodily conditions is a vet position. Groomers are exterior-hygienic caretakers. Vet's are internal- bodily caretakers. The anal sac is an internal body organ that should be cared for and treated by a veterinarian.
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Dogs frequently relieve their glands when they defecate outdoors. Whether you read somewhere that your dog have the glands expressed or think it a good idea for your groomer to do, please be mindful not all dogs require this or even need it. Your veterinarian will do the most thorough job of anal expression when they do, because internal expression is the effective way to do it. And more times than not, once you start doing gland expression, it'll generally need to be done more frequently. This also can, in some cases, cause the "smell" of gland when a dog simply just goes number 2- the glands now need to be forced released with human applied pressure.
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If your pet is scooting after their grooming, it could be because the hair was trimmed too short by their anus and not a gland issue. Letting your groomer know this for next visit can help this concern. If your dog is always scooting, the glands may need expression. Please call your vet for this concern. Your dog may have something further going on than just a gland build up. Maybe not. The vet is the one you need to address this with. If your vet suggest you have your groomer do it, please share this above. A veterinarian should be more than happy to care for your pet's internal organs without question. As a groomer, the general rule of thumb here; if it's not an issue, don't mess with it. If it is, contact your vet. And understand, many dogs do great without anal gland expression.
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Q. My dog has a special shampoo the vet prescribed, can you use that?
A. Of course! Please let me know when booking the appointment as prescribed shampoos generally require an extra 10 minutes or so for soaking time.
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Q. Do you do flea dips?
A. No dips. Flea shampoo. There's a difference. I use a natural base shampoo for flea baths should your pet have them. Please notify me if your pet has them. Please know that if your pet has fleas, they are most likely in your home and yard. While your pet will be rid of fleas after their grooming with me, if fleas are in your home, they will get them again. It is best to treat your home, yard and pooch to break the cycle of fleas. There are countless resources online for such and I am happy to make recommendations. Your vet will be able to make appropriate recommendations per flea care specifically for your dog which should be treated first.
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Q. My dog has been scratching like crazy! Do you have any shampoo for that?
A. I offer a hypo-allergenic alternative that is free from just about everything but a cleansing agent. The products I already use are also limited ingredient and natural to minimize any reactive concerns and all are extremely gentle and pleasant.
Please keep in mind, constant scratching can be contributed to more than just an exterior shampoo I use. And the exterior shampoo I use does not treat abnormal aliments. As a groomer, I am unable to treat your pets skin conditions being I am unable to diagnose them or know the cause of said issue. I can however, point out to you what areas of concern I do find while grooming your pet. Example: I have uncovered masses, when relaying this to the pet owners, they go to the vet, had masses removed, thus saving the dogs life- from cancer spreading. I have uncovered hot spots, skin lesions, skin tags, hidden dewclaws, lumps, bumps, bugs, paint, twigs and few other unusual surprises which will always be relayed to you out of my concern for your pet. Even if it ends up being nothing, I'm going to tell you about it. It is who I am to direct you to a professional who can help you and your pet further if I sense something isn't usual.
Common reactive culprits for scratching can include allergies, outdoor grasses, food related reactions, outdoor pesticides, ear infections, burs in fur, at home shampoos use/at home bathing practices, fleas, matting, swimming and more. Veterinarians all around are well equipped in helping you address and manage your pets scratching whether through trial food elimination, food changing, allergy treatment and medications, prescribed shampoos, simple lifestyle changes and more. Please contact your vet if consistent scratching is an issue.
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Q. Do you brush teeth?
A. No. I offer an oral gel treatment that can help soften and break down plaque build up. This method also helps your pets breath after their grooming smell fresh.
Your veterinarian is the one to care for your pets teeth. Like with inner ears, anal glands and teeth, this is an internal concern your vet is equipped to manage. Dogs should have their teeth cleaned by a veterinarian at best, once every year. This once a year cleaning will maintain your pets teeth. A groomer who is brushing your dogs teeth that already has plaque build up present is doing nothing but brushing over the plaque. It is an extremely misconceived notion that this has any benefit for the pet, other than flavored toothpaste as a treat. If you are to utilize brushing your dogs teeth, please consider doing this daily at home to maintain and prevent plaque build up. Once plaque is present, it will most likely need to be scraped off with a tool or a professional cleaning done at a veterinarian clinic. Working in a vet clinic, I have had dogs visit with so much plaque build up, a simple scaler popped off chunks of tarter effortlessly. While your pet may not be such an example, a groomer is an exterior hygienist. Not a dentist. There are countless humane doggy dentists in the area who can scrape plaque for your pooch without your pet needing anesthetics. In some cases, your pet may need anesthetics. Your vet can help guide you to the best method for you and your pet if you are unsure.
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Please know I do not underestimate the importance of dental care with your vet. I have seen abscesses form from dental infection that affects the dogs face, resulting in significant abrasions and wounds in severe cases. Stinky breath, plaque, infected teeth, extractions, all are in your vet's care. If your pet is elderly with teeth concerns, be mindful of putting them under at such an age and ask about alternatives. Aim not to wait until a dog is too aged to do a cleaning. I understand dental care can be a cost investment, but having a dental cleaning by a veterinarian, even just several times in a pets life, is of significant value.
At home Grooming Care
Q. What can I use at home to help prevent tangles and knots from forming?
A. The best practices include a steel tooth comb and a slicker brush. However, slicker brushes and combs are not created the same. Some brushes have softer pins, some coarser.
Some combs have pin teeth that move as you comb or doesn't effectively get down to the skin to detangle.
Below are two recommendations that are usable and effective for all breed coats;
In order to maintain the coat, the coat should already be free from knots. It can be great to start a regimen after your pets grooming to help maintain the longevity of your pet's groom. For proper brushing techniques, ask that I show you on your pet at your visit!
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Q. My dog sheds so much! What can I do at home to help?
A. A professional grooming will help alleviate a lot of undercoat tufts at home! But for at home maintenance, you can extend grooming visits with some help from the deshed equipment armory.
For dogs that shed, the above comb and brush will be useful in your at home bag of equipment, but also consider a deshed device. A deshed device can help release chunks of undercoat as you glide across. The deshed device works for coats as short as boxers to hair lengths of a Husky and longer.
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There are many products available. FURminator tools make a great line of deshed equipment and can be found on Amazon, however, for cost effectiveness, here are two alternatives.
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Wide tooth Rake: There are deshed rakes out there with wide blade tips. The rakes are suited best for double coated medium to long hair breeds such as Husky, Akita, Great Pyrenees. The wide spread teeth are for thick tufts of undercoat removal.
Deshed Rake - For mostly long hair shedding dogs, some medium. Such as Malamute, Great Pyrenees, Husky, Collie, etc.
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Fine tooth Tool: I prefer this tool, with finer teeth on edge. I have used this tool for all shedding breeds short to long hair, in combination with a slicker brush and steel tooth comb to release and rid undercoat build up.
Deshed Tool - For short to medium hair shedding dogs. Such as Beagles, Pugs, Shelties, Labs, Shepherds, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Husky, etc.
*Helpful tip; consider deshedding your pup outside. Depending on your pets undercoat levels, it will get hairy! It's also best to maintain your pet with such tool after they've had a professional grooming. Sometimes, the undercoat is tangled into the top coat, with which the deshed tool will only yank on knots and cause discomfort. The deshed tool works great on cats too! Any questions, please feel free to ask!
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Q. What shampoo can I use at home?
A. With so many options available, I've tried dozens and dozens of shampoo lines. Here are a few of my favorites, based off ingredients, cost effectiveness per results and smell.
Most shampoos are not tearless. Ensure to be careful around the eyes while bathing or opt for a specifically stated tearless shampoo around the eyes. Also, keep careful to not allow any water directly inside the ears to prevent irritation or infection.
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Hypo-Allergenic: EarthBath Hypo
Completely scent free and gentle.
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Relief: Quadreped Yucca Med
I do not use anything with oatmeal, but with aloe, yucca or tea tree instead for soothing and relief benefits.
I have found this Yucca shampoo to have a pleasing mint scent, combined with Yucca for a gentle cleansing, good to use on any skin shampoo. Another favorite from this company is the Economy Shampoo for general use, which is also on their website.
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Whitening: TropiClean Awapui Coconut
Nice pleasing scent and natural. Can be used on any colored coats. Whitening shampoos are simply optical enhancers. They do not bleach the coat. They do not remove staining.
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I don't generally recommend conditioners for at home use, due to rinsing it off well enough to not cause skin issues or flat fur. Healthy at home bathing includes ensuring the pets coat is adequately rinsed free of suds. Any reside can cause irritation to skin and the pets coat. Most shampoos are gentle enough to leave your pets skin hydrated and coat soft while being gentle on the skin without needing a conditioner.
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