What to expect, what to bring, and how I work with dogs who need a slower start.
Choose a service and a time. You'll be asked a few questions about your dog — breed, age, coat, and any anxiety or medical history. Please answer honestly; knowing that a dog dislikes nail trims lets me plan the appointment around it. If you're unsure which service fits, the service guide matches breeds to services, or you can text me and ask.
Please arrive a few minutes early for a first appointment. We'll talk through what you're looking for, I'll look over the coat and check for matting, and you'll have a firm quote before I begin. Bring a photo if you have a specific style in mind.
Your dog is the only dog in the room. The work happens in stages with breaks built in, and between stages there's a spacious kennel with fresh water and its own potty run, so they can go outside rather than hold it. If anything needs to change — matting that has to come off, or a dog who needs to stop early — I'll call you before making that decision.
I'll message you about 15 minutes before your dog is finished so you have time to get here. When you arrive I'll tell you how it went, what your dog handled well, and anything I noticed on their skin, ears, nails, or teeth. Payment can be made by card, tap, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through Square, or by cash or check with no extra charge.
The first-visit form takes about five minutes on your phone and covers the policies too. Fill it out before your appointment and there's nothing to sign at drop-off — no printing, no clipboard.
A full groom is a lot to ask of a dog who is frightened. There are gentler ways in.
A free 15–20 minute visit. Your dog comes in, explores the salon, meets me, receives treats, and goes home. No grooming takes place. For a frightened dog, walking in a second time is a very different experience than walking in a first time.
Just a nail trim ($15), or just a face neaten ($30). A single task, done calmly, ending on a good note. We build from there over a few visits rather than asking for everything at once.
For seniors, medically fragile dogs, or dogs who reach their limit partway through, the groom can be split across two shorter visits. Nobody has to push through.
Mention any of these when you book, or text me and we can talk it through first.
More for anxious dogs → Book a free Meet & Greet Text (616) 287-2648I ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Inside 24 hours there's a fee of 25% of the scheduled groom, and a no-show is 50%. Because I only take one dog at a time, a late cancellation is usually a slot that can't be filled. Repeated no-shows may mean I can't keep booking future appointments.
Text is best. As a solo groomer I'm working with a dog for most of the day, and stepping away mid-appointment puts the rest of the schedule behind. Send a message any time and I'll respond as soon as I'm free. If you'd prefer to talk, text and ask me to call you back. Phone hours are 3–5pm.
Please text me — I'd always rather know. At 15 minutes late there's a $15 late fee, and past 20 minutes the appointment is cancelled with a charge of 25% of the groom. Each appointment is booked with the time that dog needs, so a late start either rushes your dog or pushes into someone else's slot, and neither is fair.
I'll show you at drop-off and we'll decide together. If the mats can't be brushed out without hurting your dog, the kind option is usually to clip the coat shorter than planned. Severe matting can carry an extra charge, and I'll always quote it before I start. Skin problems hidden under mats sometimes only appear once they're off — the full policy covers that. No lectures, though. Coats mat for ordinary reasons.
In a spacious kennel with fresh water, and it has its own potty run attached — so your dog can go outside before or after their groom instead of holding it. Grooming happens in stages with breaks built in, and that's where the breaks happen.
I'll message you about 15 minutes before your dog is done. Dogs waiting more than 20 minutes past that call may be charged a $15 late pickup fee — less about the clock than about not undoing the calm we just spent an hour building.
I'd generally prefer you didn't — most dogs settle faster once their person is out of sight, and having you in the room can extend the part they find stressful. That said, it's sometimes the right call, and I'll tell you if I think your dog is one of those. Just ask.
If your dog reaches their limit, we stop. You'll only be charged for the work completed, and we'll talk about approaching the next visit differently. A dog who leaves half-groomed but unafraid is a better outcome than one who leaves perfect and frightened.
The Puppy Intro Groom ($30) is built for puppies 4–8 months old, and starting early makes a real difference. Nothing gets forced — the goal is that they leave thinking the whole thing was fine. For puppies younger than four months, a complimentary Meet & Greet is a better place to start.
Cards, tap to pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all run through Square, and you can pay a deposit online when you book. Card payments carry a processing fee of $2.50–$3.50, passed straight through from the card networks. Cash and check are welcome and have no extra charge.
Fear Free methods, one dog at a time. Real-time availability, secure payment, and a calm day for your dog.
Book an Appointment Call (616) 287-2648