FAQ

It is a good idea to introduce puppies to grooming from an early age.

For a puppy's first grooming appointment, the most important goal is not a complicated haircut. It is helping the puppy become comfortable with:

• Brushing
• Bathing
• Drying
• Nail trimming
• Ear care
• Dental care
• Having their paws and body handled

Owners can also practise gently touching their puppy's paws and ears, brushing their coat and introducing them to the sound of a dryer at home, using treats and positive reinforcement.

The first grooming experience is about building confidence and trust — not just cutting hair.

Regular grooming can help:

• Reduce matting
• Remove loose hair and dirt
• Keep the skin and coat clean
• Keep the ears, paws and hygiene areas clean
• Allow regular checks of the skin, ears, eyes and paws
• Keep nails at a healthy length
• Help your dog become comfortable with regular handling and grooming

We don't recommend waiting until your dog's coat is very dirty or heavily matted before booking a grooming appointment.

Regular grooming is part of responsible dog care.

Dogs naturally shed hair every day.

If loose hair is not regularly removed, it can become tangled with the surrounding coat.

Over time, factors such as:

Friction + Moisture + Dirt + Daily Activity

can cause the matting to become tighter and more difficult to remove.

Common areas for matting include:

• Behind the ears
• Around the neck
• Under the armpits
• Chest
• Legs
• Tail
• Around collars and harnesses

Long-haired, curly-coated and thick-coated dogs generally require more regular brushing.

Regular brushing = Less matting = More comfort

Regular brushing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious matting.

Matting is not just a cosmetic issue.

Severe mats can pull tightly on the skin and may create an environment where moisture, heat and friction are trapped close to the skin.

This can make a dog uncomfortable and may contribute to:

• Skin irritation
• Excessive scratching or licking
• Red or sensitive skin
• Unpleasant odour
• Hidden skin problems underneath the matted coat

Areas such as the ears, armpits and legs can become particularly uncomfortable when heavily matted.

Mild matting can sometimes be carefully managed with professional Dematting.

However, when mats become very tight and close to the skin, repeatedly pulling or brushing them out can cause significant discomfort and stress.

In these situations:

Safely removing severe matting is often more comfortable than forcing the mats apart.

Our groomers assess:

• How severe the matting is
• Where the mats are located
• The condition of the skin underneath
• How your dog responds during the process

Depending on the situation, we may recommend:

Professional Dematting → Localised trimming → or Shaving severe matting

Our priority is always:

Dog Comfort & Safety First.

Your dog's comfort and safety are more important than simply keeping the coat long.

This is one of the most common questions we receive:

“If the matted hair is going to be shaved off anyway, why is there an additional fee?”

Severe matting is not simply a matter of “running the clippers over the coat”.

Matted coats require our groomers to:

• Carefully assess the mats and the skin underneath
• Find the safest way to approach the matted area
• Use the appropriate tools and blades
• Avoid pulling or cutting the skin
• Take extra care around sensitive areas such as ears, armpits and the abdomen
• Spend significantly more time on the grooming process

Severe matting can also place additional workload and wear on professional grooming blades and equipment.

Therefore, a Matting / Dematting Fee reflects the additional:

Time + Professional Skill + Care + Safety + Equipment Wear

required to safely manage a matted coat.

Preventing matting not only keeps your dog more comfortable — it can also help avoid additional grooming costs.

This is another important point that many owners may not be aware of.

When a coat has been severely matted for a long time, the mats can place constant pressure and tension on the skin.

Once the mats are removed, the skin can suddenly experience a significant change in sensation.

Some dogs may temporarily:

• Shake or flap their ears
• Scratch their ears
• Scratch their body
• Lick certain areas
• Become more sensitive around previously matted areas

This can be particularly noticeable when the ears have been severely matted.

If tightly matted hair around the ears has been removed, some dogs may suddenly shake their heads or scratch their ears more than usual.

In severe cases, repeated vigorous head shaking can contribute to an aural haematoma.

The skin underneath severe mats may also already be irritated from prolonged moisture, friction and tension. After clipping, some dogs may experience temporary skin sensitivity or clipper irritation.

For this reason, we take extra care when removing severe matting.

If your dog continues to shake their head excessively, scratch intensely, shows obvious pain or develops significant redness or swelling after grooming, please consult your veterinarian.

There is no single bathing schedule that is suitable for every dog.

It depends on:

• Coat type
• Lifestyle and environment
• Activity level
• Whether your dog regularly swims
• How easily your dog gets dirty
• Skin condition

We select appropriate grooming products and bathing methods according to each dog's individual needs.

Wet coats are more likely to tangle and remain damp for long periods.

This is particularly important for:

• Long-haired dogs
• Curly-coated dogs
• Dogs with thick coats

A professional grooming routine generally includes:

Wash → Condition → Dry → Brush → Groom

Every step plays an important role in keeping your dog clean, comfortable and well maintained.

Dental care is one of the areas many new dog owners overlook.

Dogs can develop plaque and tartar just like people.

Without regular dental care, dogs may develop:

• Bad breath
• Red or inflamed gums
• Bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Periodontal problems

Dogs may not always show obvious signs of discomfort during the early stages of dental disease.

Regular dental care is an important part of your dog's overall care.

Ideally, dental care should include regular brushing at home, together with appropriate professional care and veterinary dental checks when required.

Dental care is another important part of routine dog care, just like nail trimming and ear care.

Regular dental care can help:

Reduce plaque → Reduce tartar build-up → Support healthier teeth and gums

If your dog already has severe tartar, bleeding gums, loose teeth or obvious oral pain, veterinary dental assessment is recommended.

Professional grooming care does not replace veterinary dental treatment

Dogs have two small anal sacs located on either side of the anus, commonly referred to as the anal glands.

Many dogs naturally release some of the contents when they pass a bowel movement.

However, some dogs may not empty their anal sacs effectively, which can lead to a build-up of secretions.

If the anal sacs do not empty properly, a dog may experience:

• Scooting their bottom along the floor
• Excessive licking around the anus
• Strong or unusual odour
• Discomfort when passing stool
• Irritation around the anal area

More serious cases can develop into blockages, inflammation or infection.

For this reason, regular checking and appropriate anal gland care can be an important part of a complete grooming routine.

We assess each dog individually and provide care according to their needs.

If there is significant swelling, pain, bleeding or pus, veterinary attention should be sought.

Dogs' ears can accumulate:

• Ear wax
• Oils
• Moisture
• Hair
• Dirt

This can be particularly important for floppy-eared dogs, dogs with significant ear hair and dogs that regularly swim.

Regular ear care helps keep the ears:

Clean · Dry · Comfortable

It also allows our groomers to notice potential changes or abnormalities.

Some dogs grow significant amounts of hair around the entrance or inside of the ear canal.

When appropriate for the individual dog, careful ear hair trimming or removal can form part of professional ear care.

However:

Ear hair is not simply “the less, the better”.

Our groomers consider the dog's:

• Breed
• Ear structure
• Amount of hair
• Individual ear condition

before deciding on the appropriate approach.

If the ears already have a strong odour, redness, pain or significant discharge, veterinary assessment is recommended.

Overgrown nails can affect how a dog walks and how weight is distributed through the paws.

If nails become excessively long, they may increase the risk of:

• Nail breakage
• Paw or toe discomfort
• Changes in walking posture

Don't forget the Dew Claws.

Dew claws often do not naturally wear down as much as the other nails, so they should be checked regularly.

Nail trimming isn't just about appearance — it helps keep your dog's paws comfortable.

Hair between the paw pads and toes can collect:

• Dirt
• Grass seeds
• Small stones
• Moisture
• Mats

Appropriate trimming can help keep the paws clean and makes it easier to check the condition of the paw pads.

Hair and tear discharge can accumulate around the eyes.

Keeping the area clean and appropriately trimmed can help maintain good hygiene around the eyes.

However, if your dog develops:

• Excessive tearing
• Red eyes
• Unusual discharge
• Frequent squinting
• Obvious eye pain

veterinary advice should be sought.

Professional grooming and home care work together.

We recommend owners:

Brush regularly
Especially for long-haired and curly-coated dogs.

Brush teeth regularly
Ideally every day where possible.

Check the nails
Pay particular attention to the dew claws.

Check the ears
Look for unusual odour, redness or discharge.

Check the paws
Especially between the toes and around the paw pads.

Regularly check your dog
Gentle handling and checking can help you notice new mats, lumps, wounds or skin changes early.

Professional groomers can help identify changes, but grooming does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Veterinary advice should be sought if your dog develops:

• Persistent itching
• Significant skin redness or wounds
• Ear pain or excessive discharge
• Red or painful eyes
• Severe bad breath or bleeding gums
• Significant swelling, bleeding or pus around the anal area
• Persistent or severe head shaking
• Any other obvious or concerning health changes

Dog grooming is much more than:

Wash + Haircut

A complete grooming routine also looks after the:

Coat · Skin · Ears · Teeth · Nails · Paws · Hygiene Areas

Regular care can help:

Coat
Reduce matting and dirt.

Teeth
Build healthy long-term dental care habits.

Ears
Keep ears clean and allow potential issues to be noticed early.

Anal Glands
Provide appropriate care according to the individual dog's needs.

Nails
Keep nails at a suitable length for comfortable movement.

Paws
Keep the paws and areas between the toes clean and well maintained.

If you are a new dog owner, start with these simple habits:

① Brush regularly to prevent serious matting.

② Maintain a regular grooming schedule rather than waiting until the coat becomes heavily matted.

③ Brush your dog's teeth regularly and establish good dental care habits early.

④ Maintain regular ear care and keep the ears clean.

⑤ Have the anal glands checked and cared for as appropriate for your dog.

⑥ Trim the nails regularly, especially the dew claws.

⑦ Introduce puppies to grooming from an early age.

⑧ Combine home care, professional grooming and regular veterinary checks for more complete care.