We answer your most frequently asked questions about our pet grooming services and courses

A: Call us for an appointment, or alternatively, visit us at Scruffy 2 Fluffy Dog Grooming School to see our grooming room and discuss your dog’s requirements. You can also book using our online contact form, found on our Dog Grooming Services page. Use the form to tell us about your dog, and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can to let you know the next available appointment dates and times.

A: Please make sure your dog has been for a walk before their appointment and been able relieve themselves. We do provide toilet breaks if we feel one is needed, which take place in the safe environment of our salon.

A: Yes, we do cats, guinea pigs and rabbits as well.

A: Puppies can have their first groom at around 20 weeks old (make sure your puppy is up to date with its vaccinations). We offer puppies their first groom at a reduced rate to get your puppy used to the grooming routine and to build their confidence. For more info on puppy pampering, call us.

A: It is difficult to give a definite answer for this as all dogs have different coat types and temperaments. For the busy seasons, we might arrange to call you when your dog is ready for collection. On average, a groom takes about 2/2.5 hours. For cats and large dogs grooming could be much longer.

A: Yes, all our staff are well-trained, and your dog is supervised at all times. We work in a secure room and have first aid equipment on site. Any medical conditions should be made known to us prior to grooming.

A: We groom large and giant breeds. All our groomers are specialised in larger dog breeds. Please give 2-3 days’ notice for large breed bookings.

A: Sometimes a dog will dislike excessive handling and become anxious or even aggressive. Sometimes we may have to use a muzzle to protect the dog from causing damage to itself and the groomer. Only one dog at a time is groomed by any one staff member. This reduces the risk of conflict with other dogs, and maintains a calm atmosphere. If a dog is too aggressive or simply very unhappy being groomed, we will not pursue it and will return the dog to the owner at no charge. If a dog is regularly too anxious or aggressive to groom, we will recommend a veterinary groom under sedation.

A: This is another difficult question to answer as it again depends on the coat type of the dog and the grooming style required. Most breeds need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the coat in tip-top condition. Wire haired breeds that are hand-stripped usually only need grooming every 4 to 6 months. If you do not keep up to your grooming routine, it will cost more on your next visit.

A: Regular brushing with the correct brush is essential to maintain a healthy coat and healthy dog! We offer individual grooming plans to ensure owners know which tools they will require, and to assist them in brushing correctly without causing unnecessary pain to their dog. We also recommend a routine fortnightly bath and brush-out for Bichon Frise and crosses, and for Poodles and crosses.

A: These are knots and clumps of hair that cannot be brushed or combed out. Matting can be uncomfortable for the dog, resulting in itching and skin irritation as well as collecting dirt and parasites. Mats will tend to worsen and become tighter in the wet. Matting removal can hurt the dog, therefore professional removal is recommended as special tools are required. Severe matting may require clipping off using electric clippers, leaving any remaining fur very short to allow the skin to breathe and new hair to grow. This would be discussed with the owner prior to commencement. An additional cost will be incurred.

A: Yes. We have at least 2 staff working every day. We welcome multiple bookings.

A: Yes, all towels are freshly washed after each use.

A: Yes, the table is wiped down using Trigene / Parvo-Virucide disinfectant, and blades are washed using a sterilising agent. Combs and brushes are sterilised using barbicide.

A: If a dog comes into the salon with fleas, special anti-flea shampoo is used and the owner is notified. We recommend using ‘Frontline’ or ‘Advocate’ flea-and-tick treatment as both a prevention and a cure. These are supplied by most vets, chemists and pet stores. We also ‘flea bomb’ our salon regularly.

A: The shampoos we use are all made from natural ingredients and are free of additives. We have shampoos that are specifically suited to different coat types and coat colours. We have conditioners, conditioning sprays and shine sprays. We also use special Dog Grooming Colognes!

A: No. We do not recommend this as this prevents us from forming a friendship with your dog and can cause a distraction to the grooming process. If you are worried about your dog, feel free to call and we can inform you of how the grooming process is going.

A: Yes, all customers have to sign and fill out the customer record card for health and safety reasons. This card is also kept up to date with the client’s grooming requirements and specific style requests. Our software can also keep your record up to date.

A: 24 hours’ notice. We will do our best to accommodate you for a new appointment. We do not charge a cancellation fee, but if appointments are cancelled without much notice or missed altogether, we may refuse to take your booking or a deposit may be required before a further appointment can be made.

A: Some dogs, especially puppies, may appear to behave strangely after their grooming session. If you bring your dog to the groomer on a regular basis, this issue should disappear over the next few sessions. If you only have your dog groomed once or twice a year, there’s a chance your dog may believe they are being punished or feel ill at ease amongst the unfamiliar surroundings. If this does happen, there’s no need to worry. The dog will be back to itself in a couple of days.