VACCINATIONS
We require written proof of Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) for dogs who are groomed by our Stylist.
AGE
Dogs must be at least 4 months in age to be groomed.
BEHAVIOR
All dogs must be non-aggressive. We cannot admit any aggressive or non socialized dogs. For safety reasons, we reserve the right to declare a dogs behavior unfit for our shop environment.
APPLICATION
There must be a completed application filled out before admittance. This includes basic information about the owner and dog, written proof of vaccination history with certification from a veterinarian. All forms must be completed and signed.
GROOMING FAQs (see below for details):
Health and Safety
Scheduling
Matted Dogs
Pricing
Other concerns
Be assured that the welfare of your very special dog is our biggest concern. Your trust and continued patronage is the very nicest compliment you can give. We will always work hard to earn and deserve the trust you place in our ability to care for your dog. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please call us at 415.618.0275 or email us at support@shopfurrytales.com.
HEALTH and SAFETY
All dogs are required to be healthy at the time of service if your dog becomes ill, you will be notified and are required to make arrangements for immediate pickup. Remember, a grooming shop is a clean environment, but not a sterile environment.
Our staff is fully trained to work with dogs. In order to protect the safety of your dog while in our care, they may be segregated from other dogs if behavior warrants it. All areas are kept clean and disinfected regularly. Keep in mind that when working with animals, the unexpected can occur.
FLEAS
It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to make sure your dog is protected from fleas. There are many new spot treatments available. Your veterinarian can recommend which one is best for you and your dog. This treatment will not only protect your dog from fleas, it will also decrease the chance of your dog picking up fleas elsewhere and bringing them here (or your home!). When the staff notices fleas on a dog, the dog will be given a flea bath and the owner will be held responsible for the cost.
WHAT EVERY OWNER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GROOMING
Working with dogs requires a great deal of skill. Some dogs are more skittish, or wiggly, or nervous than others. Each dog in every breed is unique. For these reasons there is always a risk of nicking or cutting the animal accidentally, even when the greatest of care is used by a very experienced groomers; keep in mind that groomers are working with wiggly animals and sharp tools!
SCHEDULING
An appointment is required.
We take one appointment at a time so that your pet can bond and feel comfortable with the groomer. With the absence of other anxious dogs waiting around to be groomed, stress levels are reduced, and therefore it allows us to give your pet our undivided attention. We will take our time with your pet. To ensure this, arrangements must be made to have your pet picked-up once the grooming session is complete. Approximately 1-2 hours depending on each pets grooming needs.
PICKING UP YOUR DOG
We attempt in every way to have your pet ready at the appointed pick-up time. Due to the special nature of working with dogs, things do not always go as scheduled. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
MATTED DOGS
De-matting a pet can be a very painful process. Matted coats can cause a variety of skin & health problems. Matted fur does not allow for air circulation to the skin, causing hot spots, bacterial and fungal infections. Fleas, ticks, maggots and other parasites may be lurking in the coat causing further skin infections. Matted fur also pulls and binds, causing pain to your pet when they move or lay on mats. The skin underneath is usually raw and inflamed. Matted coats will not dry properly and can lead to rotting fur and skin.
Due to matting, your dogs hair may need to be shaved extremely short to the skin and may show signs of irritations and sores, wet undercoat or a dirty coat. In order to take care of a dog that has not been groomed often enough, and is matted, the required grooming sessions may be long, stressful, or painful (please note, more than 1 grooming session may be required if your dog is severely matted).
BATHING YOUR DOG BEFORE TAKING HIM TO THE GROOMER?
One of the worst problems that confront groomers is that of working on a dog which has been bathed without being brushed out completely. The result of such a practice is a coat which is so firmly matted that shaving is sometimes the only solution. Ask your groomer if bathing at home prior to grooming is recommended, and always brush your dog properly before bathing.
PRICING
Baths start at $35
Baths with haircuts start at $55
* Please note that grooming rates depend on the breed, size, condition of coat, services requested, and behavior of pet. Charges include nails, anal glands (if needed) and ears.
* Additional de-matting is $30/hr.
(De-matting a dog is not pleasant for the dog or the pet groomer. To de-mat a dog, a groomer has to pick apart the mats with a comb or special tool, and this sometimes necessitates pulling the hair. Uncooperative dogs do not tolerate this pulling very well. It's stressful for them, and can be painful too if their skin is taut beneath the mats. Stressed dogs may bite, and this presents a danger to the groomer. We may have to muzzle your dog for safety, and this unfortunately can increase the dog's stress.)
BRUSH BURN
In heavily tangled or matted pets, excessive brushing to remove tangles or mats can cause redness on your dogs skin. To avoid this, have your pet groomed on a regular basis.
OTHER CONCERNS
NAIL BLEEDING
When nails are clipped, even by a veterinarian, a common condition called quicked can occur. The quick is a blood vessel that runs down the middle of your dogs nail. This blood vessel grows as your dogs nails grow, so if you wait a very long time between clippings, the quick will be closer to the end of the nail. The quick is what we try to avoid while trimming your dogs nails. It is easy to see the quick with white or clear nails, but more difficult to notice with black nails.
Trimming your dogs nails is not just a part of grooming, but is important for your dogs health as well. It is important to remember that untrimmed nails can cause a variety of problems including broken nails that are painful and bleed profusely. In some cases, nails will actually curl and grow back into the dogs feet. A good indication that dogs nails are too long is a telltale click-click-click when walking on uncarpeted areas.
If the bleeding starts after you get home, we suggest you apply flour or QuickStop to stop the bleeding, or hold a tissue to the nail. The bleeding should stop naturally after 5-7 minutes. If it does not stop, contact a veterinarian.
HEAD SHAKING
Removal of hair and mats from the ears creates a different sensation for your dog, and the general response is shaking. Removing hair and wax from the dogs ear is a very important process in maintaining your dogs health. You should check your dogs ears the day after grooming to remove any excess wax that had been loosened during routine cleaning.
ITCHING
There are many reasons your dog may itch after grooming. When a dog is clipped, it will experience the same type of itching a person would after a hair cut. The dog may have a pre-existing condition from flea bites, hot spots, allergies, or your dog could be experiencing stress from their environment. In rare cases, your pet may be allergic to the shampoo, and you should consult your vet as to what shampoo is best for your dog.
FEAR
Pets are like children in that they do not like to have their owners leave them. They shake and show fear that is very stressful to some owners. Be assured that once you leave the shop, they tend to relax to their new surroundings very quickly. Heavily matted dogs experience more stress than dogs that are less matted. Like children, dogs will remember the experience, whether it is positive or traumatic. Be a thoughtful owner and help us make this a positive experience for your dog! We want grooming to become an event both you and your pet can look forward to, rather than dread.
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE HAIR CUT?
When you instruct us regarding the type of cut you would like your pet to have, we interpret your instructions and hopefully the look is just as you described. If the cut is not as you desired, please let us know! Our goal is to provide the cut exactly as you have requested. If you are not happy, we can make a note in your dogs file about changes we can make for future cuts.
