Dog Grooming FAQs
Q: How early should my puppy’s first grooming appointment be?
A: We recommend starting grooming early, between 12-16 weeks old, once your puppy has begun their core vaccinations and your vet says it's okay. Early appointments focus on gentle introduction and positive exposure, not perfection. Short puppy grooms help build comfort and confidence for future visits. ☺️
If you’re unsure where to start, feel free to send us a message, and we’ll help guide you.
Q: How often should I have my dog groomed?
A: Grooming frequency depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Most dogs benefit from professional grooming every 4-8 weeks. Keeping on a consistent schedule and keeping up on regular brushing at home between grooms helps prevent discomfort, skin issues, and costly shave downs from matting.
If you’re unsure what schedule is right for your dog, we’re happy to help you plan one!
Q: How long does a grooming appointment take?
A: Typical appointments at Wesley’s will range from 1 to 2.5 hours. Timing can vary depending on your dog’s:
- Size
- Coat type and condition
- Behavior and comfort level during grooming
Larger dogs, heavily coated dogs, or pups who feel nervous and may need a little extra patience and TLC may take additional time. We always prioritize a calm, positive experience over rushing, so your dog's comfort and safety always come first. At check-in, we’ll provide a time estimate for your dog’s appointment. You’ll also receive a call or text before your pup’s groom is finished to give you a heads-up, so you know when to head back for pickup.
Q: What vaccinations do you require for grooming appointments?
A: To keep all of our furry guests safe, a current rabies vaccine is required for all dogs (this is also part of local regulations). We also strongly recommend dogs stay up to date on:
- Distemper & Parvo (DHPP)
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Flea and tick treatment
These illnesses spread anywhere dogs hang out—including grooming salons. While we maintain a clean, sanitized environment, viruses can still spread in shared spaces, which is why vaccines are so important. They help protect your pup and everyone else’s.
All dogs must be healthy and free of any contagious conditions at the time of their appointment.
Q: How can I help keep my dog’s coat healthy between grooming appointments?
A: Regular brushing is the best thing you can do at home.
- Long or curly coats should be brushed daily or every other day.
- Short or double coats benefit from being brushed 1-2 times per week.
Keeping up on brushing and staying on a consistent grooming schedule helps prevent matting, excess shedding, and skin issues. If you’re unsure which brush or products are best for your dog, just ask—we’re happy to help.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: We prefer at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule, but we understand that life happens. If something comes up, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re running late— even 5-10 minutes—a quick text or call is always appreciated, as being late can affect the flow of the entire day.
If last-minute cancellations or no-shows become a recurring issue, a deposit may be required in order to book future appointments. Thank you for helping keep the schedule running smoothly. 🐾
Q: What if your hours don’t work for me?
A: As we’re building our business, we currently have limited hours, but we’ll be adding more full-time, permanent availability as we grow.
That said, if our current hours don’t work for you, feel free to send us a message—we’re always happy to try and make something work when possible.
Q: What if my dog has special needs? (anxiety, aggression, senior pups)
A: We’re always happy to work with you and your pup to accommodate their individual needs whenever possible. Every dog is different, and we believe grooming should be a positive, low-stress experience.
If your dog has anxiety, medical or behavioral concerns, mobility issues, or anything we should know, send us a message or give us a call. We’ll talk through your dog's needs together and make a plan that works best for them. 🐾
For everyone’s safety, if a dog becomes overly stressed or unsafe to continue grooming, we may pause or stop the service and discuss next steps together.
Q: What if my dog is matted?
A: Matting can be uncomfortable and even painful. We always prioritize your dog’s comfort over cosmetics—humanity over vanity.
In many cases, shaving is the safest and most humane option to remove matting without causing pain or injury. Grooming matted coats may require extra time, an additional fee, or a shorter haircut than requested.
We will always discuss your options at check-in or contact you before any shaving happens so we can decide on the best course of action together.
Q: Do you use crates?
A: We aim to have pups in and out of the salon in a timely manner to limit extra stress, so crates are not used often. We will never crate a dog with crate anxiety.
When crates are used, it's always briefly and for the safety or comfort, such as:
- If a dog is anxious about the dryer, they may relax in a crate while drying in front of a fan. (Non-heated dryer fans and never left unattended)
- If a pet parent is running late for pick-up and a pup needs a safe place to hang out during the next appointment.
Any crate time is kept as short as possible. If you have any questions or concerns or preferences about crate use, let us know—we’re always happy to talk it through.
Q: What products do you use?
A: We choose products based on each pup’s coat type and skin condition—no one-size-fits-all here.
We use TropiClean shampoos and conditioners, which are soap-free and made with gentle, natural ingredients. We offer options including:
- Hypoallergenic/low to no scent
- De-shedding
- Anti-itch
- A few light scent options
If your dog has sensitive skin or allergies, or if you have a scent preference (or no scent at all), just let us know at check-in.
You’re also more than welcome to bring in a shampoo from your vet or one you personally prefer—we’re happy to use whatever works best for your pup. 🐾
Q: Do you offer walk-in services?
A: At this time we do not offer walk-in services. However, we’re happy to schedule an appointment for nail trims or quick face trims when availability allows.
Q: Can I stay with my dog during the grooming?
A: To help keep grooming calm and efficient, we ask that owners do not stay during the groom. Many dogs do better when they can focus on the groomer without added distractions, and this helps keep the experience safer and less stressful for everyone.
We’re always happy to answer questions at drop-off and will keep you updated as needed during the appointment.
