Frequently Asked Questions


Why is your mobile service more expensive than my old groomer?
Mobile grooming prices can be sticker shock at first, but there are a few things you must consider. A mobile groomer spends a good amount of the day driving from house to house, setting up, cleaning up, and making new appointments with customers, so we can not groom as many dogs as a stationary shop where 8 full hours of grooming is available with no driving in between. I typically average 4-6 dogs per day compared to a shop who may do 8-12 or even more! A larger shop can also hire bathers at low wages to wash and dry dogs, allowing them to charge you less for your groom. Using a mobile groomer like myself, you are getting one skilled professional who will be working on your dog start to finish, every appointment. We also have very high gas and maintenance expenses for our vehicles due to the large amount of miles we do everyday! Mobile grooming is a specialized luxury service which saves you time, gas, and wear and tear on your car, and above all, provides a much better atmosphere for your dog. Most people agree that this is well worth the extra expense.

How often should I have my dog professionally groomed?
This will vary depending on the breed you have, the haircut desired and how much work you are willing to do on your own. I typically recommend 4-6 weeks for most dogs, but have customers who do as often as 2 weeks or as long as 8 weeks. A dog in a shorter haircut can go longer while a dog with more hair may require less time between appointments to keep the hair from matting. We can discuss your dogs personal needs over the phone or at our first appointment and pick a schedule and haircut that works for everyone.

What is matting?
Matting is when the hair starts to tangle, and eventually gets so stuck together that it is almost impossible to comb out. A small mat will continue to collect hair and grow, pulling at the skin and causing the dog severe discomfort. The hair can also rip from the skin leaving a bald spot, hot spots, or other skin irritations. Due to the moisture that the mat traps in close to the skin, maggots, mold and other bacteria have also been found under mats in dogs! Numerous mats can all stick together forming a pelt on the entire dog which is extremely uncomfortable. You are not a bad owner if your dog gets some mats, but allowing a dog to frequently become excessively matted is inhumane. The best way to prevent this is to make an effort to brush and comb your dog, and keep the dog on a regular schedule for professional grooming. I will be happy to show you the proper tools and techniques you can use at home to keep you dog mat free. Many people bathe their dogs at home and do not brush before or after. This will actually speed up the mat process! If you are bathing your dog at home, you should brush before and after the bath. If possible, you should dry the dog with a hair dryer as well. If not, you can comb through the wet coat before it dries, then again when the hair is dry.

My dog is already matted and I can't get them out, what can you do?
Some tangles or small mats that are away from the skin can probably be brushed out, but if a dog is severely matted, I will have no choice but to shave the hair. This is the most humane option. Dematting can be very painful for the dog, and is also very time consuming, hard on my hands and my tools, and therefore, very expensive. Even if I were to brush out a severely matted coat, the hair would be so damaged, that it will mat up again almost instantly. If we shave the hair and start over, the dog will be happier, and the hair will grow in fresh and healthy. Then we can discuss what we can do to get your dog into the longer style that you desire!

How often should I bathe and brush my dog in between appointments?
Different breeds and coat types have different needs, but any breed with longhair needs to be brushed frequently. Shedding breeds with double coats also need brushing to remove loose undercoat and keep the undercoat from clumping together and matting with the outer coat. Bathing is up to you. Some of my customers bathe their dogs frequently in between grooming appointments and some do not bathe at all. If you do chose to bathe you dog, just remember to brush the dog before and after the bath, use a shampoo designed for dogs, and rinse thoroughly so the dog does not get dry and itchy!

What if my dog doesn't let me brush him/her?
You must teach your dog to behave while being brushed! You can sit on the floor and tie him to something or have someone hold him for you. If the dog really won't behave, you must lightly brush him everyday, even if the hair isn't tangled, to make it a quick, easy and enjoyable experience. When I was younger before I was a groomer, I used to lay my dog on his back on the floor and brush him while I watched TV. He would fall asleep. If you make brushing a good experience at home and do not allow him to misbehave while being brushed, he will also have a better experience during his professional grooming.

Do you groom cats?
No, I am not trained for cats. I do however know some local mobiles who groom cats, so contact me and I will give you their information if you wish.

Do you discount multiple dog households?
Sometimes. I typically do not discount two dogs but will discount for three dogs.

Should I tip the dog groomer?
Tipping is at your discretion. Some people tip, some do not, and those who do, tip different amounts. Tips are greatly appreciated but are not required.

Can I see inside your mobile salon? Can I stay with my dog while you groom?
Yes, you may take a quick tour of my trailer but no you cannot stay while I groom. This is for two reasons. One, most dogs get distracted and misbehave when their parents are around making the grooming more difficult and stressful for both dog and groomer. Two, my insurance company does not allow the owner to be in the trailer with me while I am working. If you are concerned about your sick or elderly dog, remember that I am right outside and if anything were to happen, I would be at your front door in seconds. If you have your heart set on sitting with your dog during the grooming process, you may want to look into a house call groomer who sets up in your house and may allow you to be present during grooming.

My dog has fleas, can you help?
I can do a flea and tick bath with my all natural Neem shampoo. This will kill all the fleas but may not solve the problem. If there are fleas in the house, they may jump right back on the dog when the shampoo wears off. If your dog is not already on a flea and tick treatment such as Frontline, you must start one. Remember to apply the treatment at least 48 hours before or after a bath. Many people do it immediately after a bath thinking that it will work better on a clean dog, but this is not true. The treatments work with the dogs natural oils and they need a couple of days to build up again after a bath. If the dog is on a treatment and still getting fleas, consider switching to a different brand.

Do you express anal glands?
I will perform this service on request or if it is obvious that it needs to be done. Some dogs do not need this done and others are better off having it done internally by their vet.

Do you groom large dogs?
Yes, I will groom almost any breed of any size as long as I can safely handle the dog by myself. If the dog is too difficult for any reason, I may need to refuse service.

Do you handstrip?
I currently handstrip Spaniels only. Handstripping is a specialized service that requires skill and is difficult on my hands. Handstripping is priced at $20 per 15 minutes of extra time added to the groom.

Do you do show grooming?
I am a skilled pet groomer, not a show groomer. I am not up to date on the show ring trends with each breed and therefore may not be a reliable choice, but depending on the breed and type of haircut I might be able to maintain the dog inbetween shows. Your handler or breeder should be able to help you with the grooming prior to the show.

Are you certified? Is certifcation a requirement to be a groomer?
No, but I am hoping to start the certification process with NDGAA in 2009. The certification process consists of 4 separate grooming tests each with a written exam, plus one final master exam. It requires time, travel, and money to complete the entire process. Certification is not a requirement in our industry and most groomers are actually not certified. I was trained by an experienced groomer and frequently attend educational seminars and expos to further my grooming skills, but  am looking forward to adding certification to my credentials in the near future!

If I bathe my dog before you come, can I get a discounted price?
Typically no. The grooming prices are for a package that includes a bath, brushout and blow dry. This assures that the dog is clean to my standards and gives me a chance to really look at your dogs skin and possibly uncover skin issues, fleas, ticks, lumps, bumps, etc. It is also more difficult for me to give a dog a quality haircut without properly washing and drying the hair immediately prior.

My dog has skin issues, can you help?
I'm not a vet, but do have some knowledge in skin care. I can use a hypoallergenic, medicated or oatmeal shampoo to help sooth your dog temporarily. Many dogs are allergic to ingredients in their food such as corn, wheat and other grains, even poultry. Try an all natural food with no byproducts, no corn and no wheat. Your local pet store can introduce you to many wonderful brands such as Merrick, California Natural, Wellness, and others. I also recommend putting all dogs on a good daily supplement such as NuVet Plus. This vitamin is all natural and has helped many dogs with skin issues, not to mention strengthening their immune system and many other wonderful benefits. Click here to read more.

Do you accept credit cards?
Not at this time. I currently accept checks and cash.

How far in advance do I need to schedule and appointment?
All of my customers are on schedules varying from 2-8 weeks so I am always booked in advance. I can usually fit in new customers in 1-3 weeks but it may be longer. At times, I might even be able to squeeze you in immediately if I have some time in your neighborhood or had a cancellation.

How long does the grooming take?
Most dogs are done in 1-2 hours. Some larger or thicker dogs, or dogs with matting can take up to 3 hours.

Do you have evening and weekend appointments?
I currently schedule appointments Monday through Friday during the day. I leave weekends open and may use them for makeups if I need to reschedule due to weather conditions or sickness. I sometimes take late afternoon appointments and work into the early evening, and can make exceptions for a first time customer who works during the day and can not be home until later for our first appointment. If we do this for the first appointment, we need to be able to work out a way for me to get into the house during the day for our future appointments.

Do I need to be home while you groom my dog?
No! Many of my customers work and have busy schedules. I just need a way to get into the house whether it be a key, code for garage door, etc. I do require that the customer be present for the first appointment so I can be introduced to the dog and we can discuss the haircut or other concerns.

Do you need to use my water or electric?
I bring my own water but I do need to plug into one regular outlet, normally outside or in the garage. I have a generator as a back up if there is no plug available or if I need some extra power. I am hoping to get an inverter (battery power) in the future so I will not have to plug in or use a noisy generator!