1. DO YOU HAVE GROOMING CERTIFICATION?
2. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE, AND DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH MY DOG’S BREED?
3. WHAT SAFETY PROTOCOL IS IN PLACE TO ENSURE MY PET DOESN’T GET INJURED?
4. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR GROOMING PACKAGE, AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GROOM MY DOG OR CAT?
5. WILL MY DOG BE HOUSED IN A CRATE?
6. HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY PET BE GROOMED?
7. DO YOU BATHE THE DOG FIRST?
8. CAN YOU GROOM MY DOG TO BREED STANDARD?
9. CAN YOU DO A PUPPY CUT?
10. MY DOGS HAIR IS KNOTTED. DO I NEED TO CUT THE HAIR SHORT?
11. DO I GET THE SAME GROOMER EACH TIME?
12. CAN I STAY WITH MY DOG OR CAT AND WATCH?
13. HOW IS MY DOG DRIED?
14. WHAT IF I DO NOT LIKE THE GROOM WHEN IT IS FINISHED?
15. I KNOW YOU’RE A SERVICE. IS TIPPING MANDATORY?
1. DO YOU HAVE GROOMING CERTIFICATION?
PetSmart’s training program, February 2015-February 2016 (minus final practical)
Their program includes a one month intensive with a master groomer, followed by working under your salon manager to complete 200 grooms varying from shave downs, to fluffy clip combs, breed clips, senior specific and puppy specific training. You then have a practical test to demonstrate your competency. Following this, you move into a 6 month stylist in training where you are an junior stylist. To achieve full status there is a final practical, which I did not complete due to work place harassment issues.
I have continued my grooming education through Canadian Professional PetStylists and have thus far attained:
– Canadian Canine Level 1-Bather Technician, March 2019
– Canadian Canine Level 1-Intermediate Stylist Technician, November 2019
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Seminars:
– BYOD (Bring Your Own Dog), Pets Beautiful School of Styling, 2019
– First Aid, 2019
– Feline Safety Grooming course, February 2021 and Special Needs Dog Handling course, March 2021
2. HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE, AND DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH MY DOG’S BREED?
Through PetSmart, I was able to work with many different breeds. I currently work with the most common breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Bichon, Yorkie, Schnauzer, Poodles, Maltese, and the designer breeds made from them. If you have concerns about your clip, we can meet prior to your groom and go over photos you have to ensure you are comfortable with me working on your pet.
3. WHAT SAFETY PROTOCOL IS IN PLACE TO ENSURE MY PET DOESN’T GET INJURED?
No pets are allowed to intermingle, every pet in a tub or on a table WILL have on a grooming loop (seat belt for the table) and not be left unattended, pets being dried will be monitored at all times.
We are working with sharp instruments, and to maintain safety, I have them serviced regularly. That being said, dogs and cats move. I do my best to predict their movements and keep from injuring them, but occasionally accidents do happen. Should your pet become injured, or I discover something of concern (mass, possible ear infection, wound from matting, ingrown nail, etc), I will either notify you immediately by calling you in, or if it is not emergent, I will inform you at the end of the groom to follow up with your veterinary professional.
I carry insurance should an incident arise.
4. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR GROOMING PACKAGE, AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GROOM MY DOG OR CAT?
Basic baths include Shampoo, conditioner, nails trim and ears cleaned, finishing products and brushing. For more details, see our services page for the pricing chart.
5. WILL MY DOG BE HOUSED IN A CRATE?
As I work one-on-one in your home, there is never a need to crate your dog.
For cats, I recommend finding and isolating your cat before my arrival. Not necessarily crating them as that can cause stress, but having them sit in a bathroom, laundry room, or location without too many hiding spots (couches and beds are trickiest) would be ideal. Many cats know something is happening long before I arrive, and will take to hiding, making it hard to find them. On occasion this has resulted in needing to reschedule the appointment as the cat couldn’t be found.
6. HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY PET BE GROOMED?
A lot depends on the pets lifestyle and living conditions, as a general guide. Dogs who have their hair cut in particular clips such as Poodles, Cockers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Bichons, etc. should be groomed every 4-6 weeks. Bath dogs such as Labradors, Shepherds, Collies, etc. and cats should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Nails should be checked regularly as they grow faster than hair, and I recommend nail visits every 4 weeks for dogs, 6 weeks for cats.
7. DO YOU BATHE THE DOG FIRST?
In order to get an even hair cut, the hair needs to be clean, so we always bathe the dog as part of grooming. Depending on your dog’s breed and style, the groomer may do a “rough cut” first. After the rough cut, the dog is washed, dried and then the haircut is completed. In other cases, we may wash and dry the dog and then the haircut is completed. Most dogs are washed using Q Every Day shampoo, but we have many alternative shampoos depending on your pet’s needs.
8. CAN YOU GROOM MY DOG TO BREED STANDARD?
Yes, I am familiar with most of the breed standards and very experienced with the more popular breeds and designer breeds. Many clients do not groom to the breed standard because of the level of maintenance required. If you want to get your dog groomed to the breed standard, it is helpful to review with the groomer and bring pictures. Each dog is different and each person’s needs vary; so a consultation can help you know your options and decide accordingly.
“Puppy Cut” is a loosely descriptive term. With most breeds, we maintain the cute puppy look. Most of the time, this means the hair is cut to the same length all over. Many people choose a puppy cut because it is easy to maintain but there is usually a choice of length. Your groomer can work with you to choose a style, which works best for your dog.
10. MY DOGS HAIR IS KNOTTED. DO I NEED TO CUT THE HAIR SHORT?
If the hair is allowed to knot or develop “mats”, this is unhealthy for the dog’s skin. Matting gets worse if the coat gets wet. Before washing the dog, it is necessary to brush out all the knots. If the hair is matted, it may be possible to “demat” small areas of the coat.
Unfortunately, this can be painful. In some cases, dematting may cause or reveal skin irritation. If your dog is matted, we will advise you what can be done. If the hair can be dematted without causing pain to the dog, it may be possible to save the coat. If the hair can be dematted, there may be an additional cost of $15.
Otherwise, we may recommend cutting the hair short with a #10 blade. The #10 is the safest grooming blade and has a length of 1.5mm or 1/16″. Occasionally, spot shaving with a #10 is also an option in friction areas (such as armpits), tails, ears, and faces.
If the hair is matted, we recommend meeting with one of our groomers beforehand so we can discuss your options. If your pet is consistently matted we may offer you a shorter style that is easier to maintain and will last longer between grooms.
Many of my clients prefer comfort grooms which have a short body and legs, but still a round face, longer ears, and tail.
11. DO I GET THE SAME GROOMER EACH TIME?
As Kat’s Grooming currently has one groomer, Kat, yes!
12. CAN I STAY WITH MY DOG OR CAT AND WATCH?
This depends on your dog or cat. For dogs, I will set up in your bathroom or laundry room to keep the mess contained. Some clients like me to use the kitchen as they only have one bathroom. If I request help holding a squirmy dog friend, please be available.
For cats, I ask that someone be available to assist in holding. It is less stressful for most cats to have someone they know hold, and goes much faster for them too.
Usually with a combination of methods (the coat determines the drying techniques). While in the tub we may towel dry the dog and/or use a high-velocity dryer that blows off the majority of water. Most coats require a hand drying technique with a hand held force dryer.
Not all dogs tolerate drying, and almost all hate to have their face dried. Unless they have a top knot (poodles), I usually towel dry the head and face really well, and then allow it to air dry.
Cats do not tolerate the force dryer, and almost all peed when I was trying it out initially. Due to this, I no longer force dry cats. They get a good towel dry, and a cuddle to get as much moisture out as possible. I’ll then brush them out so they don’t look as mussed up, and send them out to hide in a safe place. They usually come out of hiding once I leave to tell you how mean I was. 😉
14. WHAT IF I DO NOT LIKE THE GROOM WHEN IT IS FINISHED?
Please tell us. We aim to satisfy. On the occasion where a haircut is not to your liking and it is a matter of a little more trimming here or there, the groomer can do it right away before leaving.
If you see something not to your liking afterwards, please let us know within a week so I can come fix it complimentary. Dog hair grows quite quickly, at about 2cm/month. If you wait longer than a week, I may have to do the whole groom again to create an even cut, and there will be a fix groom charge of ½ the original grooming rate.
15. I KNOW YOU’RE A SERVICE. IS TIPPING MANDATORY?
Tipping should never be mandatory, and you should never feel obligated to do so. If you would like, most clients tip $5-10 depending on their bill, and any amount is appreciated.
Kat's Grooming 