Topics Covered;

• Service FAQ
  - Booking/cancelling/resheduling
  - Accessibility
  - Time frames - grooming & drop off/pick up”
  - Can we stay/watch
  - Payment

• Canine FAQ
  - Grooming/brushing/bathing
  - Puppies, Anxious & aggressive dogs
  - Common post-groom reactions
  - Unhappy with groom
  - Products used, sensitivities & allergies
  - Injuries

• Feline FAQ
  - Grooming/brushing/bathing
  - Anxious & aggressive cats
  - Common post-groom reactions
  - Unhappy with groom
  - Products used, sensitivities & allergies
  - Injuries

Service FAQ

How long in advance do I need to book an appointment?
It is generally recommended to book your next appointment before leaving your current appointment.
To ensure you don’t miss out, up to 6 months’ worth of appointments can be made in advance.
If you are new client, waiting periods can vary from 2 weeks in winter to 2 months in Summer. The lead up to Christmas is also incredibly busy.
First-time clients will not be given appointments in December.
*Please Note: We are not currently accepting new clients. Text or email us to be added to our new client waitlist*

Is there parking nearby?
Yes, there is one hour parking directly in front of the salon

Is there public transport close by?

Yes, there is a bus stop less than one minute walk from the salon (Stop ID 8149).

Is the salon wheelchair/walker accessible?

Not easily as there is one step up into the premises however our lovely staff are more happy to assist & accommodate wheelchair/walker users or those with additional access requirements when necessary.

What happens if I’m running late to my appointment?
We ask that you please arrive within 15min either side of your appointment.
If you are running late, we ask that you please let us know as soon as you can & we will do our best to be accommodating.
Unfortunately if you are more than 20min late to your appointment, it may be cancelled and a no show fee equal to the cost of your service will need to be paid before any further bookings can be made.
Repeated late or no shows will result in refusal of service.

How long does grooming take?
We are a one-on-one service so your pet is worked on from start to finish without long waiting periods. The below timeframes are an indication only & may vary.
The average groom time for a small-medium dog is 1-1.5hrs
The average groom time for a medium-large dog is 1.5-2hrs
The average groom time for a large-giant dog is 2-3hrs
Bathe & Brush and Tidy Ups are generally 15-30min less than a full groom.

The average time for a cat groom without a bath is 30min-45min
The average time for a cat groom with a bath is around 1.5hrs

Can I stay with my dog during the grooming process?
No. Like children, most dogs are not as well behaved for Mum and Dad as they will be for someone else as they know exactly which buttons to push to get their way.
It’s like dropping your kid off at their first day of school; they’ll cry and carry on up until the moment Mum or Dad is out of sight, then they calm down and get on with their day.
Dogs are the same, if they see a way to get out of a situation (ie. you) they will carry on like a pork chop. If they know they’re not getting out of it, they’ll calm down and go with the flow.

Dogs also feed off the energy of those around them. Groomers are well practiced in maintaining a calm, relaxed attitude in order to reflect the same in the dogs around them. If you are even slightly nervous or anxious your dog will pick up on it and display those behaviors making the process harder on both your dog and the groomer.

Can I/my kids watch the groom?
Unfortunately, not. For the same reasons in the previous question, it is simply too distracting and stimulating for your pets. Groomers need your pet to be as calm and still as possible when working on them with very sharp instruments for everyone’s safety and kids/spectators are simply too distracting.

Can I wait in the lobby while my cat/dog is groomed?
We don’t recommend staying in the building while your pet is groomed for the reasons listed above. If you would like to wait nearby while your pet is groomed there are several wonderful cafes & food shops adjacent to salon where you can sit and relax. There are also several parks close by with walking tracks you can visit.

Can I stay with my cat during the groom?
That depends on the temperament of your cat. If they are well behaved and happy to be groomed then it’s best to just leave the groomer and cat get on with it.
If your cat is not very fond of the process then the groomer may ask you to stay and assist in holding.

How long do I have to pick up my pet after grooming?
We will send you a text 10min before your pet is ready to be picked up. We ask that you please pick up your pet within 30min of receiving this text. Pets still with us 1 hour after being notified of the end of service will be charged a daycare fee of $5 per 15min. Pets still in the salon past close of business will be charged a daycare fee of $5 per 5min.

What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash and Eftpos. Payment must be made at the time of service. We do not offer payment plans or afterpay services.

What if I need to cancel/reschedule my appointment?
Appointments with more than 48hrs notice can be cancelled or rescheduled without issue.
Appointments with less than 48hrs notice may incur a cancellation fee of 50% the cost of the service. This includes cancellations, re-scheduling and no-shows.
Appointments with less than 8hrs notice may incur a cancellation fee of 100% the cost of the service. This includes cancellations, re-scheduling and no-shows.

Dog grooming FAQ

How often should my dog be groomed?
Well, that depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, the length of the last clip, time of year and how quickly they get dirty.
A general rule is every 4-12 weeks. Dogs that are kept in a longer style or that have a coat that mats easily (eg. Poodles and poodle crosses) should be groomed more regularly than dogs with shorter or more easily maintained coats.
It is not recommended to wait longer than 12 weeks in between baths as this can lead to a build up of oil and dead skin which are perfect food source for bacteria and other nasties.

Do I have to brush my dog between grooms? / I brush my dog but it still gets matted, what can I do? / What is matting & is it really that bad?
For an in depth overview of brushing & matting, click here.

My dog is matted but I don’t want them shaved, is there another option?
No. Dressed to the Canines goes by the motto Humanity over Vanity.
De-matting is a long, painful process and in a lot of cases is frankly inhumane. Dressed to the Canines will always go for the kinder option of shaving than causing your pet pain.
Learn more about matting here

I don’t want my dog to get cold in winter – do they still need to be groomed?
Yes. Grooming in the colder months is just as important as in Summer. Unkempt, matted or dirty coats trap water and do not keep a dog or cat warm.
Provided the coat is healthy and not matted it can be clipped longer to keep them warm. Alternatively, we can just do a Mini Spa (see Services page) instead of a full clip.

I don’t want my dog shaved, can the groomer keep the coat long?
Yes, healthy, regularly maintained coats free from matting can be clipped at a longer length

Is shaving double-coated dogs bad for their coat?
There is much conflicting information out there on whether clipping double coated breeds causes more harm than good during the warmer months.
It is fact that clipping a double coat can damage the hair follicle and cause the coat to grow back differently or not at all.
In general we don’t recommend clipping double coats however each dog is judged on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the owner.

When should my puppy start getting groomed?
For a comprehensive overview of puppy grooming click here

My dog is anxious about grooming, how can I help them calm down?
The biggest way to get an anxious dog used to grooming is to keep sessions regular and to stick with the same groomer.
We use a mixture of techniques to keep dogs calm during grooming – lavender oil, happy hoodies (to reduce noise), deep breathing/calm energy and always performing the grooming process in the same order so the dog learns what to expect each time.
If you are still worried you can add 1-2 drops of Rescue Remedy to your dog’s drinking water* 24-48hrs prior to grooming to help relax them. And remember that dogs take their emotional cues from their owners, if you’re anxious and worried about the groom, your dog will be too.
*Please consult your vet first if your dog has any allergies

My dog is aggressive/does not like grooming, can you still groom them?
If your pet is aggressive or reactive due to fear/pain/anxiety/etc. during grooming it must be made known to the groomer PRIOR to the commencement of grooming. Failure to do so may result in the termination of service at any point and full-service fees charged.
Fear and aggression are assessed on a case by case basis at the time of the appointment. No guarantees are made and a modified or partial clip may be the only possible outcome.
The safety of your pet and the groomer are paramount and service will be cancelled if safety is compromised.

Will my dog be muzzled during grooming?
We will always do our best to work with your dog to reduce anxiety & aggression however if your dog is aggressive or reactive in any way, we reserve the right to muzzle them at the groomer’s discretion. Safety of the groomer and your pet is paramount and refusal to muzzle may result in termination of service and full-service fees charged.

Will my dog be sedated during grooming?
No, it is illegal for a groomer to sedate an animal without direct supervision of a vet.

My dog’s skin has become irritated after grooming, what can I do to help?
The biggest way to stop further irritation is to prevent your dog from licking or scratching at the area. Continued scratching can turn a minor irritation into a major problem.
Curash cream/powder, paw paw ointment or apple cider vinegar (1:1 dilution) are safe to be used to soothe skin irritations.

Socks, cones & t-shirts are also effective ways to prevent scratching.

Why won’t my dog stop scratching themselves since being groomed?
If your dog had a dramatic change in hair length it can feel weird to them for a few days as they’re feeling touch a lot differently now.
If there was matting then it may be because matting restricts blood flow to the skin. It can feel itchy as blood flow returns once the matting is removed.
It may also be because of an allergy to products used. All the products we use are natural and organic however we can’t guarantee no dog will react to them.

My dog seems depressed after being groomed, did something happen?
Chances are if your dog seems down after a groom it is not because something negative happened to them. If they are prone to anxiety or elderly, chances are the process just took a lot out of them and they just need a little longer to recover.
If your dog was matted or had a dramatic change in hair length, they may just need a few days to adjust to the way their body feels now.
Dogs do not feel embarrassment about a haircut however they can feel your emotions so if you’re upset about their haircut, they will mirror your feelings. A little love and some positive vibes can go a long way.  

My dog has a bleeding nail, how can I stop it?
Put pressure on the nail until it stops. Alternatively, you can use a little corn flour on the nail to act as an artificial scab and stop the bleeding.

My dog still has dark marks under their eyes after grooming, how can I prevent this?
Tear staining under the eye is caused by weeping from the eye. Some breeds are genetically prone to tear staining (Maltese, Bichons). Our blueberry facial shampoo helps reduce staining however there is no safe way for the groomer to remove staining completely. It can be prevented though by a change in diet, keeping hair around the eyes short and using saline and a cotton bud to wipe away eye boogers every other day.

My dog’s nails are still long after the groom, did they not cut them?
Nail clips are part of every service we provide. Groomers are limited to how much we can trim a nail as dog and cat nails have a vein growing inside (also known as ‘the quick’). The longer the nail gets, the longer the vein gets. It is painful and bloody to cut the vein and can make future nail trims much more difficult.
Ask your groomer or vet how you can safely make the vein recede and reduce the length of your pet’s nails.

I don’t like the way the groomer clipped my dog, what can I do?
Miscommunication between the groomer and owner is often the reason for dissatisfaction with a clip. Sometimes what you see in your mind is not always the picture that gets transferred to the groomers mind, especially if it is their first time grooming your pet. It may take a few appointments for you and the groomer to understand each and get on the same page.
If you just want a little more taken off here or this part shaped slightly differently don’t be afraid to ask the groomer to make slight alterations before you leave. Trust that they’d rather you speak up and be happy than say nothing and ruminate on it for the next couple of months.

Photos are the best way to communicate what you want. Your groomer will also have either taken notes of what they did during the last groom or taken a photo. Working out what you did and didn’t like about the previous clips is also a good way to help your groomer understand.
Sometimes your groomer will have to change something for practical reasons – whether they had to work around matting or because your pet’s coat is different to the one in the photo you provided. Being realistic in your expectations also helps. For example, a Jack Russel Terrier is never going to look like a show standard Poodle no matter how skilled the groomer is.

And lastly, the number one thing to remember if you don’t like the clip? The beauty of hair is that it will always grow back.

What products do you use?

We use a mixture of Petway & Secret Weapon products depending on your dogs needs.
For more information check out www.petwaypetcare.com.au    AND https://www.lindagillsecretweapon.com.au/webstore

My dog/family member has sensitive skin/allergies, can you supply use an allergy friendly shampoo?

Of course! We have a limited range of allergy friendly products in the salon that we are happy to use. Unfortunately we cannot special order shampoos for specific pets so if you/your pet requires a specific shampoo we recommend you bring it in with you for our groomers to use.

My dog/family member has sensitive skin/allergies, can I supply my own shampoo?

Of course! If there’s something that works better for your family and is safe for your pet feel free to bring in your own shampoo.

If I supply my own shampoo, do I get a discount?

No, as our shampoo costs are only a miniscule portion of the overall cost of the groom we cannot offer discounts.

My dog is prone to ear infections, can you stop water from getting in their ears?
We have several ways of reducing the risk of water getting in a dogs ears however there is no fool proof way to prevent it when bathing a dog.
If your dog is prone to ear infections using a tissue or cotton bud to wipe out the ears for a few days after a wash may help (do NOT use human ear cleaners/’Q Tips’ in a cat or dog’s ears).
Always speak to your vet if ongoing ear infections are a problem.

Do you express anal glands or pluck ear hair?
No. Dressed to the Canines works solely externally. Any internal procedures should be carried out by a vet.  

Will having the groomer brush my dog’s teeth mean I don’t need to have them done by the vet?
No. Having your pet’s teeth brushed by the groomer will help reduce tartar build up but only a clean done by a vet under anesthesia can guarantee your pet’s ongoing dental health.

Will my dog be crated during the groom?
Your dog may be briefly crated at the start of the groom if there is a slight overlap between clients. We aim for each pet to have their service start within 15 minutes of arrival so they are never in there for long. They may also also be crated at the end of the groom until you arrive to pick them up which ideally, is not very long at all.
We choose to crate when there is multiple dogs in the salon in order to ensure your dog’s safety and reduce risk to all animals and humans within the salon.

I think the groomer injured my dog, what do I do?
If you believe your dog has been injured during the grooming process it must be brought to the groomer’s attention within 48hrs of the appointment. Vet treatment must be provided promptly and an itemised bill as well as consent to speak to the vet must be provided to the groomer before any claims will be considered.

Feline FAQ

How often should my cat be groomed?
Well, that depends on your cat’s breed, coat type, the length of the last clip, time of year and how quickly they get dirty.
A general rule is every 4-12 weeks. Cats that are kept in a longer style, have a coat that mats easily or are unable to adequately groom themselves should be groomed more regularly than cats with shorter or more easily maintained coats.

Do I have to brush my cat between grooms? / I brush my cat but it still gets matted, what can I do? / What is matting & is it really that bad?
For an in depth overview of brushing & matting, click here.

My cat is matted but I don’t want them shaved, is there another option?
No. Dressed to the Canines goes by the motto Humanity over Vanity.
De-matting is a long, painful process and in a lot of cases is frankly inhumane. Dressed to the Canines will always go for the kinder option of shaving than causing your pet pain.
Learn more about matting here

I don’t want my cat to get cold in winter – do they still need to be groomed?
Yes. Grooming in the colder months is just as important as in Summer. Unkempt, matted or dirty coats trap water and do not keep a cat warm.
Provided the coat is healthy and not matted it can be kept longer to keep them warm.

I don’t want my cat shaved, can the groomer keep the coat long?
Yes, healthy, regularly maintained coats free from matting can be clipped at a longer length

My cat is anxious about grooming, how can I help them calm down?
The biggest way to get an anxious cat used to grooming is to keep sessions regular and to stick with the same groomer.
We use a mixture of techniques to keep cats calm during grooming including keeping grooming sessions as short as possible.

My cat is aggressive/does not like grooming, can you still groom them?
If your pet is aggressive or reactive due to fear/pain/anxiety/etc. during grooming it must be made known to the groomer PRIOR to the commencement of grooming. Failure to do so may result in the termination of service at any point and full-service fees charged.
Fear and aggression are assessed on a case by case basis at the time of the appointment. No guarantees are made and a modified or partial clip may be the only possible outcome.
It is possible to still work with aggressive and fearful cats however the safety of your pet and the groomer are paramount and service will be cancelled if safety is compromised.

Will my cat be muzzled during grooming?
If your cat is aggressive or reactive in any way, we reserve the right to muzzle them at the groomer’s discretion. Safety of the groomer and your pet is paramount and refusal to muzzle may result in termination of service and full-service fees charged.

Will my cat be sedated during grooming?
No, it is illegal for a groomer to sedate an animal without direct supervision of a vet.

My cat’s skin has become irritated after grooming, what can I do to help?
The biggest way to stop further irritation is to prevent your cat from licking or scratching at the area and making the irritation worse.

Why won’t my cat stop scratching themselves since being groomed?
If your cat had a dramatic change in hair length it can feel weird to them for a few days as they’re feeling touch a lot differently now.
If there was matting then it may be because matting restricts blood flow to the skin. It can feel itchy as blood flow returns once the matting is removed.
It may also be because of an allergy to products used. All the products we use are natural and organic however we can’t guarantee no cat will react to them.

My cat seems depressed or off after being groomed, did something happen?
Cats can be very cautious creatures that stress easily. They can often take a while to settle after a new or big experience.  It is not uncommon for cats to hide away & not eat or drink for a day or so after a groom - especially if there was a big change in hairstyle.
If your cat’s behaviour continues to be off, it is best to consult your vet.

I don’t like the way the groomer clipped my cat, what can I do?
Miscommunication between the groomer and owner is often the reason for dissatisfaction with a clip. Sometimes what you see in your mind is not always the picture that gets transferred to the groomers mind especially if it is their first time grooming your pet. It may take a few appointments for you and the groomer to understand each and get on the same page.
If you just want a little more taken off here or this part shaped slightly differently don’t be afraid to ask the groomer to make slight alterations before they leave. Trust that they’d rather you speak up and be happy than say nothing and ruminate on it for the next couple of months.

Photos are the best way to communicate what you want. Your groomer will also have either taken notes of what they did during the last groom or taken a photo. Working out how you want the previous clips changed is also a good way to help your groomer understand.
Sometimes your groomer will have to change something for practical reasons – whether they had to work around matting or because your pet’s coat is different to the one in the photo. Being realistic in your expectations also helps. For example, a Jack Russel Terrier is never going to look like a show standard Poodle no matter how skilled the groomer is.

And lastly, the number one thing to remember if you don’t like the clip? The beauty of hair is that it will always grow back.

What shampoos do you use?

We use the Petway range of products on our cat clients. They are Australian made & owned, naturally derived, pH balanced, sulphate, phosphate & soap free & environmentally friendly.
For more information check out their website here: www.petwaypetcare.com.au

My cat/my family has sensitive skin/allergies, can I supply my own shampoo?

Of course! If there’s something that works better for your family and is safe for your pet feel free to ask for your shampoo to be used instead.

Will having the groomer brush my cat’s teeth mean I don’t need to have them done by the vet?
No. Having your pet’s teeth brushed by the groomer will help reduce tartar build up but only a clean done by a vet under anaesthesia can guarantee your pet’s ongoing dental health.

Will my cat be put in a cage?
No, they will only be put in the carrier provided by you.

I think the groomer injured my pet, what do I do?
If you believe your cat has been injured during the grooming process it must be brought to the groomer’s attention within 48hrs of the appointment. Vet treatment must be provided promptly and an itemised bill as well as consent to speak to the vet must be provided to the groomer.

Why should my cat be bathed?
Cats should be bathed just as often as dogs. Although cats do a great job at cleaning the outside of their coat, they cannot penetrate down next to the skin where a lot of muck hides and can cause skin and hair issues.

But don’t cats hate water?
Not as much as you think. Once the warm water soaks into their coat it gets nice and heavy making the cat feel secure and safe. Plus, who doesn’t love a good shampoo massage?

I think my cat has dandruff, what should I do?
Get them bathed. That ‘dandruff’ is simply a build-up of dead skin the cat cannot remove with self-grooming. A bath and blow dry will remove all this build up and leave them with healthy skin and coat.

Why should I get my cat clipped?
There are a few reasons why you might choose to clip your cat.
·         To reduce the amount of fur shed in your home
·         If your kitty has problems with hairballs
·         If your cat is prone to matting
·         If they are old and can no longer maintain grooming themselves
·         To keep them cool in summer
·         To make it easier to check for ticks
·         Because it can look really cool!

What are Soft Paws?
Soft Paws are vinyl nail caps that are glued on to your cat's existing nails. They are completely safe and humane and can be used on cats of all ages. They are still able to retract their nails back into their sheaths but stop your cat from clawing you and the furniture. They are seen as the humane option over declawing a cat and look pretty fab at the same time.
For more information see their website here: https://www.softpaws.com/questions-answers-cat/