Yes. Booking an appointment for a grooming service ahead of time ensures that you and your pet are not kept waiting any longer than necessary.
The amount of time it takes to groom your dog varies by breed and service, but you can usually plan on it taking between 1-3 hours. Express services can be arranged upon request, shortening service time. Minor services, such as nail trims, take approximately 10 minutes and no appointment is necessary (subject to salon availability).
We have large and spacious kennels in the salon, however we do not like to keep your dog locked in a kennel while here. The only reason to keep your dog in a kennel is if you are late collecting your dog and we have already started our next appointment. We keep kennel time to an absolute minimum and there is always fresh water available and someone in the same room to keep your dog company.
No, we never sedate dogs, nor do we accept any who have been sedated. If your dog has been known to have a strong behavioral reaction to grooming or bathing, please advise us when making the appointment and when dropping off. If a pet is truly uncooperative or made uncomfortable by the process, we might end the session and advise you on the possible solutions – but we will never sedate your pet.
Yes, of course! We try our hardest to cater for everyone. We do appreciate, however, if your pet has any behavioral problems you could inform us before the grooming commences so that we can prepare for it and ensure everyone in the salon are kept safe.
Frequency of grooming visits will depend on the breed of dog and your choice of styling for your pet but the following will give you a rough guide:
Curly coated breeds such as Poodles and Bichons will benefit from regular visits every 6 to 8 weeks.
Harsh or wiry coated breeds such as West Highland, Scottish, Wire Fox, Airedale and Welsh Terriers, Schnauzers and Deerhounds, every 10 to 12 weeks.
Long silky breeds such as Yorkshire and Maltese Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Afghan Hounds, Spaniels and Setters can vary between 8 and 12 weeks dependent largely on what degree of care is given by their owners between grooming visits.
Short coated breeds such as Dachshunds, Corgis, Pointers and Labradors will normally benefit from a twice yearly visit for removal of dead coat and a tidying up and treatment of face, ears, nails, hygiene areas and paws.
Double coated breeds such as the New Foundland, Great Pyrenees, Husky, St.Bernard, Collies and Sheepdogs, between 2 and 3 visits per year dependent on individual coats and between-visit coat care. Any dogs regularly working outdoors or those who enjoy a particularly active and muddy lifestyle may of course require more regular washing and attention to ears, feet and paws.
Keeping an animal calm is part and parcel of a groomer’s experience, knowing how to handle and talk to your dog will solve 99% of problems.
Muzzles will be used only as a last resort and normally if required, will only be applied for a very short part of the process. It is very rare to find an ‘un-groomable dog’ but safety if our first priority and if we come across any serious aggressive behavioral problems during a visit we reserve the right to end the session and call you to collect your dog.
All dogs should arrive with a collar and lead.
Please ensure that you inform us of any special needs, ailments, problems, ongoing veterinary treatments, so that we can ensure the comfort of your dog at all times – enabling us to avoid any sensitive areas, supporting any injured or tired limbs etc. If in any doubt, please check with your vet before booking an appointment.
Please ensure that your dog has been on a recent walk before coming in to ensure they have been to the toilet!
We can see your puppy anytime after their first vaccinations are completed (normally around 3 months). The evolution from a puppy to an adult coat is wholly dependent on breed and a grooming regime will be suggested to suit.
It is good to have your puppy become familiar with grooming as early as possible after the first set of puppy shots, usually 12-16 weeks of age. Our Puppy Package will help him/her learn at an early that grooming is a pleasant experience.
Generally a dog’s nails need trimming every 3-4 weeks.
No, absolutely not. We have two separate dryers in our salon. A cool, high velocity dryer and a slightly warmer, finishing dryer. This not only results in a better quality finish but allows us to closely inspect your dog’s skin for potential health concerns.
There’s a difference between tangles and mats. Tangles are loosely formed and usually occur in the outer “guard” coat. They don’t involve large areas and aren’t tightly clumped. For dogs who aren’t too sensitive, these can be brushed or combed out.
Mats occur when tangles get out of control. The hair clumps together tightly. They can form against the skin, under the top layer of hair. If you don’t brush your dog all the way down to the skin, mats can still form in the undercoat even if the outer layer of your dog’s coat looks good. Brushing out mats is time-consuming and very painful for your dog. It can even cause abrasions to your dog’s skin. Only shaving out matted areas is possible, but it will level the groom very untidy, due to the uneven hair length. To remove matted hair without hurting your dog, it’s necessary to shave the hair off close to the skin to get under the mats. This is the only way to remove mats without causing your dog any more pain. Continuing to shave the rest of the unmated hair allows the hair to grow back evenly.
Grooming is unpredictable. Your dog may not have been cooperative. Your dog’s hair may not have the same consistency as that other dog. Your dog may have insisted on tilting his head to the right the entire time we were trying to shape his face. It’s important to remember that we are here not only to make your dog look awesome (which is always the goal), but to also make your dog’s grooming experience as positive and enjoyable as we can.
Top Dogs offers a bespoke service tailored to each individual dog. Without assessing the dog and its coat we cannot quote a definite price on any breed. A final price will be quoted before the start of the grooming process and the price will take into consideration the following factors:
the size and weight of the dog
the condition of the coat
the styling required
the temperament/aggressiveness of the dog (in extreme circumstances)
At Top Dogs we strive to provide a premium, first class service dedicated to you and your dog.
We understand that in order to build long term relationships, we must work with each individual in order to achieve their desired result. That means each time you visit we will update your dog’s very own personal grooming file. We keep meticulous records on what groom your dog had previously, including:
The cosmetics used on your dog
The length of guard used on the clippers
Whether there were any special requests
And any other issues needed to be remembered about your special friend
This enables you to inform us of the features you like and the elements of the groom you would like to change so that on the next visit we can make the small adjustments necessary to meet your expectations. We keep these records so that once we find your perfect style, we can reproduce that each and every time you visit.
