Puppy Introduction to Grooming

Essential Puppy Grooming Acclimation Sessions

We recommend starting off puppies with introductory grooming sessions as soon as possible.

We're able to begin with the 1st Puppy Aclimmation session one week after the last puppy vaccination is completed (usually between 12-16 weeks of age).

There are typically 4 sessions, booked 2 weeks apart. In order to secure availability, you'll want to set up all 4 sessions with us as soon as you know the appointment date of your puppy's last round of vaccines.

These sessions are to introduce the grooming process slowly, expanding on the process each time. We use positive rewarding training treats and lots of happy love! Our goal is to teach the grooming process in a way that is enjoyable and sets your puppy up to associate grooming as a pleasant experience.

Here's an idea of how the sessions advance:

1st Session: introduction to combs, brushes, bathing, ear cleaning, and easing in to what blow drying sounds and feels like. We also turn the dremel on to introduce the sound, and depending on how your puppy is reacting, we'll touch the dremel to a few nails.

2nd Session: practice with combs, brushes, bathing, ear cleaning, blow drying, nail dremeling, and general table training. We also introduce the sound and sensation of scissors, in hopes to be able to clear hair from around the eyes.

3rd Session: pratice all of the same things again, but this time we also introduce the sound and sensation of clippers. This time we hope to clear away all hair from sanitary areas (around the eyes, the paw pads/feet, and the pee/poo areas.

4th Session: If your puppy has accepted everything well up till now, we'll begin practicing haircutting all over. If not, and your puppy still needs acclimation, we'll recommend a 5th Session before attempting an all over haircut.

PRICING:

Sessions 1-3: Typically $48-$68 depending on the size/breed
Session 4: Typically $68-$88 depending on the size/breed
Please note that if you have an extra large puppy that is over 30 lbs by 5 months of age, pricing may be higher.
Once your puppy is ready for their big boy/big girl first full grooming, we will recommend monthly grooming appointments (unless your puppy has a special coat type that needs a more frequent schedule) and the price will increase in small increments till puppy has reached their adult size by 1 year of age
See the Dog Grooming tab and "How Much do you Charge" section, to get an idea of the pricing for your puppy's breed once they're an adult

If you're not convinced how beneficial it is to begin grooming off this way, feel free to chat up any of our clients in person, or engage them on our social media posts to get it straight from them!

Once you hear (and see) how their dogs pull in excitement to come in for their grooming appointments, it will help you understand why starting off puppies this way is so important!

Vaccination Requirements

General Requirements + Specific Vaccination Requirements

ONE WEEK WAIT PERIOD REQUIRED

Please be advised that a minimum one-week interval is required between your pet’s vaccination and their visit to our facility.

This interval allows sufficient time for immunity development without exposing your pet to additional stressors or a new environment.
It also provides you the opportunity to monitor your pet at home for any adverse reactions or illness following vaccination (such as soreness or swelling at the injection site).
We aim to avoid shampooing, brushing, dematting, or deshedding over any tender vaccine sites to prevent discomfort.
We want your dog to fully enjoy daycare activities without exacerbating any inflammation or soreness.
If your pet has recently received vaccinations and is brought to our facility for grooming, daycare, or boarding, we reserve the right to cancel or decline the appointment, with forfeiture of any deposit.
Should exceptional circumstances prevent the full 7-day wait, please consult management for possible approval of exception.

DATE OF VACCINE ADMINISTRATION REQUIRED

We do not accept future vaccination dates; the actual date of administration must be provided.

Each veterinarian follows their own vaccination schedule or protocol.
Vaccination due dates may vary by state, city, and even by clinic locations within the same city/county
We require the exact date each vaccine has been given, the clinic/location where it was administered, and confirmation that it was performed by a licensed veterinarian.
If your record only indicates the vaccine and its next due date, please request an official record showing the actual administration date.
By law, you must be provided with an official Rabies Certificate.

VACCINATIONS MUST BE ADMINISTERED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN

We only accept vaccinations given by licensed veterinarians.

Vaccinations that are self-administered are not accepted.
Vaccination sticker labels or handwritten puppy health logs are not accepted as valid documentation.

CANINE CORE VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Puppies under one year old

Two doses of Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvovirus/Parainfluenza (DAPP or DHPP), administered 2-4 weeks apart by 16 weeks of age (booster due one year later).
Rabies vaccination by 16 weeks of age (booster due one year later).
Please follow your veterinarian’s specific recommendations regarding Bordetella bronchiseptica (a bacterial agent), as protocols vary in form, administration method, and frequency.

Adult dogs over one year old

One-year booster for Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvovirus/Parainfluenza (DAPP or DHPP) following the final puppy vaccine, then every three years thereafter.
One-year booster for Rabies following the final puppy vaccine, then every three years thereafter.
Consult your veterinarian for Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination recommendations, as protocols vary in form, administration, and frequency.

Titer Testing

Titer testing is accepted after the one-year booster vaccine for adult dogs.
Titer results must be provided every three years following the one-year booster.

FELINE CORE VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Kittens under one year old

Two doses of Core Vaccines administered 3-4 weeks apart by 16 weeks of age: FCV (feline calicivirus), FHV-1 (feline herpesvirus-1), FPV (feline panleukopenia), also commonly referred to as FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia).
Core vaccine booster due one year later.
Rabies vaccination by 16 weeks of age (booster due one year later).

Adult cats over one year old

One-year booster of Core Vaccines following the final kitten vaccine, then every three years thereafter.
One-year booster for Rabies following the final kitten vaccine, then every three years thereafter.

Titer Testing

Titer testing is accepted after the one-year booster vaccine for adult cats.
Titer results must be provided every three years following the one-year booster.

Spay / Neuter Requirements

Calm Balance

All puppies projected to weigh under 45 lbs as adults must be spayed or neutered by six months of age.

All puppies projected to weigh 45 lbs or more as adults must be spayed or neutered by nine months of age.

All kittens are required to be spayed or neutered by five months of age.

While we respect your personal decision to delay spaying or neutering until your pet is older, our policies are in place for the betterment of all our guests.

Our facility is committed to maintaining a calm and balanced environment which is best achieved by minimizing hormonal influences such as females in heat and males experiencing high hormonal levels.

Occasionally, exceptions are made for professional conformation breeders and handlers during slower seasons; these are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account carefully timed hormonal cycles.

We strongly support responsible spaying and neutering to help reduce pet overpopulation which contributes significantly to the high numbers of cats and dogs in shelters nationwide.