Policies
To keep things running smoothly and enable me to devote more time to serving you and your pets, please take a minute to read through our policies before your appointment. Thank you!
1. No-shows and last-minute cancellations(less than 24 hours notice) are subject to a $25.00 fee per pet that must be paid before another appointment will be scheduled. I understand that emergencies happen and will try to work with you, but please call as soon as possible if you will need to cancel or reschedule your appointment so I can give someone else your spot.
2. Clients that are more than 15 minutes late will be considered "no-shows" and may have to be rescheduled. Please be respectful of appointment times, your promptness is appreciated.
3. Please wait until I call or text you to come back for pick up or to check on your pet. If your pet sees you coming back before they are finished, or I have to stop to answer your call I lose their attention and they may become too excited for me to safely finish their grooming appointment. Showing up or calling to check on them will only make the grooming process take longer and serve as a distraction. Please trust that if your pet isn't doing well, is stressing, or your presence is needed I will call you right away and let you know.
4. If your pet has any health issues, skin issues, or behavior issues(ie: biting or nipping) for grooming that you are aware of please let me know before we start so I can take precautions to protect all parties.
5. In the case of biting/nipping/fighting the grooming process: If your pet damages the groomer or my salon equipment you will be held liable for those expenses, up to and including repair or replacement, medical, and recovery. If you think I may need to muzzle your dog for any reason please let me know before we begin.
6. Please give your dog a chance to "relieve" themselves before their appointment. They will be with me for a couple hours and we can occasionally take quick breaks if needed, but stopping for unscheduled breaks or to clean up accidents that could have been prevented can set my whole schedule behind and/or raise the grooming fee if an extra bath or extra time/accident clean-up is needed. If you know that your dog has accidents or marks inside, please carry them in or keep a close eye on them to prevent it in the salon.
7. I have a NO-FLEA policy. Fleas happen, but please don't make your flea problem everyone's flea problem. If you have seen any sign of fleas in your home or on any of your pets please call and cancel your appointment until you have the issue resolved. I am happy to advise you on treating the issue, but I need to protect my other clients as well. Thank you for your understanding. If I discover any signs of fleas on your dog a flea fee will be added to your bill to cover the clean up and prevention of the infestation spreading in the salon, this fee is non-negotiable.
8. I accept cash , checks, or cards for payment. Payment is expected upon pick-up, no exceptions. Your dog will not be released from my care until payment is received. A boarding fee may be added to your total if your pet has to be left with me for an extended amount of time due to lack of payment.
9. A $35 fee will be charged for any check returned for insufficient funds.
HUMANITY BEFORE VANITY
A Word About Shaving Down Matted Coats
What is "matting"? Matting is tangling or knots that usually form near the root of the hair in a pet's coat. These are not the kind of small tangles that happen overnight or can easily be brushed out. These are a sign that your pet's coat is not receiving the regular grooming or brushing attention it requires. Matting can cause not only pain for your pet, but also hidden skin and health issues, and pain during the removal/shave down process.
"I can not brush this out without it hurting, your dog will need to be shaved down today."
It's a dreaded sentence for most owners, and one that no groomer wants to have to say, but sometimes it is the only humane option for a coat that has not been properly maintained. As a groomer, I take pride in the fact that I can make your pet look and feel great. I love the look on your face when you come to pick up your pet and are happy with my work. I do not like having to shave your pet down short and send them out looking "naked". A shave down is usually reserved for times when there is no other option. If you like your dog's coat longer, prefer the shaggy look(doodles), or like it fluffy, it is important to be aware of the maintenance this type of style requires and to stay on top of it by either brushing/combing at home with the appropriate tools, or scheduling regular grooming appointments to prevent your dog's coat from becoming tangled or matted. If your dog is tangled or has mats, you are overdue for an appointment. If you can't brush it out at home, I probably can't brush it out either without causing extreme discomfort or pain to your dog. It is my responsibility to always choose humanity before vanity in this case.
Life happens, Shave downs happen, but it is your responsibility as a pet owner to prevent it being repeatedly necessary. I get it, and I am not here to shame or judge you, I'm here to help. I am happy to advise you on the right brushes/combs for your dog between appointments and on the appropriate schedule for your dog's grooming needs. It's my job to partner with you to keep your pet from ever having to endure the pain and discomfort of having to be shaved down due to coat neglect ever again; the first step is knowledge so please don't be afraid to ask me questions, I'm happy to help.
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Anxiety And Your Dog
Our pets love and trust us, they spend their days with us, look to us for guidance, and pick up on our social and emotional ques. Our dogs bond to us and us to them. When we feel a certain emotion our dog will pick up on that emotion. Have you ever noticed how your dog responds when you are angry/sad/happy in their presence? They are taking their ques from you because they trust you; you are their "pack". The same holds true for anxiety and fear. Think of your dog as an emotional barometer. They can feel your emotions not only in your voice, but in your body language or even the way you hold or touch them in certain situations. They can even feel it in the way you hold their leash! Nature has programmed them with this phenomenal ability, that's what makes them such great companions. If you have anxiety over leaving your dog for a grooming appointment your dog is going to pick up on your anxiety and their natural reaction will be to trust your feeling of anxiety and become anxious or fearful as well. It is amazing how many dogs I have seen in my career who are anxious and fearful when being dropped off, but calm down the minute their anxious owner walks out the door and they are left in the hands of a calm groomer.
Choosing me as the professional you entrust with your dog's grooming needs is something I do not take lightly, and neither should you. I love my career and while your dog is with me I love them like one of my own. I need them to feel safe and calm so I can do my job. As your groomer, I promise that your dog will receive nothing less than what I would want for my own dogs-nothing less than my absolute best. It's important for you to remember this so that when you leave your dog with me you aren't nervous or anxious about it. To make their grooming experience as stress-free as possible Please remember these tips when leaving your pet:
***A quick hand-off and speedy and casual goodbye usually work wonders for the anxious pet, show them you trust me and that they have nothing to fear.
***If your pet is experiencing anxiety, a dramatic coddling or a big show of affection to try to calm them before you hand them to me will make it worse and lead them to believe their anxiety is justified. I know it may be difficult, but ignoring this behavior is better than reinforcing it by trying to comfort them. You are training/conditioning them on how to behave in this situation, train wisely.
***If you are feeling anxiety about leaving your pet in my care(upon request) I will be happy to send you a quick text update or short video once they have calmed down to help relieve your anxiety and show you that your pet has calmed and is doing fine.
If you would like to offer a testimonial for Meg's Grooming Salon to be featured on this site, please feel free to email us mbeikmann@yahoo.com