Dog grooming policies, Colorado Springs What to know before you come

Every dog needs current distemper and parvo shots from 8 weeks old, and rabies from 16 weeks old. Please bring proof to your dog's first groom, like the vet record or a clear photo of it. We keep it on file. The salon sees a lot of dogs every day, so this protects yours and everyone else's.

Grooming is by appointment, Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM. We're usually booked about two weeks out. The best way to get the days you want is to book your next groom when you pick up. Many of our clients keep a standing appointment for the whole year.

If you need to cancel or move your appointment, please call at least 24 hours ahead. That gives us time to offer the spot to another dog. A late cancel or a no-show is charged 50% of the service, added to your next groom. We understand that life happens. A quick call, even a late one, always helps.

Call us if you're running late for drop-off. If we can still fit your dog in that day, a late fee is added to that groom. If it's too late in the day to give your dog a proper groom, we'll move you to another day rather than rush it.

We text you about 15 minutes before your dog is ready. Please pick up within an hour of that text, and before we close at 4 PM. Dogs are happier at home than waiting at the shop.

Grooming is drop off and pick up. Dogs settle faster without their people in the room, and it keeps the salon calm for every dog.

Mats pull on the skin and hurt, so we look at the coat with you before we start. If you want the coat saved, we brush the mats out, and a de-mat fee of $10 to $30 is added depending on the time it takes. If the coat is too matted to save, it needs a short cut first, which also has a fee. We never shave a dog down without your okay.

We don't shave double coated dogs like Huskies, Goldens and Shepherds. Their coat protects them from sun, heat and cold, and shaving can change how it grows back. We clean the coat deeply and brush out the undercoat instead.

If we find fleas or ticks, your dog gets a flea bath, which is $5 to $10 extra, and we'll let you know. Dogs in heat are groomed at no extra charge.

Tell us about anything we should know when you book: skin problems, sore joints, recent surgery, seizures, medicine, or a dog who's had a hard time at a groomer before. It changes how we handle your dog and when we book them. If we notice something new during the groom, like a lump or a sore spot, we'll let you know at pickup so you can have your vet check it.

Nail trims are the one thing we do without an appointment. Walk-in nail trims are $15 to $25 and cash only, during our regular hours, Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM.

We take cash, check and card, at pickup. Walk-in nail trims are cash only. New clients get an estimate at drop-off, because the final price depends on what the coat needs.