Scheduling:
We at A Gucci Pooch strive to make scheduling as convenient for you as possible and have appointments available in the AM and PM on weekdays and on Saturdays and Sundays. Our appointments are usually not at an exact set time, but more a 2 hour time period for arrival. We do this to insure that each pet receives the necessary time and attention that he or she requires. We will try to make it as close to this time frame as possible, but please be understanding if we are running late. Sometimes incidences are beyond our control, like car accidents, traffic, or a dog that requires us to move more slowly than usual (puppies, elderly dogs, and the rambunctious ones too) We will not sacrifice a client's pet's safety and well-being or that of our groomer's to rush to make an appointment on time. If we are running late, we will call you and let you have a better idea of our arrival time.
Confirming Appointments: We will call you the day before your scheduled appointment to confirm it. If you need to cancel, this is usually the latest we like to be informed. If we do not receive confirmation, we will consider the appointment canceled, unless you call to inform us otherwise.
No Show Policy: In the event that we arrive at a confirmed scheduled appointment and there is no one to release your pet to our care, an invoice for the "trip fee" will be left at your door. Please understand that our time is very valuable and we cannot schedule another pet in your spot, when we do not find out that the appointment is available until the actual time of the appointment.
Safety and Comfort:
Your pet's safety and comfort are our primary concern. We understand that each dog is unique, with his or her own experiences, abilities, likes, dislikes, fears, and stress levels. Please inform us if your dog has had any scary experiences with a groomer or other pet professional or anyone else for that matter. Also, please inform us of any allergies, sensitivities, or pre-existing conditions your pet might have.
We understand that some pets are extremely sensitive to some routine grooming procedures like toenail clipping and ear cleaning. Although the procedures are necessary for your pets health, we will not always perform these procedures perfectly. If it seems like your pet is stressed or may cause more harm to him-herself or the groomer than the good that can come from these procedures we will not continue to attempt these procedures. Sometimes these procedures are better left to the care of a veterinarian.
De-matting: We at A Gucci Pooch will not de-mat a pet. Excessive de-matting is a very painful, time-consuming costly procedure that can cause extreme discomfort and stress, and can aggravate or even cause skin problems. This is a complete contradiction to our stress-free philosophy. If a pet is badly matted, the hair may have to be taken down really short in order to allow new healthy hair to grow. Matting can be prevented with thorough daily brushing and regular grooming (usually every 4-6 weeks for grooming) . If you have any questions, we will be happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques. "Please do not ask us to torture your dog for the sake of you vanity, we just won't"
Difficult dogs: Although most pets are well behaved, not all of them are "perfect angels". Sometimes it is due to age. Because puppies require training on how to be a good grooming dog, they require much more time and patience to get them acquainted with the grooming process. The elderly, on the other hand, do not necessarily need training, but may have physical or mental limitations that require our groomers to take extra time and move more carefully. Sometimes dogs are difficult because they are scared. Some have had bad experiences, and some are just wary of strangers. We try to make every experience a pleasant and confidence building experience, so that with time and patience, our little scared friends will reward us with a happy greeting and a wag of the tail. Lastly, we have dogs with very LARGE opinions (even if they may only weigh 10lbs!) Although these dogs have very different personalities, they all require more time, patience, and work than a seasoned grooming veteran and may not turn out as perfectly as an average dog since the overall safety and well-being is our main focus. Please do not be insulted if you receive an extra charge for having a difficult dog, it doesn't mean we dislike him or her, it just means we had to take extra time. We will take our time to make sure each dog gets the most out of his or her grooming experience. Although we are willing to groom most dogs, we do reserve the right to refuse any dog that seems like a threat to our groomers.
