07/26/2026
Please take a moment to read this important reminder:
🐾 Why I Choose Maintenance-Based Grooming 🐾
I had a conversation with a client the other day that made me realize something...
While I've welcomed a few new faces into my schedule recently, I haven't explained in a while why my salon operates the way it does. So, whether you've been with me for years or you've joined the pack more recently, here's a little refresher on an important policy.
As a Certified Fear Free Groomer, I don't offer "client-choice" appointment schedules. Instead, I work on maintenance-based grooming.
Why?
Because Fear Free grooming—also called cooperative grooming—is built on trust, consistency, and positive experiences. The best way to help your dog feel comfortable with grooming isn't by squeezing in appointments only when they're needed—it's by staying ahead of the problem.
Regular maintenance allows your pup to become familiar with the process, build confidence, and develop a trusting relationship with me. Over time, grooming becomes something they can tolerate—or even enjoy—instead of something they fear.
And honestly... I love my job. ❤️ I want to keep loving it, and I want every pup who walks through my door to feel safe and cared for.
That brings me to reset trims.
A reset trim happens when a dog has gone beyond their recommended maintenance schedule—whether that's because appointments were missed, brushing at home wasn't keeping up with the coat, or a longer style was chosen that isn't realistic to maintain.
Unfortunately, coats can become matted very quickly.
Matting isn't just a cosmetic issue—it can be painful. Removing severe matting means carefully sliding a vibrating metal blade between your dog's delicate skin and the tight mat. Even when done as safely as possible, it pulls on the skin and fur.
Imagine sitting in your hairstylist's chair while your hair is constantly being tugged hard enough to pull on your scalp. Now imagine that sensation over your entire body.
That's what a matted dog experiences. 💔
The hardest part for me is that one reset trim can undo months—or even years—of trust we've built together. A dog who has always felt safe during grooming can suddenly associate me with discomfort, and that breaks my heart.
Here's something to think about:
If I groom your dog for two hours every six weeks, my hands are on your pup for roughly 0.2% of their life.
The other 99.8% is spent at home. As much as I'd love to wave a magic wand, there simply isn't one that can undo weeks of matting or neglected coat care.
When I recommend a grooming schedule, it isn't arbitrary.
I'm considering:
🐶 Your dog's coat type.
🐶 Their personality and tolerance for grooming.
🐶 Your lifestyle (swimming, hiking, rainy walks, muddy adventures!).
🐶 How much brushing your dog comfortably allows at home.
🐶 Your own schedule and what is realistically manageable.
My goal is never to sell you more appointments.
My goal is to keep your dog comfortable, healthy, mat-free, and happy while making every grooming visit as low-stress as possible.
I'm so grateful because the vast majority of you have embraced this approach, and I've heard so many wonderful comments over the years about how much calmer and happier your pups are during grooming. Those success stories are exactly why I do things this way.
Going forward, I will be firmly enforcing my reset trim policy. This isn't about being strict—it's about protecting your dog's comfort and preserving the trusting relationship we've worked so hard to build together.
Thank you for trusting me with your best friends. It truly means the world to me. ❤️
If you ever have questions about your dog's grooming schedule, coat care, or how to make brushing easier at home, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're a team, and we're all working toward the same goal—a happy, healthy pup who feels safe every time they visit. 🐾💕
