The Bark’N Lot

10/15/2026

Yep pretty much. The regulars have seen the proof

10/09/2026

With season changing just a little reminder to make a routine for all season to brush and comb your cats and dogs 🐕 ❤️😍🐈

10/07/2026

🐾 A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE ON GROOMING PRICE INCREASES 🐾

This post is for everyone.

It’s for the groomers I see every single day stressing over how to tell their clients they need to raise their prices.

And it’s also for the dog parents who are wondering why their groom suddenly went up $5, $10, or sometimes more.

Because I’m a groomer and business owner too, and I can promise you: price increases are dreaded.

We don’t enjoy doing them. They’re awkward. We know there will be questions. We know there may be backlash. We know some clients may even get upset enough to leave and find another grooming shop.

Nobody is sitting behind the grooming table excited to send out a price increase.

But groomers everywhere are being forced to adjust — and this is one small example of why.

I took a few minutes this morning and compared shampoo pricing from 2024 to 2026. I pulled examples from three major grooming brands at different price points — not just the most expensive luxury products.

And across the board, prices have gone up.

In some cases, dramatically.

And please remember:

THIS IS JUST SHAMPOO.

This doesn’t include conditioner.
Brushes.
Combs.
Clippers.
Blades.
Shears.
Bows.
Bandanas.
Cologne.
Ear cleaner.
Nail supplies.
Dryers.
Grooming tables.
Tubs.
Equipment repairs.
Utilities.
Insurance.
Software.
Towels.
Laundry.
Cleaning products.

The list goes on and on.

Groomers aren’t getting hit with a little $2 or $5 increase here and there anymore. Some of the professional products we depend on have climbed $15, $30, $40+ per container in only a couple of years.

And these aren’t optional purchases.

If we want to continue providing your dogs with safe, professional grooming and quality products, we have to buy them.

That’s the part I think sometimes gets missed.

When we reorder shampoo, we may notice it costs more than last time, sigh a little, and hit “buy” because… what else are we going to do? We need it to work.

But when that happens over and over again, on product after product, month after month, while our grooming prices stay exactly the same for years, something eventually has to give.

Our bills go up.
Our supplies go up.
Our equipment goes up.
And if our prices never move, our actual income goes down.

So to the groomers who feel guilty about raising your prices: look at the numbers. You still have to make a living. You still have bills to pay. You still deserve to run a healthy, sustainable business while providing the level of care you’re proud of.

And to the clients who see a $5 or $10 increase and wonder why:

This is why.

Most groomers aren’t raising prices because they suddenly decided they want to charge more just because they can.

They’re doing it because keeping a grooming business open in today’s economy costs significantly more than it did even two years ago.

We love your dogs. We love what we do. And we want to keep doing it.

But in order to continue giving your pups the quality care, products, time, equipment, and attention they deserve, our pricing sometimes has to grow right along with the cost of providing that care. ❤️🐾

A price increase isn’t always greed. Sometimes it’s simply what allows a small business to keep its doors open.

09/28/2026

An Important Update for My Clients
As we approach the end of the year and look toward 2027, I wanted to share a little more personally about some of the changes happening behind the scenes in my family and business.

At the beginning of September, my childcare hours were unexpectedly reduced by nearly four hours a day, less than eight weeks into the new school year. Around the same time, my daughter started kindergarten. This has resulted in both of my children having very different schedules and attending two separate facilities.

While I have been working hard to adjust, these changes have significantly reduced my availability for late appointments, rescheduling, and accommodating last-minute changes. I was not prepared for such a substantial reduction in childcare hours so soon after the school year began. At this time, I also have not found a safe and reliable alternative, although I am continuing to explore my options.

With the combination of reduced availability and increasing business and personal expenses, I have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to increase my pricing. Going forward, all clients will be on one standard rate, with small dog appointments beginning at $80.

I understand that price increases are never easy, especially with the rising cost of living, and I have given this decision a great deal of thought. Because of that, I will not be enforcing the new pricing immediately. The new rate will take effect beginning with the visit following your next scheduled visit after this notice.

Updated Appointment Policies
To help me protect my limited appointment availability and continue providing consistent care to everyone:

Cancellations: Appointments cancelled with less than 24–48 hours' notice will be subject to a fee of 50–100% of the scheduled appointment cost, depending on the circumstances.

Late arrivals: Clients arriving more than 15 minutes late will be considered a missed appointment and will be charged accordingly. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make exceptions to this policy, as late arrivals can significantly impact the remainder of the day's schedule.

These policies are necessary because last-minute cancellations, no-shows, and extended delays create costs and scheduling challenges that I am no longer able to absorb.

I want to be transparent that this has not been an easy decision. One of the hardest parts of owning my own business is having to balance being there for my clients while also setting healthy and necessary boundaries for my family and home life.

I have had many conversations over the years about finding that balance, and as I move into 2027, I am choosing to make the decisions that allow me to continue being present for my family while also maintaining a sustainable business.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the years of love, trust, patience, and support you have given me and my business. I truly appreciate every one of you and the opportunity to care for your animals.

I hope to continue being here for you and your pets for many years to come. ❤️

Thank you for understanding and for supporting my small business and my family.

09/28/2026

Kota thinks I want to steal his soul and cant believe im videoing him 😅💓💯

09/23/2026

Today was the day Sadie fully unwaving trusted me . No cone. To grooming seat belt me and her . With reassure and a few very spicy moments finally after a year . This vidoe I took because she wanted to stay with me. Not walk away from me . Or demand to be put in a kennel right after grooming. I cant explain what draws me to the dogs that get kicked out of salons or are neglected or been treated with the lack kindness and love and reassure . This lean into my heart is what made my day. No matter how hard. No matter how long .these moments with these animals. Theses fur kids dont realize it . They also fixed something inside of me as well .💓

04/10/2026

I will be out of office today for a memorial service of a dear friend . No one will be present in shop till tuesday this coming week . Hug your friends and choose conversation with a friend you havnt heard from in awhile . Nothing is promised. Hug your loved ones .

02/16/2026

02/16/2026

Some valentines babies 💓💓

01/06/2026

The stomach flu got me !😱ill be out of office today 1-6-2026.