What to expect from your Pets Appointment
When you first arrive for your appointment, Mrs. Potts will greet you outside and escort you and your pet into her Grooming trailer. Once inside she will start by getting better acquainted with your Pet, giving them lots of love and pats, so she can gain their trust.
The next step will be to set you up with a couple of forms that need to be filled out before you leave. While you do that, she will do a quick assessment of your pet, this could look like more cuddles, but she is looking for any abnormalities. She looks for any lumps, bumps, moles, or wounds that she will need to look out for during the groom. She also will assess your pet's coat condition; searching out any matts that could change the cut of the groom.
Once you are all done filling out the forms, she will quickly go over them to ensure she has all the information she needs and make sure she understands any medical issues your pet may have. At this time she will also discuss how you would like your pet to look at the end of it's groom. Going over what type of cut you want, how short you would like to go, or if there is anything you would prefer a certain way.
Now it's time for you to leave your pet in Mrs. Potts capable hands, with the guarantee that she will put your pet's health first, and treat them like she would her own. Once you head out, the fun really begins!
This next step changes depending on your pet. If they are getting a short cut and have a lot of fur, Mrs. Potts will do a pre-clip on your pet. This doesn't need to be pretty, and is just to get rid of the bulk of the fur and any mats. By doing so, we can ensure your pet gets 100% clean in the bath. This also cuts down on drying time, which is the most stressful part for a majority of pets.
During the bathing process Mrs. Potts uses a recirculating bathing system. This ensures the shampoo gets right down to the skin, the constant pressure helps push dirt and loose hair out of the coat, and makes it easier to maintain water temperature, all while using less shampoo and conserving water.
Mrs. Potts will actually be giving your dog 2 baths. The first with a degreasing shampoo to remove built up oils and any dirt. The second bath is to ensure your pup looks, feels, and smells clean. This bath will be with a shampoo specifically selected for your dog based on their coat and skin condition.
There are a variety of products available for all your pet's needs, whether it be a gentler shampoo for a puppy or a soothing oatmeal shampoo for a dog with skin issues. We even have hypoallergenic and scent-free shampoos available. All the products we have available are designed for pets and are environmentally safe.
After a thorough rinsing to make sure there is no shampoo left, your dog is wrapped up in a towel and ready to be dried.
And if Mrs. Potts isn't just as wet as your pet, well something is just not right!
After toweling off as much water as she can from your pup, Mrs. Potts will switch over to her high velocity dryer. The health of your pet is our upmost concern, that is why we take every precaution to ensure their safety during the groom. This includes ear protection while Mrs. Potts is using her dryer. Cotton balls are used as earplugs, then we use a Happy Hoodie as added ear protection from the sound and wind given off by the dryer.
Using a high velocity dryer speeds up the drying time exponentially, but it also had other added benefits. The force of the dryer is enough to separate your pet’s fur. If there are mats on your dog, Mrs. Potts can use air to help work them out, or at least loosen them up. Separating the fur also means Mr. Potts can see down to the skin. So, while drying your dog, she also checks your pup for anything you might need to know about. Any moles or warts are made easy to see, and cuts or rashes are right out in the open.
It also helps with heavy double-coated dogs, like Golden Retrievers or Great Pyrenees, that shed a lot. The power of the dryer can force out the majority of undercoat your dog is shedding; making a mess of Mrs. Potts shop, instead of your house.
The drying is often the most stressful step of the groom for your pet, which is why we take every precaution to make it as easy on your pup as possible. That is also why, after your dog is dry, Mrs. Potts likes to give them a short break. This gives them a chance to calm down, and for Mrs. Potts to ask for their forgiveness.
Once forgiven, it’s back to the groom. If your pup is getting a full clip, whether they got a pre-clip or not, Mrs. Potts will go over your pet with her clippers. She will back brush your pup’s fur, while doing so to ensure an even cut. If your dog is just getting a trim, Mrs. Potts will use her scissors to tidy-up your pup’s fur, and will comb out any loose hair.
Once your dog’s all evened out and cut to the length that you like, it’s time to move on to the finishing touches. Shaving out of the pads of your dog’s paws, trimming their nails, and cleaning their ears are always included. Mrs. Potts likes to finish each groom with a sprits of puppy cologne, if there are no allergies in the household.