1.       How often should I groom my dog?

It depends on the type of coat, style of haircut, activity level, age of the dog and other factors.  For dogs requiring haircuts such as poodles bichon frises, malteses, cocker spaniels, etc. we recommend an interval of 4-6 weeks.

 2.       What can I do in between professional grooming sessions to keep my dog’s coat in good condition?

A good brushing and combing at least twice weekly will remove dead hair, distribute oils over the coat and prevent painful matting.  You may wash your dog using a quality dog shampoo and conditioner.   It is important to note that wet hair left too long on a dog may cause fungus growth and “doggy smells”.  We recommend that you hand dry your dog with a warm, not hot, hair dryer and comb as you dry the coat.

 3.       What is matting and how does it affect my dog?

Tight tangles that form in the dog’s coat are called mats.  These are painful as they pull on the dogs’ skin as they move and may be the perfect breeding place for bacterial and fungal infections.

 4.       Why can’t you de-mat my dog?

As groomers, we would like to groom every dog as closely to the breed standard as possible.  Shaving is our least favorite option but sometimes it is the humane option.  Moderate to severe matting require shaving as most dogs will not tolerate intensive de-matting.  We will be happy to de-mat light tangles if this does not cause the dog unnecessary discomfort.

 5.       Why does my dog get so nervous when he goes to the groomers?

Dogs are pack animals and do not usually enjoy being ‘abandoned’ by their pack.  That being said, it is our experience that most dogs actually calm down as soon as their owners leave and accept grooming very well.  While they would probably rather stay home and take a nap, being left at the grooming shop for a few hours is quite acceptable and in no way ‘traumatic’.

 6.        I have a double-coated breed, is it a good idea to shave my dog in the summer?

 It depends.  Dogs rely on their coat to protect them from the cold and the heat.  The best way    to optimize the protective properties of a coat is frequent brushing to remove dead undercoat and prevent packed and matted fur.  A double-coated dog should get a good brushing at least twice weekly.  Shaving a double- coated dog may be a solution if frequent brushing is not possible and we can advise you on the length of hair that best suits your purpose.

 7.       What is the best flea and tick prevention?

This question is best answered by your veterinarian.  However, if you are aware that your dog carries fleas, please notify us so we will rush him straight to the bathtub and apply our flea and tick shampoo.  All live fleas will then be killed and it is up to you to treat your home and surroundings to prevent them from re-depositing on your dog.

 8.       Why is it so expensive to groom my dog and why do prices vary so much?

Grooming a dog is wonderfully rewarding but also extremely time consuming and physically demanding.  Our groomers are not only skilled stylists but they are also experts of dog behavior and their level of skill and knowledge warrants fair compensation.   We price our services based on the overall time spent grooming your dog as many factors such as coat condition, behavior, weight, etc. can affect how difficult a groom is.

9.       What products do you use?

Our house shampoo is Plum Silky, a conditioning and texturizing shampoo from Nature’s Specialties.  We also use the all natural dog Tropiclean oatmeal and tea  tree shampoo and their high quality Spa Lavish line of products.  Our de-matting spray is Quicker Slicker from Nature's Specialties.  Dogs that need extra conditioning will receive a leave-in conditioner from Coat Handler.  For dogs with greasy coats and in need of a good deodorizing shampoo, we use the gentle but yet effective Grimeinator shampoo.  Dogs with white coats receive a whitening shampoo with lavender extracts from the Ikaria line.  A blueberry facial is used on all dogs to lighten tear stains and to allow good face scrubbing without the risk of eye irritation.  Our Neem flea and tick shampoo contains no pesticides and will kill all parasites while soothing the dog’s irritated skin.  We will be happy to use prescription shampoos provided by your veterinarians.  We offer de-skunking treatments using our house recipe for skunk odor.

 10.   I hear many horror stories of dogs getting injured or killed at the hands of groomers.  How do I know my dog is safe with you?

At Head to Tail, we make every effort to minimize the risk for injuries.  We do not use heated cage dryers and dogs are never left unattended on tables or in bathtubs.  We also assign kennels to each dog so they are not in direct contact with one another and are never allowed to roam freely in the shop.  It should be noted that our tools of trade are sharp and our customers are canines.  While it is impossible to guarantee that accidents will never occur, we can assure you that we will use every precaution to ensure a safe grooming experience for your dog.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@headtotailfairfield.com.