Grooming Guide

Grooming Frequency Guide

There’s no single schedule that suits every dog. Grooming frequency depends on coat type, lifestyle, home maintenance, and the style you want to maintain. This guide gives you a starting point which can be tailored to you and your dogs needs.

Double Coated Dogs

Double-coated dogs have a specialised coat designed to protect them from both heat and cold. This coat works best when it’s properly maintained, not clipped short. Understanding how double coats function helps you make informed grooming decisions that support comfort and long-term coat health.

Medical & Behavioural Considerations

Every dog is different. Age, health, and behaviour all affect how grooming is approached. Sharing accurate information helps keep grooming safe, calm, and appropriate for your dog.

Matting & Tangles

Matting is one of the most common grooming issues and one of the biggest causes of discomfort during grooming. This section explains what matting is, why it happens so quickly, how it affects your dog’s comfort and health, and what can realistically be done to prevent it.

Puppy Grooming

Early grooming de-sensitisation is one of the most important gifts you can give a puppy. Waiting until a puppy is knotted and needs to be shaved often creates a stressful first experience, whereas gentle, regular introductions build confidence. Grooming is a lifelong requirement for health and wellbeing, and dogs who feel safe and confident with grooming go on to live calmer, more comfortable lives.

My Policies

I believe in transparancy and understanding. I'm always happy to explain my policies and how they protect your dog and myself.

How often should I get my dog groomed?

There’s no single schedule that suits every dog. Grooming frequency depends on coat type, lifestyle, home maintenance, and the style you want to maintain. The guide below gives a realistic starting point. At home maintenance (like brushing and bathing) can extend the time between appointments.

Grooming Frequency Guide

Curly / Wool

(Poodles, Bichon Frise, Water Dogs, etc)

2-4 weeks - for longer style clips (includes possible in-between tidy appointments)

4-6 weeks - for shorter style clips (includes possible in-between tidy appointments)

6-10 weeks - for shorter practical clips (this fits most clients!)

10-12 weeks - short all over, very low maintenance

Long

(Maltese, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, etc)

2-4 weeks - for longer style clips (includes possible in-between tidy appointments)

4-6 weeks - for shorter style clips (includes possible in-between tidy appointments)

6-10 weeks - for shorter practical clips (this fits most clients!)

10-12 weeks - short all over, very low maintenance

Double Coat

(Pomeranian, German Shepherd, Husky, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Labrador, Austrian Cattle Dog, etc)

4-6 weeks - for high maintenance and de-shedding needs (long dense coats)

6-8 weeks - for medium maintenance needs (this fits most clients!)

10-12 weeks - for low maintenance and de-shedding needs (shorter or thinner coats)

Wire

(Schnauzer, Border Terrier, Jack Russell, Brussel Griffon, etc)

3-6 weeks - for hand stripping and style clips

6-10 weeks - for practical short clips and spa-only appointments (this fits most clients!)

10-12 weeks - for low maintenance all-over clips and spa-only appointments

Short

(Staffordshire Terrier, Beagle, Whippet, French Bulldog, Pug, Smooth Dachshund, etc)

4-6 weeks - for high shedding or high activity needs

6-10 weeks - for good skin and coat health and minimizing shedding (this fits most clients!)

10-12 weeks - for low shedding, low activity needs

Matting & Tangles

Common Questions

What is matting?

Matting occurs when loose hair, dead coat, dirt, moisture, and natural oils tangle together and tighten into dense clumps. These clumps often form close to the skin and continue to tighten over time, pulling at the hair follicles and skin underneath.

How quickly does it form?

Much faster than most people expect.
In many coats, matting can begin forming in 2–4 weeks, and sometimes less than a week in extreme environments. Curly, fine, wool-type, and shedding coats mat the fastest—especially when combined with moisture, friction, or infrequent thorough brushing. Oodle crosses commonly have incredibly tangle-prone coats due to the mixture of continuously growing curly hair and the coarse double-coat.

Is matting painful?

Not always, but they are usually uncomfortable and can grow to become painful if not removed. Tight matting can constantly pull on the skin, restricting airflow and trapping moisture. The longer it is there, the more hair and debrie build up worsen the discomfort into pain. Many dogs tolerate this quietly, which can make the discomfort easy to miss. Bathing and/or drying without detangling can cause the matts to shrink and tighten, increasing discomfort and possible injury.

When can matting be brushed out - and when does it have to be shaved?

Not all matting is the same. Whether a coat can be safely brushed out depends on several factors including the severity of the matting, the dogs tolerance for brushing and the type of coat involved.

Light, newly formed tangles that are loose and away from the skin can often be brushed out with time, correct tools, professional products and techniques, and a dog that is comfortable being handled for extended periods. In these cases, slow and careful brushing may be appropriate.

However, once mats become tight, compacted or sit directly against the skin, brushing them out can cause significant discomfort and even injury.

A dog's individual tolerance matters greatly. Some dogs will allow extended brushing and others become stressed.

De-matting on a small and safe scale can be done on tolerant dogs when the matts are far enough away from the skin and not too tight.

How can I prevent matting?

Regular brushing that reaches all the way to the skin is key, as mats begin underneath the surface of the coat, not on top.

Pay close attention to high-friction areas such as behind the ears, under the arms, around collars or harnesses, and at the base of the tail. These areas mat faster and often need more frequent checking than the rest of the coat.

The best method is using a slicker brush and the 'line brushing technique' and then checking the entire body with a comb for any missed tangled. You can look up line-brushing on youtube!

Double Coated Dogs

Common Questions

What is a double coat?

A double coat refers to the structure of the hair and growth and is made up of two layers:

a soft, dense undercoat that insulates and regulates temperature
a longer outer coat that protects against sun, heat, cold, and moisture

This system allows the dog to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter when it’s healthy and well maintained.
Because the layers grow at different rates, clipping a double coat can disrupt regrowth and damage how the coat functions long-term.

Will the double coat grow back once clipped?

Sometimes — but not always.
In some cases, the undercoat grows back faster than the outer coat, leading to a dense, fluffy texture that traps heat and mats easily. In other cases, the outer coat may never fully return to its original condition. Regrowth varies depending on breed, age, coat condition, at what stage the follicle growth was in at the time of clipping, and overall health.

When is clipping a double coat necessary?

Dogs with severe matting that cannot be removed safely, elderly or medically limited dogs who cannot tolerate long deshedding sessions, or dogs who become highly stressed or reactive when brushed.

Will you clip my double coated dog?

In specific cases, I'm happy to clip a double coat if it's in the best interest of the dog and if the client acknowledges the risks. Such cases include severe matting, medically or behavioral issues, and dogs that have been regularly clipped in the past. In these cases, dogs must be kept in climate-controlled conditions and protected from sun exposure.

Puppies

Common Questions

When should puppies get their first groom?

Puppies can usually have their first groom when they are fully vaccinated between 12 and 16 weeks. However, desensitization should begin as soon as you bring them home! The first appointment should be focused on creating a positive experience, and not on the actual hair cut.

What does a puppy appointment include?

A puppy's first appointment is recommended to be a Top & Tail service. This service is short and gentle and includes a bath, blow-drying, brushing, nail-trimming, a hygiene clip and a small tidy of the face, feet and tail. Puppies are still learning to stand, be handled and cope with the loud noises and vibrations that grooming requires, and a full hair cut too early can be overwhelming and create negative associations. Building confidence and trust is the priority.

How often should puppies be groomed?

Puppies benefit from regular, frequent visits, often every 3–5 weeks to begin with, even if very little coat is removed. Consistency helps puppies become familiar and relaxed with grooming over time.

What if my puppy is stressed? - Can I stay?

That’s normal. If a puppy becomes stressed, the groom may be shortened or stopped. Multiple calm, positive visits are far more effective than forcing one complete groom. You can help set up your puppy for success by de-sensitising them at home. Gently handle paws, ears and face, introduce brushing slowly and reward calm behaviour - don't turn it into a game.

Finally, for safety, owners are not able to remain in the grooming space. Dogs are often more settled and cooperative when their owner is not present, and distractions can increase stress or risk during grooming. This allows me to focus fully on your dog’s comfort, safety, and wellbeing.

Medical and Behavioural Considerations

Every dog is different. Age, health, and behaviour all affect how grooming is approached. Sharing accurate information helps keep grooming safe, calm, and appropriate for your dog.

Common Questions

My dog has a medical condition and is on medication, can they still be groomed?

Yes. Any medical conditions and medications must be disclosed before grooming. This includes heart conditions, arthritis or joint issues, seizures, respiratory concerns, skin conditions, allergies, recent surgery, or medications. This information allows grooming to be adjusted to keep your dog safe and comfortable.

Do you groom reactive dogs?

Yes, I work one-on-one in a quiet environment, which suits many dogs that are reactive to other dogs or sensitive to certain parts of the grooming process. I have experience working with reactive and biting dogs and hold a fear-free certification. Full disclosure of past behaviour is essential so grooming can be approached safely and appropriately. Occasionally, this will require addtional time and/or handling fees and I reserve the right to decline a service if I believe it is in the best interest of myself and the dog.

Do you groom senior dogs?

Yes, senior dogs are some of my favourite to groom. They can require extra care, shorter sessions and comfort-focused clips. Age-related risks such as arthritis, fatigue or cognitive decline are taken into account and grooming is adapted to suit the dog's limits. Occasionally, this will require additional time and/or handling fees and I reserve the right to decline a service if I believe it is in the best interest of myself and the dog.

My Policies Explained

I believe in transparancy and understanding. I'm always happy to explain my policies and how they protect your dog and myself.

Questions

Why do you need so much information before booking?

I ask for a lot of information, I know! But there's a good reason. I've tailored these questions specifically after over a decade in the animal industry.

Every dog’s health, behaviour, and grooming tolerance is different. Accurate information allows me to prepare appropriately, adjust handling, and keep grooming safe and calm. Withholding important details can put your dog, the groomer, and others at risk.

Why do you charge no-show, late pick-up and late cancelation fees?

As a small, one-on-one business, missed appointments cannot be filled at short notice. A no-show is charged at 100% of the groom cost, and cancellations within 24 hours are charged at 50%. Additionally, after the first 60 minutes following the appointment end, a $15 fee applies for every additional 30 minutes - this reflects extra supervision time. This time is how I pay my bills and support my family, and these policies help keep the business viable and fair for all clients.

Why do you require full vaccination and flea treatment?

For the safety of all dogs and the grooming environment, dogs must be flea-free and appropriately vaccinated. Fleas can spread quickly and require additional cleaning and treatment time, which disrupts scheduled appointments.