Why was I charged a de-matting fee?
Why was I charged a Difficult Dog Charge?
Why was I charged a no show fee?
Why was I charged more than $5 for your nail trim service?
What kind of food do you recommend for dogs and why?
What should I do if it's my dog's first time and he / she is wary of groomers?
What should I do if I see my dog on the grooming table?
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Why was I charged a de-matting fee?
De-matting is when a groomer spends extra time brushing and combing matted fur out. It is time consuming and hard work for the groomer. Depending on the severity of matting it can be extremely painful for the pet as well. Imagine tying your hair up with a rubber band; now picture taking it out. The rubber band will cling to the hair and as you try to untangle it, it will inevitably rip out some hair. That is exactly like brushing out a stubborn mat. A de-matting fee ($7.50) is charged for every additional 15 minutes spent de-matting.
Sometimes a dog only has slight matting that can easily be brushed out. Other times dogs will come in severely matted and brushing out the mats would be inhumane and unnecessarily painful for them. In order to get all the mats out, our groomers need to get the clippers underneath the mat. How short we have to shave your dog depends on how close to the skin they are matted. An additional coat stripping fee ($10 - $25 depending on dog’s size) is thus charged as the groomer needs to take extra time when shaving that close to the skin. As well, it is common for dogs to have very irritated skin if they are extremely matted. You may see an additional "Medicated Bath" charge, so we could moisturize their sore skin. If you would like the coat left longer but are unable to maintain regular brushing at home (at least 2-3 times a week), we recommend coming in for our bi, tri-weekly, and monthly maintenance programs at a reduced price.
Why was I charged a Difficult Dog Charge?
Aggressive dogs that require more than one person to groom, or requires much longer to groom due to aggressiveness are charged a difficult dog charge ($10). Sometimes this may be due to temperament, old age or poor health. If it is temperament related, owners can work with their dogs regularly on an elevated, non-slip surface to condition them in between their grooming appointments.
A late fee ($5) is applied if the pet is picked up after closing hours. We close at 5 pm, Tuesdays – Fridays and 5 pm on Saturdays. A late fee is charged every 15 minutes. If you arrive 30 minutes after closing, two late fees will be applied.
Why was I charged a no show fee?
A no show fee of $25 is charged when a first time client cancels or reschedules his / her appointment without 48 hours notice. We understand that last minute appointments, illnesses or emergencies can occur. However please understand that when a customer fails to make it to his / her appointment or insufficient notice is given, we are unable to fill the appointment spot and our pet spa does not get paid.
Why was I charged more than $5 for your nail trim service?
Our $5 walk-in nail trim services are for dogs that only need one person to do its nails. If two or more groomers are needed, prices can range from $10 - $20. If you have a larger dog and would like to hold him for one of the groomers, you are more than welcomed to. Please let us know what works best for your dog.
What kind of food do you recommend for dogs and why?
We, at Barks n’ Bubbles Pet Spa, stand behind the Orijen brand that we carry. Our pets are fed Orijen and we have had great success with the brand. Orijen is a 100% grain-free dog food, with potatoes as its main source of carbohydrates. Potatoes are a great source of B vitamins and essential minerals. The feeding requirements are also tailored to meet not only the weight of your dog, but also its activity level. For more information about Orijen you can visit http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/about/. For independent reviews of Orijen and other pet food brands, please visit http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/.
Recently we've also started carrying Smack Pet Food, a dehydrated raw diet. Smack comes in an easy to store powder format and all you need is water to reconstitute it. There's no need to buy a second freezer nor wait for it to de-thaw the way you would with a traditional raw diet. Smack is locally produced in Winnipeg with 100% whole ingredients, from fresh meat and bones to fruits and vegetables. For more information about Smack Pet Food (other testimonials and feeding guides) you can visit http://www.smackpetfood.com/.
What should I do if it's my dog's first time and he / she is wary of groomers?
We would recommend dropping by for a walk-in nail trim prior to their first appointment. Nail trims start at only $5. This way your dog's first visit with us will be short and stress-free. You can also bring him / her a couple treats to help make the experience more enjoyable. If your dog is older, sometimes it is best to come in for an assessment before any treatments are done. This way they can meet the groomers, look over the shop and get accustomed to the sights and smells. At Barks n' Bubbles Pet Spa, we try to make your dog's first grooming appointment a fun one so that they leave wanting to come back!
What should I do if I see my dog on the grooming table?
If you see your dog on the grooming table it is usually best to quietly have a seat on our bench or to even duck back outside. Most dog, when they see their owners, will get super excited and attempt to leave the grooming table. This makes it very difficult for the groomer to complete their grooming. It will also take a few minutes for your puppy to settle down enough for the grooming to resume. For the safety of your dog, it is best to keep them from knowing you have arrived until the groomer has finished.
How come, even though I arrive at my pickup time, my dog is still on the grooming table and I am required to wait?
Barks n' Bubbles Pet Spa has an open grooming concept and especially because we work with live animals, unexpected delays can pop up throughout the day. Occasionally we are able to give owners more notice when we are behind schedule; unfortunately other times the situation / schedule doesn't allow it and there may be a few minutes wait.