FAQ

Diamond Dogs FAQ’s:

How do I book an appointment?

If you are a returning client you can head over to our Request an Appointment section of the website, and we will get back to you with possible appointment times. Alternatively you can call us at 431-668-6500. We generally do not answer during business hours, please leave a message and we will get back you as soon as we can.

For new clients please fill out our New Client Application. We will determine if your dog is a good fit for mobile grooming and contact you when we have openings in your area.

How do I book an appointment?

If you are a returning client you can head over to our Request an Appointment section of the website, and we will get back to you with possible appointment times. Alternatively you can call us at 431-668-6500. We generally do not answer during business hours, please leave a message and we will get back you as soon as we can.

For new clients please fill out our New Client Application. We will determine if your dog is a good fit for mobile grooming and contact you when we have openings in your area.

IS THERE A MINIMUM CHARGE FOR MOBILE GROOMING?

The minimum charge is based on your dog’s weight. Please view the pricing page.

How long does a grooming appointment take?

Depending on the condition of the coat, and size of the dog, an appointment can last from 30 minutes for an extra small dog to 3 hours for an extra-large dog.

Do I need to be there while you are grooming my dog?

No, that is not necessary, and in fact is better if a pet’s owner is not in view during grooming. Diamond Dogs Mobile grooming is not insured to have human clients in the van, and therefore they are not allowed in the van.
Checking in or walking by while your dog is being finished adds stress and gets him excited to go home with you at that very moment. It very unsafe to try and finish grooming a “dancing dog” with sharp scissors and blades, putting your dog at a higher risk of being cut. Therefore, please allow the mobile groomer to complete the service.
For returning clients we can set up appointments to enter the house and take the dog for a grooming appointment when you are not home, please let us know if this is something you are interested in.

WHY ISN'T THE PHONE ANSWERED DURING BUSINESS HOURS?

The phone will not be answered while we are grooming dogs, or driving. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Please be patient and allow 1-2 business days for calls to be returned. Call backs are done in the late afternoons or evenings.

Is your groomer certified?

Chelsey has recently completed the Canadian Canine Bather Technician CCBT1 exam, and the Canadian Canine Intermediate Stylist CCIST1 exam, and therefore holds the titles of Certified bather/dryer and Certified Pet Groomer with the CPPS (Canadian Professional Pet Stylists).

Chelsey is also certified by the Apex Academy of Professional Grooming and Animal Arts in Saskatchewan, completed in 2015.

Does your groomer know pet first aid?

Yes, Chelsey currently has a valid certificate for pet first aid & CPR through Walks n Wags.

Do you groom cats?

No, we do not groom cats.

Do you do nails only?

Please call us at 431-668-6500 or email us at info@diamonddogsgrooming.ca for availability.

Why can’t prices be confirmed before the groom?

In the world of dog grooming, no two dogs are alike. Prices vary depending on size of the dog, coat condition, temperament, desired haircut, as well as additional time and effort. Our prices are based off the price list from the Professional Pet Groomers Association of Manitoba.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept debit, cheque, cash & e-transfer (sorry the groomer does not carry change). If paying by e-transfer, please send to info@diamonddogsgrooming.ca or 431-668-6500.

Do you groom all breeds, including large breeds?

Currently only accepting clients 60lbs or less.

No, there are some breeds too large to groom in the mobile, these breeds include but are not limited to, St. Bernard’s, Great Pyrenees, XL Doodle’s. Please view the Price List page, it will say N/A beside the breeds we cannot groom.

Do you groom elderly dogs?

Yes, we can groom elderly dogs up to 60lbs (the groomer must be able to lift the dog). If you cannot get your elderly dog into a vehicle, then we will not be able to safely groom the dog.

Will you shave my double coated dog?

No, unless you have a note from the vet, or your dog is matted past the point of de-matting. There will be a fee for this.

Why won’t you shave my double coated dog?

Double coated dogs have 2 coats for a reason. This undercoat provides protection from cold, heat, sun, wind. Removing the undercoat is like removing the insulation from your home. It can lead to sun burn, wind burn, heat stroke. Contrary to popular belief, shaving a double coated dog will not make it cooler in the summer, it will in fact make it hotter. What the dog needs is proper grooming, which would be having the dead undercoat removed every couple of months.
Shaving a double coat can also damage the coat and it can grow back patchy. The reason for this is that the undercoat, and guard hairs (outer coat) will now start to grow at the same time, from the same pores, and it will lead to an “explosion” of hairs all trying to come out of the pores at once.
Lastly, shaving a double coat does not reduce shedding, your dog will still shed but they will just be shorter hairs. To reduce shedding, we recommend having a de-shed treatment, which consists of de-shed shampoo & conditioner, as well as a variety of tools to remove the dead undercoat.

Can you shave my dog to the skin so it has no fur left?

No. The shortest we will go is a 3mm.

Do you express dog's anal sacs?

No. This service is only done by veterinarians in Manitoba.

Will you give my dog treats during the groom?

No because we do not know if your dog has allergies. As well most dogs are not interested in food or treats during grooming.

How do I prepare my pet for the grooming appointment?

  1. Book your professional grooming appointment well in advance. Better yet, have a yearly schedule put in place of 8 weeks or less apart.
  2. On grooming day, take your dog for a walk prior to the groom to relieve itself.
  3. Do not feed your dog immediately before the grooming appointment.
  4. Do not allow your dog to run outside loose, if your pet likes to escape the front door, please have him or her on a leash for our arrival.
  5. It is best to hand your dog to the groomer confidently, rather than make a fuss about leaving your dog. Dogs are extremely intuitive and will pick up on your anxiety, making it harder on him or her. If you worry about your pet, your pet will sense this, and grooming should be a worry-free experience for pet and owner.
  6. Teach your pet that biting in unacceptable, especially during grooming sessions.
  7. Brush your dog once or twice a week, and check it with a comb ensuring there are no tangles right to the skin.

Can you de-matt my dog?

Diamond Dogs Mobile Grooming will not de-matt an entire dog. We will de-matt small areas up to a maximum of 15 minutes, for 1$ a minute. If your dog is matted all over the best thing to do is to shave the dog and restart with a new schedule of brushing and combing at home, as well as getting your dog on a grooming schedule.

Do you tranquilize pets for grooming?

No. If a dog becomes aggressive, we reserve the right to stop the grooming process. We are well trained to handle nervous pets, and treat every pet with gentle loving care, but if a pet is too agitated to be safely bathed or groomed, we will not attempt to force the service on the pet. We may recommend seeing a vet, and if that vet recommends sedatives, we will attempt to groom the dog again with the sedatives. This would be a light sedative, similar to a having a glass of wine for a human.

Do you have special shampoos for dogs with allergies or skin problems?

Yes. We can use hypoallergenic shampoo, neem shampoo, or medicated shampoo, or your own pet shampoo if you request it before the appointment, along with instructions.

you have something you can use for my greasy dog?

Yes! We are super excited about this product. We use Chubbs bars on greasy dogs. Degreasing and volumizing, hypo-allergenic choices, eco-friendly and organic ingredients.

DO YOU GROOM ALL BREEDS, INCLUDING LARGE BREEDS?

We may not  be able to groom dogs of all sizes. Please 431-668-6500 or send us an e-mail at info@diamonddogsgrooming.ca to discuss your specific dog.

Mobile Grooming FAQ’s:

What is mobile grooming?

Mobile grooming means we come to you, and fully groom your pup in our mobile salon, outside your house.

What is mobile grooming?

Mobile grooming means we come to you, and fully groom your pup in our mobile salon, outside your house.

Do you connect to our home's water hose or electrical outlet?

No. The grooming unit is fully self-contained with its own water tanks, heat, and electricity, so there is no need to plug into, or connect to anything.

Is there heat and air conditioner in the mobile salon?

Yes! The mobile is fully equipped with a furnace and an air conditioner.

Can my dog have a bath in the mobile salon?

Absolutely, all grooms come with a bath and blow dry.

 

What if my dog is afraid of the blow-dryer? Can you kennel dry?

We do not kennel dry. If your dog is terribly afraid of the blow-dryer to the point where it cannot be dried, then we will not attempt to dry. In this case we recommend finding a salon that can kennel dry your dog. It is not in the dog’s best interest to go home wet as this may cause hot spots.

Grooming FAQ’s:

At what age should I start grooming my pet?

Grooming your puppy should start at 10 weeks of age (after second vaccination), to let the pup become acquainted with the sounds of the grooming room environment, noises such as dryers, tools, and being handled all over. We offer promotions for puppies under 4 months, and puppies under 6 months.
It is very important to get your puppy used to grooming, so that the pet is not stressed when getting groomed as an adult. This can save you money in the long run. Adult dogs who are not used to grooming can become very stressed, or aggressive, and may have to be groomed at a vets office, which is costly.

At what age should I start grooming my pet?

Grooming your puppy should start at 10 weeks of age (after second vaccination), to let the pup become acquainted with the sounds of the grooming room environment, noises such as dryers, tools, and being handled all over. We offer promotions for puppies under 4 months, and puppies under 6 months.
It is very important to get your puppy used to grooming, so that the pet is not stressed when getting groomed as an adult. This can save you money in the long run. Adult dogs who are not used to grooming can become very stressed, or aggressive, and may have to be groomed at a vets office, which is costly.

Should I have my dog groomed during the winter or wont he be cold?

Year-round grooming is so important. The key is to not let your dog get matted, and then we will not need to shave during the winter.

Wouldn’t it be best to leave my dogs matted coat until winter is over so he isn’t cold once shaved?

Absolutely not. When a matted dogs coat gets wet, it now carries this wet matted coat into the house and the bottom layer will not dry. It would be similar to getting your clothes wet and then leaving your wet clothes on once you are home. The skin will remain moist and this can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Each time the coat gets wet, it gets more matted (this pulls tighter on the skin and is very uncomfortable). The best thing to do is shave the dog, and get him a sweater, and then continue with regular brushing, combing, and grooming so that this will not happen again next year.

Can’t I just have my dog groomed twice a year?

This is not in the best interest of your pet. Nails should still be done monthly at minimum. A Shih Tzu type dog should not be groomed twice a year. If so, the dog would be severely matted (pelted), and this is very dangerous to shave off. It can result in the dog being cut much easier, as the skin is pulled up and into the blade. You would have no clue what is going on under all that matting, such as skin problems, wounds, infections, bugs. The matts in the genital area will be soaked in urine and can cause ammonia burns to the dogs sensitive areas. As well living with matted fur is painful. The matts pull on the skin so the dog is actually having its skin pulled all over its body all the time, and in sensitive places (armpits, genitals, between toes, inside the ears). Shaving these off can also be painful. If a dog is not used to grooming, it may need to see a vet to have the pelted fur removed, and this will be costly. Letting your dog become pelted is cruel and inhumane.
Letting your dogs ears matt can cause hematomas. What this means is that when the ear is matted there is no blood flow, once we shave the ear the blood flows into the ear and this feels weird for the dog. As a result, the dog will shake its head over and over and the blood will pool to the bottom of the ear, causing a painful blood-filled ear. The blood will need to be removed by a vet with a syringe or by surgery. The best way to prevent this is to brush and comb your dogs ears regularly.
A dog who is groomed twice a year will likely not be used to, and comfortable with the grooming process and likely be more stressed.

How often should my dogs nails be trimmed?

Every dog is different so there is no answer that fits all. You can start with every 3-4 weeks and see how that goes. You do not want your dogs nails to touch the ground at all, so if you hear clicking it is time for a trim.

Why is it important for my dog to have short nails?

The reason for this is once the dogs nails touch the ground, it is putting unnatural pressure on the bones in the foot, which is painful and can cause deformation of the paws, arthritis and lameness. Overgrown nails may sometimes grow so long that they curl into the pads. This is painful and will require vet care. Longer nails can also break which is very painful, can bleed a lot, and may also require vet care. Dew claws (these are the claws up the leg that do not touch the ground) grow twice as fast so are more likely to grow into the skin. If your dog has dew claws always keep an eye on them.

My dogs nails are too long, and even when trimmed still touch the ground. What can I do?

Have your dogs nails trimmed as often as possible. It is a slow process but with frequent trimmings you can get the quick to recede.

I am afraid to cut my dogs nails, but I just trim the ends off in between, is that okay?

Actually no. In order to properly cut the nails the quick must be exposed. If you only cut off the tip of the nail, it will actually cause the quick to grow, so you are actually accomplishing the opposite of what you want.

What if my dog bleeds from a nail trim?

Do not panic! Unfortunately, this does happen from time to time as all nails are different, and some dogs do wiggle more than others. Some dogs do not even flinch if the nail is cut too short. There are cauterizing powders we use to stop the bleeding. If your dog’s nail starts to bleed at home, you can try flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If we feel it is necessary we will send your dog home with a small capsule of “Quick-stop”. Your dog will not be traumatized, generally the owner is more concerned about the bleeding nail than the dog is.

Why does my dog shake when he/she realizes its grooming time?

It is normal for your dog to shake when grooming time rolls around. They are smart and know what is coming, and love to put on a show for their owners, but once inside, they know the drill, and are quite content once the owner leaves (provided the dog has had regular grooming during its life).

Where can I find information I can trust on pet grooming?