FAQ

The time between your appointments is a matter of preference. On average, dog's are scheduled every 6-8 weeks. Some, however are scheduled as little as 4 and as large a 8 weeks apart. 

The grooming salon can be a scary new place for your puppy, so it is important to get them acclimated as soon as 16 weeks- roughly when they have had all of their shots and vaccinations. 

Before their first appointment, it is important that your puppy is used to having its paws and ears being handled. By doing this, it eases their approach into the pampering world for your pup. You can even get them familiar with a hair dryer to desensitize them to loud noises!

We have brochures in-store of how to prepare your puppy for their first appointment in greater detail which we have typed out for you! Press the Puppy First Visit Tips button to view them.

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We are usually booked out for the next few months. It is important that you schedule your dog's appointments out for the year, rather than a need-to-book situation. Dog baths and quick appointments are usually able to be scheduled with 3 weeks of when you call, depending on your availability. However, we still recommend not waiting until the last minute to schedule your appointment.

We usually have appointments every hour on the hour. Our days our scheduled this way so as our groomers are performing haircuts on one dog, the next dog who comes in has time to be bathed, dried, and brushed by our bathing staff before your groomer starts the grooming/haircut process. Time per appointment is also dependent on the size, coat type, temperament and  requirements of your individual dog's needs. Larger dogs will most often take longer than small ones.

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We provide "heads-up" calls to notify you when your furry friend will be done their appointment. Talk to your groomer and/or receptionist upon drop-off at your appointment.

Long nails can curl under your dog's paw pads, which can lead to pain, injury, and infection. The best way to keep your dog's nails nice and short is to trim them every 3-4 weeks. Dogs that are frequently walked on pavement or concrete may be able to go a bit longer between nail trims, because walking on a hard, rough surface can help file the nail.

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If your goal is to shorten your dog's nails entirely, you can trim them weekly or every other week. This will cause the quick (vein inside nail) to recede over time.

The short answer is no. You should not use human shampoo on your dog because it can disrupt their natural skin pH balance, making their skin dry, itchy, and prone to irritation and infections, as human shampoos are designed for a more acidic pH level than a dog's skin, which is more neutral; additionally, human shampoos may contain ingredients like fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to your dog's sensitive skin.

The right frequency depends on factors like breed, age, and activity level, but most dogs generally need a bath every 1-3 months. Bathing your dog too often can lead to dry skin, irritation, and stripped natural oils, while not bathing enough can result in mats and skin infections. 

What happens after the bath is just as important. Make sure to rinse out all the shampoo. Residue can irritate your dog’s skin, even if the shampoo is high-quality. Once rinsed, drying your dog thoroughly is key to preventing skin issues like hot spots and irritation. Many owners use a combination of towel drying and a blow dryer to ensure their dog stays dry and comfortable.

Different conditioners can provide different benefits for each dog. Although all conditioners will hydrate a dog's skin and coat, at Bark Avenue we also have conditioners that assist with undercoat removal, tangle reducers, and relief of itchiness from allergies.