1. Why is my dog there so long?
The average grooming time for most shops is about 4 hours. Some shops work straight through each dog one at time, but usually a higher price is involved. The majority of our clients like to take advantage of our long hours (dropping off before work and picking up when they come home) but we have plenty of clients who prefer their dog back as soon as possible. What ever your schedule is, please just let us know ahead of time so we may accommodate.
The average grooming time for most shops is about 4 hours. Some shops work straight through each dog one at time, but usually a higher price is involved. The majority of our clients like to take advantage of our long hours (dropping off before work and picking up when they come home) but we have plenty of clients who prefer their dog back as soon as possible. What ever your schedule is, please just let us know ahead of time so we may accommodate.
2. Are you an actual Doggie Daycare Facility?
NO! WE ARE NOT DOGGIE DAY CARE! We do not offer toys, walks, or feeding times. We have water out at all times, and places for dogs to be comfortable if they prefer to be out with us, but this is NOT doggie day care. We do not encourage dogs to play hard or/exercise or run around. We do however, encourage dogs to learn to be social, calm, and well behaved around other dogs with minimal playtime. This social aspect of our shop is a FREE BONUS, but not a service.
NO! WE ARE NOT DOGGIE DAY CARE! We do not offer toys, walks, or feeding times. We have water out at all times, and places for dogs to be comfortable if they prefer to be out with us, but this is NOT doggie day care. We do not encourage dogs to play hard or/exercise or run around. We do however, encourage dogs to learn to be social, calm, and well behaved around other dogs with minimal playtime. This social aspect of our shop is a FREE BONUS, but not a service.
3. Why do you let the dogs run free?
When the shop first opened back in 1990, the majority of the dogs that first came to Digger Dogs all suffered from kennel stress. This means that they had excessive barking, pawing, defecation, and whining when in the cages. The owner, Donna, began to give them each "free-time" from the kennels. We quickly learned that this free time made the dogs much easier to groom, and clients began mentioning how happy their dogs were upon coming home after a day at our shop.
When the shop first opened back in 1990, the majority of the dogs that first came to Digger Dogs all suffered from kennel stress. This means that they had excessive barking, pawing, defecation, and whining when in the cages. The owner, Donna, began to give them each "free-time" from the kennels. We quickly learned that this free time made the dogs much easier to groom, and clients began mentioning how happy their dogs were upon coming home after a day at our shop.
4. Are ALL of the dogs allowed to be out together?
NO! First of all, some clients specifically ask that their dog remain in a kennel for the duration of their stay. We have two kennel areas away from the free dogs. These separate areas are used for unneutered males, shy dogs, aggressive and/or unsocialized dogs. Secondly - Our play is a supervised play time so the dogs that are out together are well-matched and therefore play groups will go in cycles. This means that your dog may not be out at all times, but it also means that your dog is in a safer environment and better group of "friends". Third - some dogs kennel themselves believe it or not. We DO NOT force dogs to partake in play time. When they are tired and seek out a quiet spot, we respect that and make them comfortable. Lastly - we try to allow every dog at least a little time to come out and sniff around, meet us all, and feel comfortable, even if it's only for a few moments, and by him/herself.
NO! First of all, some clients specifically ask that their dog remain in a kennel for the duration of their stay. We have two kennel areas away from the free dogs. These separate areas are used for unneutered males, shy dogs, aggressive and/or unsocialized dogs. Secondly - Our play is a supervised play time so the dogs that are out together are well-matched and therefore play groups will go in cycles. This means that your dog may not be out at all times, but it also means that your dog is in a safer environment and better group of "friends". Third - some dogs kennel themselves believe it or not. We DO NOT force dogs to partake in play time. When they are tired and seek out a quiet spot, we respect that and make them comfortable. Lastly - we try to allow every dog at least a little time to come out and sniff around, meet us all, and feel comfortable, even if it's only for a few moments, and by him/herself.
5. What if my dog is a special needs dog? (injured, aggressive, old etc)
We have plenty of special needs dogs. Depending on the situation, we have a variety of ways to help you out. We will arrange a special day/time for you when your dog can be groomed straight through and go home as soon as possible. Dogs who are injured, old, have some sort of cancer or disease, should not be in our play groups but sitting in a kennel is also not ideal. With aggressive dogs: aggression is a kind of stress, so leaving a dog like this in a kennel for an extended amount of time is not always the best idea. This is why we will try to make special arrangements to have your dog in/out as soon as possible.
We have plenty of special needs dogs. Depending on the situation, we have a variety of ways to help you out. We will arrange a special day/time for you when your dog can be groomed straight through and go home as soon as possible. Dogs who are injured, old, have some sort of cancer or disease, should not be in our play groups but sitting in a kennel is also not ideal. With aggressive dogs: aggression is a kind of stress, so leaving a dog like this in a kennel for an extended amount of time is not always the best idea. This is why we will try to make special arrangements to have your dog in/out as soon as possible.
6. Hey, why isn't my dog out and having fun?
Is your dog neutered? Unneutered dogs have the least amount of play time, if any. And it is mostly a solo free-time. Please understand that we cannot take any risks and must keep unneutered males separate. If your dog is neutered but not out in play time, he/she may be done their play time either by our doing or their own choice. Often times dogs will seek out a quiet place to rest once they are done meeting/greeting. We do not force our dogs to be out, we respect their moods & personalities. Also, please understand that if we see signs of stress because your dog is too excitable to be out or has separation anxiety, we may call you to pick up your dog sooner than planned. Sometimes dogs need to slowly build up time over several appointments before being comfortable staying with us for long periods of time.
Is your dog neutered? Unneutered dogs have the least amount of play time, if any. And it is mostly a solo free-time. Please understand that we cannot take any risks and must keep unneutered males separate. If your dog is neutered but not out in play time, he/she may be done their play time either by our doing or their own choice. Often times dogs will seek out a quiet place to rest once they are done meeting/greeting. We do not force our dogs to be out, we respect their moods & personalities. Also, please understand that if we see signs of stress because your dog is too excitable to be out or has separation anxiety, we may call you to pick up your dog sooner than planned. Sometimes dogs need to slowly build up time over several appointments before being comfortable staying with us for long periods of time.
7. Why is that dog tethered to your table?
Sometimes you will see a dog connected to our grooming tables. There are several reasons for this. A few of our larger dogs get so excited when they see their owners returning, that they are jumpers. In order to control this and avoid any potential chaos or injury, we will tether them when we know their owners are on their way in. Often times it is young dogs or new dogs who are not aggressive, but somewhat "in your face" as young dogs often are. This allows the "regulars" a chance to move away from any "bad manners" and allows new dogs to learn their social skills. They do not remain on a tether for the duration of their day, but it is more of a "time-out". Because we treat each dog like our own, we also train them as they were our own; with positive reinforcement. "Time-outs" are not punishments. Dogs learn that calm pleasant behavior earns them time off the tethers.
Sometimes you will see a dog connected to our grooming tables. There are several reasons for this. A few of our larger dogs get so excited when they see their owners returning, that they are jumpers. In order to control this and avoid any potential chaos or injury, we will tether them when we know their owners are on their way in. Often times it is young dogs or new dogs who are not aggressive, but somewhat "in your face" as young dogs often are. This allows the "regulars" a chance to move away from any "bad manners" and allows new dogs to learn their social skills. They do not remain on a tether for the duration of their day, but it is more of a "time-out". Because we treat each dog like our own, we also train them as they were our own; with positive reinforcement. "Time-outs" are not punishments. Dogs learn that calm pleasant behavior earns them time off the tethers.
8. Why does my price change from grooming to grooming?
Our prices are based on the work involved. Therefore, if your dog comes in one day with shorter hair, less undercoat, and less knots, we will charge you less. If the next time your dog comes in with mats, or you ask for a more involved haircut, (lets say you used to get a field cut on your dog but would now like a skirt / pattern) we will charge more.
Our prices are based on the work involved. Therefore, if your dog comes in one day with shorter hair, less undercoat, and less knots, we will charge you less. If the next time your dog comes in with mats, or you ask for a more involved haircut, (lets say you used to get a field cut on your dog but would now like a skirt / pattern) we will charge more.
9. My dog has been skunked, can you help?
No, actually we cannot help as much as you'd think we could. The chemical compounds in the skunk smell not only smell horrible at first blast, but they also have a slow release that once on an object, will tend to linger much longer than most other smells. And because it is a chemical compound, it takes a very specific way to cleanse that no shampoo is capable of doing. It is more than just "washing it off" - you must counterbalance the chemicals.
Here is the best solution for ridding your poor pup of the skunk smell:
1. Create a fresh mixture of the following 3 ingredients :
1 quart (4 cups) of 3% fresh hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup baking soda
1-2 teaspoons of liquid soap (dishwashing detergent)
2. Lather up your dog and let this sit for about 5 minutes being sure to avoid eyes.
3, RINSE RINSE RINSE!!! RINSE VERY WELL! (then rinse again)
The sooner you do this the better results you will have. While this may bleach your dog's fur a bit, it is not toxic to their skin. If their eyes seem a bothered by the skunk spray it is safest to just rinse them with water. This formula must be created fresh because it does not store well.
This is the best solution for ridding the skunk oder. We suggest keeping these ingredients on hand, as well as a flashlight because you may be doing an outside hose bath in the dark. (sad but true, we've been there.)
To keep skunks out of your yard, check out Wildlife Animal Control
No, actually we cannot help as much as you'd think we could. The chemical compounds in the skunk smell not only smell horrible at first blast, but they also have a slow release that once on an object, will tend to linger much longer than most other smells. And because it is a chemical compound, it takes a very specific way to cleanse that no shampoo is capable of doing. It is more than just "washing it off" - you must counterbalance the chemicals.
Here is the best solution for ridding your poor pup of the skunk smell:
1. Create a fresh mixture of the following 3 ingredients :
1 quart (4 cups) of 3% fresh hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup baking soda
1-2 teaspoons of liquid soap (dishwashing detergent)
2. Lather up your dog and let this sit for about 5 minutes being sure to avoid eyes.
3, RINSE RINSE RINSE!!! RINSE VERY WELL! (then rinse again)
The sooner you do this the better results you will have. While this may bleach your dog's fur a bit, it is not toxic to their skin. If their eyes seem a bothered by the skunk spray it is safest to just rinse them with water. This formula must be created fresh because it does not store well.
This is the best solution for ridding the skunk oder. We suggest keeping these ingredients on hand, as well as a flashlight because you may be doing an outside hose bath in the dark. (sad but true, we've been there.)
To keep skunks out of your yard, check out Wildlife Animal Control
