Question 1

What is the difference between a bath and a groom?

Accepted Answer

We offer three Full Service Appointment types:

Full Service Bath	
Breeds like Labrador Retrievers or Boxers typically only require bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, which we classify as a “bath.”

Full Service Tidy
For double coated breeds, such as Golden Retrievers or Bernese Mountain Dogs, after bathing, typically a haircut is limited to a perimeter trim. This includes areas such as leg feathers, belly, sanitary area. We call this a "tidy".

Full Service Groom
Certain dog breeds require full haircuts as part of their regular grooming routine, such as Labradoodles or Shih Tzus. This type of grooming service is referred to as a “groom.”

When scheduling an appointment, please be sure to specify which service your dog requires to ensure we can provide the appropriate care!

Question 2

How often should my dog be bathed/groomed?

Accepted Answer

How often you bathe/groom your dog depends on their individual skin and coat. Most healthy dogs need a bath every 1-3 months to minimize odor and oil buildup, but this can vary! Let’s go over some of the factors to determine what schedule you may need:
Coat Type -

Thick, double-coats shed constantly, which means bathing is required less often—every 2-3 months—but daily brushing is top priority! These pups most often do not get full haircuts, but you may want regular trimming services (such as on the sanitary area, or the ‘feathers’ on the backs of their legs).

Short, single, or wiry coats are also relatively low maintenance, typically needing a bath every few months. For haircutting, it will depend on their activity level and what length/style you wish to keep.

Soft, curly coats and non-shedding coats collect dirt faster, and are at higher risk for matting, so bathing monthly is ideal. For haircutting, keeping them on a regular schedule is key, especially if you are looking to maintain a longer haircut.

Dogs with oily coats may need a bath every few weeks to reduce odor, and will benefit from daily brushing to remove hair and distribute oils.

Indoor vs Outdoor - Dogs who spend more time outside may get visibly dirty and develop odor faster. Depending on their activity level, and coat conditions as already discussed, they may need up to weekly baths.
Skin Conditions — Allergies, skin infections, and excessively oily or dry skin increase bathing needs. Refer to your veterinarian recommendations for frequency if there are skin issues like these. 
When in doubt, give us a call! We can go over these factors and come up with a schedule to keep your pup looking and feeling their best!

Question 3

How long does it take to groom my dog?

Accepted Answer

At Muddy Paws, we aim to keep your dog’s visit as short and stress-free as possible. The time needed for grooming depends on your dog’s breed, size, coat type, bathing/grooming needs, and how well they cooperate during the process. Pups that are regularly groomed tend to be in better condition and more comfortable with the grooming process, which often results in faster grooming times.

Brushing and blow-drying are typically the most time-consuming steps. The more hair your dog has, the longer the grooming session will take. On average, grooming appointments, including haircuts, last between 2 and 3 hours, with larger breeds often taking longer. The average time for a bath appointment, with no haircutting, is between 1 and 1.5 hours.

To minimize your dog’s time in the kennel and reduce anxiety, we kindly ask that you pick up your pup within 20 minutes of the appointment being completed.

Question 4

How much does it cost to bathe or groom my dog?

Accepted Answer

Bathing and grooming rates are determined by their weight and coat type.

We have a set price list, that you may use to calculate your service cost, here

Additional charges may be assessed if your dog has matts, is shedding, or struggles with the grooming process in a way that requires extra care, time, or hands.

Question 5

When should I start having my puppy groomed?

Accepted Answer

Soon after your puppy has received all of their initial vaccinations (usually about 12 weeks old), is a great time to begin introducing them to the grooming process.
 
Since our goal is to give your pup a positive experience, we suggest the initial appointment include a bath, blow dry and brush out, limiting the trimming of the hair to around the eyes, paws and sanitary only. We refer to this service as a "Puppy Groom". If your pup enjoys themself, they’ll want to come back next time for more!

Question 6

Do you offer cat grooming?

Accepted Answer

At this time, we do not have a cat groomer. We encourage you to reach out to Jeff Perks at carlitosgroomroom@gmail.com for your cat bathing and grooming needs.

Question 7

Do you offer Breed Standard haircuts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do! Our groomers are experienced in providing Breed Standard haircuts upon request. These styles require advanced technique, attention to detail, and additional time to complete, so a Special Handling Service fee will apply—starting at a minimum of $25. Final cost of the service may vary depending on the complexity of the trim.

Please note: We are not accepting handstripping requests at this time.

To ensure the best possible outcome, feel free to bring photos or share specific style preferences at check-in. We’re happy to work with you to achieve a look that honors your dog’s breed while suiting their individual needs.

Question 8

Can I add trimming services to a Full Service Bath appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can add up to two trimming services to a Full Service Bath. If you need more than two areas trimmed, we recommend booking a Tidy-Up or Full Service Groom to ensure your pup gets the time and attention they need.

Here’s a breakdown of our trimming options:

Foot Trim
This includes shaving the foot pads and/or trimming the hair between the toes and around the feet. Great for dogs who slip on hard floors or pick up debris like snow, mud, sap, or cheatgrass while playing outside.

Face Trim
A gentle scissor trim around the face to help your dog see better or to tidy up hair around the mouth.

Sanitary Trim
A close shave of the groin area and fur around the rear to keep these areas clean and hygienic.

Pants Trim
Trimming the long feathering on the back legs, often called the “pants,” for a neater look and easier upkeep.

Question 9

Can I bring my own shampoo?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You're welcome to bring your preferred dog shampoo. We're happy to use any product you provide, including medicated shampoos recommended by your veterinarian.

What about dogs with allergies or sensitive skin?
No problem at all. We offer hypoallergenic and oatmeal-based shampoos from Nature's Specialties, specially formulated for pets with allergies or sensitive skin.

Question 10

Do I need an appointment?

Accepted Answer

An appointment is required for Full Service Baths and Grooming. Wait times for baths typically range from a few days to a couple of weeks, while grooming appointments may be booked up to a couple of months in advance, depending on the season. We recommend planning ahead, especially around the holidays!

Self-wash and nail trim appointments can be booked in advance to secure a spot, but we also welcome walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.

Question 11

What are your late and cancellation policies?

Accepted Answer

We require at least 24 hours’ notice for any appointment cancellations or reschedules. Appointments changed with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, may be charged up to 100% of the scheduled service fee.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, a $15 late fee will apply. Depending on the timing, we may need to adjust the services we’re able to complete that day to stay on schedule for the rest of our clients.

We understand that unexpected situations happen, and we always take extenuating circumstances into consideration.

Question 12

Do you offering day kenneling?

Accepted Answer

We have limited day kenneling space for grooming clients. We ask that pets are picked up within one hour of their scheduled pickup time.

If pickup extends beyond one hour, a kenneling fee of $15 per hour will apply.

Because space is limited, extended stays cannot always be guaranteed.

Question 13

Will my dog be in contact with other dogs?

Accepted Answer

For the safety of every dog in our care, we do not let dogs come into direct contact with one another. Please keep your dog on a leash the entire time while visiting Muddy Paws. You are responsible for supervising and controlling your own pet. Your dog may be friendly with other dogs, but not every dog is friendly that visits Muddy Paws Bathhouse.

Question 14

Can I bring my in-heat dog in for Full Service appointments?

Accepted Answer

We kindly ask that you do not bring in dogs who are currently in heat for Full Service appointments. This is for the health, safety, and comfort of all pets and staff in our care. Dogs in heat can experience heightened stress, are more prone to accidents or medical complications during grooming, and may cause increased tension or distraction among other dogs in the salon.

We’re happy to help you reschedule your appointment once your dog’s heat cycle has passed—typically around 3 weeks. Thank you for understanding and helping us maintain a calm, safe environment for every pet we serve.

Question 15

I found lice or fleas on my dog, can they come to Muddy Paws?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we can’t groom dogs with lice or fleas at Muddy Paws. To ensure a safe and clean environment for all pets, please treat your dog before scheduling an appointment. We're happy to help once your pup is clear!

If we find suspected lice or fleas on your pup, we will complete what we are safely able to do for the appointment, and call you for immediate pick-up.

Question 16

What will you do if you find a tick on my dog during an appointment?

Accepted Answer

If your bather or groomer finds a tick on your dog during the appointment, we will try to contact you using the phone number provided at check-in. If we're unable to reach you, we will assess the situation and decide whether to remove the tick. If we do remove it, a $10 removal fee (up to 3 ticks) will be added to your total appointment cost.

Question 17

Do you express anal glands/pluck ear hair?

Accepted Answer

We will only externally express anal glands and do minimal ear hair plucking, upon client request during a Full Service appointment. We do not offer these services a la carte.

For gland expression, we recommend seeing your vet if you believe there is an issue with your pup expressing them naturally and independently. Vets can provide an internal expression, which is a more effective, natural and complete function. Vets also are able to recognize and immediately treat any potential issues.

For ear hair, we will only pluck a minimal, maintenance amount of hairs. If there is thick or matted ear hair, we may recommend shaving, or visiting your vet for further assistance.

Question 18

Can I stay with my dog and watch them be groomed?

Accepted Answer

In our experience, dogs do better during the grooming process without their owners present. It is harder for your furry friend to focus on their groomer if their owner is within view, or even earshot. Dogs will often try to escape the groomer’s control and get to their owners if they are present.
 
While it's natural for some dogs to feel anxious during drop-off, we have found that most dogs settle in quickly within a few minutes. We prioritize a smooth, efficient check-in process to help minimize any stress.

Our Philosophy