Depends on the dog, but here’s the general rule: Short-coated dogs with no skin conditions should be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks unless they get into something dirty or smelly. Longer-coated dogs should be groomed every 4-6 weeks to make sure their hair doesn’t get matted and they’re not harboring insects or hiding skin conditions. Certain haircuts require grooming more often to maintain their appearance.

We strive to keep your dog at Muddy Paws for as little time as possible to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Your dog’s breed, type of hair and the cooperation with the grooming process will determine how long it will take. Dogs who are regularly groomed are generally in better condition and more comfortable with the process, resulting in quicker groom times and lower grooming rates. Brushing and blow-drying are the most time-consuming processes. The more hair your dog has the more time it will take to groom. On average, grooming times (including a haircut) are between 2 and 3 hours. Large breeds can often take longer. We do ask that you pick up your dog within 20 minutes after the groom is completed to minimize kenneling time (and anxiety) for your precious pup.

Bathing and grooming rates are determined by the time it takes to groom your dog. Grooming rates are generally higher than bathing prices since a groom includes a haircut in addition to the bathing services. If your dog has matts or is shedding, extra time may need be spent brushing your dog out. We can give you a much better idea how much it will cost to bathe or groom your dog if you come by and see us!

Some breeds require haircuts as part of their grooming process like a labradoodle or shih tzu. We call this a “groom.” Other breeds like a labrador retriever or boxer just need brushing, bathing, nails trimmed and ears cleaned which we refer to as a “bath.” Be sure to specify which service your dog needs when making an appointment with us.

Soon after your puppy has received all of her initial vaccinations (usually about 12 weeks old) is a great time to begin learning the grooming process. Since our goal is to give her a positive experience, we suggest her initial session include a bath, hand drying and trimming the hair around her eyes, paws and sanitary only. If she enjoys herself, she’ll want to come back next time for more!

You will need an appointment if we are doing a full service bath or groom. Waiting times range from a few days to a couple weeks depending on the time of year so be sure to plan ahead, especially around the holidays. Self wash is based on a first come first served basis.

For the safety of every dog in our care, we do not let dogs come into contact with one another. Please keep your dog on a leash 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.

Yes. One of our experienced groomers is happy to evaluate your dog to determine the best course of action. Visit us with your dog for more information. Please alert staff if you find lice or fleas while washing your dog during your visit at Muddy Paws. If lice is found during a full service bath or groom, we offer a medicated shampoo to rid your dog of the lice. Due to the contagious nature of lice, we cannot blow dry or cut your dog’s hair if lice is present. Your pet must be picked up immediately after the lice bath. Regular monthly Frontline topical treatment is recommended for all dogs to prevent fleas, lice, and ticks.

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. Dogs will often try to escape the groomer’s control and get to their owners if they are present. While some dogs may be anxious when being dropped off, most of our experience is that it only takes a few minutes for your dog to relax. We strive to make the drop off times quick to avoid a drawn out anxious building time for scared dogs.

In addition to the service prices quoted to you during a personal consult and prices found online, you will be charged an additional 5% fee. This fee goes directly to support our staff's wellbeing by allowing us to provide health insurance and paid time off to our employees. Thank you for supporting small businesses!

Feel free to contact us with any other questions or concerns you have about your dog’s grooming needs.