Booking & Appointments

 

How do I book?
Call 07845629391, email ayla.groomies@hotmail.com, or use our online booking system. We’ll confirm your appointment and send bookng info.

Do you take a deposit?
New Customers will be asked to pay a £10 deposit which will be deducted from the total appointment cost.

What’s your cancellation policy?
Please give 48 hours notice to reschedule or cancel. Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged 50% of the appointment fee.

What if I’m running late?
Please try and keep to collection times wherever possible, however, we understand things happen. All we ask is you keep us informed of your ETA. Your dog may need to wait in one of our waiting pens until you arrive so we don't delay the next appointment.

Can I stay with my dog?
Most dogs settle faster without their owner present, so we usually groom one-to-one in a calm space and give you a collection time.

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Before Your Visit

Should my dog arrive clean and dry?
No need to pre-bathe. Please brush out light tangles if you can and arrive with your dog toileted and on a secure lead.

Can my dog eat before the groom?
A small meal is fine, but avoid a big feed in the 2 hours before your appointment.

What should I bring?
Anything that helps your dog relax (favourite treats, a small comfort item). Tell us about allergies or sensitivities.

Does my dog need vaccinations?
We do advise all customers that their dogs should be up to date with vaccinations but this is not essential.

Does my dog need to be neutered/spayed?

No. We work on a 1:1 basis so we don't require dogs to be neutered or spayed. We do ask if your dog is in season to rearrange your groom.

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During the Groom

What’s included in a “full groom”?
All our full grooms are tailored to your dog. Typically they include a Bath & blow dry, coat preparation (brush-out), nails clipped, paw pads & hygiene tidy, and external ear clean. Depending on your dogs coat type a full groom also includes a full cut. If your dog requires their hair to be cut please make sure to select a Long Hair or Curly Hair Full Groom appointment.

Do you pluck ears or express anal glands?
We don’t pluck ears routinely and we don’t express anal glands—that’s a veterinary procedure in our view. We’ll flag anything that needs a vet check.

How long does a groom take?
Anything from 1.5–3 hours, depending on size, coat condition, style, and your dog’s comfort.

Can you shave my double-coated breed (e.g., Husky)?
We don’t recommend shaving double coats. We use de-shedding to remove loose undercoat while protecting the topcoat.

How do I know if my dog needs a Curly Hair Groom?

Curly Hair Grooms are specifically designed for long curly coats that require more styling than those with straight or drop coats. Poodles, Bischon Frise, Bedlington Terriers, Cavapoos, Lagottos and F1B cross breeds such as labradoodles, cockapoos, maltipoos, shihpoos etc will also likely have curly hair but if you are unsure please drop us a message with a photo and we can assess for you.

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Coat Condition & Matting

My dog is matted—can you help?
Yes Absolutley! We are a judgement free salon and would love to help you and your dog become matt and tangle free. Welfare always comes first - comfort over vanity. If the coat is severely matted we may need to clip short. We won’t brush out painful matting. Extra time and fees may apply for this.

How can I prevent matting between visits?
Regular brushing (little and often) between grooms, using the correct tools for your dog’s coat type, and a grooming schedule every [4–8 weeks] for curly/wool coats, [6–12 weeks] for others.

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Behaviour, Health & Safety

Do you groom nervous, elderly, or first-time dogs?
Yes—gentle handling, plenty of breaks, and we go at your dog’s pace. We may suggest shorter sessions to build confidence.

What if my dog doesn’t tolerate part of the groom?
We’ll always prioritise safety. We may pause, use a safe muzzle or vet cone if needed, adapt the style, or stop and try again another day.

What if you find fleas or ticks?
We’ll inform you immediately and apply a flea and tick soak. We are lucky enough to have 2 completely cladded groom rooms so we can safely complete your dogs groom and sanitise/debug the room used before its needed for the next dog. There will be a £5 fee for the flea and tick soak and a £10 deep clean fee. Please make sure you treat at home before returning as the soak will only suffocate the live fleas it does not kill the eggs and break the cycle.

Do you groom pregnant or in-season bitches?
Please contact us first. We may recommend postponing full grooms—welfare and comfort come first.

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Pricing & Payments

How are prices set?
Breed/size, coat condition, style, time since last groom, behaviour, and extras (teeth cleaning, deshedding, specialist shampoos) all affect price. Prices are estimates until we see your dog.

What extras might apply?
Severe matting, fleas/ticks, de-shedding, behaviour handling time, or late/urgent bookings. We’ll discuss before proceeding.

What payments do you accept?
Cash is king so is preferred on collection. You can also pay by bank transfer.

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Aftercare

How will my dog feel after grooming?
Most dogs feel great! Some may be sleepy or extra lively. Please avoid muddy play straight after a groom to let skin/coat settle.

I’m not 100% happy—what should I do?
Please contact us within 24 hours and we’ll happily arrange a tweak where possible.

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emmi®-pet Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning (Optional add-on)

What is emmi®-pet?
A silent, non-vibrating ultrasonic brush used with a special toothpaste to help break down plaque and freshen breath. It’s calm and non-invasive.

Is it a replacement for a vet dental?
No. It’s grooming-grade maintenance and not a medical treatment. Dogs with heavy tartar, inflamed gums or oral pain should see a vet first.

How many sessions will my dog need?
Start with an intro session 1hr, followed by 3-6 shorter top-up appointments of 15-30 mins and then maintenance cleans every 4-6 weeks. The schedule depends on your dog’s mouth and tolerance.

Will you remove tartar?
We don’t scrape teeth. Visible tartar may soften/reduce gradually with repeated sessions and good home care—results can vary.

Who is it suitable for?
Most adult dogs after a quick suitability check. Puppies should wait until adult teeth have come through.