Why don’t you offer multiple dog or other discounts?

When deciding on our pricing structure we had to consider several things. Our priority for our spa is appointment based, NON-assembly line grooming.

In order to make this feasible, we had to decide between a few scenarios. In order to make discounts possible, our groomers would have to see more dogs per day, spending less time with each one. Alternatively, we could keep the number of dogs per day lower and inflate our prices for everyone and offer discounts to qualifying clientele. Finally, we could forgo the discounts and offer more one on one, attention to detail care in an environment that is as stress-free as possible and at a price that is fair for everyone.

We believe strongly that if your pet could choose, they would choose the latter and so did we.

We do not use cheap shampoos. Our shampoos are biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. They are also gentle on your pet’s skin and the environment - they are not the cheap shampoos that many salons use to save money (probably 4 times the price of shampoo most salons use!). We even use hypo-allergenic soap and fabric softener on your pet’s towels. we wash our towels after each pet - some salons do not. We don’t cut corners!

We know there are several salons out there that DO offer multiple dog discounts and if it’s a priority for you we understand if you prefer to go else ware. We will not waiver from our commitment to you and your pet to offer quality and TLC over quantity.

Can I leave my pet with you all day while I am at work?

No. Our grooming is by appointment only. What this means is that at any given time, there are fewer dogs in our salon making it less stressful for your pet. Think of it much like your own haircut appointment. You show up - you get seen by the stylist right away and when you are done you leave to make room for the next guest. We also believe that spending a full day in a grooming salon is stressful for your pet, which is why we decided to go with an appointment based structure in the first place. We also have limited kennel space and we need it for our next appointment.

It is our strong belief that your pet’s experience should be in and out and not prolonged longer than need be. If you drop your pet off early without making prior arrangement, or you are late to pick up your pet, a kenneling/late fee of $25 may apply.

What is assembly line grooming?

Assembly line grooming is a process that allows a grooming parlor to see very high volumes of dogs per day. Usually, the majority of the dogs seen that day are “checked in” early in the morning. They could be caged for hours before a groomer sees them. In most circumstances stations are set up for each part of the grooming procedure. One person bathes your dog, another may dry them, and finally the groomer may see them for their cut.

We feel this style of grooming is more impersonal for both you and your pet. We also feel it is more stressful because of the long duration of the stay, and the many, many dogs and staff in the salon. MOST dogs seen in our spa are out within 1-3 hours (depending on their size, coat type, spa service, and level of difficulty).

Why do you use crates?

We feel strongly that this is the safest place for your pet when they cannot be attended to. If dogs are underfoot while grooming, they could cause a groomer to trip, they could distract dogs on the table making them more likely to fall or jump off, or heaven forbid something should be dropped or fall off the table onto an unsuspecting pooch. Your pet’s and our groomers’ safety are our top priorities.

Keep in mind that if you are on time for your drop-off and pick-up times, your pet will not likely spend more than 15-20 minutes in a crate. Also, many people who tell us their dogs are fearful of crates would be surprised to find them quietly sleeping while they wait to be picked up.

If you pet absolutely cannot be crated due to fear or anxiety that you have been unable to work through, let us know. We may be able to work out a compromise that will make the experience better for your pet. An additional fee may be applied for this service.

I have heard kennel drying is more dangerous and stressful than hand-drying. Is this true?

YES and NO. If a kennel has little or no ventilation or if the dryer has no timer or temperature controls this can be dangerous to your pet. Hot air needs to be able to properly circulate.

At our salon, we use only wire crates for drying your pet and our dryers have temperature and timer control settings so they will shut off after a few minutes.

Some groomers claim that hand-drying is less stressful for your pet, but we believe that this is a general statement and does not necessarily apply to all animals. Some animals don't enjoy being handled and therefor the crate drying process is easier on them. Some animals are older and cannot stand for long periods of time, and kennel drying allows them to lay down while they dry.

No matter what type of dryer is used, the animal will be subjected to blasts of heated air - it is unavoidable if you want to dry their hair.

Why don't you express anal glands? I have had groomers do it in the past?

Our groomers know how to express anal glands, but we choose not to for one main reason - if anal glands are not expressed properly they can burst and create a lifetime of problems for your dog. We feel that this service is best performed by your Vet Clinic. Our groomers can help you determine if they need to be done, for the safety of your dog we leave this one up to your Vet.

If your dog has a history of anal gland problems, please feel free to talk to one of our store consultants. They can give you some suggestions to help your pet express their anal glands themselves which is the way it was meant to happen!

What if my dog bites?

If your dog has bitten in the past, or has a rough time with grooming it is your responsibility to let our groomer know. In some cases she can work through the problem, in others it is too dangerous for both her and your pet.

Why do you have to shave my dog?

We often get requests from clients asking us to brush out matts because they don’t want their pet’s hair cut short. PLEASE understand that brushing out a matted dog is VERY painful for them. It is also very hard on our groomers. They don’t want to make your pet suffer.

Without exception if we have a matted pet comes to our salon for grooming, it will be shaved. We like to enforce a cruelty free policy for everyone at our salon and health, comfort, and safety will always come first for our fur-clients. If you are worried about your pet being cold, consider that many short-haired breeds fair just fine through our Calgary winters meaning your pet will be just fine too!

Long haired dogs require DAILY brushing to prevent matts. If you prefer your dog in a longer, scissored cut, you will have to bring them in frequently for bath and tidies, or you will have to maintain them at home yourself.

If you are not the type of person that has the time or ability to upkeep your pet’s coat, choose a short-coated pet.

Is grooming a fun and relaxing job?

Sure, our groomers may make it LOOK fun and relaxing, but grooming is one of the hardest jobs out there! Spending a day grooming does not mean you are “playing with dogs all day” as the popular misconception goes...

Is there any other job where on a daily basis you are bitten, scratched, urinated on, defecated on, vomited on, and body checked?

Is there any other job out there that requires a person to use sharp scissors and clippers to groom a pet that is wiggling and snapping at them?

How about lifting up to 150 lbs of stubborn dog onto a table or into a tub?

How about doing all this while attempting to be patient and compassionate, and give your pet an esthetic cut and a good experience at the same time?

Being a groomer is hard enough, so please try to be understanding towards our groomers and try and trust that they are making decisions based on their years of experience that they feel are best for your pet.

If they say your pet is too matted to brush out or scissored - they are! If they say your pet is too wiggly to get a full haircut - they are! They get paid more for the latter, so why would they mislead you?

Why are you booked so far in advance?

Our stylists are good - REALLY good! The experience your pet gets is positive! We use all-natural, environmentally friendly shampoos! We provide quality service to you and your pet. Word travels fast, and our clients are happy with our customer service, styling abilities, and their overall experience at our salon. This means lots of referrals and we fill up fast!

We encourage our regular clients to book their appointments in advance to ensure they they get in when it’s most convenient for them. This strategy works well to ensure everyone gets an appointment when they need one.

What is your cancellation policy?

Your appointment time is set aside just for your pet. We require 24 hours to fill your appointment or a $25 charge may be applied to your next appointment. Late fees may also apply if you are late picking up your pet so please be on time - your pet is waiting for you!

Is the Dog Spa a separate business from the Tail Blazers retail store?

In a way YES and in a way NO. Our dog spa and retail store are owned by the same people - Carie and Holly Montgomery. The reason why our grooming transactions are separate are because our retail store is a franchise, and our salon is not. So, they are in a way separate entities, but they are still owned and operated by the same people.