Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Proof of current rabies vaccination (paperwork, no tags) must be provided before receiving service.

Generally, your pet may be in the salon for 2-4 hours. Size, coat condition and health of the dog are determining factors for time frame.

Pawsitively Southern offers service on a 2, 4 or 6 week basis. Regular grooming is beneficial to your pet's health, appearance and comfort. Scheduling ensures your pet is groomed at the right intervals to prevent matting, skin issues and discomfort.

While it might be tempting to stick around, most pets actually respond better to grooming when their owners aren't in sight. If they can see you, they often become distracted and focus on getting to you rather than cooperating with the groomer. This can make the process longer and potentially unsafe. To ensure the best experience for both your pet and the groomer, we recommend stepping away during the grooming session. It helps create a calmer environment and allows for a smoother, safer grooming process.

We recommend introducing your puppy to grooming as early as possible—typically between 8 to 12 weeks old. Starting early helps your pup become comfortable with the process and the environment, making future grooming sessions smoother and stress-free.

The safety of both pets and groomers is our top priority. In some cases, grooming an aggressive dog may not be in the best interest of either party. A stressed or reactive dog can pose a risk to the groomer and may also be more vulnerable to accidental injury from grooming equipment. For these reasons, we assess each situation carefully to determine whether grooming is the right option.

Brushing your dog's coat helps remove loose hair, prevents matting, and keeps their fur looking healthy and shiny. Regular baths are essential for maintaining cleanliness and overall skin health. Our selection of dog-specific shampoos ensures effective cleaning, and our team is happy to recommend the best products and tools for your pup's unique needs.

Your dog's rabies paperwork from the vet, a leash or crate, and a short note on anything we should know — medications, allergies, sore spots, or the brush they hate. That's it. We'll take the coat notes ourselves and keep them on file for next time.

Two to three weeks is comfortable, and busier around the holidays. Clients on a 2, 4 or 6 week schedule keep a standing slot, so their next appointment is already reserved when they walk out the door.

Please give us at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule — a text at any hour is fine, and there is never a fee with that much notice. Illness, emergencies and bad weather are always exceptions.

Yes, please. A bathroom break and a little movement beforehand settles a dog considerably, and it means we can get straight to the bath instead of starting with a nervous, full-bladdered pup on the table.

We call you before we make any decision. Severe matting is painful to brush out, so the humane choice is usually a short clip — and we'll explain exactly what the coat will look like afterwards, plus a brushing plan to avoid a repeat.

Gladly. Older dogs are groomed in short sessions with plenty of breaks, and we aim for comfort and cleanliness rather than a show finish. For a medically fragile pet we may ask for your veterinarian's blessing first.

The first visit is deliberately short and easy: a gentle bath, nails, a tidy around the face and feet, and a lot of praise. The goal is a puppy who thinks the salon is a nice place to be, not a perfect haircut.

Two minutes a day, every day, with a treat at the end. Brush the feet, ears, tail and belly — the places that matter later and get missed most. Short and pleasant beats long and thorough at this age.

Every four weeks while they are growing. It has less to do with coat length than with routine: frequent, uneventful visits are what turn grooming into something ordinary rather than something to fear.

Brush to the skin, not just over the top — three or four times a week with a slicker brush, then follow with a steel comb. If the comb won't pass through, the mat is still there. Pay special attention behind the ears, the armpits and the collar line.

Yes — our double coat bath and de-shed is built for huskies, samoyeds, pomeranians and the like. We never shave a double coat: that coat insulates against heat as well as cold, and it often grows back patchy.

Curly and specialty coats want a slicker brush plus a steel comb. Double coats want an undercoat rake. Short coats do best with a rubber curry. Bring your brush to your next appointment and we'll show you how to use it on your own dog.