Your Questions, Answered

  • Please ensure your dog has been walked and has had the opportunity to relieve themselves before arrival. You’re welcome to bring any favourite toys or comfort items if this helps your dog feel more at ease.

  • Yes, however, preparation is important. We recommend avoiding stressful events for 48 hours before your appointment. This helps prevent trigger stacking, where multiple stressors build up over time and overwhelm your dog’s ability to cope. Stress hormones such as cortisol can remain in the body for 24–72 hours, meaning stress can accumulate over several days. If a dog becomes severely distressed during grooming, the session will be stopped for their safety and wellbeing, and you will be asked to collect them. During this time, we will focus on helping your dog decompress. Continuing to groom a highly distressed dog can be unsafe. At Calm Canine, your dog’s welfare always comes first.

  • No, we operate on a one-to-one basis to maintain a calm, low-stress environment. If two dogs from the same household are being groomed, they may attend together by prior arrangement, provided the second dog can remain calm and relaxed.

  • To maintain a calm environment, we ask owners to leave during the grooming session. While owners provide comfort for their pets, their presence can sometimes increase stress, as dogs may try to reach them while on the grooming table, which can be unsafe. We offer a free meet-and-greet prior to booking, allowing your dog to become familiar with the groomer in a relaxed setting.

  • Yes, we offer a gentle Puppy Introduction Programme, designed to create positive early grooming experiences. This includes:

    • A short initial session (around 30 minutes) to introduce your puppy to the environment and handling

    • A second session including a bath, gentle blow-dry, and light grooming.

    Each puppy receives a welcome pack, including grooming tools, treats, and guidance to support continued desensitisation at home.

  • We understand that matting can happen and we always approach it with care. Moderate to severe matting will require shaving, as this is the most humane and safest option. You will always be informed beforehand. Mild matting may be removed, if deemed safe to do so. Matting may incur an additional charge due to the extra time required. Matting can be painful and may lead to skin infections, restricted movement, and other health issues. We are happy to guide you on preventing matting, including brushing techniques such as line brushing.

  • Ongoing home care is essential for your dog’s coat and skin health. Regular brushing, ear checks, and paw care will help keep your dog comfortable between appointments,  particularly for curly or wavy-coated breeds, which are more prone to matting. We can provide tailored guidance and recommend a grooming schedule suited to your dog.

  • Hand stripping is a traditional grooming method where dead and loose coat is gently removed by hand, rather than clipped. This helps maintain the coat’s natural texture, colour and overall condition. It is only suitable for certain coat types, such as wire-coated breeds and some Spaniels. Suitability depends on the coat’s condition and grooming history. Dogs that have been regularly clipped are often not suitable, as clipping can change the texture of the coat. When carried out correctly, hand stripping should not cause discomfort, as only loose, ready-to-shed coat is removed.

  • Our Red Light Therapy is designed to support your dog’s physical and emotional wellbeing in a calm, gentle environment. We use the Dermalux Flex MD.

    Red light therapy can be booked as a single session, or as part of a package. Sessions are non-invasive and gentle, suitable for healthy adult dogs.

    Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) uses low-level red and near-infrared light to gently penetrate tissues. Research in veterinary and animal studies has suggested potential benefits, including: Reduced inflammation and joint discomfort (Rodrigues et al., 2020; Bennaim et al., 2021), support for tissue repair and wound healing, and in muscle recovery and mobility.

    The Calm Reset Package combines red light therapy, gentle handling and calming touch techniques. It is specifically designed to help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall mental and physical wellbeing. Sessions last for 30 minutes, and can be booked as a block package of four or six sessions. It is recommended that sessions are either carried out twice per month, or once per month, depending on needs and goals.

    Important Notes:

    • Puppies: We do not offer Red Light Therapy or the Calm Reset Packages for puppies. Their tissues are still developing, and often due to the nature of puppies they are very wriggly. Puppies are best suited to our Puppy Introduction Sessions, which focus on positive early grooming experiences and desensitisation.

    • Health considerations: While generally considered safe for healthy dogs, dogs with certain conditions (e.g., photosensitive skin, specific medications, uncontrolled epilepsy) should be cleared by their vet before booking.

    • Protective eyewear will be provided for all dogs during treatment session.

    Research and Responsibility:

    • While we have made every effort to provide relevant research and information, we encourage owners to do their own independent research before booking.

    • These packages are intended for wellbeing and comfort, not as a substitute for veterinary treatment.

  • We use only ethical, cruelty-free, and locally sourced products. At Calm Canine, we believe all animals should be treated with care and respect, therefore we do not use any grooming or cleaning products that have been tested on animals.

  • Appointments can be booked or amended through our online booking page, with a deposit required to secure your slot. Before your appointment, you’ll be asked to complete a short client intake form. This is an important step and must be completed in advance, as it helps us understand your dog’s health, behaviour, and preferences, ensuring a calm and tailored grooming experience.

  • We require a minimum of 48 hours notice for cancellations or amendments. A deposit is required at the time of booking and is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours. As a small business, this allows us the opportunity to fill your appointment slot.