We understand that trusting someone with your dog is a big decision, and knowing what to expect can help you feel confident before your visit. Every appointment at Contoured Canine is thoughtfully tailored to your dog's individual needs, with a focus on gentle handling, personalized care, and a positive grooming experience from check-in to pickup.

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All appointments are straight through and one-on-one, as opposed to an assembly-style salon where multiple dogs are being worked on at once. Every pup is given the benefit of a calm & quiet environment where the groom proceeds at a comfortable pace in order to build a trusting relationship! Here's a look at what you and your dog can expect during your appointment.

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Step 1: Welcome! 🐾

We start by greeting you and your dog, making your pup comfortable with love and patience right at the start! We'll discuss any updates in your dog's health or behavior, any concerns or questions you have, and what you would like done that day. We'll go over your dog, noting anything we find, and let you know if anything should or needs to change. You give your pup a hug & kiss goodbye, and the fun begins!

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Step 2: The Bath 🛁

This is one of the most important steps of the whole process! A professional result starts with a thorough, professional bath. Based on your dog's coat type, any skin issues, and the goals for the look of the day, we carefully pick a series of professional-grade shampoos and conditioners to bring out the best results. We take our time, no rushing involved. Whether the coat needs some TLC or your pup's comfort levels require a particularly gentle approach, we make sure nothing is overlooked.

 

Step 3: Drying 💨

After being thoroughly towel dried, we use variable speed dryers, a Dyson hair dryer, and fans to take your dog from damp to dry! The variety of drying options give us the flexibility needed to care for dogs that are otherwise fearful of the dryer. Again, nothing is rushed so as not to cause unnecessary stress. We're happy to say that it is rare that we cannot acclimate a pup to being actively dried over time!

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Step 4: The Haircut ✂️

This is where the magic happens. After brushing and combing the coat, we use clippers to shave the paw pads, clip the sanitary area, clean up around the opening of the ear canal, and neaten up stray hairs under the nose. Then, we use various lengths of clipper blades & attachment combs to set the lengths of the planned haircut. Finally, we do an all-over scissor finish to create a polished final result!

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Step 5: Pick Up 🎀

You will have gotten a text message giving you a heads up before we're done so you can pick up your pup ASAP! After looking over your dog's new look, either give us the thumbs up or let us know if you'd like something tweaked before going home. We'll let you know how your dog did every step of the way, if we ran into any issues or found something worth mentioning, and what we recommend for the future! This could be a particular schedule, tools for at home care, and more! We'll collect payment, get you set up for your next appointment, and then out you go to enjoy the rest of your day with a freshly styled best friend!