(503) 284-9274
HAIR OF THE DOG
Salon Information
We are still observing Covid-19 safety protocol at Hair of the Dog. We kindly request that all clients continue to observe social distancing as well as wearing masks when dropping off and picking up your pet. Our lobby will remain closed to the general public until further notice. When you arrive, please call the number on our door for service. Please only use this line for drop off and pick up of your pet. For appointments, general questions or any other communication, please call our main line at 503-284-9274. To make an appointment please call us at our main line and we will return your call within one business day.
Our pricing structure is based on the time, size, behavior and the coat condition of your dog. For this reason we give price estimates over the phone and cannot determine the exact cost of service until we see your pet. We will be able to give you a price estimate over the phone based on your dog's breed, size and grooming needs. Once we assess your dog in person, we can then give you an exact cost of service and move forward with your consent to service. We do this because of all the variables in breed standards.
Average appointment times vary from pet to pet. Appointment time frames can be discussed prior to booking. Age, coat condition, requested services, as well as size and personality all factor into determining appointment times. Typical appointment times are 1 to 4 hours depending on the factors listed.
Our services are all-inclusive which means everything is included in your visit. What does that entail? A bath in skin and coat specific shampoo and conditioner, leave in conditioner, deshed treatment, a facial, nail trim and file, ears cleaned, breath freshened, glands expressed (if needed). These services are automatically included unless specified by the pet owner.
We offer both free-roaming and kenneled options. All areas are highly supervised for the safety and comfort of your pet.
Water, blankets and bathroom breaks are all available to your pet.
At Hair of the Dog we only use high end professional grade products such as Chris Christiansen, Envirogroom, Quadruped, Isle of Dog, and Hydra. If you or your dog have any allergies or sensitivities, please let us know. We do have hypoallergenic options for all our products.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Common Inquiries
DO YOU GROOM CATS?
We do not groom cats. Our salon is an open concept salon with a high volume of dogs. We suggest finding a salon that provides cat grooming as a primary service, as it will be a calmer environment for your cat thus a more enjoyable experience for the cat.
DO YOU ALLOW WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS OR SELF-SERVE BATHING?
We do not offer this services. Due to Covid-19 safety procedures as well as high foot traffic on our street, we do not allow customers to enter the salon without an appointment. Please call us to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained staff. Note: we have not offered self-serve bathing since 2020 and have no plans to reinstate this option.
DO YOU REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATIONS?
Yes we require current proof of vaccinations. Vaccinations must not be expired. This can be the paperwork from your vet, or the digital copy from your vet via email. Call us for more information.
WHAT IS YOUR LATE FEE POLICY?
Dogs over 15 minutes late will incur a $20 late fee per pet, or, be turned away from services depending on the discretion of the salon. If you think you may be late, please call us prior to your appointment to make sure we can still take your pet. Please note that our salon closes at 5:00 PM and any dogs not picked up by 5:00 PM will incur a $25 per half hour fee. We do not offer boarding or daycare for pets, we are a salon only.
CAN I BOOK ONLINE?
We do not offer online booking. We prefer to customize appointment times to the specific needs of our staff as well as your individual pet. We also prefer our version of old fashioned customer service which means you talk to a highly trained staff member who knows you by name (or at least... by your dog's name!)
TEETH, NAILS AND EARS AND.... BUTTS
Although we do include these services, we may not always complete them if we think your pet actually needs vet attention instead. We will assess all areas of your pet and attempt to complete all services. In the event we cannot, we will refer you to your veterinarian.
WHY ARE YOU ONLY OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK?
Our culture at Hair of the Dog puts the needs of our workers at the forefront. We believe a four day work week offers a better work-life balance for all. Happy and healthy staff equal a happy and healthy salon environment.
I'M A NEW CUSTOMER AND I CAN'T FIND A SALON THAT IS NOT BOOKED. WHY IS THAT?
Grooming services are in extremely high demand. Dog grooming is a highly specialized niche trade and simply put, there are not enough of us to go around. We cater to regular customers who pre-book our services in advance. Want to inquire about availability? Call us.
WHY DO YOUR SERVICES COST WHAT THEY DO? "WOW. MY OLD SALON WAS CHEAPER"
Our pricing structure is based on the needs of our individual business. We do not attempt to compete with the pricing of other salons. Some may be cheaper than us, some more expensive. Competing to be the cheapest is a race to the bottom, and does not benefit the industry. Grooming is a skilled niche trade in high demand. Our pricing reflects the amount of work we put into each pet. We take care of our staff. This includes a living wage for all of our employees, a full benefit package, retirement, and a shorter work week. A stressed-out and exhausted groomer is a burnt-out groomer. A burnt-out groomer will be more prone to sickness, injuries and shorten the longevity of their career. Burn-out is an epidemic in our industry. One way to combat that is to charge accordingly. Healthy staff equals a safe staff.