Policies & Risks

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hrs’ notice, or you NO SHOW, the full grooming cost will be charged to the CC you have on file.

In the event that you are more than 15 min late and we cannot take your dog, you will be charged the full grooming cost and re-scheduled.

Credit Card on file

Your CC will be kept on our online encrypted system and monitored by Stripe.

Daycare fee and late pickup

Please be on time dropping off and picking up your dog (s). We work by appointment and do not have the staff available to look after them after the grooming has been completed. If your dog needs to stay longer than 2 hours before or after its grooming time, there will be a $15 daycare fee. If you are late & pick up after hours, we will charge an additional $25 to cover costs.

Difficult Dogs

There will be a charge of $25 on top of the regular grooming fees for any dog that is difficult to handle. Grooming a difficult dog requires more time, more handlers and can be dangerous to both the dog and groomer.

Senior Dogs

Tend to get bumps & lumps, thin skin, body aches from arthritis or other disorders, are thinner/bonier and may have unknown health issues. Lumps & warts may get irritated and bleed from brushing, washing and clipping. The finished look may be un-even. Skin is more fragile and may get nicked more easily. Dogs need to stand for at least part of the bathing, drying and clipping process and may be tender/sore/lethargic after grooming.

Seniors also tend NOT to be tolerant of grooming so it is in everyone’s best interest to do what is quick & easy to keep them hygienic and comfortable and NOT for appearance. If we find the grooming to be too stressful, dangerous or unhealthy, they can’t stand, or too fidgety, we may stop. We do our best but THEY decide how much we can do. We may tell you that we can no longer groom your dog. We will not risk hurting your dog.

De-Matting/Shaving

If we can demat, there will be an extra charge starting at $15/15min to de-mat your dog’s fur to get the clippers through the coat.

We will NOT de-mat if the matting is severe/profuse as there is a greater risk of injury, stress and trauma. Your dog has to also be able to tolerate it (most cannot).

Some matting CANNOT be brushed out and your dog will be shaved short as the blades need to get underneath the matting (knots).

Hidden/Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Occasionally, grooming can expose or aggravate a medical condition. We will DISCONTINUE grooming and call for you to pick up.

Health issues must be disclosed. Common underlying and unknown health conditions can cause reactions to the grooming process.

ALL vet costs and expenses will be the responsibility of the dog’s owner.

Ear Plucking

Dogs have hair growing in their ears. If it is profuse/matted, it can cause damage so we pluck. If you DO NOT want them plucked, please let us know. Plucking can cause irritation and head shaking which can cause bruising on the tips of the ears.

Anals

Please request if you need them done or not done. We are not vets, if they are extremely full/impacted, a vet may still need to express.

Photos and Videos

Photos and videos of your dog may be taken before, during and after grooming. All photos are the property of WDS and may be used for our website, advertising, social media and/or educational purposes.

Return policy

All sales on frozen raw food are final. We have no control over what happens to the food once it leaves the store and therefore no way of knowing if the frozen product had thawed out. For safety measures, we have to ensure that all of our frozen raw food has been properly stored.

All sales are final on Special Orders, sale items and chews that have been tasted.

Exchanges can be done on treats and unopened chews.

Refunds/Exchanges can be done within 14 days. Tags must be on.

No refunds without a receipt (store credit can be issued).

Shave Down of Double coated dogs

We DO NOT shave down double-coated dogs as it can alter their coat. Examples of double-coated dogs are Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, Aussie Shepherds, Bernese Mtn Dogs etc.

Shaving your double-coated dog can result in the following:

  • The texture & colour of the coat can change.

  • The undercoat will choke out the good course guard hairs. The coat will get matted easier and it will limit the style that can be maintained.

  • Alopecia may also occur.

  • Skin may get sunburned.

  • Depending on the clipper length, clipper marks may be visible for a few weeks.

Some Risks of Grooming

Occasionally, problems can arise, either during or after grooming such as nicks, clipper irritation, mental or physical stress, shaking the head, ear bruising, & uneven-looking hair.

ALL vet costs and expenses will be the responsibility of the dog’s owner.

NICKS & BRUISING – Matting can pull at the skin when being shaved causing strain making it easier to get nicked and bruised. This is especially the case for older dogs as they have thinner skin.

RAZOR BURN – especially in the sanitary area. If the sanitary area was shaved short due to matting it may also be irritated due to urine and feces being trapped against the skin in the matted fur. A short, close trim on a dog not used to the grooming process can also irritate. Your dog may lick the affected area, which can lead to further irritation to the sanitary area.

PERSONALITY CHANGE – A change in your dog’s personality may occur. Hiding or depression can both be changes in behaviour. (This is temporary and your dog should return to their normal self within two to three days.)

SHAKING HEAD – If the ears were matted and shaved it makes the ears feel “light & different”.

If the ears are packed with hair/matted hair we will have plucked them.

(Make sure you do not let your dog shake their head excessively. You can protect their ears by wrapping them in a bandage/head wrap if needed. Head shaking can cause a hematoma to form on the tips. If swelling or bruising appears on your dog’s ears a cold compress can help. Please consult a vet immediately).

CUTS FROM SCRATCHING – As your dog’s nails have been freshly trimmed they may be sharp. This can result in more severe irritation to the skin due to scratching at their now-exposed skin once the matted hair has been removed.

UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES – Underlying skin or health issues such as Thyroidism or Cushing’s etc make your dog’s skin thinner and more susceptible to “normal” grooming practices. Unknown reactions may occur.

UN-EVEN CUT – Uneven or unfinished-looking cut due to matting. Lumps and boniness may also cause the grooming to look un-even. Older dogs are often thinner/bonier, making it harder to get the clippers around the body and the finished look will be un-even.

BUMPS & LUMPS – Older dogs often get cysts, warts, bumps & lumps that can get scratched in the bathing, brushing and clipping process.

ARTHRITIS – Arthritis in joints especially legs – making it harder to manipulate. Dogs can get very agitated when manipulating their feet – creating an uneven or unfinished cut.

If you have any other questions, please contact us