Why a Groom Takes 2 to 4 Hours, and What Drop Off Looks Like

Owners are sometimes surprised when we say a groom can take two to four hours. It's a long time to be away from your dog. Here's what that time is spent on, and what your part of the day looks like, so drop off goes smoothly.

Where the hours go

A groom isn't one task. It's a string of steps that each take real time, and a dog can't be rushed through any of them. Our site says it plainly: grooming can take 2 to 4 hours depending on the needs of your dog.

Pups get washed and dried when they arrive, which is the job of our bathing assistant, Emma. Drying alone takes time, especially for thick or curly coats, because a coat that's still damp tangles and is harder to cut cleanly. After that comes the brush out, then the trimming, the nails and ears, and the finishing work around the face and feet.

Dogs also need breaks. A nervous dog may need a pause, a wiggly puppy may need a reset, and an older dog may need to rest between steps. Clippers close to the skin on a squirming dog call for slow, careful work. Good grooming moves at the dog's pace, and that's part of why we can't promise a time to the minute.

What changes the time

Several things push a groom toward the shorter or longer end of that range:

• Coat length and thickness, since a long, dense coat takes longer to wash, dry, and brush
• Matting, because working through tangles safely takes time, and we talk about it at drop off
• The service you booked, since a bath and tidy is a different job than a full haircut
• How your dog is feeling that day, which can change the pace more than anything else

Before you arrive

A few small things make the morning easier. All pets must be on a leash. Rabies vaccination is required, and you can email the record ahead of time or bring it to drop off. Give your dog time to relieve themselves beforehand, and use the poop station outside.

Grooming is by appointment, and we can't accept appointments more than 15 minutes late, so plan to arrive a few minutes early. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and closed on weekends.

Cancellations or reschedules need at least 48 hours of notice, and missed appointments are subject to the cost of a full groom, paid in full before rebooking. Female dogs in season should be rescheduled.

Drop off and the wait

At drop off, we'll talk through how you'd like your dog to look and point out anything we notice about the coat. That's also when we discuss any dematting. Then you're free to go, and we take it from there.

Communication during the day matters as much as the haircut. Bria Weaver wrote that "their communication was excellent before and during the appointment which I really appreciated." Angelina Delgado mentioned that the front desk staff sent her text messages with updates on how her puppy was doing.

Use the wait however you like. Most people run errands, get lunch, or head home. Just keep your phone nearby in case we text with an update or a question.

It helps to think of those hours as the part of the day that belongs to your dog. Nothing in a good groom is hurried, and the time is what lets the coat get washed properly, dried all the way through, and cut with care. A dog who has been rushed tends to be a dog who dreads the next visit, and we'd rather your dog trot back to the car looking relaxed.

If this is your first appointment, it also gives us time to learn your dog. We notice which spots they like having brushed, which ones they'd rather we skip, and how they handle the dryer. Those small details go into making the next visit smoother, and the one after that smoother still.

Pickup: mind the clock

Dogs must not be in our care more than five hours, and we close at 4:30 PM. Please pick up 15 minutes before close, which means 4:15 PM at the latest, or a late pick up fee applies.

If your dog has a thick or curly coat, keep that closing time in mind when you choose an appointment slot, since a long groom that starts late in the day has less room to work with. If you have a question about timing, call us at (984) 326-2790 and we'll sort it out together.

When you're ready, book online through our MoeGo booking page or call (984) 326-2790.