Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about grooming, appointments, or what to expect at Swift Clipps? You may find your answer below.

If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to help!

🐾 Grooming & Pricing

How much does grooming cost?

Every dog is different, so grooming is priced based on several factors, including size, coat type and condition, grooming history, temperament, desired haircut, and the amount of time and work required.

Our services have starting prices based on an hourly rate, but your dog's final price may vary depending on their individual needs.

Visit our Services & Pricing page for current packages and starting prices.

How long will my dog's appointment take?

Grooming isn't a one-size-fits-all process, and appointment times vary depending on the individual dog.

Factors such as size, coat condition, haircut, drying time, behaviour, and the services being provided can all affect how long an appointment takes.

As a general guideline, smaller dogs may take approximately 1.5–2 hours, while larger or more involved grooms may take 2 hours or more.

I will give you an estimated pickup time whenever possible, but please understand that grooming times can change depending on how your dog is doing throughout their appointment.

How often should my dog be professionally groomed?

For most dogs receiving regular full grooms, we recommend appointments approximately every 4–8 weeks.

The ideal schedule depends on your dog's breed, coat type, haircut, lifestyle, and how well their coat is maintained at home.

Regular grooming appointments help keep the coat manageable and comfortable and can help prevent painful matting and excessive coat buildup.

Your groomer can also help you determine a grooming schedule that works best for your individual dog.

✂️ Puppies, Coats & Haircuts

How old should my puppy be for their first grooming appointment?

It's never too early to start introducing your puppy to grooming!

Early positive experiences can help puppies become more comfortable with bathing, brushing, nail trims, dryers, clippers, handling, and the grooming environment. Ideally bring your puppy as soon as they have reciveed their second set of puppy vaccines. 

To set a puppy up for a life long of grooming success, it is recomended that puppies be on a 4 week schedule for at least the first year. 

Puppies don't necessarily need to come in for a full haircut right away or everytime. Depending on their age and coat, we may focus on gentle introductions and building positive associations with the grooming process.

Ask about our Puppy Desensitization Package to learn more.

Will you shave my dog's coat?

We will never shave a healthy, maintained coat simply because it is easier.

However, there are situations where clipping a dog shorter is the safest and kindest option, particularly when the coat is severely or tightly matted.

Trying to brush out severe matting can cause significant discomfort and may result in irritated or damaged skin. In these situations, removing the matted coat may be necessary to protect your dog's comfort and well-being.

Our goal is always to preserve as much coat as we safely can while putting your dog's comfort first.

If your dog arrives severely matted, we will discuss the situation with you whenever possible before proceeding.

Can you remove all of my dog's mats?

Not always.

Light tangles and manageable matting may sometimes be safely removed, but extensive or tight matting can be painful to remove and may not be safe for your dog.

When matting is too severe to safely remove, clipping the coat may be the most humane option.

🐶 Nails & Maintenance

Do you offer nail trims without a full groom?

Yes!

Standalone nail trims are available for $20 and include smoothing the nails with a Dremel-style tool when appropriate.

Regular nail maintenance is important for your dog's comfort, mobility, and paw health.

How often should my dog's nails be trimmed?

For most dogs, we recommend having their nails maintained approximately every 4 weeks.

Dogs with significantly overgrown nails may need more frequent appointments initially. When nails have been allowed to grow too long, the quick inside the nail also grows longer.

In these cases, regular trimming, sometimes every 1 to 2 weeks, may be needed for a period of time to gradually encourage the quick to recede.

🏡 Your Dog's Appointment

Can I drop my dog off in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day?

Swift Clipps is an in-home grooming salon, not a daycare facility.

For the comfort and safety of the dogs in my care, I do not have the space or setup to accommodate dogs being left at the salon for extended periods before or after their grooming appointment.

You will be given a pickup time or pickup window whenever possible, and dogs should be picked up promptly when their groom is complete.

Extended delays may result in additional fees.

Can I stay and watch my dog being groomed?

For safety and liability reasons, clients and other non-employees cannot remain inside the grooming area while grooming is taking place.

There is also another important reason: many dogs groom much more comfortably when their owners aren't within sight or hearing distance.

Dogs can become distracted, excited, anxious, or more resistant when they know their person is nearby.

You're welcome to run errands or wait nearby while your dog is being groomed.

Do you offer one-on-one grooming?

Yes!

One-on-one appointments may be available for dogs who benefit from having the salon to themselves.

During a one-on-one appointment, no other customer dogs are scheduled to be in the salon at the same time.

Because these appointments require additional scheduling and dedicated salon time, an additional fee may apply to block off additional time. Pricing depends on the individual appointment and the amount of time required.

Availability is limited, so please inquire when booking.

🎓 Experience & Education

What education and training do you have?

I completed my Professional Dog Grooming Diploma through JKL Grooming Academy, a 14-month program that included academic study, quizzes, testing, a final examination, and hands-on practicum training.

Since completing my education, I have continued developing my skills through hands-on grooming experience, mentorship, and continuing education.

I am also Canine First Aid Certified and a Fear Free Certified Groomer.

I believe education should never stop in this industry, which is why I continue to pursue professional development and further education through the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists (CPPS) certification program.

📅 Booking & Appointments

How do I book an appointment?

New online booking is coming but in the meantime email ( swiftclippsgrooming@gmail.com) or text/call 902-523-4323 (Please note i have a system in place to take your information for me on the phone if i am busy, please listen and respond to the promts. Failure to leave information will result in no contact back as i recieve too many scam phone calls and need to ensue i am calling a potential client. 

Please review our policies before requesting an appointment and complete the required new client information.

Once your information has been received and reviewed, we'll be in touch regarding availability and booking.

You can find our booking information and contact options throughout the website.

Do you accept new clients?

New client availability can vary depending on our current schedule and the season

Please complete the New Client Form to inquire about becoming a client.

What happens if I'm late for my appointment?

Please allow yourself enough time to arrive on schedule.

If you are 15 minutes or more late, we may need to cancel the appointment because grooming appointments are carefully scheduled and delays can affect the dogs booked after you.

If you know you're going to be late, please contact us as soon as possible.

❌ Cancellations & Missed Appointments

Do you charge cancellation fees?

Yes.

Swift Clipps has a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Cancellations or appointment changes made outside the required notice period may be subject to a fee of 100% of the scheduled services.

Repeated cancellations, no-shows, or failure to follow the cancellation policy may result in a fee of up to 100% of the scheduled services and/or affect your ability to book future appointments.

Please review our full Policies page for complete details.

Why do you have a cancellation policy?

Grooming appointments are reserved specifically for your dog. When an appointment is cancelled at the last minute, it can be extremely difficult to fill that time with another client.

The cancellation policy helps protect the time reserved for your dog and allows Swift Clipps to continue operating fairly and sustainably.

🩺 Health, Safety & Emergencies

What happens if my dog becomes sick or injured while in your care?

Your dog's health and safety are always my first priority.

If a medical concern or emergency occurs while your dog is in my care, I will assess the situation and take appropriate action. If veterinary attention is necessary, I will contact you and your veterinarian whenever possible.

For this reason, keeping your veterinarian's contact information current on your client profile is important.

In a true emergency where immediate veterinary care is required, I will prioritize getting your dog the care they need.

Will you take my dog to the veterinarian for me?

Routine veterinary transportation or drop-off services are not offered.

However, if a genuine emergency occurs while your dog is in my care and veterinary attention is required, appropriate emergency action will be taken to protect your dog's health and safety.

🐱 Other Animals

Do you groom cats or other animals?

At this time, Swift Clipps specializes in dog grooming.

While I have a huge love for all animals, I currently focus my professional services exclusively on dogs so I can provide the highest level of care, safety, and attention possible.

🕒 Hours

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

At this time, Swift Clipps does not offer regular evening or weekend appointments.

Our schedule is designed around maintaining a healthy work-life balance while allowing me to provide each dog with the time and attention they deserve.

I appreciate your understanding and encourage clients to book appointments in advance, especially if you require a specific day or time.

💜 Still Have Questions?

Every dog is unique, and sometimes your question won't fit neatly into an FAQ.

If you're unsure whether Swift Clipps is the right fit for your dog, reach out!

I'm always happy to answer questions, discuss your dog's individual grooming needs, and help you determine the best way to keep them comfortable, healthy, and looking their best.

Your dog isn't just another appointment, they're family. 🐾