Do you have an older dog? Does it have special needs due to medical issues? Does his temperament limit the places that work with him/her? Here at Paw Paws, we understand that taking care of an older pup can be challenging. That’s why we are happy to offer our SENIOR DOG SERVICE.

This service is specifically designed with your dog’s well-being and health as our top priorities. We begin with a complete shave down, gently removing all the hair from head to tail. Following that, we clip the nails and, if possible, grind them down for a smoother finish. We then clean the ears as best as we can before giving your pup a refreshing wash.

By structuring our service this way, we can reduce the overall service time by up to 30 minutes. Without all that extra hair, there's significantly less brushing and very little blow-drying time involved. We strive to make visits as stress-free and efficient as possible for your beloved older dog.

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FAQ’s

Can I ask for a different haircut, or leave the hair longer?
No. The reason for this length is because it is the safest blade to use in all areas. There are certain areas that are very delicate and can easily be cut with other blade lengths. By using the same length blade everywhere, we limit the chances of accidental cuts. Not having a lot of hair to blow dry is also beneficial.

Why is blow drying for long periods of time bad?
The blow dryer we use during professional grooming is extremely loud. This noise can severely impact your dog’s stress levels. The combination of the sound and the amount of time needed to efficiently dry a dog's coat can lead to high levels of anxiety and stress, which in turn can result in involuntary barking. In extreme cases, this can lead to seizures or even heart attacks. So, the less blow drying, the better. In some cases, we may only towel dry.

Will my dog be fully dry?
We will use the blower on a very low setting for a few minutes, but mostly we will towel dry. This means that the coat may still be wet when we bring your dog back to you. Thankfully, because of the very short length of the hair, your dog should naturally dry relatively quickly.

Is there anything to worry about with this haircut?
Because the hair is so short, we recommend limiting your dog's time in the sun for the first week or two. Direct sun exposure on the skin after this service can cause sunburn. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, we highly suggest using dog-safe sunscreen for their skin.

Does this apply to certain breeds?

Though we understand that certain breeds do not look good shaved, or you can’t imagine your dog getting such a short cut, this service is offered because we care about your dog's health above everything, including appearance. Therefore, if you do not want this look, the only thing we can suggest is to continue on your search for another grooming salon that may be willing to provide you with what you’re looking for. Our best advice would be to contact a veterinarian that also has grooming services, as they will be well equipped to manage any medical conditions that may arise during the grooming session. Remember, your pet's comfort and well-being are our top priorities!

* Ear cleaning is done with an ear cleaning solution dabbed on a cotton pad and used to remove as much dirt as possible from the ear without going into the ear canal too deep. If the dog has signs of possible ear infection, the service will not be performed and you will be notified as to the severity of the condition and what the options may be for your dog.

DISCLAIMER

  • For anal glands, We only offer external expression which is done by gently squeezing the anal gland sacks to remove as much of the fluids as possible without hurting your dog. If we notice that the sacks are too impacted, or your dog is in pain or shows aggression, this service will not be performed and we will refer you to your vets office for this task. Unfortunately this service is only done during the bath and is not available as a stand alone service, so if its not performed, we may still do the rest of the service you requested.

  • If we are not able to perform certain parts of the service (nails, ears, etc.) The final price does not change from the original price agreement. We do not discount items individually. This also applies if you choose or tell us not to do certain things. For example “ My dog has skin allergies, so do not spray perfume” This request will be honored, but that does not change the price.

  • Any and all services are limited to your dog’s behavior and/or health. If your dog is in severe pain, we will skip whichever part of the process that may be affecting him/her. If your dog is aggressive for something specific ( tries to bite when we try to do the nails) we will skip that service. If your dog is very aggressive , we will not perform any services and you will be referred to a vet. If we have already done any services (bath is done but haircut was not) you will be charged for the services rendered. If we have scheduled the appointment and arrived at your home but we were unable to perform any services, there is still a $75 fee for the appointment slot and drive. This charge may be waived if we are still providing services for a second dog.

  • If we have left your house, we will not come back to fix anything free of charge. If you are dissatisfied with the haircut after the fact, we do not offer refunds , if you chose to give us a second chance but we are unable to give you the results you are looking for, we will no longer provide services to your pet, because we believe every groomer has their own style and sometimes it’s not a matter of whether or not we are good at particular haircuts, but more along the lines of what the customer deems to be a good looking haircut based on their personal opinion, so we will suggest you try another company/groomer.

  • Services are due to be paid immediately once we are finished with the groom. We do not offer later payments, payment breakdowns, or discounts that were not agreed upon before the service was scheduled.

My dog is old has many medical needs, or it may be too old for services, is this service still offered?

If there is a high level of concern regarding your dog's health, we always recommend utilizing your preferred vet for services. We cannot be responsible if your pet experiences a medical episode during grooming which could lead to serious consequences, including death.

While we strive to make your pet feel as comfortable as possible, please understand that we are not affiliated with any veterinary services and do not provide medical advice. Our groomers are not CPR certified and will not attempt to resuscitate a pet in any situation. We strongly advise having the contact information for your nearest veterinary office available before using our grooming services.

In the event of a medical emergency, we will notify you immediately so that you can take your pet to the vet without delay. This service is provided out of courtesy, particularly for the owners of older dogs who may struggle to find a groomer willing to accommodate them. However, we will not reimburse you for any vet visits or medical costs associated with your pet's grooming service.

By choosing to proceed with our services, you acknowledge that you have read this information and understand the associated risks. Please fill out the following sheet,and print it, you will be asked to provide it before the service on the day of your appointment. You may also just hit send if you prefer.

Senior pet waiver