Located at 68 River St, Sth Yarra operates a full dog services; 24hrs 7 days a week. This establishment provides a friendly welcome, secure, earthy, spiritual and our staff understand the needs of all breeds. Dogs roam freely throughout the premises. Mon-Sat, day-care drop times are from 7:30am/9:30am up to 7:30pm@$25-$45 per pooch. As the shop is safe all around; customers double park and hand their dog over the picket fence or for larger breeds, they enter via our Malcolm Street roller door. Door bells are situated on River St and Malcolm St, please ring a few times as dogs bark and the grooming dryer sometimes inhibits the recognition you are waiting outside or call 9826 4130 or our mobile (on application). DogChic Registration/Liability Release Form are required for all services. Please : dogdog@dogchic.com.au & recieve a DogChic sterling silver dog tag FREE!

Benefits of DogChic Services & a DogChic VIP Name Tag

·          The DogChic dog tag is 24hr/7day a week insurance incase your dog decides to chew threw a lead and escape when you are doing dog walkies or popping into the supermarket. When your dog is found; the finder will call DogChic

·          DogChic services reduce the need for regular Veterinary Visits & Fees; as regular DogChic grooming once a week guarantees a healthy skin & coat condition

·          DogChic services will reduce the risk of dog death from illness (Kennel Cough) or injury caused by Vet recommended dog foods. DogChic day-care is an ‘Open Space’ environment not a Boarding Kennel facility

·          DogChic will assist and save the stress of advertising & will reduce the possibility of a Reward for lost Dog as a result of the DogChic dog tag attached to the collar

·          DogChic provides 24hr CCTV surveillance to prevent Loss by Theft or Straying

·          DogChic Third party public Liability insurance ensures if your Dog causes damage or injury your not legally liable.

 

Weekend day-care rate are on application or scroll down for price estimates! Additional, $15 per dog for Como Park walkies with a day-care pass from 3:30pm to 5:00pm should u wish your dogs to burn up extra calories and run a bliss? Should u need pick-up after 7:30pm this is possible with additional $10.00 per dog up to 11pm. Thereafter, an extra $15.00 per dog up to 2am.

 

Please ensure your dogs are vaccinated with C4 & C5, protected with Advocate flea and worm each month. As a prerequisite to becoming a day-care customer we hope you buy Advocate from us prior to using DogChic services. We believe in the very best protection against poor dog health in our store. We also highly recommend only Purina ProPlan because in the past we have sold other dog food brands and have had ProPlan customers notice the difference the diet has improved their dogs’ well-being and has instantly reduced the possibilities of heart disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, eye & gum disease, diarrhea, toxic urine smells, stains on carpet rugs and Vet visits $$$$$$!

 

We also hope your dogs are regularly cleaned and we can provide a spa and dry clean service each time your dog is dirty. We can offer a VIP package to purchase? Please also spend some time to read information on ProPlan dog food on the website as it guarantees to nourish a dogs coat to ensure there is never dandruff and skin disease evident all year; ear infections, anal glad inflammation, diarrhea , bad breath etc. Purina ProPlan dog food is made in Australia using local meat, poultry, salmon and vegetables. Formulated by Vet scientists to provide super premium optimum dog health and will provide a long term dog life.

 

Please pop in with a friendly visit with your dog to seek further information at anytime; please phone to let me us know on your way!.

 

Tim (DOGDOG) @DogChic Groomer & Whisperer!

 

Is it too cold or hot to have my dog groomed?

Many dog owners neglect to have their pets groomed in Winter/Summer because they may think it is too cold or hot?

Nail trimming and ear cleaning with Epi-Otic is a must all year round. The dog’s coat may be left longer during Winter and short in Summer but should be washed, brushed at home daily and trimmed at DogChic regularly to maintain a beautiful healthy and styled coat all year round. Unfortunately for a lot of dogs, going through the colder months of the year without being groomed results in their coat becoming very matted. Matts will eventually cause skin disease when not removed. This sadly is very uncomfortable for the dog as redness and skin scratching increases. Ultimately the coat must be clipped with a very short blade either #7 or 10# or 30# top to bottom.

How much will it cost to groom my dog?

Grooming rates vary depending on the breed of your pet, the type of services you choose and, very importantly, the condition of their coat and the dog's temperament. Please call us to discuss a healthy solution and we will be happy to provide you with a costing estimate or below down the page are general grooming rates and options.

What are the main factors that affect the cost of grooming?

The condition of the dog’s coat, reaction to dryer/hydrobath and fleas
What an owner may genuinely think of as being "a few knots" might in fact be a solid matt which may not be possible to brush out or noticeable (not to mention being very painful and distressing for the dog). Mattes vary in description and size; some can be brushed out and others must be and will be cut out. If the coat is found to be matted all over the dog, DogChic will contact you and advise that the coat will be clipped down short all over to be even and appropriate. We advise in regular Winter grooming, washing and drying to keep your dog warm during the frosty Winter mornings and very short in the hot  humid Summer season.

 

The dog’s general health
A dog who is older or inactive can often require several rest breaks during grooming, extending the grooming time required.

 

What type of temperament the dog has?
Dogs who are nervous or very protective can often require special handling, again extending the required grooming time. Owner attendance may be required! DogChic will advise the owner to supervise and assist as needed.

 

The style and extent of grooming chosen
The style of the clip needs to be matched to not only the dog’s breed, but also to the owner’s lifestyle and the dog’s condition. A heavily matted dog, for example, may need to be clipped right back and the fur then allowed to re-grow before it can be groomed to a specific style. A specific style is always relative to the condition of the dog coat.

 

Specialised styles
Dogs which require a very specific style (involving, for example, a longer, hand-scissored style) will occupy more of the groomer’s time and premium charges apply. i.e. hand-scissoring service per hour is $55.00

Should my dog eat before being groomed?

Dogs should NOT be fed before going to a grooming salon. Some pets are initially stressed about being away from home and their parents, but they do settle down. Whenever possible please do NOT feed your dog for at least 4 hours before they are due to be groomed. When transporting your dog, make sure you have a dog crate or a blanket to cover your car seat, paper towels and waste bag, in case of accidents.

 

Please try to take your dog for a walk prior to leaving home to allow him or her to go to the toilet.

Will my dog be stressed when being groomed?

Most dogs will experience some degree of discomfort about being groomed - up to 75% of dogs experience some degree of stress associated with being groomed. Not many dogs like baths, or dryers that sound like a vacuum cleaner. It is very normal for your dog to shake a little when coming into a grooming salon. Dogs are very smart and know that they are about to get wet, blow-dried and will be away from you for a while. Some will put on a “show" for their parents much the same as some children. You would be very surprised at how quickly they settle down once you leave and are really quite content with their groomer.

 

The best way to deal with stress is to simply “hand over” your dog to the groomer as soon as discussions on how the dog is to be groomed. The longer you wait around, the more your pet will pick up on your anxiety and will worry about you.

Can I participate and watch my dog being pampered?

The grooming process works best when your dog is alone with the groomer; but in some cases i.e. 1st time visit or very large breeds/elderly/recent hip surgery the owner can stay and assist! Concerns or questions should be discussed with the groomer while dropping off or picking up the dog. We will give you an approximate finishing time then, but we will always phone you to advise precisely when your dog will be ready to be collected.

 

Please do NOT arrive while your dog is being groomed, wait in the car and phone 9826 4130 to notify the groomer you have arrived. As soon as your dog sees you he will get excited – and then he’ll get stressed because he cannot go to you. This makes it very unsafe for both the groomer and the dog - trying to finish grooming a "dancing dog", with sharp scissors and blades about, puts your dog at risk of being cut. Please call prior to collect your dog as arranged with the groomer or we can call you?

Clipping nails - How often?

One of the main factors in this is how often the dog is walked (or is active on) a hard surface such as concrete. Frequent walks on hard surfaces keep the nails down – the concrete acts like a file. However if your dog does not spend a lot of time on these surfaces then you might expect to need to trim their nails every 4-6 weeks or so.

If a dog’s nails have not been maintained with regular cuts or walks, the “quick” will grow along with the nail. The “quick” is the part of the nail that is fed by the blood vessel. The vein sits just behind the end of the quick which means that only a small amount can be cut off the nail if the quick is to be avoided.  If a dog’s nails are cut too short (just past the quick) the nail will bleed. Sometimes the nail is cut so that it only just covers the quick – as soon as the dog is put onto the ground and begins moving about, the quick ruptures and the nail begins to bleed. Although the bleeding looks quite dramatic, it usually stops quite quickly – just like a small cut on your own finger.

If your dog really dislikes having their nails cut, file them down naturally on gravel road or concrete surfaces instead. Regular walking or visits to your groomer will ensure that the nails are kept short and manageable.

TIP- Lots of dogs dislike having their feet handled and/or nails clipped. Handling your dog’s feet on a daily basis, including running your fingers over their paws and between nails, de-sensitizes the dog to having their feet handled by their groomer and/or vet.

 

Why does my dog itch after grooming?

Some dogs itch much the same as a person might after shaving their face - or in the case of ladies, legs - if it has been a while between shaves. Young puppies are particularly prone to being a bit itchy after their first groom or first ear hair removal, because, like a human baby, their skin is very soft and sensitive.

The removal of matted coats/pelts with a short blade may also result in itching. Interestingly, white or light coloured dogs are more prone to scratching and ear shaking after grooming than are dogs with darker coats.

 

Will a muzzle be used on my dog?

We don’t use muzzles on dogs as it increases stress so we recommend holding your dogs mouth/jaw firmly during clipping and drying in order to keep both the dog and groomer safe. If the owner control of the dog is unsuccessful then we recommend visiting your vet to relax your dog, then visit a grooming appointment if so desired?

 

 Do you tranquilize pets before you bathe or groom them?

DogChic does not tranquilize or sedate a dog in order to groom it. We are trained to handle nervous pets and we treat every pet with tender loving care. If a dog is too agitated, with aggressive bites to be safely bathed or groomed our services will not be forced upon the pet. You will be phoned to collect your dog.

 

 Does DogChic dry in cages or board/kennel dogs?

No, we don’t board/kennel dogs. Each dog at DogChic is hand-dried after they have been bathed. The process involves brushing out the coat to remove shedding hair, while blowing it dry with equipment similar to, although much larger than, the hair dryer you might use at home. The force dryer uses warm (not hot) air so your dog will not overheat during this process. We can mind your dog and provide a day-care service.

 

When should I wash my puppy?

Grooming should start at approx 12 weeks of age (after the second vaccination), depending of course on the dog’s coat. This allows the pup to become acquainted with the sounds of the grooming salon environment such as noises from dryers, clippers etc. When grooming your pup we will always ensure that they are in a quiet salon, alone with the groomer, in order to minimise stress. If you wish I  will teach you the proper way to brush and handle your puppy when grooming. These techniques, started early, will leave a positive impression on your pup and their grooming experience will become enjoyable, rather than something negative.  After the first grooming session, we suggest further sessions every month for the first 4 months, with both you and your groomer working hand in hand, doing the same things at home as the groomer would in the studio. This will help the pup to take everything around them in  their stride and to make grooming a pleasant experience. Once your dog is conditioned for grooming, regular grooming is recommended every 2-3 months to maintain a beautiful healthy coat for life. Remember, the first 6 months of life for a dog is like the first 5 years for a child -  it is crucial to start them the right way while young.

 

 

“DogChic DOGHOUSE GANG”