Frequently Asked Questions

  • I offer comprehensive grooming services tailored to meet the unique needs of every breed, size, and type of dog and cat. Our dog grooming services encompass a range of options, including bath and tidy, bath and full haircut, and creative grooming appointments, ensuring your beloved canine receives the specialized care they deserve. For our feline friends, we provide meticulous cat grooming services, including bath and tidy, and bath and full haircut appointments, designed to enhance their well-being and comfort.

    In addition to our grooming services, we prioritize pet owner education, offering informative classes aimed at empowering you to better understand and address your pet's grooming requirements in the comfort of your own home. We invite you to explore our services page for detailed descriptions of each service we provide, and entrust us with the care of your cherished companions.

  • In our one-on-one grooming sessions, your pet receives exclusive attention from me, the pet groomer. Our grooming parlor operates without kennels, ensuring a tranquil environment with no other dogs or cats present. Additionally, we extend our services to accommodate one-on-one appointments for sibling pets, provided they do not cause undue stress for each other.

    Compared to traditional salon settings where pets may be dropped off alongside 1-10 other animals, our approach minimizes stress-inducing factors such as sensory overload from barking, dryers, and clippers. By eliminating potential altercations between animals and maximizing active grooming time, we prioritize your pet's comfort and well-being.

    Our commitment to one-on-one grooming sessions enables us to provide your pet with undivided attention in a stress-free environment. Each appointment is tailored to address your pet's individual needs, ensuring a thorough and personalized grooming experience without rush. Not only does this approach result in more efficient appointments with shorter wait times, but it also enhances safety and tranquility for your cherished companion.

  • Regular grooming plays a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of our beloved pets. Understanding the unique needs of each individual animal is paramount, considering factors such as activity level, coat length and type, and their overall attitude towards grooming.

    For short-haired pets or any pets needing haircuts, a grooming schedule of at least every 8 weeks is advisable to ensure their coat remains healthy and tidy. Conversely, long-haired pets benefit from more frequent grooming appointments, ideally every 4-5 weeks, to preserve their fluffy appearance and prevent matting.

    Contrary to common belief, pets who may initially resist grooming should not be exempted from regular grooming sessions. Building a trusting relationship between the pet and the groomer is essential, and establishing a routine can help familiarize pets with the grooming process over time.

    For pets exhibiting behavioral challenges, such as anxiety or nervousness during grooming, a more frequent schedule of grooming appointments, ideally every 2 to 4 weeks, can aid in acclimatizing them to the experience and fostering a positive association with grooming.

    At our grooming parlor, we prioritize the comfort and well-being of your pets, tailoring our services to meet their individual needs and ensuring a caring and professional grooming experience.

  • At my grooming parlor, I warmly welcome pets of every breed, size, and variety, embracing the diversity that each furry friend brings. Currently I am only trained to groom dogs and cats, but am working towards other animals in the future. I pride myself on providing individualized care to each animal, ensuring a personalized grooming experience tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

    Operating as a solo groomer, I am dedicated to maintaining a one-on-one approach with each pet entrusted to my care. However, in instances where pets display extreme reactions to the grooming process, I prioritize their safety and well-being, and may, in some cases, recommend referral to specialized professionals equipped to address their unique requirements effectively.

    With years of training and hands-on experience, I am adept at handling pets of all sizes, including large and extra-large breeds. Rest assured, your beloved companions are in capable hands, and I am committed to delivering professional and compassionate grooming services to ensure their comfort and satisfaction.

  • At present, I kindly request that pet parents do not remain in the grooming area while their pet is undergoing services. There are several important reasons for this policy:

    Insurance Coverage: For the safety and protection of all parties involved, my insurance policy only extends coverage to myself and the pets in my care. Any incidents or injuries that occur within the grooming space could potentially hold my business liable.

    Building Trust: Establishing a trusting bond between your pet and me is essential for a successful grooming experience. Pets often exhibit different behaviors when their pet parents are present versus when they are alone with the groomer. Similar to dropping a child off at daycare, pets may initially put on a show but ultimately relax and enjoy their grooming session. I believe pets are sensitive to energy, and my training ensures that I maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor throughout the grooming process.

    Minimizing Distractions: To create a focused and stress-free environment for your pet, it's important to minimize distractions. Allowing pet parents in the grooming area can sometimes disrupt this atmosphere. However, I offer large windows that provide a clear view into the grooming parlor, enabling pet parents to check in on their furry companions without causing any distractions.

    Please rest assured that I prioritize the well-being and comfort of your pet above all else. In rare and extreme situations where a pet parent's presence is deemed necessary, I will explore all other options beforehand. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a positive grooming experience for your beloved pet.

  • During grooming appointments, the duration typically ranges from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the specific services being provided. Pets scheduled for bath and tidy services can anticipate shorter grooming times, typically within the range of 1 to 2 hours.

    For pets receiving bath and full haircut services, grooming times typically span from 1 to 3 hours, contingent upon the complexity and intricacy of the requested grooming style. Each pet's individual grooming needs and requirements are meticulously attended to, ensuring a tailored and precise grooming experience.

    Creative grooming appointments offer a diverse array of styling options, and the duration may vary significantly depending on the desired design. For a more accurate estimate, personalized consultations are available to discuss specific creative grooming preferences and requirements.

  • I take great pride in the quality of products utilized during grooming sessions, ensuring that every product employed meets the highest standards of excellence. Transparency is paramount, which is why I am delighted to provide a comprehensive list of the precise brands utilized for each aspect of the grooming process.

    The brands I trust and utilize are meticulously chosen, drawing upon my personal experience and satisfaction with their performance, even on my own beloved pets. All products utilized within my grooming grooming parlor are specifically formulated for pets, with full ingredient lists readily available on the packaging for complete transparency and peace of mind.

    For shampoo and conditioner, I exclusively utilize the Professional Pet Products Aromatherapy line, renowned for its gentle yet effective formulations. Additionally, I rely on Shniff facial fluff products for fluffy facials, and Desert Sudz Alcohol-Free Pet Ear Cleaner for gentle and thorough ear cleaning.

    When it comes to dental hygiene, I prioritize the oral health of your pets, utilizing Vets Best Enzymatic toothpaste alongside Paw Brothers breath spray for comprehensive teeth brushing and fresh breath maintenance.

    Furthermore, my selection of drying, brushing, de-matting sprays, and colognes includes esteemed brands such as Shniff, Professional Pet Products, and MarshMello, ensuring a luxurious and pampering grooming experience for your cherished companions.

    Your pet's well-being and comfort are my top priorities, and I am committed to utilizing only the finest products to deliver exceptional grooming services tailored to meet their individual needs.

  • At Emerald Paws, we understand that each pet is unique, deserving of personalized care and attention. Our pricing structure reflects this commitment to tailor-made grooming experiences that cater to your pet's individual needs.

    For dogs, our starting prices are $45 for a bath and tidy service, and $60 for a bath and full haircut. Similarly, for cats, our starting prices begin at $75 for bath and tidy services, and $95 for bath and full haircuts. It's important to note that these starting prices may vary depending on factors such as weight and coat condition, ensuring fair and accurate pricing tailored to your pet's requirements.

    Unlike traditional add-on services, our pricing is all-inclusive, encompassing everything your pet needs for a safe and beneficial grooming session. Drawing upon my professional expertise and experience, I assess each pet's unique needs and provide comprehensive grooming services that prioritize their well-being and comfort.

    Our commitment to providing the best possible care for your pets is unwavering. With a dedication to excellence and a passion for animal welfare, we strive to deliver grooming experiences that exceed expectations and leave your cherished companions looking and feeling their very best.

    Visit our Services page to view what is included with each grooming service.

  • We prioritize the health and safety of all pets in our care. As per the regulations set forth by the state of Indiana, we require that all cats and dogs receive vaccinations for rabies after reaching three months of age, in compliance with legal mandates.

    We recognize that individual circumstances may arise, leading to adjustments in a pet's vaccination protocol under the guidance of a veterinarian. In such cases, we are committed to accommodating pets with the appropriate written or verbal consent from their veterinarian, along with a comprehensive health history.

    Your pet's well-being is our utmost concern, and we adhere strictly to state regulations while remaining flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each pet entrusted to our care. Rest assured, we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all grooming services.

  • We believe in humanity before vanity when it comes to grooming your pet.

    A matting fee of $1 per minute of de-matting will be applied to grooming sessions.

    De-matting methods may include brushing and breaking apart small mats or shaving off and starting fresh in cases of severe matting.

    Our approach to de-matting depends on the severity of the mats and your pet's tolerance level.

    We are dedicated to educating pet parents on how to prevent matting in the future to ensure the comfort and well-being of their pets.

  • Please check out my policy and procedures page for a full list of all of my grooming parlors expectations.

  • Ensuring the safety and comfort of your pet is my foremost commitment. I approach grooming with a genuine passion for fostering a positive and enjoyable experience for every furry visitor to my grooming parlor. Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques, I strive to build trust with each pet, aiming to reshape their perception of grooming from a daunting task to a pleasurable interaction.

    Equipped with a wide range of professional-grade tools and equipment, I am dedicated to achieving this goal effectively and efficiently. Extensive training has equipped me to recognize subtle signs of stress in pets, ensuring that I never push them beyond their limits. I deeply value the communication conveyed through your pet's body language and behavior, allowing me to tailor each grooming session to their unique needs.

    Operating solely in one-on-one sessions, your pet receives my undivided attention throughout their appointment. This personalized approach fosters a stress-free environment, where your pet can feel comfortable and at ease. To further enhance their experience, I create a calming atmosphere by playing soft music and utilizing dog and cat-safe calming oils in the grooming parlor.

  • While there are currently no nationwide or statewide licensing requirements or certifications mandated by law for groomers, I am deeply committed to continuous learning and professional development. With over 5 years of experience in the animal care industry, including over 2 years of managing a large-scale corporate grooming salon, I have honed my skills in ensuring the safety and well-being of pets under my care.

    During my tenure, I oversaw the training of groomers and specialized in working with pets that presented challenges to other groomers. While legal certifications are not obligatory, I have pursued additional training and certification through Jess Rona Grooming Courses, obtaining three separate certifications. Furthermore, I completed over 900 hours of training and received certification in dog and cat grooming from the large corporation where I previously worked.

    As an insured pet groomer, I prioritize the safety and welfare of every pet entrusted to me. My dedication to professional excellence and ongoing education reflects my commitment to providing exceptional grooming services at Emerald Paws.