FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AristoPup Mobile grooming services work?
We make our grooming process convenient and easy for you and your pet. Once your appointment is scheduled, we will aim to arrive at your location as close to your scheduled time as feasible and will notify you if there’s a significant change to the arrival time. Please note a variance to the arrival time may be due to traffic or appointment(s) prior to yours. Once they arrive our groomer will come to your door to retrieve your pet, and after an assessment and discussing your desires/concerns, your pet will be taken into the AristoPup Mobile for their one-on-one spa service. Once our spa service is complete, your pet will be returned to you at the door, our groomer will let you know how everything went and will point out anything notable.
How should I prepare for AristoPup Mobile’s arrival?
Please make sure your pet has had an opportunity to relieve themselves and is easily accessible. It is best to put your feline family member into a carrier 15 minutes before our arrival for us to start their spa service easily and calmly.
Does my pet need to be vaccinated to be groomed?
Yes. As a pet owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your pet is up to date on vaccinations as state law and AristoPup Mobile require. We also recommend the following additional vaccinations: distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza adenovirus type 2, parvovirus, corona, leptospirosis, and Bordetella before being groomed. In California, pet groomers require proof of a current rabies vaccination for dogs, as it is required by state law for all dogs over a certain age. This proof, which must be written documentation, is needed before a pet can receive services. Groomers often also require a 24 to 48-hour waiting period after a vaccination before the grooming appointment to prevent any potential post-vaccination irritation or stress.
Rabies policy requirements
Proof of vaccination:
You must provide written proof of a current rabies vaccination, such as a certificate, vet invoice, or license form. A metal rabies tag alone is not considered sufficient proof.
Waiting period:
A waiting period of at least 24 to 48 hours is often required after the pet receives a rabies vaccine before the grooming appointment. This is to ensure the pet is not sore, lethargic, or experiencing an allergic reaction at the time of service.
Age restriction:
State law requires rabies vaccinations for dogs over 3 to 4 months of age.
Exemptions:
Medical exemptions are sometimes possible if your veterinarian provides a written statement confirming the vaccine would endanger the dog’s life. In these cases, appointments will be limited to end of the day so our mobile spa can be fully sanitized to maintain our health and safety standards for all our clients.
Check with your groomer:
Always check with your specific groomer to confirm their exact policy, especially the waiting period after a vaccine.
Have the right documents:
Make sure to have the correct paperwork from your veterinarian. This can often be an email or a printout from your vet’s office.
Schedule accordingly:
Schedule your pet’s grooming appointment with the waiting period in mind. For example, if your vet can’t provide written proof at least 24 hours before your appointment, you may need to reschedule.
Why is it important to have a recurring appointment for my pet’s grooming?
Regular grooming sessions are crucial to maintaining your pet’s overall health and well-being. Not only does this routine ensure that your furry friend’s coat remains clean, healthy, and free from matting, it also provides our groomers with the opportunity to identify any irregularities, such as lumps, that might otherwise go unnoticed. Additionally, regular grooming enables us to keep your pet’s nails trimmed and their ears clean, reducing the risk of common but preventable maladies and protect against infection.
By establishing a recurring grooming schedule, you also guarantee that your pet will have a spot during busy festive seasons, ensuring they look and feel their best for special occasions. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your pet is consistently booked with their preferred groomer, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust. Additionally, the convenience of having regular appointments means you don’t have to worry about remembering to book each time; your pet will always have a scheduled session, making the grooming process seamless and hassle-free for both you and your furry companion.
Will I have the same groomer for every appointment?
If you have a preferred groomer, please be sure to ask for them at the time of booking. If they are available, we are more than happy to book you with your groomer of choice. Please be aware due to time off or booked schedules your preferred groomer might not be available at your desired time. Getting on a recurring schedule gives you the highest probability of being booked with your preferred groomer.
What if I need to change or cancel my pet’s appointment?
Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice for any changes to or cancellations of your appointment. A cancellation fee may be assessed if the appointment is changed or cancelled within 48 hours of your appointment. Please call or text us as soon as you know of any changes in your schedule that might affect your appointment.
Are other pets being groomed at the same time as my pet?
No, AristoPup Mobile is a personalized, one-on-one experience for your pet and our groomer. This allows for a much calmer and stress-free grooming experience for your pet.
Does AristoPup Mobile groom both cats and dogs?
AristoPup Mobile provides grooming services for both cats and dogs.
Why does my double coated dog need a de-shedding treatment?
Double-coated dogs such as Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds have two layers of fur—a dense, soft undercoat beneath a coarser outer coat. De-shedding is important for these breeds for a few reasons:
- Temperature Regulation—The undercoat helps regulate body temperature in both cold and warm weather. However, if it’s not properly maintained, it can become matted and trap heat, leading to discomfort, especially in warmer climates.
- Mat Prevention—Without proper grooming, the undercoat can become tangled and matted. Mats can cause skin irritation, restrict movement, and even lead to skin infections if left unattended.
- Skin Health Maintenance—Proper de-shedding helps maintain skin health by removing dead hair and allowing air circulation to the skin, which reduces the risk of skin issues.
- Shedding Reduction—Regular de-shedding treatments can significantly reduce shedding, and after several treatments, pets can experience a decrease in overall shedding up to 80-90%.
What if my pet is matted?
Matted fur can become a health crisis for your pet, including but not limited to itching, irritation, skin infections, loss of circulation, hematomas, and hot spots. Our groomer will first assess the severity of the matting. If it is light or generalized and can potentially be de-matted, our groomer will attempt to do so. If the matting is severe or not possible to de-mat without undue stress or pain, a shave down may be required. Please know we do not make this choice lightly, or because it is a faster alternative to de-matting. It’s quite the opposite as shaving down a matted pet requires extra time and patience in addition to creating the risk nicks, cuts, and abrasions in more severe cases. There may be additional fees based on the severity of the matting to accommodate for the extra effort and care required in such cases.
My pet has sensitive skin, how does AristoPup Mobile handle that?
We understand the needs of pets with sensitive skin and offer a range of options to address various skin issues. Communication is key, so we encourage pet owners to share as much information as possible with our groomers regarding their pet’s skin condition and any specific needs or concerns. This allows our groomers to assess the situation comprehensively and determine the best course of action for each individual pet.
For pets with allergies or sensitivities, we have hypoallergenic shampoo options available, free from fragrances and ingredients that could potentially exacerbate their skin issues. Additionally, we offer specialized treatments for pets suffering from dryness, irritation, or other skin issues.
It’s important to note that certain skin conditions, such as open sores or severe allergies may require medical attention beyond what grooming can provide. In such cases, we always recommend consulting with a veterinarian promptly. Attempting to treat these conditions with shampoo alone could worsen the situation and cause further discomfort for your pet. Our groomers are vigilant in recognizing when a skin issue requires veterinary care and will advise pet owners accordingly.
Does AristoPup Mobile express anal glands?
AristoPup Mobile does not express anal glands. We believe this is a medical procedure that should be conducted under the supervision of a veterinarian. AristoPup Mobile believes the risk of injury is too high, especially for pets that do not need this procedure done and could cause long-term damage to the glands.
My pet is nervous, do you give them sedatives to keep them calm?
While AristoPup Mobile welcomes pets who are under a mild sedative, we do not administer medication to any pet for grooming purposes. However, if your pet is prescribed a sedative by their vet, you may administer that to your pet prior to the appointment. Please read over the dosage and instructions carefully to ensure the medication has time to take effect by the time your groomer arrives.
What if my dog has fleas?
Please inform us if your pet has fleas before the grooming service. If fleas are found during grooming, your pet may be given a flea bath, and an additional fee will be charged. We use flea and tick treatment solutions. We inform you if a flea bath is necessary. To prevent flea transfer, we reschedule appointments after a pet with fleas and flea bomb the van. If you know your pet has fleas, it is important to first start with a vet appointment to have your pet medically treated. You will also need to treat your home to prevent re-infection. Once treatment is completed, we can schedule your pet for their Spa Service.
Per policy, we must remove any van from service that has encountered fleas, which will cancel the remaining appointments for the day, so we can decontaminate our van. This will result in additional charges.
I have a new puppy or kitten. When should I start regular grooming?
We encourage grooming training to begin as early as possible. Puppies and kittens can begin getting groomed as young as 8 weeks old. This allows them to get familiar with the grooming process from an early age and prepares them for a lifetime of grooming. There are steps you can take at home as well to prepare them, such as playing with their paws, holding their faces, getting them used to being brushed, and generally getting them used to being handled. Please be aware that the first few appointments your pet may not have a perfect grooming experience as they become familiar with the grooming process. Our professional groomers want your young pets to have a positive experience and are careful not to overwhelm them so they learn to be as excited to see their groomer as you are to have them clean and cute.
My pet recently had an injury or surgery. When should I schedule grooming?
We are not able to offer an appointment to a pet that still has stitches or open wounds due to the risk of infection. Please check with your vet and follow their recommendation on how soon you can have your pet groomed after the stitches have been removed.
Do I tip my groomer?
As with most personalized services, tipping is appropriate if you are happy with the services.
Additional FAQs
How can I book an appointment?
That’s easy! All you have to do is click Reserve Appointment Now, and you will be redirected to our calendar.
Once you’re there you can choose a date and time that works best for you, and also which package suits your needs.
What services do you provide?
AristoPup Mobile offers a full range of grooming services for your pet, from haircuts to spa treatments.
Our current lineup includes:
Baths, Blow Drying, Hair Brushing, Nail Trimming, Ear Cleaning, Eye Cleaning, Haircuts, Paw Pad Trims, Sanitary Trims and Bath Massages. Available extras are fragrance sprays and accessories such as bows or bandanas, which are included in the Premium package at no extra cost.
When booking an appointment there will be 3 packages to choose from: Bath, Bath + Haircut, and Spa Service.
Each package combines different services into a unique experience for you pet at different price levels.
What should I expect from a grooming appointment?
We’ll contact you to confirm your appointment the day before it. Once the groomer is on their way, they’ll inform their ETA, and then call you when they get there – just let us know if you have any special requests (eg. If you want us to park the van in a certain location, meet you at your door, or wait for you to bring your dog outside.)
How long does a groom usually take?
A typical grooming appointment should take anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the service package you chose and your dog’s size and breed.
What payment methods are accepted?
You can pay with cash, check, Zelle, or credit card whatever’s easiest for you!
Your groomer will collect the payment once your pet is all pampered and ready to go!
Do I have to stay home during the entire grooming session?
You need to be present at the time we get to your home and also when the groomer is done.
That’s when you’ll check out your dog’s new look
Once the groom begins you can leave your home and run your errands, but we never leave dogs unsupervised. Make sure you’ll be back on time or have someone of trust to take your dog back and make the payment.
How often should I have my dog groomed?
Every 4 to 6 weeks depending on your dog’s coat type.
Our groomers can recommend a grooming schedule once they get to know your dog over time. Having your dog groomed frequently can benefit their health greatly.
Why should I choose AristoPup Mobile My Dog to take care of my buddy?
AristoPup Mobile prioritizes care and affection when handling your dog. Plus we work on wheels! Mobile grooming results in a much less stressful experience for pets overall, and it’s also more convenient to you. AristoPup Mobile helps you save time and effort since there’s no need to take your buddy to a salon.
Do you groom cats?
Yes, we absolutely groom cats!
We adore felines just as much as dogs, and at AristoPup Mobile, we specialize in providing exceptional grooming services for both dogs and cats.
Do you remove fleas and ticks?
When necessary or requested, our groomers will use specialized flea and tick shampoos that kill adult fleas, ticks, and eggs on your dog to help prevent reinfestation.
Do you express anal glands?
No, we don’t. Anal gland expression is a procedure that should only be done by veterinarians.
Groomers express anal glands differently from veterinarians. Groomers typically perform external anal gland expression, meaning that they put pressure on the outside of the glands to push the fluid out. This method may partially empty the glands, but some fluid can remain. Because the glands aren’t emptied completely, problems may reoccur in a short period of time.
With external expression, there is an increased risk of anal gland rupture. In addition, this method doesn’t allow for detection of thickening of the glands or abnormal growths. With internal anal gland expressions, veterinarians can completely express all fluid and assess the gland for structural changes or abnormal growths.
How do I cancel my appointment?
The easiest way to cancel your appointment is by texting
Do you do aggressive dogs?
Yes, we do handle aggressive dogs. However, our approach depends on the behavior of each individual dog. We always strive to work with them and ensure their safety is our top priority. Special handling charges may apply, and we kindly ask that you inform our office staff when booking so that we can allocate sufficient time and resources for your appointment. Rest assured, we make every effort to provide a safe and comfortable experience for all pets in our care.
Can I stay and watch?
For the safety of your beloved pet, we kindly ask that you do not stay and watch during the grooming process. While we understand your desire to observe, the presence of owners or spectators can often excite pets, increasing the risk of injury. Groomers utilize sharp tools during styling, and pets that move around on the grooming table are more prone to accidental cuts. Please understand that it is not meant to offend you if we request that you or your children do not remain in the vicinity of the grooming area or van. Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of your cherished pet.