Grooming At Sol Dog Lodge Grooming Spot and Training Center - Thornydale

A: Absolutely. The process begins with booking an appointment with your Sol Dog account. To register, go to our website and find the blue square box that says “my account”.  You will have the opportunity, as a new customer, to create a new account. After filling out the required information, upload your dog’s vaccination paperwork (Rabies, Distemper Combination, and Bordetella). From there, you can request an appointment and select your service:“full package” for bath and haircut/trim or “Bath and brush” for naturally short-haired breeds that only require a bath (labs, pugs, pit bulls) We do not offer just a bath on breeds that do not have naturally short hair, and any other additional add-ons.

After the groomer reviews your requested appointment, she will confirm if the desired time is available. You will be asked to pay a deposit for the appointment.

On the day of your appointment, come prepared with ideas for your dog’s hairdo and/or some photos of past grooms or haircuts you enjoy. Our groomer will check you in, discuss any health concerns, and do an evaluation of your dog. If your dog is nervous, our groomer will sit with you and your pet to allow them to calm down. She will take your dog to their clean kennel, give them fresh water, finish checking in any other clients, and then take your pup to the bathing area.

Here, she will clean their ears, express their anal glands, and  brush their teeth, then begin the bathing process. After a towel dry, she will use the velocity dryer to remove any extra undercoat and make your pup as fluffy as possible. Their ears will be protected from the sound of the dryer with cotton.

After drying, she will begin the haircut. Your dog will be on the table secured with a grooming loop. They will never be left alone unattended.

If at any point the groomer feels your pet is getting too stressed, a break will be administered. If at any point aggression is displayed, the groomer will give your dog a break to decide whether or not to complete the service if the dog or groomer being at risk of being harmed.  After the haircut and nails are cut to perfection and all add-ons are administered. Some photos will be taken for your profile; your dog may even be a star on our social media pages! Our groomer will give you a call when the service is complete. A report on how your baby did will be emailed to you at the end of the day. 

A: Our groomer requests around three hours to complete services. 

A: At times, our groomer will take more than one dog at a time to accommodate drop-off and pick-up times for our clients. Some dogs require more breaks than others, while other dogs require more drying or brushing. Every dog requires a different level of care, and our groomer wants to ensure every dog feels the most comfortable while in the salon. 

A: Yes, all dogs will spend some time in the kennel while waiting for their bath and groom. If you prefer no kennel time for your pet, our Doggie Deluxe package guarantees your dog will be done straight through. These appointments, however, are limited. Please specify if this is something you are interested in.  

A: Every dog will be given clean water in their kennel. Treats will be given only with owners approval. Treats can help make grooming a positive experience. 

A: Absolutely, but “puppy cut” can mean different things to different customers! Our groomer will discuss your preferred haircut in detail to make sure you are receiving the service you desire. 

A: Matting is essentially equivalent to dreadlocks on humans; however, matting is usually not a choice. Matting occurs when the hair becomes so tangled that significant health issues can occur. Matting usually is very tight and close to the skin. While some matting can be brushed out, this process can be painful for your dog depending on the severity. Most matting can be spot shaved, but if the matting has spread through the entire body, it is recommended to go short and start over. Daily brushing with a metal comb and frequent trips to the groomer can help prevent matting. 

A: In most cases, if a metal comb can not be managed to get through the matting, shaving will need to be done. This will help keep your dog comfortable and healthy. 

A: While some groomers have different opinions on this, our groomer will accommodate our clients request only after discussing the health concerns shaving a double coat can create. Shaving a double coat will not reduce shedding, just make the hair shorter. The issue with shedding is the undercoat, but with frequent brushing or our Furminator Package, the undercoat can be managed. After shaving a double coat, your dog’s hair may not grow back the same; their coat could be patchy or thin. Shaving a double coat can also change how a dog regulates their natural body temperature. 

A: The process of grooming your dog is more in depth and more precautions are needed to ensure the safety of your animal. Groomers bathe, brush, dry, trim nails, express anal glands, clean and pluck ears, brush teeth, and cut hair per owner’s requests. Grooming services at this salon will be priced by weight, choice of package, and any additional services. 

A: Yes, the sooner a puppy starts getting used to the salon the better! Our groomer prefers to do partial packages on puppies to get them started before diving into full haircuts. This allows the puppy to get used to the sounds of the dryer and clipper. 

A: Yes! With your Sol Dog Lodge account, you can make an appointment for just a walk-in service. These services don’t require three hours, usually only 5-10 minutes. 

A: Tips are not required but always appreciated. 

A: Our groomer uses a variety of pet safe products. To reduce itchy and dry skin, our two main shampoos will be hypoallergenic and oatmeal. Our conditioner is an oat milk blend. If a client requests more fragrance, we will also have a lavender and argan oil shampoo for our two package upgrades. We also have three pet safe perfumes to use. 

A: Our groomer prefers to be considered a family dog stylist, meaning she is professionally trained but uses her skills towards the average family pup. 

A: Our Groomer states, “I totally understand your concern. I have devoted my life and career to making sure all pets in my care feel safe, loved, and respected. I promise to always treat your pet with the same love and compassion I show to my own dog. Please don’t hesitate to stop in to say hi or give me a call to address any specific concerns you may have.” 

We do not allow pet parents to stay in the facility during the grooming process. This creates a distraction to the dogs which raises a safety concern. It is very important that the pet is allowed to build a trusting relationship with their groomer as this is a process they will have to incur on a regular basis. 

“Can my dog come in for just a bath?”

If your pet is a naturally short-haired breed like a lab, pug, or pit bull, for example, we can absolutely do a “Bath and brush” service. If your pet requires a haircut or trimming of any kind such as a Shih Tzu, poodle, golden retriever, or border collie, etc. due to the amount of work required and the extra training that our bather has not yet received we do not offer our “bath and brush” package for dogs that require haircuts of any kind (even if they currently have short hair).