Bark 
Your pet's first sPAW Day.
Everything you need to know before you arrive — what to bring, what happens, who you'll meet, and why your pet will be pulling toward the door next time.
What to bring.
First visits are easy. Here's what's helpful — and a note on what you don't need to stress about.
- i
Vaccination records
We require current Rabies vaccination for all dogs. Bordetella (kennel cough) is required for boarding. First visit? Bring a copy or have your vet email us ahead of time.We keep them on file so you never have to bring them again.
- ii
Any health notes
Allergies, skin conditions, sensitive spots, medications, or anything your vet has mentioned about your pet's coat or health — let us know at check-in or write it in your booking notes.The more we know, the better we care.
- iii
Style preferences
A photo of the cut you love works great. Or just tell us — “keep it fluffy,” “short and easy,” “breed standard” — we'll ask questions to make sure we understand before we start.No photo? No problem. We'll talk it through.
- iv
Your pet, just as they are
Don't pre-bathe them. Don't brush out mats — you might make them worse. Just bring them as they are. We handle everything from there.Matted? We'll let you know what's possible before we start.
What your pet's day looks like.
Arrival & check-in
You're greeted at the front — usually by Eli, our Pet Happiness Ambassador, who already knows your name from the booking. Your pet gets a warm hello, a quick sniff of the lobby, and a treat before anything else happens.The leash goes slack. That's how you know it's going well.
Meet your groomer
Before the groom starts, you'll briefly meet the groomer who'll be working with your pet. They'll confirm the style, ask about anything to look out for, and let your pet get comfortable with them first.Same groomer at every appointment. They remember your pet.
The bath
A warm, thorough bath with professional-grade shampoo selected for your pet's coat type and skin. No rush, no force. Our bathers are trained in Tranquil Tail Grooming™ — slow, gentle, calm from the very first rinse.Nervous bathers are our specialty. We've got time.
Dry & prep
Hand fluff-dried — never cage-dried — with attention to coat type. Double-coat dogs get extra attention; anxious dogs get breaks if they need them; curly coats get the blowout that makes their grooms last longer.Your pet is with a person the whole time.
The groom
Haircut, trim, scissoring, finishing — whatever your pet's service includes. Your groomer works to the style you confirmed at check-in, using breed knowledge and your pet's coat type as their guide.We'll always check in before making a big change.
Wellness check
Every groom includes a wellness check — ears, eyes, skin, and coat. If anything looks like it needs veterinary attention, we'll tell you at pickup with notes you can share with your vet.We've caught things early for a lot of our regulars. It matters.
Finishing touches
Nail trim, ear cleaning, teeth brushing (if included), and — the moment everyone waits for — the bandana or bow.The bandana is non-negotiable. It completes the look.
The pickup moment
We call or text when your pet is ready. When you walk in, your groomer gives you a personal update — how they did, anything they noticed, how the wellness check went. And then your pet rockets toward you like they've been waiting for this exact moment.“Momma, look at me.” — every regular, every single time.
Who you'll meet.
One of the things that sets Bark & Purr apart: you'll see the same people every time. Your pet builds a relationship here — and so do you.
- ✦Front of house
Eli
The first hello and the last goodbye. Eli runs the front of house and knows every regular by name — and by their dog's name — before they're out of the car. When your pet walks in, Eli makes sure the leash goes slack before anything else happens.“The groom happens in the back. The experience? That's everything out here.”
- ✦Your groomer
Your person
Every groomer at Bark & Purr is trained in Tranquil Tail Grooming™ — our own calmer method that goes beyond standard Fear-Free care — and some came up through our own Academy. They know coat types, breed standards, and most importantly, they actually love pets. You'll meet yours at check-in.Same groomer every visit. They remember your pet. Always.
- ✦For cat appointments
Linda
Every cat appointment at Bark & Purr goes through Linda personally. She's our owner, resident cat specialist, and the one person that “difficult” cats seem to decide is okay. If your cat has had a hard time elsewhere, Linda is why this visit will be different.“The cats who've never been groomed without drama? They settle right in.”
Typical appointment times.
General estimates — actual time depends on coat condition, temperament, and service. We'll always give you a realistic window at check-in.
We'll always call or text when your pet is ready — no need to wait in the lobby.
You found the right place.
- ✦
Tranquil Tail Grooming™ trained
Every groomer at Bark & Purr is trained in our Tranquil Tail Grooming™ method — calmer care that goes beyond the standard Fear-Free approach. Every technique, every interaction, every decision is made with your pet's emotional state in mind, not just their coat.
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We don't rush
Anxious pets need time, and we build it into the appointment. If your dog needs five minutes to settle before the bath, those five minutes exist. There's no assembly line here — there's just your pet.
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No force, ever
If a pet is too stressed to continue safely, we stop. We'll never force a groom that causes distress. We'd rather book a follow-up and take it slower than break the trust we're building.
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The hard cases are welcome
Mia on our team has built her whole career around anxious dogs — the ones other salons send home, the ones their PAWrents had given up on. She takes her time, earns their trust, and gets it done.
Tranquil Tail Grooming™
Our signature grooming philosophy, developed by Linda, is built around one principle: the pet's emotional state is part of the groom. Slow hands. Soft voices. No forcing. Reading the animal at every step and adjusting accordingly. It's why our most anxious first-timers often become our most loyal regulars.
FAQ for first-timers.
Can I stay while my pet is being groomed?
My dog has never been professionally groomed before. Is that okay?
What if my dog is matted?
How do I book? Do I need to call?
Will I always get the same groomer?
What vaccines are required?
Book their first sPAW Day.
Every regular started exactly where you are right now. One first appointment — and then they were hooked.