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◆ no surprises — just good dogs having a great day

Your pet's first
sPAW Day.

Here's 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.

Book Their First sPAW Day →
takes about 30 seconds. seriously.

Before you arrive

a little prep goes a long way

What to bring

First visits are easy. Here's what's helpful — and a note on what you don't need to stress about.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
step by step

What your pet's day looks like

1
Arrival & Check-In
You're greeted at the front — usually by Eli, our Pet Happiness Ambassador. Eli 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.
2
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 before they head back.
Same groomer at every appointment. They remember your pet.
3
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.
4
Dry & Prep
Hand fluff-dried (not cage-dried) with attention to coat type. Double-coat dogs get extra attention. Anxious dogs get breaks if they need them. Curly-coat dogs get the blowout that makes their grooms last longer.
Cage dryers are not part of our process. Your pet is with a person the whole time.
5
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.
Questions mid-groom? We'll always check in before making a big change.
6
Wellness Check
Every groom includes a three-point 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 caught something early for a lot of our regulars. It matters.
7
Finishing Touches
Nail trim, ear cleaning, teeth brushing (if included), and — the moment everyone waits for — the bandana or bow. Your pet picks out their accessories. Just kidding. We pick. But they always look thrilled.
The bandana is non-negotiable. It completes the look.
8
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 have been waiting for this exact moment.
"Momma, look at me." — every regular dog, every single time.

The humans behind the groom

familiar faces every visit

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 get out of their 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 Fear-Free certified and trained in Tranquil Tail Grooming®. Some came up through our own Academy. They know coat types, breed standards, and — most importantly — they actually love dogs. You'll meet yours at check-in before the groom starts.
Same groomer at 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 at other salons, Linda is the reason this visit will be different.
"The cats who've never been groomed without drama? They settle right in."

meet the whole team →

plan your day

how long does it take?

Typical appointment times

These are general estimates — actual time depends on coat condition, temperament, and service. We'll always give you a realistic window at check-in.

Bath & Brush
1–2 hrs
any size
bath, dry, brush, nails
Small Dog Full Groom
2–3 hrs
under 20 lbs
+ haircut, finishing
Medium Dog Full Groom
2–4 hrs
20–50 lbs
varies by coat type
Large Dog Full Groom
3–5 hrs
50+ lbs
double coats take longer
Cat Groom
1–3 hrs
with Linda
never rushed
Nails Only
15 min
any size
walk-in or appointment
We'll always call or text when your pet is ready — no need to wait in the lobby.
if your pet is anxious about grooming

You found the right place.

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Fear-Free Certified
Every groomer at Bark & Purr holds an active Fear-Free certification. That means 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. 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 push through something that harms 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 have given up on. She takes her time, earns their trust, and gets it done.
Bark & Purr Proprietary Method
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.

Common questions

first visit, answered

FAQ for first-timers

We actually recommend not staying — most pets are calmer when their PAWrent isn't in the room. It sounds counterintuitive, but pets often focus on their owner's anxiety rather than settling into the process. You're welcome to wait nearby, and we'll call or text when they're ready. Most PAWrents grab a coffee and come back.
Totally okay — we love first-timers. Let us know in your booking notes and at check-in. We'll take extra time on the introduction, let your dog explore and sniff before anything happens, and take the whole appointment slower than usual. The goal of the first visit is trust. The great haircut comes after.
Don't try to brush out tight mats at home — you can cause pain and skin damage. Bring your dog as-is and let us assess at check-in. Depending on severity, we'll either de-mat (if it can be done humanely) or recommend a shorter clip to start fresh. We'll always explain the options and cost before we start. Mats don't define your dog's forever look — they're just a starting point.
No phone call needed. You can book 24/7 online at barkandpurrgrooming.com/book-now, or call Sage — our AI assistant — at 844-335-5671 any time of day or night. You can also text Sage at 844-779-2351. If you prefer a person, call us during business hours at 972-727-1688.
Yes — that's intentional. When you book, you can request a specific groomer. We build your pet's profile with notes so whoever grooms them knows exactly what they need, what they love, and what to be careful about. Consistency is part of the trust-building. Our regulars' dogs often have a favorite groomer they run straight to at drop-off.
For grooming appointments: current Rabies vaccination required. We recommend but don't require Bordetella. For boarding: current Rabies and Bordetella both required. If you're not sure what your pet has, check with your vet or bring their records and we'll look together at check-in.

see all our FAQs →

you're ready. so are we.

Book their first
sPAW Day.

Every regular started exactly where you are right now. One first appointment. And then they were hooked.

Book Their First sPAW Day →
your pet will love you for it. they always do.