Our Approach
A clear look at how we price, what we include, and what makes Lavish Dog different.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Lavish Dog, grooming is not just about appearance. It’s about how your dog feels while in our care. Every service is tailored to your dog’s coat, comfort, and needs. We prioritize trust and safety, and we will never force a groom beyond what your dog can handle.
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HOW WE PRICE
We charge by the hour, with rates based on your dog’s size, coat type, and service level. This model allows us to deliver a higher quality groom without compromising your dog’s comfort or safety. Minimum rates will apply.
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Current Hourly Rates:
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Under 75 lbs — $70/hr
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Under 75 lbs with Shed-less Spa — $75/hr
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Over 75 lbs — $80/hr
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Over 75 lbs with Shed-less Spa — $85/hr
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Giant Breeds — $110/hr
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For certain breeds, we also offer a Just The Wash that includes a bath and towel dry. Nails and a partial dry can be added on to these services.
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EXTRA FEES & ADD-ONS
Matting & Coat Condition
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Light Matting – $2/min
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Pelted Shave-Down – $100-140/hr (replaces base rate)
Special Handling
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$8–16/hr for dogs who require additional staff, calming techniques, or caution due to behavior or health.
Optional Add-Ons
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Prebiotic Wash & Rinse – $20
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Medicated Bath - $5
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Mud Bath - $20
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Paw Balm – $6
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PUPPY GROOMS
We recommend starting your puppy’s grooming journey around 3 to 4 months of age, after their first round of vaccinations. These early appointments are not full grooms. Instead, they are gentle, introductory sessions designed to help your puppy get comfortable with the sounds, handling, and sensations of grooming.
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Each visit may include a bath with puppy-safe shampoo, towel drying, light brushing, nail trimming, and soft touch-ups around the face or feet if your puppy is ready. The focus is on trust, safety, and creating a positive association with grooming from the start.
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We do not recommend waiting until your puppy is older or matted to begin grooming. Puppies who start young and visit monthly during their first year are more likely to enjoy the process long term. These visits help prevent future anxiety, make full grooms easier, and set your dog up for lifelong success.
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If you are unsure when to begin, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you choose the right time and service for your puppy’s first visit.
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MATTING & PELTED COATS
Light Matting
If your dog has some matting but the coat is not pelted to the skin, we may be able to remove it safely. This is charged at $2 per minute for the time spent dematting. Expect an additional $10–$60 depending on severity.
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Severe Matting & Pelted Coats
If the matting is tight to the skin and must be shaved off with a surgical-level blade, we charge $100–$140/hour, based on size and breed. This process is delicate and time-consuming as we work carefully to avoid injury and may uncover hidden sores or bruising underneath.
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Matted Ears & Hematomas
Removing severe matting, especially from the ears, can increase blood flow to the area. This may cause dogs to shake their heads, which puts stress on the ear tips. In some cases, this leads to hematomas or causes the skin to split and bleed. We recommend limiting head shaking after grooming and monitoring your dog closely.
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The Grooming Process
Here is what you can expect, from making an appointment until the grooming is complete.
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BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT
You can book online or call us directly at 655-6226 (Raymond) or 572-4084 (Standish). During booking, we’ll ask a few quick questions about your dog’s breed, coat type, and behavior to help match you with the right service and stylist.
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Once your appointment is scheduled, you’ll receive a link to complete our Appointment Information Form and any other applicable forms before your visit. This helps us prepare for your dog’s specific needs and ensures a smooth, personalized experience from the start.
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CANCELLATIONS AND ARRIVAL
We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for all cancellations or reschedules. Grooming appointments are booked as one-on-one sessions, and each time slot is reserved specifically for your dog. When an appointment is canceled last minute or missed entirely, that time cannot always be filled.
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If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, full prepayment will be required before your next appointment can be booked. Same-day cancellations are charged 50% of the scheduled service, with prepayment required to rebook. No-shows are charged the full cost of the missed appointment and may result in removal from our client list.
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If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, we may not have enough time to complete your service and you may be subject to our no-show policy.
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DROP OFF AND INTAKE
When you arrive, we’ll take a moment to check in and confirm your dog’s grooming details. This is your chance to share any updates on behavior, health, coat condition, or preferences. We’ll review your dog’s history with us, clarify style goals, and offer any recommendations based on what we see at drop-off.
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If your dog has matting, sensitive areas, or needs special handling, we’ll explain what’s realistic and safe for them that day. This may include a shorter style, a comfort-focused approach, or adjustments to the grooming plan.
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At drop-off, we’ll provide you with an estimated pick-up time. On-time pick-up is required, as we do not use crates or holding areas. This helps us maintain a quiet, low-stress salon for all dogs. A $2-per-minute late fee will apply after 10 minutes. For dogs who are especially anxious or disruptive when waiting, late fees begin immediately.
Our goal is to create a safe, successful grooming experience.
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THE GROOMING PROCESS
Your dog will be groomed start to finish by one stylist unless additional support is needed for safety or comfort. Each session is tailored to your dog’s coat, behavior, and tolerance level, with adjustments made as needed for matting, sensitivities, or skin concerns.
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If we notice anything of concern during the appointment, we will inform you at pick-up. For urgent issues, such as matting that requires shaving but was not previously approved, we will call you before moving forward. We aim to keep communication open while remaining focused on grooming your dog safely and respectfully.
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If you were given a scheduled pick-up time at drop-off, please arrive at that time. For dogs who cannot be comfortably kenneled or who become anxious while waiting, you must be available for immediate pick-up once the groom is finished. This helps us protect your dog’s comfort and maintain a calm environment for every pet in our care.
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PICK-UP & CHECK-OUT
Once your dog’s groom is complete, please arrive promptly, especially if your dog is anxious, disruptive, or cannot be comfortably kenneled. Delayed pick-up can cause unnecessary stress for your dog and others in the salon.
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At pick-up, we will review how the appointment went, share any grooming notes, and offer care recommendations based on your dog’s coat, comfort level, and behavior. If we encountered anything unexpected, such as skin irritation or areas of concern, we will let you know before you leave.
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If your dog’s grooming time was shorter or longer than the estimate used when booking online, we recommend rebooking your next appointment based on the actual time needed. This helps ensure accurate pricing for future grooms. Booking online without adjusting the timing may result in a higher price, as it reserves the full appointment block.
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We want every visit to feel smooth, fair, and tailored to your dog’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing some questions or concerns you might have about your appointment with Lavish Dog.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY DOG BE GROOMED?
This depends on your dog’s coat type, lifestyle, and desired haircut length. Most dogs do best on a 4 to 8 week schedule. Longer haircuts or shedding breeds may need more frequent visits to maintain coat health.
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WHAT IF MY DOG DOESN'T TOLERATE GROOMING?
We take a gentle, behavior-based approach and will always prioritize your dog’s safety and emotional wellbeing. If your dog is showing signs of stress, we may pause or adjust the service. In some cases, we may recommend a shorter session or refer you to a specialist in behavior grooming.
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DO YOU GROOM SENIOR PETS?
Yes. Senior pets often have unique needs, and we take extra steps to ensure their comfort and safety. For older dogs who require more specialized care, we may recommend working with one of our Lead Stylists who has extensive experience in senior grooming. We adjust our services based on your dog’s mobility, health, and tolerance. At this stage, the goal shifts from style to comfort. Every decision is made with your dog’s wellbeing in mind.
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In some cases, we may perform a comfort shave before the bath to ensure your dog receives a full haircut even if they are unable to tolerate drying. This approach allows us to prioritize their wellbeing while still managing coat length.
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At this stage of life, our goal is not a perfect or styled groom. It’s about keeping your dog clean, comfortable, and stress-free. Longer haircut lengths are not an option if the coat cannot be properly bathed and dried, so we often recommend a short, low-maintenance style to support your dog’s health and happiness.
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DO YOU GROOM AGGRESSIVE DOGS
We evaluate this on a case-by-case basis. If your dog has a history of aggression, please let us know before booking. We may require a meet-and-greet or refer you to a facility equipped to handle behavioral grooming safely.
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CAN I STAY WITH MY DOG DURING THE GROOM?
For safety and focus, we do not allow owners to stay during the grooming process. Most dogs are calmer and more cooperative once their person has left, which allows us to work more safely and efficiently.
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We also have other dogs in the salon, and having additional people in the grooming area can create distractions, overstimulation, or safety concerns for pets and staff. Your dog is in good hands, and we’ll always contact you if anything unexpected comes up during the appointment.