Please read the following policies and practices prior to attending your appointment with The Handsome Hound Dog Grooming. Once you have made a booking with The Handsome Hound Dog Grooming you will automatically accept the terms and conditions listed below. They are in place to ensure the well-being and safety of all dogs under our care and to provide the best possible grooming experience.


Cancellation policy and deposits

All NEW customers will be required to deposit is required prior to any grooming appointment. The deposit amount will be communicated at the time of booking. The deposit is fully refundable up to 48 hours before the grooming appointment. If you cancel within 48 hours or do not show for your appointment, the deposit is non refundable and you will be required to pay the full price of the groom.

ALL customers, both new and existing will be required to pay the full cost of the grooming service if they cancel within 48 hours of their grooming appointment or they do not show for their appointment. You will be unable to make another booking until the fee is paid.

Pick up and collection

Owners are requested to arrive on time for their dog’s appointment and adhere to the agreed collection time. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you will be deemed a “no – show” and cancellation fees will apply. This is to ensure we can give your dog the full allocation of time and does not impact the other scheduled grooming appointments. A charge of £15 will be applied for every 30 minutes of delay beyond the agreed collection time.

Toilet before grooming

Please ensure that your dog has been to the toilet and a walk before their grooming appointment. We do not want your dog to feel uncomfortable and needing the toilet during their grooming session.

Health Requirements

Dogs must be up to date with flea, worm treatments and all vaccinations. These include canine hepatitis, distemper virus, kennel cough, parvovirus.

Microchips and name tags

Under the Control of Dogs Act 1992, all dogs must arrive for their groom wearing a collar with a name tag with relevant details. Under the Microchipping of Dogs Act 2015 (Section 3), your dog will be required to be microchipped prior to grooming.

Elderly and sick Dogs

We will take the greatest care when grooming sick and elderly dogs. Grooming will be undertaken completely at the owners risk. It is not uncommon for senior dogs to have health issues that make grooming more of a challenge. Arthritis, back and hip problems might make it difficult for them to stand or they may have tracheal problems or heart issues. If during the grooming process underlying health issues are exposed, The Handsome Hound Dog Grooming cannot be held responsible for any complications that may arise.

Dogs in Season

We do not accept bookings for grooming appointments for dogs in season. Female dogs in season may feel uncomfortable and may cause stress to themselves and other dogs during the grooming process. Owners are responsible for notifying us in advance if their female dog is in season or exhibits signs of being in season. If your female dog comes into season unexpectedly, we kindly request that you reschedule the grooming appointment once the season has finished. The season will last anything between 2-4 weeks. Failure to inform us of the dog’s season status may result in the grooming appointment being cancelled, and cancellation charges may apply.

Matted Coats

Many breeds are prone to matting, particularly poodle mixes. It is essential that your dog’s coat is brushed at home daily as a preventative measure. Please be mindful that a clip down is advised for matted dogs. We operate under the codes of the animal welfare act (https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/endcruelty/changingthelaw/whatwechanged/animalwelfareact ) Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all matted coats will be clipped off.

We prioritise your dog’s welfare and safety, and we aim to make their salon experience as positive as possible. The Handsome Hound Dog Grooming cannot be held liable for any after-grooming effects or problems related to mat clipping, such as itchiness, skin redness, or self-inflicted irritations/abrasions.

Aggressive and dangerous dogs

If you dog has a history of biting or shows aggression towards other dogs, you must tell us.
An additional charge may apply due to the extra time and staff required to handle dogs with behavioural issues. We make every effort to ensure the safety of your dog. We may refuse to continue a groom if it becomes too dangerous. If your dog should bite, the owner agrees to be responsible for any and all related medical bills, recovery costs and loss of income.

Fleas and ticks

We maintain a flea and tick-free salon environment. If fleas or ticks are discovered during the grooming session, the dog will be bathed with a flea shampoo, and the salon will undergo thorough cleaning and treatment. An additional charge of £20 will apply to cover the costs associated with flea treatment and salon disinfection.Ticks will be safely removed, and the affected area will be sprayed with an antibacterial disinfectant.

Accidents

While we exercise extreme caution and care, accidents can occur during the grooming process. Grooming scissors and equipment are sharp, and dogs that move or wriggle around can increase the risk of nicks, scratches, and quickening of nails.We make every effort to ensure the safety of your dog. However, we may refuse to continue a groom if it becomes too dangerous. In the event of an injury or illness, we may involve a veterinarian. Unless we are clearly liable, all costs associated with veterinary care and instructions will be the owner’s responsibility.

Grooming after surgery

Dog must receive medical clearance from their vet before we are able to accept dogs for grooming. It is the responsibility of the owner to provide accurate information about the dog’s recent surgical history when booking a grooming appointment.This policy is in place to prioritise the safety and well-being of dogs during grooming procedures and to prevent any potential complications associated with recent surgeries

Social Media

We sometimes take photos of dogs to help with future grooming or for social media. Please let us know if you do not want any photos of your dogs to be made public.