FAQ

+ COVID - Lockdown Updates

Hello friends,

Although the worst of the pandemic is (finger's crossed) behind us, Doug's Dogs services (walks, daycare, grooming and training), are being delivered with continued vigilance for Covid to ensure your and our team's safety including:

Daily cleaning of all surfaces in the daycare

Regular hand washing and use of handsanitiser

Dogs picked up from street level of front doors if owners are working from home

Socially distanced training

Grooming dogs dropped to daycare door

This is all done in full compliance with the Governments' advice

Thankfully all the evidence available says that dog’s can’t contract the virus.

The team either walk, cycle or drive our vans to work (which we regularly clean), so have minimal contact with people on public transport. If anyone displays symptoms they will be sent home. We test for Covid at work.

If your circumstances change and you need to alter bookings, please talk to us. Usual T&Cs apply until further notice. In the meantime, we hope that you’re coping well in such unsettling times.

With love

Doug's x

+ What size is my dog?

TOY - Chihuahua, English Toy Terrier, Yorkie, Brussels Griffon, Toy Poodle, Pug, Pomeranian, Papillon, Miniature Pinscher, Italian Greyhound.

SMALL - Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Cavalier King Charles, Coton de Tulear, French Bulldog, Lakeland Terrier, Lhasa, Miniature Schnauzer, Parson Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Schnoodle, Shih tzu.

MEDIUM - Australian Shepherd, Bulldog, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Shetland Sheepdog.

BIG - Chow Chow (sorry, but we can't groom these felllas for the moment), German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Boxer, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler.

DOUBLE COATS - Malamutes, Newfoundlands, Chow Chows (as above), St Bernards and more, have 'double coats'. This takes more time to work with. If required and extra 20% - 25% charge will be made depending on the dog.

If you are unsure please contact the studio for advice before booking

+ How do I pay?

For all of our services, we ask clients to pay in advance. Our clients know that we pride ourselves on aiming to be the best at what we do, so they feel confident that they are investing securely in their dog’s happiness and well being. Advanced payment also avoids unpaid cancellations which can make some businesses unviable.

Payment Types

We are a cashless business and only take card payments. All services are paid for in advance, via the website. The booking form uses Stripe and accepts Visa, Mastercard + American Express. Stripe is an established and well known, reliable payment system.

Grooming is an art, not a science so these prices are a guide. On arrival at the studio we will assess whether the booking is correct and add any extras required. If you have selected the wrong size dog or need further services after you have booked on-line, you will be advised and before we proceed we will take any extra payments in the studio via Stripe.

+ Where are you located + is there parking?

Doug’s Dogs daycare and grooming studio are located within 5 minutes walk of Mile End station in Bow, East London. We’re near the junction of Burdett Road and Bow Common Lane. Map here

Public Transport

Buses stopping on Burdett Road include the D6, D7, 277. The 323 runs down Bow Common Lane and stops 50 metres from the corner of our road.

Parking

We encourage all of our clients to walk, cycle or use public transport (where safe), to come here. Driving here may however be necessary from time to time. There is on street parking - a mix of Tower Hamlet’s Residents bays and some limited pay as you go parking - if you need to stay a while. Parking is monitored Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 5.30pm. There are a handful of 20 minute drop off bays directly outside the studio, however these can get busy during the week.

+ What time should I arrive with my dog?

We are a drop-off only studio ONLY, and as such we don’t have a waiting area for owners and dogs, so please arrive at the agreed time of your appointment. As you can appreciate we are a small business and lateness and no shows costs us so if you’re late delivering your dog, we may have to reschedule the appointment. If you’re running late please let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

+ How long does the groom take?

Most appointments are around 2hrs - 2.5hrs long. The appointment length will depend on a range of factors - size of dog, state of coat, services required. On arrival at the studio we will give you a final assessment of your dogs needs and the time it will take.

+ What happens when I arrive with my dog?

At your first appointment we will spend about 15 minutes looking at the condition of your dog’s coat and their general health.

We will discuss the way you want your dog to be groomed and hopefully the coat will allow for this - there are times that the coat’s condition will not allow for the cut you want. If that’s the case, we’ll try to agree a stepped approach towards the style you want for your dog - perhaps short clipping on the first groom, followed by future grooms increasingly in the style you want.

During this consultation it is important that you share as much of the knowledge you have about your dog as possible. Previous groomer comments and recent vet visits are all relevant to our working with your dog and can help us achieve a much improved grooming finish for you both.

+ My dog’s pregnant, can you groom her?

No. This is very harmful for the dog and the unborn puppies

+ My dog’s in season, can you groom her?

We can, but it’s vital to ensure that your dog is comfortable with being groomed during this time. Where possible, we are happy to reschedule with enough notice. But if you want to go ahead with the groom, we will first check to see that your dog’s happy and may have to cancel if she’s not.

+ How young is a puppy for "Puppy Love"?

This is a useful service to ensure dogs are not frightened of a grooming studio when they have their first proper hair cut or wash. It is for puppies from 15 weeks / 3 months - 6 months.

+ Can you collect and return my dog for me?

We don’t offer a pick up / drop off service, unless your dog is a regular in our daycare.

+ What happens if I don’t like the haircut?

Tell us, we won’t be offended. We will always groom your dog in the way we have discussed with you. However, there may be times when what you thought you’d asked for, doesn’t match what's delivered. This is why we have a detailed, pre-groom consultation and keep detailed records of how each dog is styled. Feel free to share images of the type of style you want to achieve. If the final outcome is still not what you expected, we will work with you to rectify this on future grooms. Unfortunately refunds will not be possible.

+ My dog’s coat is extremely matted but I don’t want it clipped off - can you help?

Dematting a coat can be extremely painful for your dog. In line with the Animal Welfare Act (2006), we will not cause pain to a dog and will either have to completely shave / clip off the dogs coat or in extreme circumstances, refuse to groom the dog. By clipping off the matts we will instantly improve the health and welfare of your dog and then will advise you on how to avoid matted fur in the future.

+ My dog bites when groomed; how will you handle this?

For puppies we have the Puppy Love service to introduce them to the grooming studio. This helps them overcome any fear and hopefully any 'fear based agression' or biting.

If your dog is a biter, please let us know and we may use a muzzle (with your permission - if that's not acceptable we won't be able to groom them and any refunds would be as per our T&Cs).

Biting or scratching dogs take longer to work with - we have to be even more careful with clippers and scissors in case of injury to the dogs or to us. We may need to add a 15% surcharge to the fee.

+ What Extra services do you offer for dogs?

To really make your dog's coat special we have a range of extra treatments that we can offer. From time to time we'll suggest these, but don't hesitate to request them when you visit:

Blueberry Facial Treatment (£5) The blue berry facial is designed to gently remove bacteria and staining from the face.

Charcoal Detox Mask (£8) This conditioning mask with activated charcoal aids in moisturising the coat whilst removing pollutions, toxins, impurities and traces of grease and dirt from the skin.

Protein Vital treatment (£8) The protein vital treatment instantly restores vibrancy to all coat types. It is brilliant for repairing damaged coats and for preventing breakage. (Perfect for curly and double coated breeds)

Keratin Vital treatment (£8) The keratin vital treatment regenerates damaged hair follicles, making the coat more manageable whilst restoring softness and shine. (Perfect for long-hair or drop coats)

+ Do you clean dog's teeth?

Our Ultrasound teeth cleaning is a great way to ensure that your dog's teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. We also offer Ultrasound Plus - this includes plaque removal.

+ My dog has a 'double coat'. Does this cost more?

Some breeds e.g. Malamutes, Newfoundlands, Chow Chows, St Bernards and more, have 'double coats'. This takes more time to work with. If required and extra 20% - 25% charge will be made depending on the dog.