Golden Rule Grooming, LLC

When I am texted, called or emailed by a prospective client, I like to find out the age, breed and general health of their dog, what type of bathing/grooming they want done and how we might set a mutually convenient rendezvouz. Normally I will bathe first then dry and style. If a dog needs a lot of coat removed, I would do a preliminary shave down to reduce drying time and creating tighter knots. I do grooming at the client's home so that the owner can be present and the process is less stressful to the dog if anxiety is an issue.

I graduated from the CT K-9 Education Center in Newington with a grooming certificate in 2014 and took Vet Assisting Courses I & II at Manchester Community College in 2013. I also have a Batchelor's Degree in Business/Marketing from CCSU.  I have owned my own dogs for many years and currently share my home with 3 rescue dogs: a Chihuahua-mix (Evalina), a Poodle mix (Delphine) and a teeny tiny full Chihuahua too (4lb. Pixie Pi).  I keep abreast with the latest in techniques by conferring with my colleagues, attending grooming shows where demonstrations are highlighted and also watching online educational videos which are quite helpful.

My in-home dog grooming fee starts at $85. (More if the dog has special needs.  I would charge more for infirm, anxious and/or aggressive dogs.

I don't do extensive dematting.  If a pet is especially matted I would strongly suggest a shave down because the time-consuming process is uncomfortable and stressful for your pet (and for myself as well!)

Tips are greatly appreciated, but never required, just like your own hair stylist.

Nail trimming and ear cleaning are included in the price.  I am also well versed in anal gland expression and can check these and advise accordingly if requested at no additional charge.

Having worked in a corporate environment for almost 25 years, I finally decided to follow my heart and work with dogs.  I have always been a dog lover and this career is a good fit for my talents, especially my 'artsy' side.  Animals know when you have an affinity for them and I have never met a dog I didn't like!

Most of my customers have come to me through social media, word of mouth and mutual friends.

I've groomed throughout central CT and MA mainly on dogs that are owned by folks whose pets are too old, too rambunctious or too aggressive to do well in a salon.  Often the obstacle is that the pet owner can't drive or is taking care of a loved one that they can't leave alone.

I've found that there's also a large untapped market for busy professionals who simply don't have the time to shuttle a pet (or multiple pets) to a salon.  It's just easier for me to go to them.  Lots of owners like to watch the actual process to be sure that their animal is being treated kindly and respectfully. 

Since I don't drive a grooming van, my prices are competitive, and you can be assured that I have enough soap and water for bathing and enough room for grooming. 

Some of the grooms I do are for very large dogs or those who are extremely matted or overgrown that need lengthy attention.

I took about an inch of overall matting off an elderly Shih Tzu whose feet and legs were so bound up with fur that she couldn't walk.  Her tail was stiff with mats and once I freed her from her 'cocoon' she couldn't stop wagging it!  That was a great day for me.

Another customer brought me his sweet and gentle older Shih Tzu.  He had a lot of questions for me about my way of doing things and asked if he could watch the grooming session.  My answer was, "Of Course!".  It was obvious he loved her very much and I always welcome company.  The dog was quiet and happy for the bath and trim up until I reached her face (normally my last area).  A this point her eyes suddenly became wide and fearful and she started growling and snapping fiercely.  The owner was understandably upset and wanted to admonish her.  I stopped him  though and explained that she was only defending herself because her mouth was in pain and she didn't want to be hurt by my handling.  After slowly and carefully scissoring her muzzle and around her eyes, she licked my hands and I told her what a good girl she is.  Then I showed the gentleman that her gums were swollen due to tartar on the teeth and her mouth was causing her such discomfort that she feared to be touched there.  She was posturing aggressively but would not bite because it would undoubtedly hurt her more than me.  To prove my point, I put my hand INTO her mouth and she meekly withdrew.  My client was angry that he hadn't been appraised of the situation by his other groomer or his veterinarian, but I assured him that neither the groomer nor the vet were bad practitioners.  99% of the time nothing will be said about oral issues because no one likes to be the bearer of bad news AND cleanings and extractions can often be prohibitively expensive.  I have no financial stake in telling him this, so I am the right person to bring her substantial discomfort to his attention.  When he realized he would be able to make things better for her and understood her uncharacteristic behavior, he was relieved.  I knew that little Shih Tzu would be so happy to have her dental problems resolved and her pain alleviated.  Before they left, I gave her a wink and I felt she was looking back with gratitude as if to say, "Thank you for understanding me and knowing I'm a good dog".  Please note that veterinary oral care is often costly and I give NO judgement to those who can't afford it.  Everyone does their best with what they've got and what they know.  Fortunately, this sweetheart was able to get a prophy and some extractions....:-)

A Boxer collapsed due to a seizure during a grooming by a fellow stylist.  It had a femoral pulse, but was not breathing.  Initially, I was unable to get air into its lungs, however by pulling the tongue to the side and out, the blockage was resolved and after some mouth-to-muzzle, the dog took one deep inhalation on its own and was revived!  A BIG relief!   

My clients are so good to me.  I feel blessed to be trusted with their pets and if I can make a positive difference in their health and well-being that's always a plus.  I LOVE MY JOB!

Be sure that you can trust the individual to treat your dog with the same TLC as one would give a child. Go with your gut and if the 'professional' doesn't act like a professional, then seek another groomer. Also the groomer should be equipped with grooming tools and shampoos/conditioners that are specific to dogs if your pet is a dog or cats if you're a cat owner. Some products that are safe for dogs are not meant for use on cats, since they do a lot of self-cleaning. The groomer absolutely should NOT show up with a pair of paper scissors and a bottle of Palmolive!

Are my expectations reasonable given the dog's coat length and condition because a groomer can't make a dog's hair longer nor can he/she make mats magically disappear. Does the groomer use professional equipment and cleansing/conditioning products in a safe manner to do a thorough job? Look carefully through the profile of your groomer of choice. Is the individual you're hiring punctual, cleanly, courteous and trustworthy according to reviews? Does the groomer have experience with the type of dog you own and have the necessary safety equipment to ensure a calm and non-threatening interaction? Is your pet fearful of men or fearful of women due to a prior trauma? (be sure to hire the least stress-invoking individual.) How long should I expect the grooming session to take? Most of my grooms are done in about 2 hours unless the dog is large (over 45 lbs.) or needs extra handling (dematting, anxiety, aggression, fatigue). If you have plumbing issues (lack of water pressure, no warm water, etc.) the process may be hampered. Allow 3 hours for my first visit because your pet(s) may need to get acquainted with me to feel comfortable. Please be aware that I will not rush or force compliance on you pet. Grooming should not be a traumatic event!