Everything you need to know before your pet’s first visit

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What to expect before your appointment:  

Complete the new client intake form (request a PDF to print and bring in or email to esicaspetspa@gmail.com at home or complete in person at the time of your appointment). This is part of our grooming policies designed to help ensure a smooth pet grooming consultation.  

Share your dog’s grooming history, preferences, and personality. Providing up-to-date vaccination records showing Rabies and Distemper is essential unless there is a written veterinary exemption.  

Communicate any medical concerns, sensitivities, fears, or behavioral needs you may have about your dog. Additionally, let us know your grooming goals and preferences so we can offer tailored dog grooming tips that suit your pup.  

Every dog is unique, and understanding their individual needs helps us create the safest and most comfortable experience possible. The more we know about your pup, the better we can personalize their visit.

Your Esica’s experience begins even before the grooming starts. When you arrive at 📍113 Colorado Ave, Suite 119, Ames, IA 50014, you’ll find convenient, open parking that makes for a comfortable arrival. At your scheduled appointment time, simply call or text ☎️(515)735-9576 to let us know you’ve arrived, and I’ll personally welcome you and your pet outside the building entrance as part of our grooming policies designed to provide a smooth experience.

To further ensure a stress-free visit, our appointments include a 10-minute arrival window before and after your scheduled time. If you arrive earlier, please send a quick message so we can prepare to greet you properly.

Once inside, I’ll escort you and your pet into the private Esica’s Pet Spa suite. After closing the doors, your dog enters a safe, calm environment where they can explore and become comfortable. During this time, we’ll conduct a thorough pet grooming consultation to discuss their grooming needs and preferences, ensuring we create the best possible experience.

Every visit starts with connection and understanding—because the best dog grooming tips come from truly knowing the dog in front of us.

Every great groom begins with understanding your dog. Before your dog’s appointment, we’ll have a thorough pet grooming consultation to discuss their coat, lifestyle, grooming preferences, and anything that helps your pup feel comfortable. We will cover dog grooming tips such as: 

- Desired haircut/style 

- Coat maintenance routine 

- Sensitive areas 

- Previous grooming experiences 

- Handling preferences 

- Breaks/rest needs 

Additionally, we will review our grooming policies to ensure a smooth experience for both you and your furry friend.

Once your pup’s appointment begins, they will receive individualized attention throughout their entire visit, following our grooming policies to ensure a pleasant experience. From their luxury Hydra products used in the Hydra spa bath and conditioning to their customized groom, every step—including the soothing blowout, precise haircut and styling, and thorough nail care—is performed with patience and care. If requested, we also provide communication updates during the pet grooming consultation, ensuring you're informed every step of the way. Finally, we add the finishing touches to make your dog look and feel their best.

After your pup’s transformation is complete, you’re welcome to enjoy our seasonal photo studio at no additional cost. This space is perfect for capturing your dog’s fresh look amid seasonal themes, allowing you to share their special moment with friends and family. Don't forget to discuss our grooming policies and dog grooming tips during your pet grooming consultation to ensure the best results.

Helping your dog have the best experience possible with these dog grooming tips.

Tips:

- Avoid a large meal right before grooming to reduce discomfort.

- Allow your dog a bathroom break before arrival to ease their nerves.

- Bring your dog on a secure leash or collar for safety.

- Communicate any important details during your pet grooming consultation beforehand.

- Avoid rushing your dog before their appointment to ensure a calm atmosphere.

At Esica’s Pet Spa, our grooming policies are meticulously designed to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of every dog who visits. As part of our pet grooming consultation, we inform pet owners about our vaccination requirements to safeguard all our furry guests. We also have a clear cancellation/rescheduling policy to accommodate any changes to your plans. Please be mindful of our late arrival policy to maximize your dog’s grooming experience. Additionally, we maintain a strict matting policy to ensure the best grooming results. To protect our clients, we enforce a flea/tick policy that requires all dogs to be free of these pests. Our aggression/safety policy is in place to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for all pets. Lastly, we have specific pick-up expectations to make the process smooth for you and your dog.

How long will my dog’s appointment take?

Every dog’s grooming experience is unique, and appointment times can vary based on their breed, size, coat condition, temperament, service needs, and overall comfort level. Because every pup receives a personalized, one-on-one experience, it can be difficult to provide an exact timeframe before meeting them in person.

During your pet grooming consultation, I’ll be able to assess your dog’s coat, personality, and individual needs, allowing me to provide a more accurate estimated timeframe for their appointment. After your pup’s first few visits, I’ll grow familiar with their grooming routine and can give a clearer expectation for future appointments.

Can I stay during the groom?

We completely understand wanting to be close to your pup, especially during their first visit. However, to create the calmest and most successful grooming experience, we typically recommend that owners allow their dog to enjoy their appointment independently with us.

Grooming is built on trust and communication between the dog and groomer. Having a private space allows your pup to become comfortable, build confidence, and form a positive relationship with their groomer without outside distractions.

That being said, every dog is unique. For dogs who experience significant anxiety, reactivity, or handling concerns, we are happy to discuss our grooming policies, including whether having their owner present would help them feel more secure and create the safest experience possible. Our priority is always your dog’s comfort and well-being.

Do you groom all breeds and sizes?

Absolutely. Every dog deserves access to quality grooming care. Whether your pup is a small companion breed, a large breed, a double-coated dog, or anything in between, we tailor each appointment to their individual coat, lifestyle, and needs, ensuring that they receive the best dog grooming tips specific to their requirements.