Our Process...
Patience… In today’s world, getting things done as quickly as humanly possible has become something of a norm in our society. At Canine Culture East, we do not subscribe to that norm. We believe that each pet deserves careful individual attention and sometimes that takes time. Our unique process is based upon the teachings of Master Groomer Dewitt Bolden. Please read on to see why we may take a little bit longer than our competitors to properly care for your Pet.
The Welcome
We take great pride in the fact that we are a non-coercive facility and want your pet to feel welcomed and reassured throughout their experience. You will notice that we never simply reach out and take hold of your pet’s leash or collar. We believe that your pet needs to see you hand the leash to us – to witness that you are temporarily transferring the care of your pet to us. During the intake process, we will confirm your instructions and give your pet our signature warm and friendly welcome to the facility.
The intake includes bringing your pet into the grooming area and giving them time to meet and greet their old and new friends. This social interaction is important not just for your pet, but for all of the pets that are in our care.
Grooming Prep
We do not simply drag your pet off to the bath. We have developed a thorough bath preparation process that may include a pre-cut (clipping to remove excess hair), detangling matted hair as necessary (we may charge extra if matting is severe), softly brushing out the coat followed by a once over with a fine-toothed comb if necessary. This initial brushing facilitates a more thorough and comfortable wash and conditioning for your pet. We finish this step with a careful nail trim.
[60 to 90 minutes depending upon the size, condition, and temperament of your pet]
The Bath
For many of our pets, this is the most enjoyable part of their experience. Hands down, we provide the most thorough and all-inclusive bath in Albuquerque. We use a fresh set of cotton balls to protect your pet’s ears before beginning a warm massaging bath with mild, tearless shampoo. We follow our wash with a thorough conditioning process using the very best products on the market. Our wash includes a special face wash and a careful ear inspection and cleaning. We are one of the few shops anywhere that includes anal gland expression with every wash at no additional cost. We do not up-charge our customers for the high-quality shampoos and conditioners we believe every dog deserves. Based upon years of experience, we use what we regard as the best products on the market (La Pooch shampoo that we special order from New York, Furminator Shampoos, and Plum Silky Conditioners).
[30 to 45 minutes depending upon the size, condition, and temperament of your pet]
Drying and Brushing
After the bath we thoroughly hand dry each dog. Drying can be very time consuming depending upon the size of the dog and thickness of coat (up to 45 minutes for breeds with dense curly coats). We also take or time and provide a soft, gentle, but thorough brushing before final styling. Care in drying and brushing is important for the comfort of your pet and also to make it easier for you to brush and comb between grooming sessions. Our groomers are committed to the Bolden Method of Care and will not hesitate to send your pet back to our dedicated brushers and bathers for additional attention if need be. In keeping with master groomer Dewitt Bolden’s high standards, pets simply do not make it to the grooming table if our groomers are in any way unsatisfied with the wash, drying, or brush.
[40 to 60 minutes depending upon the size, condition, and temperament of your pet]
Styling
For the same reasons that we do not coerce your pet during bathing and brushing, we do not rush their styling. We would much rather take an additional ten to fifteen minutes styling your pet than to run the risk of possibly injuring your pet. Clipping and scissoring require steadiness, calm, and patience – and not just from the stylist! Often, pets need a break before they are ready for our stylists to begin their haircut. Again, because of our non-coercive ethos, we do not force pets onto the grooming table if they are not ready. When your pet is calm and relaxed our groomers will use state-of-the-art clippers for most of their body work and hand-scissor the legs, head, tuck up, and tail. This part of your pet’s experience is not necessarily the most time consuming, but it does require great precision. The time your pet will spend in this step depends upon size, the style that you have chosen, and your pet’s temperament. [40 to 60 minutes]
Thank You for Your Patience!
Typically we ask for a four-hour window to care for your pet. We work as briskly as we can, but we may need the entire time scheduled for your pet. Every now and then the stars align and we finish a dog earlier than we expect. We understand that our clients live busy lives and often will have made plans for the four-hour bloc of time we have asked for. We will contact you if we finish early if that is your desire – however, we often let your pet enjoy playing with their old and new friends until you arrive for pickup.
