Furry Friends Spa & Daycare – Ottawa - Spa

What is Hand Stripping?

Hand stripping involves pulling out the dead outer coat of wired-haired or “rough-coated” breeds by hand, rather than cutting the hair with clippers. This allows a new “harsh” wire coat to grow in.

Doesn't pulling out the hair hurt?

No. It does not hurt the dog. Some might not like it, but it is not painful when done properly, and many dogs even enjoy it. Wire hair is not attached like our own hair or breeds with other types of coats. For pet dogs we clip or scissor the tender spots so it isn’t uncomfortable for them. Hand stripping is also good for your pet's skin and coat health.

What breeds are usually hand stripped?

Breeds from all AKC groups are stripped.

Terrier Group

Airedale Terrier
Australian Terrier
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Dandie Dinmont
Irish Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Parsons Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier

Toy Group

Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon

Sporting Group

German Wirehaired Pointer
Spinone Italiano
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Hound Group

Dachshund (Wirehaired)
Ibizan (Wirehaired)
Irish Wolfhound
Otterhound
Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV)
Scottish Deerhound

Working Group

Giant Schnauzer
Standard Schnauzer

There are also many mixed breeds that look marvelous when hand-stripped, or even partially hand-stripped to bring out their natural wire coat.

Between clipping and hand stripping, what will keep the coat wiry?

Hand stripping maintains a proper wire coat, while clipping makes it soft and ruins the texture. Without the outer wire coat, the coat color will change and fade out.

Why does clipping the coat ruin the wiry texture?

Each individual wire hair has a hard wire point, then is semi hollow down to about the undercoat level. It is very soft at the base and only lightly anchored in the follicle which is why they pull out easily.
Cutting the hair takes away the structure of that hair. This is particularly true when cut below the undercoat level, but even just cutting off the tip breaks the structure.If cut, the soft base stays in the follicle so a new wire tipped hair does not grow. The soft bottom will continue to grow awhile. If the dog is continually cut, the coat stays super soft as the soft downy under coat and the soft base of the wire hair from the old top coat is all that is seen. Often they end up with a 'cottony' coat and sometimes black hair turns to grayish blue or brown.

My dog is just a pet; should she be hand stripped like show dogs?

Absolutely, if it important to you to maintain the proper breed look. It is very hard to imitate that look on many wire coated breeds if you clip them. However it will do no real harm for pets to be clipped if you do not care about that look.

Will hand stripping restore a coat's wire texture if my dog has been clipped?

Yes, but sometimes it can be difficult if a dog’s coat has been clipped many times. You often have to let them grow out several months and strip them several times to get the wire coat growing properly again. Sometimes after only one clipping it comes back fine but do not count on it. The longer amount of time the coat has been clipped, the more months it will take with diligent stripping to get the coat back to it’s original correct texture. But it can be done in most cases! Regular visits (every 2 to 4 weeks) are recommended while restoring a wire coat.

If clipped is there any way to help keep the coat hard?

If you must clip, hand strip a little before and use a pumice stone afterwards weekly to 'brush' them, this takes out some of the cut dead coat to try to stimulate some new hairs to grow.

Are other types of coats hand stripped?

Other coarse coated breeds like the Bouvier are also hand stripped. Many other coats are maintained with stripping or carding, sometimes combined with using thinning shears, instead of clipping the hair, from the 'saddle' on the Afghan Hound to English Cocker Spaniel backs, for example. And then there’s many mixed breeds that have a wire-haired coat that can look marvelous hand-stripped.

Do all groomers hand strip?

Many do not, since it is time-consuming and very labor intensive. Question the groomers in your area. Often if they do not do hand stripping themselves, they will know of another groomer who does. Be sure to tell the Pet Groomers that you want your dog plucked or hand stripped. ***Make sure that they understand what you mean by "stripping." Among pet groomers, to ‘strip’ a dog means to shave it down to the skin.!”*** So ‘a strip’ is VERY different from ‘Hand Stripping!!’ Expect to pay a lot more--at least double--what the clipping price would be. It is very labor intensive.

Eek! You said my dog would have a nice wire coat. I had my dog hand stripped and now she looks naked and is very soft. How long will it take to grow back?

Often the wire coat is in one layer and pulling it leaves them in their "underwear" (the thinner, softer undercoat) until a new wire coat comes though. It may take 8 to 10 weeks before the new wire coat comes in and is long enough to cover the undercoat.

Do you have to strip to the undercoat? Is there a way to have a nice wire coat when they are freshly hand stripped?

Sometimes you have to strip down to the undercoat, in particular when they are pretty long. This is because all of the wire coat is one length and ready to come out. But sometimes the coat is in layers, either produced by 'rolling' the coat or new coat coming in from natural shedding. This often means bringing the dog in more often to have the coat rolled rather than completely stripped.

OK..... What is rolling a coat?

Rolling is having part of the coat come in new in layers so that you can strip off the longest hair, and always have wire coat. This is done by pulling only about the longest third of the coat, leaving the rest for a week to two weeks depending on the dog, and then repeating until there is always new coat coming in underneath. This can be started when they are grown out with a blown coat, or when a new coat is just past perfect. Not all dogs can be 'rolled.'

So if stripping is pulling out the coat with your fingers, what is it called when a stripping knife is involved?

It’s really the same thing. For the purists, stripping is all done by hand, but many groomers use a stripping knife. It all gets the same results!

What is a stripping comb?

Just another term for stripping knife.

Is knife or 'hands only' stripping better?

If a stripping knife is used properly, it works as well as pulling the coat only with fingers. Despite the name 'knife,' it is never used to cut the hair, only to help grip it. Only if the knives are too sharp or the wrong motion is used is the dog’s hair cut.

My groomer said she would also 'rake' my dog’s coat and I should do this at home too. What does that mean?

Raking is using the stripping knife, a clipper blade or a piece of pumice stone to rake though or 'comb' the undercoat. This pulls a lot of dead undercoat out and also helps the new coat come in. We also do this when in the wire coat is in to take out some of the undercoat leaving the jacket even 'harder.'

I think I’d like to get my Terrier hand stripped now. How can I tell when the coat is ready?

Take your dog to a groomer who does hand stripping. They’ll be able to tell just by looking at the coat and touching it whether it’s time or not. If it is not quite ready, they’ll be able to tell you when to make the appointment to have your dog stripped at the proper time.

"The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry."
French Proverb

What causes matting?
How do you dry the cats?
Will you sedate my cat?
Will it hurt my cat to be groomed?
How long will it take for you to groom my cat?
How often should my cat be groomed?
Can you groom my cat if he is aggressive?
Can you groom my cat if I have tried other salons and they have turned him away?
What are the benefits to having my cat professionally groomed?
What is the significance of being certified groomers?
Can you treat for fleas and ticks?
Do you have a de-skunking treatment?
Do I have to make an appointment to bring my cat in for grooming?
Do I get a discount if I have two or more cats?
What forms of payment to you accept?
Should I tip the groomer?

What causes matting?

Greasy skin and coat combined with natural shedding causes matting. And once a small tangle or mat forms, it grows very quickly. Regular brushing of your cat will keep away tangles and mats.If your cat is constantly getting mats, he may need bathing and drying done by a professional cat groomer who truly knows what they are doing. Some groomers are not cat groomers and will groom a cat using products and techniques that can cause more problems. Make sure your cat groomer is certified through the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, inc, the only cat grooming association that offers effective, quality training for cat grooming certification. back to top

How do you dry the cats?

We use the Catty Shack Vac patented drying system designed specifically for cats. In fact, we are the only grooming salon in Ottawa that uses the Catty Shack Vac, which means we can offer the most efficient drying process and produce the highest quality groom in the end. The Catty Shack is a large enclosed glass structure that keeps the cat safe and secured while drying. This is much safer than drying a cat on a table where they can escape and jump off. back to top

Will you sedate my cat?

We do not sedate cats. In reality, very few cats truly do need any sort of sedative in order to be groomed. We handle each cat in such a way that the need for drugs of any kind rarely happens. If we do think your cat would best be served by receiving medication, we will refer you to your veterinarian for a mild sedative that can be administered prior to the grooming appointment. back to top

Will it hurt my cat to be groomed?

It can hurt your cat to NOT be groomed. Cats that are not groomed are prone to serious matting problems, skin conditions, painful ingrown nails, and a variety of other problems that, if left unattended, can cause irreversible damage or even death.

A cat that is groomed regularly will not suffer from such problems. Because the groomer is handling the cat on a regular basis and looking over every inch of its body during each visit, health issues that may arise can be found early on, and the likelihood of effective intervention is increased. back to top

How long will it take for you to groom my cat?

We typically allow 1 to 2 hours for your appointment if you have one cat. If you bring in two or more, or the cat is severely pelted or matted, the groom time may take longer. Once we see your cat/cats in person, we will be able to give you a time for pick-up. We believe cats are better served by not being away from their normal home environment any longer than possible, and therefore strive to complete each groom in an efficient and timely manner. back to top

How often should my cat be groomed?

Ideally, most cats need to be professionally groomed every 8 - 12 weeks. back to top

Can you groom my cat if he is aggressive?

Most of the time we can. We can usually tell when we initially see your cat in person whether or not it can be safely handled. We sometimes need multiple staff to handle aggressive cats to ensure safety of all involved - so please let us know when booking an appointment if your cat is aggressive. back to top

Can you groom my cat if I have tried other salons and they have turned him away?

Yes, that is our specialty, we use gentle handling techniques and patience to work with all the animals that come to our salon. back to top

What are the benefits to having my cat professionally groomed?

The main benefit is having a happier, healthier cat that does not suffer from any of the painful and potentially life-threatening problems already mentioned. In addition, you will benefit as regular grooming cuts down on shedding, eliminates hairballs, reduces allergy problems, and helps promote a cleaner environment as well as a cleaner cat. And the best part is, you don’t have to do any of the grooming yourself! Leave that up to us! back to top

What is the significance of being certified groomers?

Like any industries there are good and bad businesses. We are not saying that uncertified groomers are bad, however you would never know since certification is not required to open a shop. Chantal is one of a select few Certified Feline Master Groomer in Canada and is certified through The National Cat Groomers Institute of America. Being certified means we have been tested and evaluated by Professional Certifying Officers and have shown to meet a high quality standard within our industry. back to top

Can you treat for fleas and ticks?

Yes, we can treat for both. We will physically remove the ticks and we can apply a flea and tick shampoo, ensuring all pests and eggs are eliminated. An additional fee applies. back to top

Do you have a de-skunking treatment?

Yes we have a de-skunking treatment. If your cat is skunked, do not bath him since this often spreads the smell to other areas. Try to get an appointment as soon as possible to have the treatment applied. An additional fee applies. back to top

Do I have to make an appointment to bring my cat in for grooming?

Yes an appointment is necessary for our grooming services. We recommend calling at least a week in advance, but sometimes you can get in sooner. We also have a cancellation list that your name can be added to by request. back to top

The only exception is Nail Trimming. You do not require an appointment for this, but calling ahead is best. back to top

Do I get a discount if I have two or more cats?

Furry Friends does not offer multiple pet discounts for grooming. The same amount of work goes into each pet and so they are charged accordingly. back to top

What forms of payment to you accept?

We accept E-Transfer, cash, cheques, debit, Visa and Mastercard. back to top

Should I tip the groomer?

Similar to hairdressers, we provide a service to you and your pet and do appreciate tips. However, if gratuity is not in your budget than a sincere compliment is always welcome. back to top

"The dog has no ambition , no self-interest, no desire for vengeance, no fear other than that of displeasing."
Count of Buffon

What should I do to prepare my dog for his first grooming appointment?
Should I take my dog out before the appointment?
What is a mat?
What can I do at home to keep my dog mat free?
My dog is matted, should I bathe him at home?
What kind of shampoo do you use?
Can I stay and watch as my dog is groomed?
I don’t want my dog shaved, what can be done?
Why don’t you shave double coated dogs?
What do I do if my dog faces another heat wave ?
What styles are available for my dog?
What is the significance of being certified groomers?
Can you treat for fleas and ticks?
Do you have a de-skunking treatment?
How often should my dog be groomed?
What forms of payment to you accept?
Should I tip the groomer?
Do I get a discount if I have two or more dogs?
My dog does not get along with other dogs, can you still groom him?
My dog is aggressive. Will you groom him?
Do you sedate dogs?

What should I do to prepare my dog for his first grooming appointment?

We want to make the experience as fun and stress-free as possible. We recommend a visit to the shop with your dog. Stop by anytime that we are open and let your dog sniff, say hello and and get treats; this will help associate treats and fun to grooming. At the same time you can talk with the groomers and find out what services we can offer your dog; it’s also the easiest way for us to assess the dog and give you a quote.

For puppies, it’s best to start young and make multiple short sessions, rather than one complete appointment. This allows them to get used to the process and handling, since everything related to grooming could be new and “scary.” For the first appointment, many owners have us brush & detangle, clip nails and bathe & dry, waiting until the next appointment for the hair cut etc. back to top

Should I take my dog out before the appointment?

Yes, please take your dog out for a bathroom break before coming into the salon. Accidents do happen, but we would rather avoid them. Besides, we would rather your dog be as comfortable as possible.

If you have time, a nice long walk would be appreciated. That way the dog will be less excited and feel more relaxed while with us. We prefer that you do not take them swimming before coming in since it makes our work more difficult when working on a wet dog. back to top

What is a mat?

A mat is a mass of tangled (often dirty) hair. Many mats form close to the skin and pull and irritate the skin. The skin is often unable to breathe leaving it prone to skin problems such as hot spots and infections that go unnoticed/untreated. back to top

What can I do at home to keep my dog mat free?

Brushing and combing the coat are key components to keeping your dog mat free. Often people “top brush” leaving the fur underneath and close to the skin matted. Using a comb is very effective in “finding” the mats, so you can then brush them out. This is especially important with non-shedding breeds that like to swim. We can always show you the proper technique. Sometimes you don’t have the time to maintain the coat, which is why we offer a Bath & Tidy service for regular customers. back to top

My dog is matted, should I bathe him at home?

No, never bath a matted dog. In fact, we advise you to keep a matted dog from swimming. As the mats dry they become tighter, pulling more on the skin and slowly becoming more painful. If the dog is severely matted, the coat often does not dry completely, causing skin irritations.

If you are going to bathe your dog at home, ensure the dog is mat free by brushing and combing thoroughly and use a shampoo formulated for dogs. back to top

What kind of shampoo do you use?

We use the Nature’s Specialties product line. These products are tearless, completely biodegradable and non-toxic. We have a variety of shampoos and conditioners to suit you and your dogs needs. back to top

Can I stay and watch as my dog is groomed?

In most cases, we don't recommend staying with your dog during grooming. When the owner stays, the dog is more anxious and excitable and thus will move more. This makes our job more difficult and unsafe. We work with sharp scissors and blades and do not want to create a higher risk of cutting ourselves or your dog.

This is especially true when you show up early to check in. The dog gets very excited at the prospect of going home. We will call you when your dog is ready to be picked up. If you would like an update, please call us. If you do show up, please peek in slowly and without speaking. We have a doorbell, so we will know that you have entered, from there we can give you an estimate without distracting your dog. back to top

I don’t want my dog shaved, what can be done?

Clipper blades come in several different lengths and comb attachments provide even more variety. As long as the coat is free of mats there are many options. We do not recommend shaving a dog to its skin, however, if the dog is severely matted, this may be our only option. Its humanity over vanity and shaving to provide relief from pain would be our priority. back to top

Why don’t you shave double coated dogs?

While shaving a single-coat dog is acceptable and may provide some relief, shaving a double-coat dog will actually have the opposite effect, The main concern is sunburn that can lead to skin cancer. Repeated exposure to sun rays stimulates Melanin production in human skin giving use a tanned complexion. Unfortunately, dog's skin cannot tan and Melanin production is used mainly for skin and hair coloration. A limited Melanin production (photo-blocking agent) combined with the shaving/clipping of the protective coats may be the perfect recipe for sunburns, skin cancer and heat exhaustion. The undercoat is the insulator and the topcoat/guard-coat acts as a light diffuser, breaking up the sun's rays as they bear down on the fur.

In addition, clipping/shaving the topcoat can permanently compromise the quality of the re-growth of this layer of fur affecting the dog in both apperance and health. Meanwhile clipping/shaving the undercoat actually stimulates it's growth; leading to more shedding.

In some cases, shaving a double coat can also cause alopecia and the fur can take years to grow back. A properly maintained double-coat dog should have a lustrous and free-floating top-coat without any appearance of bulk. back to top

What do I do if my dog faces another heat wave?

A sensible solution to summer heat is a good de-shedding session by a professional groomer. The topcoat/guard coat is left to protect teh dog from heat and UV radiation while groomers can thin out the dense and often matted undercoat. They can execute a meticulous brush-out that will remove the old hairs from the guard-coat, while breaking apart any mats, thinning and removing excessive undercoat hairs. All this, followed by a warm cleansing shower and professional shampoo, a high velocity drying session executed by a trained technician and the groomer's final trims. A professional pet styling session that will transform any double-coat dog into a cool looking show dog.

In addition, the underbelly area can be clipped or thinned out. This would allow the dog to find a cool surface to lie on and soak up the coolness without the risk of sun exposure, while ensuring that the rest of their body still has its insulation coat and guard-coat. People of the deserts do not walkabout in T-shirts and shorts, they have layered clothing to protect them from the heat/UV-radiation and the cold.

We can ascertain that you will see a big difference, in quantity of shedding in your household and, best of all, your pet will feel cooler. A properly maintained double-coat dog will have an optimal heat/UV-radiation protection, a healthy & mat free undercoat and shinny topcoat. Finally, drying time after a cool summer swim will be greatly shorten while avoiding the onset of unpleasant odors and skin irritations (hot-spots) due to dense and often matted undercoat that can take days to dry out.

Here at Furry Friends Spa & Daycare, we can't control the weather, but we can guarantee that our professional groomers will have your pet(s) looking and feeling good all summer long. We wish all pets lovers a safe summer ! back to top

What styles are available for my dog?

Our team is knowledgeable in all breeds. We can have your dog in show quality grooms in accordance to the AKC and CKC breed standards or modify them slightly to suit, while still keeping the breeds’ signature look.

If you are not a fan of the show trims, we can create a beautiful pet trim to suit you and your dogs’ lifestyle. Our most popular pet trim is the Teddy Bear or Kennel Clip with Teddy Bear head. Many refer to this as a “puppy cut” though technically that term is incorrect. The cut can vary in length but is the same on the body and legs. The head is proportionally longer and shaped in a natural, rounded shape.

If there is something specific you would like done, just ask when you come in. back to top

What is the significance of being certified groomers?

Like any industries there are good and bad businesses. We are not saying that uncertified groomers are bad, however you would never know since certification is not required to open a shop. We are certified through IPG (International Professional Groomers Inc.) Being certified means we have been tested and evaluated by Professional Certifying Officers and have shown to meet a high quality standard within our industry. back to top

Can you treat for fleas and ticks?

Yes, we can treat for both. We will physically remove the ticks and we can apply a flea and tick shampoo, ensuring all pests and eggs are eliminated. An additional fee applies. (see our rate card) back to top

Do you have a de-skunking treatment?

Yes we have a de-skunking treatment. If your dog is skunked, do not bath him since this often spreads the smell to other areas. Try to get an appointment as soon as possible to have the treatment applied. An additional fee applies. (see our rate card) back to top

How often should my dog be groomed?

This really depends on the breed. Often we recommend a dog be groomed every 6 –8 weeks, so we can keep the dog free of mats. Some dogs can go longer between haircuts. Regular brushing/combing maintenance is often necessary if you want to wait longer between appointments. We also offer Bath & Tidy or Deshedding services to regular customers for those in between situations. back to top

Do I have to make an appointment to bring my dog in for grooming?

The only exception is Nail Trimming. You do not require an appointment for this, but calling ahead is best. back to top

How much does it cost to groom my dog?

This is probably the most common question we are asked. We price according to coat condition, breed, size, type of trim, and the temperament of your pet. We can give you a price range, but it is difficult to give an exact amount without seeing your dog. When you arrive with your pet, we can give you a better quote, otherwise, stop in for a visit with your dog and we can assess it at that time. back to top

What forms of payment to you accept?

We accept cash, cheques, debit, Visa and Mastercard. back to top

Should I tip the groomer?

Similar to hairdressers, we provide a service to you and your pet and do appreciate tips. However, if gratuity is not in your budget than a sincere compliment is always welcome. back to top

Do I get a discount if I have two or more dogs?

Furry Friends Spa & Daycare does not offer multiple pet discounts for grooming. It is not as if you are sharing a service and the dogs are only going to get a percentage of our time. The same amount of work goes into each pet and so they are charged accordingly. back to top

My dog does not get along with other dogs, can you still groom him?

Yes, we definitely can. The dogs do not come in contact with one another and are not left loose. On your arrival, peek over the door to ensure there are no other dogs in the reception area before entering. back to top

My dog is aggressive. Will you groom him?

In many cases, we are willing to try. We will muzzle the dog for our safety. If we are unable to control the dog and it would be too high risk for us to continue or we feel the dog will be too stressed for grooming, we will let you know. back to top

Do you sedate dogs?

No, we do not sedate any animals. We use gentle handling and a lot of patience to get your dog to co-operate in the grooming process. If we think your dog would be best served by receiving medication, we will refer you to your veterinarian. back to top

If you have never had your cat professionally groomed before, we invite you to speak with us. Once we see your kitty and discuss your needs, we can offer suitable solutions to whatever issues you and your cat are dealing with. If you have had your cat previously groomed somewhere else, we invite you to give us a try.

Please fill out our client grooming contract at the following link:

https://form.jotform.com/213194851019051

	613-236-4005
	Grooming hours: 9am – 5pm, Tuesday – Sunday 25$ no show fees, 10$ late fees may be applied for grooming services COVID-19 update: Daycare hours limited to 7AM-6PM Tuesday to Friday Closed on Mondays Please wear a mask upon entering the shop Please wait behind gate at entrance for assistance Subject to change without notice – Please call to confirm
	56 Hawthorne Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 0B1

Subject to change without notice – Please call to confirm

Subject to change without notice – Please call to confirm

What we offer at Furry Friends:

Dog Daycare

Cat Boarding

Dog and Cat Grooming

Make your reservations today! Call us now at 613-236-4005.

Dog Grooming

Cat Grooming