As your groomer, we are now a partner in maintaining your pet’s coat. We’re here to help you keep your pet’s coat in great shape! Below, you’ll find tips, tricks, and advice to ensure you leave happy with your grooming experience. For more details on our process, visit our FAQs page and check out the “Grooming” tab.

How to Communicate Your Grooming Preferences

• Terms like “short,” “puppy cut,” or “trim” can mean different things to different people. Be specific about how much length you’d like left on each area of your pet’s body — for example, “an inch on the body and two inches on the head.”
• The longest comb attachment leaves about 1.5 inches of coat. If that feels too short, consider a mini groom (trimming around the eyes and paws) or a bath and brush-out without cutting any length.
• Be ready to describe how you’d like the ears, tail, face, feet, and body to look. Photos are very helpful, especially if they feature your dog or the same breed. Keep in mind that differences in coat texture can affect the final look, so comparisons across breeds (or even between dogs of the same breed) may not be exact.

ALC Policies

Entering and Exiting

Our salon is in a busy part of Brooklyn with limited space, so we kindly ask:

❥ Enter one at a time with your dog on a leash. Cats must be in carriers.
❥ Please wait patiently if we’re assisting another customer—we’ll be with you shortly. Avoid ringing the bell or knocking on the glass, as it can upset the dogs inside.
❥ If you’re driving, parking meters are available along Court St. We recommend parking before W. 9th St., as traffic tends to get congested closer to the highway.

Pets that Arrive Matted

If your pet’s coat is matted, we’ll need to take extra steps to ensure their comfort and safety. Severe matting often requires shaving the coat, as brushing it out can be painful for your pet. While we’ll do our best to preserve length where possible, their well-being is our top priority. At ALC, we do not de-mat body-wide matting, as it can be painful for your pet. We prioritize humanity over vanity. If your pet’s coat requires shaving due to matting, we’ll inform you and ask you to sign our matted coat release form. This form explains potential skin conditions hidden beneath the mats and releases us from liability.

If you choose not to allow us to shave your pet or decline to sign the release, a same-day cancellation fee will apply. Please note that de-matting and shave-down fees are charged due to the extra time, safety measures, and wear on our equipment these services require.

Please make every effort to arrive on time for your appointment, as late arrivals can disrupt the groomer’s schedule. If you expect to be late, notify us as soon as possible. If you’re 15 minutes late, we’ll call to confirm you’re on your way.

A late fee of $5 will apply for pets arriving 10 minutes late, with an additional $5 for every 10 minutes after that. At the groomer’s discretion, appointments more than 15 minutes late may be refused. Please note that late arrivals may also result in longer wait times, as the groomer may need to begin another appointment first.

Cancellations & No Shows

If you need to cancel or reschedule your grooming appointment, we require at least 24 hours’ notice. You can easily respond to our reminder emails or text messages to reschedule.

Missed or late-notice cancellations leave our groomers unable to fill their schedules, resulting in lost income for them and the business. While we understand that unexpected situations can arise, please notify us as soon as possible.

A $50 same-day cancellation fee will apply for cancellations made without sufficient notice. For no-shows without any contact, the full cost of the groom will be charged to your account, and payment will be required before booking future appointments.

Let Us Know About Your Unique Pet

Every groom includes ear cleaning and plucking, nail trimming, and, for long-haired pets, paw pad trimming and sanitary shaving. If you’d prefer to skip any of these services—perhaps due to skin sensitivities or health concerns—please let us know in advance. For example, if your pet has an ear infection, you might want to skip ear plucking, or if they’re sensitive, you may not want the private area shaved.

If your pet has warts, skin tags, or other bumps that could be nicked by clippers, please inform us so we can avoid them. Also, let us know if your pet is sensitive in any specific areas.

Senior dogs or those with certain medical conditions may not be ideal candidates for grooming in a busy environment. If your dog has difficulty standing or being handled for extended periods, please consider this before booking. We can recommend a home groomer if needed (though we do not offer this service).

Please inform us if your pet has a history of biting, aggression, or behavioral issues. While we will attempt to groom all pets, we may not be able to complete the grooming if your pet poses a risk to themselves or our staff. For safety reasons, we reserve the right to muzzle any dog. Extremely aggressive pets will not be groomed, and we will never sedate your pet.

Many Factors Affect the Final Price of a Groom

The cost of your pet’s grooming depends on their current condition and how much time it takes to complete the service. If your pet has a thicker coat, has gained weight, or has behavioral changes that require extra care, these factors will impact the final price.

De-matting, neglected coat shave-downs, and difficult behavior fees may apply. There’s also an additional charge if your pet needs to be re-washed during the groom—please make sure your pet has time to use the bathroom before their appointment!

Learn more about why we charge what we do at ALC.

Tips to Keep a Lush Coat

AVOID:

❥Bathing your dog at home 
❥Allowing your dog to swim or get wet frequently
❥Using harnesses that cover areas of the coat for long periods

DO:

❥Let your dog go “naked” at home (no collars or harnesses that can rub and cause matting on the neck and chest)
❥Brush daily, reaching the skin (see our brushing guide below!)
❥Dry your dog if they get wet and brush out—don’t let them air dry!
❥Use the right grooming equipment for your pet’s coat 


A Few Words on Matting…

As groomers, we help maintain your dog’s coat, but it’s up to you to brush and care for it between appointments to achieve the look you want. Long hair mats easily, especially when wet. Over time, hardened mats at the skin can trap bacteria, cause irritation, and lead to infections. In these cases, we may need to shave your dog to remove the mats safely.

If we’re able to de-mat (gently separating the knots), it may leave uneven or even bald spots on the coat. Regular brushing is essential to prevent matting and keep your pet’s coat healthy.

Essential Tools:
Make sure you have the right equipment:

• A slicker brush with metal pins appropriate for your dog’s size
• A dematting brush for knots
• A comb for checking your work

All of these are available for purchase in our Spaw, or here are a few products on Amazon we like: slicker, dematting brush, comb

Layered brushing is a simple method to keep your dog’s coat matt-free. Start by holding the hair at the top of the coat and brushing the base coat (the hair closest to the skin) first. Use a slicker brush to brush underneath your hand. After brushing, check for matting with a comb. If you find a tangle, switch back to the slicker brush or use a dematting comb to gently work through the knot, then comb again. Move your hand up slightly to release more hair and repeat until the area is completely brushed and combed through.

Focus on high-friction areas like the ears, tail, chest, neck, legs, feet, armpits, and anywhere a harness sits. These areas are more prone to matting and should be checked and brushed frequently.

Maintenance Schedule

Long-haired pups require more regular care. Our groomers are happy to help you set up a brush-out schedule at ALC every week to two weeks to maintain a longer style. This service focuses on brushing, with no bathing or extras, and is much more affordable than a full groom, especially when the coat is kept in good condition with regular maintenance.

For all long-haired dogs, we recommend scheduling a full grooming with a body haircut every six weeks, along with a brush-out every one to two weeks. If you’re brushing consistently at home, you can opt for a mini grooming (which includes cleanup around the eyes and paws) or a bath and brush-out every three weeks instead of the full brush-out.

When a Curly Pup Walks Into the Groomer…

Keep in mind that dogs with curly coats may temporarily appear “straight” after grooming. This is part of the brushing process to remove matting, and it’s only temporary. Your dog’s bouncy curls will return in a few days, so there’s no need to worry!

Curly coats take extra time to perfect! While your dog is being groomed, please allow us the time and space to work without interruptions. Frequent check-ins or calling can make it harder for us to focus, as your dog may get anxious if they see or hear you. We’ll communicate any important details with you, but trust us to take care of the grooming process.

Puppy owners: Keep in mind that a puppy’s coat will change as they grow. Their hair will be easier to brush and maintain during this stage, making it a great time to get them accustomed to the grooming process. This helps prevent fear or aggression later on. As your dog grows into their adult coat, it becomes thicker, curlier, and harder to manage, which is often when matting begins.

We love fluffy pups and want to help you get a look you love! Any questions, do not hesitate. 


Love,
The ALC Spaw staff

Here is the ALC difference:

1. We are a boutique, women-owned small business. We are not a franchise; we have one location and a manager is always overseeing and assisting employees. All of our clients have direct concierge level service with the business owner, Adrienne, and are able to directly contact her 24-7 if any issues arise. Our team as a whole is swift to answer questions, schedule appointments, send vaccine and other reminders, and generally provide awesome customer service. We love what we do; many ALC staff members have studied animal behavior extensively, and all are passionate about providing excellent care.

2. We believe in fair and competitive pay for all of our staff. We hire the absolute best in the business, and their pay is commensurate with that experience. All of our groomers are paid a commission rate of 45 to 55% for every groom they complete and we buy high-quality products to achieve optimal results, which are automatically included with every groom. With the expense of renting space in NYC, utilities, and equipment added, each individual transaction leaves only so much for the business to operate. This is why gratuity is expected in grooming salons, to supplement the compensation we are able to provide.

3. We cover continuing education costs for ALC staff so that they continue to learn, grow, and improve. Like all professionals in any respected line of employment, continuing education is a must for groomers to stay at the top of their game. We also have several CPR-certified staff members to ensure that your pets are in the most capable hands while in our care.

4. We provide a unique experience for your pets in that there is no crating or waiting in cages. We allow dogs to roam, play, and get bathroom breaks in our yard as needed. This requires extra eyes from trained employees.

We hope this information is helpful in making your decision about your pet’s grooming experience. We are always here to answer any questions you may have about the grooming process, our stylists and why ALC is truly a wonderful experience from your initial phone call to picking up your gorgeous and happy pet at the end of their groom.