Frequently Asked Questions
General
Who’s behind Bow Wows Dublin?
Bow Wows Dublin was founded by Brendan Reid following a career change that began with caring for local dogs — and one particularly important puppy called Winnie.
After a disappointing first grooming experience with Winnie highlighted how important communication, trust and individual care really are, Brendan went on to train professionally in dog grooming.
That experience continues to shape the Bow Wows approach today:
Understand the individual animal. Communicate honestly. And put welfare first.
After a disappointing first grooming experience with Winnie highlighted how important communication, trust and individual care really are, Brendan went on to train professionally in dog grooming.
That experience continues to shape the Bow Wows approach today:
Understand the individual animal. Communicate honestly. And put welfare first.
Are you qualified?
Yes. Brendan holds an OCNNI Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming & Salon Management and has completed professional practical grooming training.
Continued learning is an important part of Bow Wows, with ongoing development in grooming techniques, coat care, handling and canine welfare.
Continued learning is an important part of Bow Wows, with ongoing development in grooming techniques, coat care, handling and canine welfare.
Are you insured?
Yes. Bow Wows Dublin is fully insured for the services we provide.
Where are you based?
Bow Wows Dublin is based in Dublin 8, with our one-to-one grooming experiences personally provided by Brendan from his private, home-based grooming space.
Our Premium Pet Care services are available across selected areas of Dublin, depending on the service and availability.
Not sure if we cover your area? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to check.
Our Premium Pet Care services are available across selected areas of Dublin, depending on the service and availability.
Not sure if we cover your area? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to check.
Do you only care for dogs?
Dog grooming is at the heart of Bow Wows Dublin, but our care doesn't stop at the grooming table.
Selected Premium Pet Care services are also available for cats and other suitable pets, particularly our Drop-In Visits, Pet Sitting, Stay-at-Home Experience and Private Chauffeur.
Individual service eligibility will always depend on suitability and availability.
Selected Premium Pet Care services are also available for cats and other suitable pets, particularly our Drop-In Visits, Pet Sitting, Stay-at-Home Experience and Private Chauffeur.
Individual service eligibility will always depend on suitability and availability.
Dog Grooming
What makes Bow Wows grooming different?
Our grooming experience is intentionally private, home-based and one-to-one.
Rather than placing dogs into a busy salon environment, we work with one dog at a time, with their experience shaped around their coat, personality, grooming history, comfort and individual needs.
Individual care. Professional judgement. No unnecessary rushing.
We combine professional grooming with honest advice and considered handling.
One Dog. One Groomer. No Rushing.
Rather than placing dogs into a busy salon environment, we work with one dog at a time, with their experience shaped around their coat, personality, grooming history, comfort and individual needs.
Individual care. Professional judgement. No unnecessary rushing.
We combine professional grooming with honest advice and considered handling.
One Dog. One Groomer. No Rushing.
What size dogs do you groom?
We specialise in small to medium dogs.
Our private, home-based grooming model is intentionally designed around dogs within this size range, allowing us to provide the individual attention and considered approach Bow Wows is built around.
If you’re unsure whether your dog is suitable, get in touch before booking and we’ll guide you.
Our private, home-based grooming model is intentionally designed around dogs within this size range, allowing us to provide the individual attention and considered approach Bow Wows is built around.
If you’re unsure whether your dog is suitable, get in touch before booking and we’ll guide you.
Do you groom all breeds?
We work with a wide variety of small and medium breeds and coat types, but not every service is suitable for every dog.
Breed alone doesn't determine suitability. Size, coat, condition, behaviour, health considerations and the type of grooming required may all be taken into account.
If you're unsure, contact us before booking and we'll guide you.
Breed alone doesn't determine suitability. Size, coat, condition, behaviour, health considerations and the type of grooming required may all be taken into account.
If you're unsure, contact us before booking and we'll guide you.
How often should my dog be groomed?
It depends on their coat, lifestyle and the style you'd like to maintain.
Many higher-maintenance coats benefit from professional grooming approximately every 4–8 weeks, while other coat types may require a different schedule.
Rather than giving every dog the same recommendation, we'll advise you on an appropriate maintenance schedule based on the individual dog.
Many higher-maintenance coats benefit from professional grooming approximately every 4–8 weeks, while other coat types may require a different schedule.
Rather than giving every dog the same recommendation, we'll advise you on an appropriate maintenance schedule based on the individual dog.
What's the difference between The Signature Experience™ and The Fresh Edit™?
The Signature Experience™ is our complete professional grooming experience and includes bespoke haircutting and styling where appropriate.
The Fresh Edit™ is designed for dogs who need professional bathing, conditioning, drying and coat maintenance without a full haircut or restyle.
If you're unsure which to choose, we'll be happy to guide you.
The Fresh Edit™ is designed for dogs who need professional bathing, conditioning, drying and coat maintenance without a full haircut or restyle.
If you're unsure which to choose, we'll be happy to guide you.
Can you groom nervous or sensitive dogs?
Potentially, yes.
Our quieter, one-to-one approach can be particularly helpful for dogs who find busy grooming environments overwhelming or who benefit from additional patience and familiarity.
However, every dog is assessed individually. We cannot guarantee completion of a groom if continuing would compromise the dog's welfare or the safety of the dog or groomer.
Our quieter, one-to-one approach can be particularly helpful for dogs who find busy grooming environments overwhelming or who benefit from additional patience and familiarity.
However, every dog is assessed individually. We cannot guarantee completion of a groom if continuing would compromise the dog's welfare or the safety of the dog or groomer.
What about reactive or aggressive dogs?
Please tell us about any known behavioural concerns before booking, including previous biting, snapping, severe reactivity or difficulty with particular grooming procedures.
We assess suitability individually and will never knowingly put a dog, groomer or other person at unnecessary risk.
Our welfare-first approach does not mean forcing a dog through a groom that they cannot safely tolerate.
We assess suitability individually and will never knowingly put a dog, groomer or other person at unnecessary risk.
Our welfare-first approach does not mean forcing a dog through a groom that they cannot safely tolerate.
My dog has had a bad grooming experience. Can you help?
This is something we understand particularly well — it's part of the reason Bow Wows exists.
We focus on patience, communication, consistency and understanding the dog in front of us.
We cannot promise that every previous fear or sensitivity will disappear, but we can provide a more considered approach and build familiarity over time where appropriate.
We focus on patience, communication, consistency and understanding the dog in front of us.
We cannot promise that every previous fear or sensitivity will disappear, but we can provide a more considered approach and build familiarity over time where appropriate.
Can I stay while my dog is being groomed?
Generally, grooming appointments are carried out privately between your dog and their groomer.
Owners remaining present can sometimes make it more difficult for a dog to settle or safely cooperate with grooming.
If there's a particular reason you believe your dog requires you to remain, please discuss it with us beforehand.
Owners remaining present can sometimes make it more difficult for a dog to settle or safely cooperate with grooming.
If there's a particular reason you believe your dog requires you to remain, please discuss it with us beforehand.
How long will my dog's groom take?
There is no single appointment time that applies to every dog.
Timing depends on coat type and condition, service required, size, behaviour and how much time your dog needs throughout the appointment.
We'll provide guidance where possible, but we don't rush a dog simply to meet an arbitrary finishing time.
Timing depends on coat type and condition, service required, size, behaviour and how much time your dog needs throughout the appointment.
We'll provide guidance where possible, but we don't rush a dog simply to meet an arbitrary finishing time.
What happens if my dog is matted?
Your Signature Experience includes up to 10 minutes of complimentary dematting where this can be completed safely and comfortably.
More significant matting requiring additional coat work may incur an additional charge.
Where attempting to save a matted coat would cause unnecessary discomfort, we may recommend clipping to an appropriate length instead.
Welfare comes before preserving a particular hairstyle.
More significant matting requiring additional coat work may incur an additional charge.
Where attempting to save a matted coat would cause unnecessary discomfort, we may recommend clipping to an appropriate length instead.
Welfare comes before preserving a particular hairstyle.
Hand Stripping
Do you offer hand stripping?
Yes. Bow Wows offers specialist hand stripping for suitable wire-coated dogs.
Hand stripping removes suitable dead, ready-to-release coat by hand, helping maintain the natural texture, colour and character of an appropriate wire coat.
Hand stripping removes suitable dead, ready-to-release coat by hand, helping maintain the natural texture, colour and character of an appropriate wire coat.
Is every wire-coated dog suitable for hand stripping?
No.
Coat type, previous clipping, coat condition, growth cycle, grooming history and the individual dog's tolerance can all affect suitability.
That's why dogs new to our hand-stripping service may need to begin with a Hand Stripping Consultation.
Coat type, previous clipping, coat condition, growth cycle, grooming history and the individual dog's tolerance can all affect suitability.
That's why dogs new to our hand-stripping service may need to begin with a Hand Stripping Consultation.
How often does hand stripping need to be done?
Beautifully maintained wire coats are built through consistency.
Our Hand Stripping Maintenance service is intended for suitable dogs already established on a regular schedule, typically around every four weeks, depending on the individual coat.
We'll recommend the appropriate schedule following assessment.
Our Hand Stripping Maintenance service is intended for suitable dogs already established on a regular schedule, typically around every four weeks, depending on the individual coat.
We'll recommend the appropriate schedule following assessment.
Bookings & Payments
How do I book?
Our services can be requested through the Bow Wows online booking system.
Select the experience you need, provide the requested information and choose your preferred availability.
Some bookings remain subject to review, suitability and availability before they're confirmed.
Not sure which service to book?
Book a complimentary Bow Wows Discovery Call. We'll discuss your pet, their personality, routine and relevant grooming or care needs, answer your questions and guide you towards the most appropriate Bow Wows experience.
Select the experience you need, provide the requested information and choose your preferred availability.
Some bookings remain subject to review, suitability and availability before they're confirmed.
Not sure which service to book?
Book a complimentary Bow Wows Discovery Call. We'll discuss your pet, their personality, routine and relevant grooming or care needs, answer your questions and guide you towards the most appropriate Bow Wows experience.
Do you take deposits or booking payments?
Yes. Payment requirements vary depending on the experience being booked.
Some services require payment at booking, while longer stays or other services may require a booking payment followed by the remaining balance.
The applicable payment terms will be shown or confirmed before your booking is secured.
Some services require payment at booking, while longer stays or other services may require a booking payment followed by the remaining balance.
The applicable payment terms will be shown or confirmed before your booking is secured.
How do I pay?
Available payment methods are provided during the booking process.
Any required booking payment or balance must be paid in accordance with the terms applicable to the service you've booked.
Any required booking payment or balance must be paid in accordance with the terms applicable to the service you've booked.
Do you offer multi-pet discounts?
We don't apply an automatic multi-pet discount across all services.
Additional-pet pricing varies depending on the service, time and care required. Where an additional-pet rate applies, it will be shown within the relevant service information or confirmed before booking.
Additional-pet pricing varies depending on the service, time and care required. Where an additional-pet rate applies, it will be shown within the relevant service information or confirmed before booking.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as possible, particularly for grooming appointments, home boarding, overnight care and peak travel periods.
Bow Wows intentionally operates with limited capacity so we can maintain the individual level of care our services are built around.
Regular grooming clients are encouraged to maintain their recommended schedule rather than waiting until their next appointment is urgently needed.
Bow Wows intentionally operates with limited capacity so we can maintain the individual level of care our services are built around.
Regular grooming clients are encouraged to maintain their recommended schedule rather than waiting until their next appointment is urgently needed.
Can I rebook my dog's next groom at collection?
Absolutely — and we encourage it.
Maintaining a regular grooming schedule helps keep your dog's coat manageable and gives us the opportunity to build familiarity and consistency from one appointment to the next.
We'll recommend when we'd like to see your dog again based on their coat and individual needs.
Maintaining a regular grooming schedule helps keep your dog's coat manageable and gives us the opportunity to build familiarity and consistency from one appointment to the next.
We'll recommend when we'd like to see your dog again based on their coat and individual needs.
What if I'm running late?
Please let us know as soon as possible.
Late arrivals or collections can affect other appointments and the operation of our one-to-one schedule. Depending on the length of the delay and the service booked, additional charges may apply or the appointment may need to be changed.
Please refer to the applicable booking terms for full details.
Late arrivals or collections can affect other appointments and the operation of our one-to-one schedule. Depending on the length of the delay and the service booked, additional charges may apply or the appointment may need to be changed.
Please refer to the applicable booking terms for full details.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation terms vary by service because reserving a one-hour walk is very different from holding several days of home boarding exclusively for one dog.
The cancellation terms applicable to your experience are provided during booking and form part of your agreement with Bow Wows Dublin.
Please give us as much notice as possible if your plans change.
The cancellation terms applicable to your experience are provided during booking and form part of your agreement with Bow Wows Dublin.
Please give us as much notice as possible if your plans change.
What happens if I don't show up?
No-shows significantly affect a small, appointment-based business because that time has been reserved specifically for your pet.
No-shows and very late cancellations are therefore subject to the applicable service terms and may result in the loss of payments made or affect our ability to accept future bookings.
No-shows and very late cancellations are therefore subject to the applicable service terms and may result in the loss of payments made or affect our ability to accept future bookings.
General Terms
Terms & Service Policies
All Bow Wows services are provided subject to our Terms & Conditions, individual service policies, suitability requirements and availability.
By booking, you agree to provide complete and accurate information about your pet's health, behaviour, routine and any other information relevant to their care.
Our professional judgement and the welfare of the animals in our care guide the decisions we make.
If we believe a service cannot be provided safely, comfortably or appropriately, we reserve the right to adapt, stop or decline it in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.
By booking, you agree to provide complete and accurate information about your pet's health, behaviour, routine and any other information relevant to their care.
Our professional judgement and the welfare of the animals in our care guide the decisions we make.
If we believe a service cannot be provided safely, comfortably or appropriately, we reserve the right to adapt, stop or decline it in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.
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