Question 1

How much does dog grooming cost at Kay's Groom Room?

Accepted Answer

Prices range from $40 to $150 depending on your dog's size, coat type, and the service you book. A Bath & Refresh starts at $40 for a small smooth-coated dog and tops out at $70. A Full Groom ranges from $65 for a small dog to $150 for an XL Poodle or Doodle, covering bath, blow-dry, breed-appropriate haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, blueberry facial, and bandana. Matted coats carry a +$20 to +$40 add-on fee depending on severity. An honest quote is always given at drop-off once we've assessed your dog's specific coat condition — there are no surprise charges at pickup. Every appointment is one-on-one in a calm, in-home setting in Seagoville, TX.

Question 2

What does a Full Groom include?

Accepted Answer

Our Full Groom is a head-to-paw signature service built around your dog's breed and coat. It includes a warm bath with premium shampoo and conditioner matched to your dog's coat type, a high-velocity blow-out, a breed-appropriate haircut with hand-scissor finish on face and feet, nail trimming, ear cleaning, a soothing blueberry facial, and a bandana or bow to finish. Sessions run 90–180 minutes depending on size and coat condition. Pricing starts at $65 for a small smooth-coated dog and runs up to $150 for an XL Poodle or Doodle. Every appointment is one-on-one with no other dogs present, and we take the time needed to get the finish right rather than rushing to turn over the next dog.

Question 3

What's the difference between a Bath & Refresh and a Full Groom?

Accepted Answer

A Bath & Refresh is bath, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, and ear cleaning — no haircut. It takes 40–65 minutes and runs $40 to $70. It's the right choice when your dog's coat length is still working and you just need a clean-up between full grooms. A Full Groom adds everything in a Bath & Refresh plus a breed-appropriate haircut with hand-scissor finish on face and feet, a blueberry facial, and a bandana. It takes 90–180 minutes and runs $65 to $150. Most dogs need a Full Groom every 4–8 weeks and a Bath & Refresh in between. I'll help you pick the right cadence at drop-off.

Question 4

How long does a grooming appointment take?

Accepted Answer

Appointment length depends on the service and your dog's size and coat. A Bath & Refresh runs 40–65 minutes. A Full Groom on a smooth-coated small dog runs about 90 minutes; a large curly-coated breed like a Goldendoodle or Standard Poodle takes 2 to 3 hours because line-brushing, fluff-drying on a stand dryer, and hand-scissor finishing all take real time. Matted coats add time because we need to work carefully to protect the skin. I'll give you a realistic pickup window at drop-off rather than a generic estimate — every dog is different, and I'd rather quote honestly than rush the finish to meet a promised time.

Question 5

How often should I groom my dog?

Accepted Answer

Cadence depends almost entirely on coat type. Curly and poodle-type coats (Goldendoodle, Poodle, Bichon, Maltipoo, Bernedoodle) need a full groom every 3–6 weeks — the coat grows continuously and mats against itself if skipped. Double-coated breeds (Pomeranian, Husky, Golden) need a de-shed every 6–8 weeks, with extra appointments in spring and fall blow-out seasons. Smooth and silky coats (Yorkie, Maltese, Cavalier) can stretch to every 6–8 weeks. Wire coats (Schnauzer, Terriers) are every 5–8 weeks. If you're not sure, I'll tell you at your first appointment based on your specific dog's coat — and I'll tell you honestly if you're coming in too often or not often enough.

Question 6

Do you accept walk-ins?

Accepted Answer

No, Kay's Groom Room is by appointment only. This is the core design of the studio, not a policy quirk — one-on-one appointments mean no other dogs in the space during your groom, no barking in the background, and no rushing to clear the table for the next dog. Walk-ins would break that entire model. Book online through our booking system or call (214) 235-5944. We can often accommodate short-notice requests when there's a cancellation, especially for regulars, so it's worth asking if you need same-day. Booking a few weeks ahead is the reliable way to lock in the time slot you want.

Question 7

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways to book: online through our booking system at kaysgroomroom.com (24/7, shows real-time availability) or by calling (214) 235-5944 during business hours. The online system is usually faster, and it automatically blocks out the right amount of time based on your dog's size and the service you pick. First-time clients are welcome to call instead if you'd rather walk through the options with me before booking — especially for anxious dogs, matted coats, or creative grooming where the plan matters. Either way, booking is fast and you'll get a confirmation with the date, time, and what to bring.

Question 8

What should I bring to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Just your dog and a leash. Everything else — shampoo, conditioner, tools, treats — is on hand at the studio. The exceptions are vet-prescribed medicated shampoos (bring them and I'll use them exactly as directed) and a favorite calming item like a blanket or chew toy for anxious dogs on their first visit. Please don't feed a big meal right before the appointment; a small breakfast or snack is fine, but a full stomach plus a grooming table can lead to an uncomfortable dog. A potty break within 30 minutes of drop-off is also helpful. Flag any skin issues, flea concerns, or sore spots at drop-off so I know what to watch for.

Question 9

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Please cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Last-minute cancellations (under 24 hours) require full payment for the booked groom plus a $20 late-cancellation fee. This isn't about being strict — it's that a one-on-one studio can't fill a same-day cancellation, so a missed appointment is a real loss that I can't absorb. Emergencies happen and I'll always try to work with you on genuine last-minute situations, but please call as soon as you know you can't make it. No-shows are treated the same as last-minute cancellations. Consistent no-shows may require a deposit to book future appointments.

Question 10

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash (preferred), Venmo, Cash App, and Apple Pay. Cash is preferred for same-day turnover and to keep processing fees low, but any of the four works. Payment is due at pickup, not at booking — no upfront deposit required for standard appointments. If you're booking multiple dogs, you can pay for all of them at once at pickup. I don't accept checks or personal credit cards at this time. Tips are always appreciated but never expected; if you want to tip, cash or Venmo is the simplest way.

Question 11

What if my dog is anxious, fearful, or has special needs?

Accepted Answer

Anxious and fearful dogs are one of the main reasons Kay's Groom Room is set up the way it is. Every appointment is one-on-one in an in-home studio — no other dogs in the space, no loud salon noise, and no rushing. I use gentle handling, take breaks on the table whenever your dog needs one, and can split a groom across two shorter sessions if a single appointment is too much. There's no anxiety surcharge by default; the price matches the standard service price. I don't sedate — if anxiety is severe, I'll coordinate with your vet on a calming plan. Most dogs show real behavioral progress by visit three or four, and consistency is the single biggest factor.

Question 12

Do you handle matted or pelted dogs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, matted dog grooming is one of our specialties and there is zero judgment at drop-off. I do an honest mat assessment and tell you exactly what's humane for your dog's skin today. Light matting we work through carefully by hand. Moderate to severe matting (pelted to the skin) requires a shave-down — mats pull the skin constantly, trap moisture, and often hide sores underneath, so clipping is the only humane option. Matting fees are +$20 for light, +$30 moderate, +$40 severe, on top of the standard Full Groom price. The coat rebuilds over the next 2–3 grooms as long as we stay on schedule, and the dog is visibly more comfortable within hours.

Question 13

What age can a puppy be groomed?

Accepted Answer

Ideally after the second round of vaccinations — usually 12 to 16 weeks. Earlier is OK for a bath-only introduction if your puppy is in a fully-vaccinated home and hasn't been to public places. The first visit is deliberately low-pressure: 30 to 60 minutes focused on positive exposure to clipper sounds, dryer noise, brushing, a bath, and a light trim. The goal is a confident puppy who thinks grooming is fun, not a perfect show-ring cut at 14 weeks — a scary first groom causes years of anxiety, and that's not a trade worth making. Full breed-appropriate cuts typically start by visit three. Practicing paw-touching, ear-lifting, and brushing at home from 8 weeks on is the single biggest predictor of an easy first groom.

Question 14

Do you groom cats?

Accepted Answer

Kay's Groom Room is a dog-grooming studio — cats are not a regular service. We occasionally do one-off cat grooms for existing clients with specific needs, but we don't take new cat clients on the standard booking path. If you need a cat groomer, the Dallas and Mesquite areas have several specialists who focus on cats exclusively, which is genuinely better for cats than a dog-first space. Call (214) 235-5944 if you have a specific situation and we'll either help or refer you. For dogs of every breed, size, coat type, and temperament — including anxious, matted, senior, and puppy — we're exactly the right fit.

Question 15

Do you offer mobile grooming?

Accepted Answer

No — every appointment happens at our dedicated in-home studio at 2899 Castlebend Dr in Seagoville, TX. Mobile grooming is a different business model entirely, and it can't deliver what the studio delivers: a quiet, controlled environment with no other dogs, proper stand dryers and professional tools, and the time to do skilled scissor work without a generator running. Clients drive to us from across southeast DFW — Mesquite, Balch Springs, Kaufman, Crandall, Combine, Hutchins, Wilmer, Forney, Sunnyvale, Lancaster, and southeast Dallas. For most of those cities, the drive is 10 to 25 minutes and easier than fighting traffic to a busier salon closer to home.

Question 16

Can I stay with my dog during the groom?

Accepted Answer

For the first visit or two, yes — many anxious dogs settle faster if their owner is present for the initial introduction. By the third or fourth appointment, most dogs actually prefer you not being there; a calm routine without the anticipation of owner-reunion is more settling. I'll tell you honestly when the balance shifts. For standard appointments with confident dogs, a quick drop-off works best — it keeps the space quiet for every dog on the day's schedule. If you have a specific reason to stay (medical observation, very severe anxiety, etc.), tell me at booking and we'll plan for it.

Question 17

What shampoo and products do you use?

Accepted Answer

We use premium professional-grade shampoos and conditioners matched to each dog's specific coat type and skin needs — whitening shampoo for white coats, conditioning formulas for silky coats, de-shed shampoo for double-coated breeds, hypoallergenic and oatmeal options for sensitive skin. For medicated baths, I'll use your dog's vet-prescribed shampoo exactly as directed (bring it with you and flag it at drop-off). All creative grooming products are pet-safe, non-toxic, and designed specifically for dogs — never human hair dye. If your dog has a known allergy or product sensitivity, tell me at booking and we'll pick a product that avoids the trigger.

Question 18

Do I need to bathe my dog before the appointment?

Accepted Answer

No, a pre-appointment bath is never required and is often counterproductive — home bathing can push loose coat into mats before you get to the studio, and it wastes your time and money for a service we're about to do properly. What does help: a good brush at home the night before if you're able (it cuts session time for curly coats), a short walk or potty break within 30 minutes of drop-off, and skipping the big meal right before arrival. Mention any skin issues, flea concerns, or sore spots at drop-off so I know what to look for during the bath. Otherwise, just bring your dog as-is.

Question 19

What cities do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Our core service area covers Seagoville, Mesquite, Balch Springs, Kaufman, Crandall, Combine, Hutchins, Wilmer, Forney, Sunnyvale, Lancaster, and southeast Dallas — including the Pleasant Grove, Buckner Terrace, Pleasant Woods, and Piedmont neighborhoods. The studio is at 2899 Castlebend Dr in Seagoville, and most of those cities are a 10 to 26 minute drive. Clients from outside that list are welcome too — we just don't maintain dedicated city pages for them. If you're wondering whether the drive is realistic from your area, call (214) 235-5944 and we'll give you an honest estimate based on your specific starting point.

Question 20

What breeds do you specialize in?

Accepted Answer

We groom every breed and mix — small, medium, large, every coat type. That said, the breeds we see most often and have the deepest dedicated grooming guides for are: Goldendoodle, Poodle (all sizes), Bichon Frise, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltipoo, Cockapoo, Schnauzer, Bernedoodle, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Havanese. Curly-coat breeds (doodles, poodles, bichons) are especially well-suited to the studio setup because their grooms need stand dryers and skilled scissor work — exactly what a big-box salon often rushes through. Rescue dogs and mixed breeds are genuinely welcome; I'll assess the specific coat and recommend a schedule based on what your dog actually has, not a label on paperwork.

Question 21

What makes Kay's Groom Room different from a big salon?

Accepted Answer

Three things: the environment, the pace, and the attention. The environment is a quiet one-on-one in-home studio, not a chain salon with ten dogs in crates and clippers running non-stop. The pace is driven by your dog's comfort — I take breaks when needed, split sessions if one appointment is too much, and refuse to rush a skilled scissor finish to meet an arbitrary turnover target. The attention is from one person who actually knows your dog's coat history, temperament, and preferences, not a rotating cast of groomers who each see your dog once. None of this costs extra; it's the standard setup, not a premium tier. The trade-off is booking by appointment only — but that's the whole point.

Question 22

Where is Kay's Groom Room located?

Accepted Answer

Kay's Groom Room is located at 2899 Castlebend Dr, Seagoville, TX 75159 — a quiet residential studio rather than a commercial salon. We serve the greater southeast DFW area including Mesquite, Balch Springs, Kaufman, Crandall, Combine, Hutchins, Wilmer, Forney, Sunnyvale, Lancaster, and southeast Dallas (Pleasant Grove, Buckner Terrace). Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 10 am to 7 pm; closed Sunday. Parking is easy in front of the studio and drop-off is quick. Call (214) 235-5944 if you need directions or have questions about the drive from your city.

Shih Tzu Grooming

Recommended cuts

Common issues we watch for

What a typical Shih Tzu session looks like

At-home routine between grooms

Shih Tzus we've groomed

Related coat & specialty guides

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Other breeds we specialize in

Shih Tzu grooming — FAQs

Should I keep my Shih Tzu's coat long or short?

Is a top-knot worth it on a Shih Tzu?

My Shih Tzu has a flat face — is grooming harder for them?

How often should a Shih Tzu be groomed?

Can you trim just the face between full grooms?

Book your Shih Tzu's next groom