Hot Dog Grooming – Full Service Agreement

At Hot Dog Grooming LLC, your pup’s safety, comfort, and well-being are my top priorities. To ensure a smooth, stress-free experience for both pups and owners, I have established the following service agreement and grooming policies.

These policies outline important information regarding scheduling, payment, cancellations, behavior expectations, health requirements, and safety procedures. By booking or accepting grooming services with Hot Dog Grooming LLC, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined below.

I appreciate your understanding and cooperation, which allows me to provide the highest level of care in my mobile grooming salon.

Hot Dog Grooming LLC reserves the right to refuse, stop, or modify services at any time if a pup is overly stressed, aggressive, unsafe to groom, ill, or has fleas or ticks. The owner is responsible for ensuring their pup is healthy and parasite-free prior to each appointment.

All clients must agree to this Service Agreement prior to receiving services.

1. Communication

a. Feedback
If you are unhappy with your service, please notify Hot Dog Grooming LLC within 24 hours of your appointment. While perfection cannot be guaranteed when working with animals, reasonable concerns will be reviewed and addressed at my discretion.

b. Contact Method
Text messaging is the preferred and primary form of communication. Phone calls may not be answered while grooming. Please do not knock on the mobile unit, as this may startle pups and pose a safety risk while sharp tools are in use.

2. Pup Temperament & Behavior

Aggressive, biting, or highly stressed pups may be refused service or have grooming discontinued for safety reasons.

  • If 50% or more of the groom is completed, the full grooming price will be charged.

  • If grooming cannot be completed due to behavior, a $75 handling fee will apply to cover time and travel.

Hot Dog Grooming LLC does not sedate pups.

3. Grooming Procedures

a. Optional Services
Ear plucking and external anal gland expression are not performed automatically. If requested, you acknowledge that Hot Dog Grooming LLC is not liable for any side effects or complications resulting from these procedures.

4. Health & Vaccination Requirements

Rabies vaccination must be current as required by law. Proof of vaccination, yearly titer, or veterinary medical waiver must be on file.

If a groomer is injured by your pup, vaccination records may be required to comply with state-mandated rabies protocols, including possible quarantine.

5. Pricing & Payment Policy

a. Pricing

  • All prices are starting prices and non-negotiable.

  • Final pricing is determined by size, coat condition, behavior, grooming frequency, and time required.

  • Additional charges may apply for severely matted coats, overdue grooms, or behavioral challenges.

  • Hot Dog Grooming LLC reserves the right to update pricing at any time. Current pricing applies at the time of service.

b. Payment Methods & Card on File Authorization

  • Payment is due at the time of service. Accepted methods include cash, check, credit card, debit card, and card on file.

c. Mandatory Card on File

  • All clients, including existing clients, are required to provide a valid credit or debit card to be securely stored on file.

  • This card may be charged for:

    • Grooming services rendered

    • Late payments or unpaid balances

    • Cancellation or no-show fees

    • Additional charges incurred during or related to the appointment

  • Even if your account has a history of on-time payments, services cannot be provided without a card on file. By continuing to book appointments, you acknowledge and agree to this policy.

d. Late & Non-Payment

  • Payments not received at the time of service may be automatically charged within 12 hours to the card on file.

  • Any unpaid balance remaining after 24 hours will incur a $25 per day late fee.

  • No future appointments will be scheduled until balances are paid in full.

  • Repeated late or failed payments may require prepayment only or result in termination of services.

e. No-Show & Cancellation Charges

  • Clients authorize Hot Dog Grooming LLC to charge the card on file for all applicable cancellation, no-show, access-related, or late fees outlined in this agreement.

6. Appointment Scheduling & Cancellations

a. Cancellations & Rescheduling
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

  • Cancellations within 24 hours: $75 per pup

  • Unconfirmed appointments may be canceled automatically after reasonable attempts to confirm.

b. No-Shows & Access

  • A 15-minute grace period is provided upon arrival.

  • Failure to provide access to your pup will be considered a no-show.

  • No-show fees equal the full grooming price and must be paid before future services are provided.

c. Multiple-Pup Households
Same-day cancellation of any pup in a multiple-pup household results in a fee equal to that pup’s full grooming price.

d. Arrival Windows
Appointment times are arrival windows, not guaranteed start times. Delays may occur due to traffic, weather, mechanical issues, or extended grooming sessions. Make sure your pup has gone to the bathroom before the groomer arrives.

7. Weather & Mechanical Delays

Hot Dog Grooming LLC reserves the right to reschedule appointments due to extreme weather, mechanical issues, or safety concerns. Clients will be notified as soon as possible.

8. Grooming Environment

  • Owners are not permitted inside the mobile grooming unit during services.

  • All equipment and surfaces are cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected between pups.

9. Photography & Media Release

Photos and videos of your pup may be taken before, during, or after grooming for marketing or social media purposes. Written notice must be provided prior to the appointment if you wish to opt out.

10. Flea & Tick Policy

Pups must arrive flea- and tick-free.

  • Discovery of fleas will result in a mandatory flea bath and a $50 fee.

  • Excessive tick removal may result in additional charges.

11. Latch-Key Service

Latch-key service is available by request.

  • You authorize Hot Dog Grooming LLC to enter your home to retrieve and return your pup(s).

  • Pups must be confined in an accessible area.

  • Payment information must be accessible at the time of service.

  • Liability ends once your pup is returned to the designated area and out of our care.

12. Matting Policy

Severely matted coats may require shaving for humane and safety reasons.

You acknowledge that mat removal may result in redness, irritation, clipper marks, abrasions, nicks, itchiness, or hematomas and release Hot Dog Grooming LLC from liability related to mat removal.

Additional fees apply for excessive matting.

13. Emergency Authorization

You authorize Kristina Capriotti / Hot Dog Grooming LLC to act as your agent in the event of emergency veterinary care, boarding, or transportation is necessary. All associated costs are the owner’s responsibility unless otherwise stated.

14. Liability Waiver

a. General Risk
Grooming involves sharp tools and unpredictable animal movement. While every precaution is taken, accidents may occur. Veterinary care, if required, is the owner’s responsibility.

b. Pre-Existing Conditions
Owners must disclose any medical, behavioral, or age-related conditions prior to each appointment. Senior pups or pups with health concerns may have service limitations.

c. Illness
Pups showing signs of illness (including coughing, diarrhea, lethargy, or fever) will be refused or returned home, and the appointment may be canceled.

By booking or accepting services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to all policies of Hot Dog Grooming LLC. Failure to comply may result in refusal or termination of services.

Hot Dog Grooming — Your pup’s time to shine!