DEMATTING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RELEASE FORM

At Canine Works, your dog’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. We make every effort to ensure a pleasant grooming experience. However, grooming a matted coat comes with inherent risks, and we want to ensure you understand these before proceeding.

Understanding Matting

We are skilled at removing matted fur safely but sometimes there are existing issues underneath matting we cannot see until the matt is gone. Some of the serious skin and health issues that can be caused by matting include:

  • Skin infections: Can be caused by restricted airflow and trapped moisture

  • Skin Irritation: Matts can pull on the skin, restricting blood flow and causing pain and inflammation. If your dog has been chewing on the matts to relieve discomfort, we may find rashes and irritation in these areas. The skin under the matts may also be raw and inflamed.

  • Insect Infestations: Fleas, ticks, and other irritants may be hidden within matts causing skin infections.

  • Bruising: Tight matting may cause bruising. This will usually fade within days after the groom.

  • Aural Haematomas: Matted ears restrict blood flow. The process of removing the matts and receiving air flow back to the skin can cause a dog to shake or scratch at it’s ears causing trauma and increasing the risk of developing an aural haematoma.

Grooming Risks

Due to the nature of matting being tight against the skin, the safest method for removal may involve using a short blade close to the skin. There is a risk that your dog may be nicked or cut because of the tightness of the matting & the need to work closely to the skin with the clippers to remove the matted coat.

The grooming process for a severely matted dog may be prolonged, stressful, or painful. In some cases, more than 1 grooming session may be required.

What if I don’t agree with the terms outlined on this page?

If you feel that our terms don’t meet your preferences, please contact me as soon as possible. We understand that every pet owner has unique needs, and if our approach doesn’t align with yours, we can arrange for you to collect your dog and explore other grooming options that may be a better fit.

Client Declaration

By signing below, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

  1. Additional Grooming Fees:

    The first hour of grooming will be charged at $100. Each additional hour will be charged at $80 or on a pro-rata basis.

  2. Possible Coat Length Adjustment:

    I understand that my dog’s coat may not be groomed to the requested length due to matting and that a shorter length may be necessary.

  3. Awareness of Risks:

    I am aware of my dog’s matted coat condition. I have read the above explanation about matting and understand the risks involved in grooming a matted coat. I give Canine Works permission to proceed and will not hold them responsible for any injuries sustained during the grooming process.

  4. Skin Irritation:

    I understand that my dog’s skin may become irritated during or after the grooming process.

  5. Veterinary Treatment:

    I agree to be responsible for all veterinary fees should my dog need veterinary care during or after the grooming process. I also grant Canine Works permission to seek veterinary treatment at my expense if necessary.

  6. Public Conduct:

    I agree not to publicly criticize Canine Works on social media.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s coat condition or our matting policy, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your dog’s well-being is our priority.