Country Barn Dog Grooming
Terms and Conditions
The following Terms and Conditions must be read, signed, and agreed to by all clients at their first visit to Country Barn Dog Grooming.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions, please discuss them with Samantha before your appointment begins. These are Country Barn Dog Grooming’s standard Terms and Conditions and apply to all services provided, as outlined below:
Dog Welfare, Health & Grooming Consent
Your dog’s health and welfare are paramount at Country Barn Dog Grooming. If, at any time, your dog shows signs of fear, stress, or discomfort, we may need to adopt alternative handling strategies to support their wellbeing. This may require additional time and may incur an additional cost.
Country Barn Dog Grooming will never force any procedure on a dog. If your dog objects to any part of the grooming process, that part of the groom will not be carried out. No price reductions will be offered for incomplete grooms due to a dog’s behaviour. Where appropriate, advice and support will be offered to help your dog work towards tolerating a full groom in the future.
Clients must inform Country Barn Dog Grooming of any changes to their dog’s health prior to each grooming appointment. We cannot be held liable for any pre-existing or ongoing medical conditions. It is the owner’s responsibility to disclose all relevant medical information, past or present, including illnesses, injuries, medical conditions, or behavioural concerns that may affect the grooming process or the dog’s wellbeing.
Dogs must not be brought for grooming if they are showing signs of ill health, have been recently neutered, or if bitches are in season.
The grooming of elderly dogs is undertaken entirely at the owner’s risk. Grooming may reveal or aggravate underlying health or skin conditions for which Country Barn Dog Grooming cannot be held liable. In the extremely rare event of a medical emergency, you authorise Country Barn Dog Grooming to seek emergency veterinary treatment.
Veterinary Fees & Liability
Country Barn Dog Grooming accepts no liability for veterinary fees or treatment costs unless an injury has been directly caused while the dog is under our care during the grooming process.
In the event of an alleged injury, a full written veterinary report must be provided by a registered veterinary professional. This report must clearly state the nature of the injury and confirm that it is consistent with having occurred during grooming. No insurance claim can be considered without this documentation, and Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to pass all relevant information to its insurers for assessment.
Knots/Matts Neglected Coats
As our client, you understand that if your pet’s coat is heavily matted or has too many knots, they will need to be clipped out as de-matting is a very painful process (imagine combing out a knot in your own hair but having that all over your body). This is not something Country Barn Dog Grooming is prepared to do (as we are all animal lovers), and it is also against the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Country Barn Dog Grooming are not here to judge and understand that sometimes this happens.
Country Barn Dog Grooming will request your permission to clip any knots beforehand, and this may incur an extra charge.
Country Barn Dog Grooming will not be responsible for any vet’s bills in the event of hematomas, cuts, irritation or grazes to the skin caused by clipping out matted fur, should your pet need veterinary attention. You also understand that the desired look for your dog may not be achieved as a result of poor coat condition.
Country Barn Dog Grooming will charge £30 an hour extra, broken down into £7.50 for every 15 minutes extra to allow for this.
Behaviour & Safety Policy
It is essential that we are informed before your appointment of any history of biting or aggressive behaviour. While muzzles are used only as a last resort, we reserve the right to use them if necessary.
We also reserve the right to refuse grooming if we believe the dog may cause injury to itself or our staff. If a dog displays aggression or unsafe behaviour that has not been disclosed prior to the groom, the session will be stopped immediately and the full fee will still apply.
Please note your responsibility under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which holds owners liable for bites or injuries caused by their pets.
If you are aware that your dog has exhibited aggression in the past, you must inform Country Barn Dog Grooming. We are happy to work with challenging pets, and each will be assessed individually. If at any point the safety of the groomer or your pet is at risk, we reserve the right to refuse or end the groom early.
You also understand and agree that there may be additional charges if an alternative appointment is required for safety reasons.
Bitches in Season/Pregnant Dogs
You will notify Country Barn Dog Grooming if you notice or suspect my bitch is in season, within 24 hours of the appointment time. Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to rearrange an appointment if it will interfere with the working day or my own home with entire male dogs. As our client, you understand that if your dog is groomed whilst in season, she may be more irritable and the results achieved may not be to the normal standard; full cost as usual applies.
You understand that if you know or suspect your pet is pregnant, you will cancel within 24 hours of the appointment. Country Barn Dog Grooming does not groom pregnant pets and reserves the right to refuse a groom and implement the cancellation policy.
Fleas
You understand, as our client, that if your pet is found to have fleas, there will be an extra charge on top of the groom to cover the cost of flea shampoo and cleaning of the salon. Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to refuse a groom or send a pet home early in the event of fleas being found, and the cancellation policy will be implemented.
Please note that dogs with fleas cannot be accepted. If your dog has fleas, please treat them prior to visiting the salon. Should your dog be brought to us with infestation, which is discovered after the groom has started, a flea surcharge of £25 will apply and your dog will be sent home.
We fully understand that this cannot always be helped, due to the weather etc… The charge is for a deep cleaning and a flea bomb, and for any cancellations of any pets on that day. Once treatment has been completed, your pet will be allowed to come back into the salon after 4 days. The last thing we want is for your pet to come to us and go home with fleas!
Cancellation & Missed Appointment Policy
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
A 50% missed groom fee will apply if:
An appointment is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice,
A groom cannot take place for any of the reasons outlined above, or
You do not attend your scheduled appointment.
Following a late cancellation or missed appointment, your next groom will require 50% payment in advance before another appointment can be booked. This payment is non-refundable if the appointment is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.
If a client changes or cancels three or more consecutive appointments, Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to add a 50% grooming fee to future bookings.
Pricing & Additional Charges
All prices quoted are guideline prices only and are based on the information provided at the time of booking, including breed, size, coat condition, and behaviour.
Final pricing is charged according to the appointment and the time, handling, and care required to complete the groom safely and humanely.
Additional charges may apply (but are not limited to) the following circumstances:
Temperament or behaviour issues, including anxiety, aggression, excessive movement, or inability to tolerate the grooming process
Poor coat condition, such as matting, excessive undercoat, impacted coat, or coat requiring specialist handling or dematting
Elderly dogs or dogs requiring extra time, rest breaks, gentle handling, or special care due to age-related needs
Dogs that are larger than expected or differ from the description provided at booking
Where possible, any additional charges will be discussed with the owner during or after the groom. However, by booking an appointment, you agree that the groomer may proceed in the dog’s best interests and apply reasonable additional charges where necessary.
We reserve the right to review and amend our prices at any time without prior notice.
Payment Terms
Payment must be made before or upon collection of the dog.
We accept cash and card payments. Bank transfer (BACS) will only be accepted where cash or card facilities are unavailable at the time of collection and must be completed within 24 hours of the appointment.
Any late or non-payment will incur a £50 late payment fee on outstanding balances that remain unpaid after 5 days.
Failure to make payment may result in further action being taken to recover the debt. This may include recovery under the Fraud Act 2006, which covers the offence of dishonestly obtaining services without payment.
If payment remains outstanding, the client will be liable for any additional costs incurred in the recovery of monies owed, including fees associated with pursuing the debt through the Small Claims Court.
Appointment & Collection Policy
Our appointment slots are scheduled individually for each dog, with time allocated to avoid overlaps. This ensures that your dog receives unrushed, attentive care.
The appointment time given is the time we expect to admit you and your dog to the salon.
Early arrivals: We may not be able to accommodate you immediately.
Late arrivals: If you arrive late, we may have to refuse to groom your dog, and customers who are more than 15 minutes late will be considered a ‘no show’ and charged the full appointment fee.
As our client, you acknowledge that Country Barn Dog Grooming grooms one pet (or a group of pets from the same household) at a time. Dogs must be collected promptly at the agreed collection time.
Owners who are more than 15 minutes late for collection will incur a sitting fee:
£5 for the first 15 minutes
£7.50 for each subsequent 15-minute period
Fees may be waived only if agreed in advance with Country Barn Dog Grooming.
Please note: Country Barn Dog Grooming is not a boarding kennel and does not hold a boarding licence.
Owner Responsibility & Duty of Care
The owner is fully responsible for their dog when bringing the dog to and collecting the dog from Country Barn Dog Grooming. Our duty of care applies only during the agreed grooming appointment time, while the dog is in our care on the premises.
Country Barn Dog Grooming accepts no responsibility for incidents occurring outside of the scheduled appointment period, including before drop-off or after collection.
Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog while on the premises during drop-off and collection. Please ensure you bring suitable poo bags with you at all times. Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to charge a cleaning fee if fouling is not promptly cleaned up.
Parking & Property Damage
Customers who choose to park on the property do so at their own risk. Country Barn Dog Grooming accepts no liability for vehicles parked on the premises.
Any damage caused to the property, buildings, driveway, gates, fencing, or surrounding areas by a customer or their vehicle will be the responsibility of the customer, and the cost of repairs may be charged accordingly.
Photo & Video Consent
Country Barn Dog Grooming may take “before” and “after” photos of every pet in our care. These images, as well as video content, may be used on our social media platforms for promotional or educational purposes, and may also be used for staff training purposes.
By signing our Terms & Conditions in the salon, you acknowledge and consent to your dog’s images and videos being used in this way. However, you will always have the opportunity to refuse the use of images or videos for social media.
Photos and videos may also be kept for reference in the event of any complaints or queries regarding the services provided.
Right to Refuse or Cease Service
Country Barn Dog Grooming reserves the right to refuse or cease providing services to any client at our sole discretion and at any time, with or without prior notice. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where continuing services may no longer be in the best interest of:
The business
Other clients
The animals in our care
By booking and using our services, the client agrees to hold Country Barn Dog Grooming harmless for any inconvenience, loss, or perceived damages resulting from the refusal or termination of services.
This policy exists to ensure the safety, well-being, and respectful treatment of all animals, clients, and staff.
WOODBINE SHARPENING SERVICES
Terms and Conditions
Client Responsibility & Condition of Items
All items are sharpened at the customer’s own risk. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that clipper blades and scissors are clean, free from excessive rust, cracks, chips, or other damage prior to submission. We reserve the right to refuse to sharpen items that are unsafe, excessively worn, or beyond economical repair.
Limitations of Sharpening
Sharpening restores cutting performance but cannot correct underlying manufacturing defects, excessive wear, misalignment, metal fatigue, or damage caused by improper use or previous poor-quality sharpening. Older or heavily worn items may not achieve “as-new” performance.
Pre-Existing Damage
We accept no liability for failure or breakage resulting from pre-existing faults, structural weakness, micro-fractures, or prior misuse that become apparent during or after sharpening.
Clipper Blade Compatibility & Usage
Cutting performance can be affected by clipper condition, drive levers, tension settings, and coat type. We cannot be held responsible for poor performance caused by incompatible or faulty equipment, insufficient lubrication, or incorrect clipper setup.
Scissor Handling & Adjustment
Scissors are sharpened to professional standards and may feel sharper or different in balance or tension after servicing. Any post-sharpening adjustment should be carried out by a competent professional. Incorrect adjustment or use may result in damage for which we accept no liability.
Turnaround Times
Any turnaround times provided are estimates only and may vary due to workload, parts availability, or the condition of the items submitted. We shall not be liable for delays beyond our reasonable control.
Loss or Damage in Transit
We are not responsible for loss or damage to items in transit to or from us unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. Customers are advised to use insured and trackable delivery services.
Ownership & Uncollected Items
Items left uncollected for more than six months after notification of completion may be disposed of or sold to recover costs, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing.
Limitation of Liability
Our liability shall be limited to the cost of the sharpening service provided. We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential losses, including loss of business or income.
Governing Law
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.