Dog Grooming

The Best Dog Grooming in New York!

Margarita Chung is an accomplished dog & cat groomer and has been practicing over a decade.  She is a dog grooming graduate of Merryfield Dog Grooming School in Ft. Lauderdale and has trained under  some of the best instructors such as  Irina (Pina) Pinkusevich – World Groom Champion 2009-10 & Groomteam USA;  Bill Jividen – #1 U.S. Miniature Poodle Breeder; & Jarbas Godoy - Owner of The Dog From Ipenema in Miami just to name a few.

In January 2009, she became a certified Dog Obedience Training Instructor. This added knowledge has been instrumental in advancing her dog handling skills and has helped in dog grooming immensely.  She is knowledgeable in the overall health and maintenance of all pets and has shared personal experience in disease and/or injury treatment/prevention.

Where Excellent Dog Grooming Began

Margarita also established and ran her own successful housecall dog grooming business in Florida for many years. Then she made a decision recently to come to NY, where she found herself working at PP for what was supposed to be a ‘temporary position’.  It didn’t take long to notice Ritas gift for dog grooming, and the management and clientele agreed, Margarita was the best we’d ever seen and she needed to become a permanent addition to the PP family. Fortunately for us and the pet owners of Sutton Place, she accepted the invitation.

Margarita takes pride in her dog grooming work, for always achieving a job well done and most admirably, for doing so while always maintaining respect for the animals and their integrity.  Indeed, Margarita demonstrates unspeakable dog grooming abilities, although that is not what impressed us.  It is the never- changing, patient, gentle and loving manner in which she always executes that makes it possible for each pets grooming experience to be a pleasurable one. It is also what separates her from being a great groomer and defines her as an exceptional groomer.

Never had the Rita dog grooming experience?  Well, try her out and see for yourself how wonderful she is.   Sign up today to receive a discount on your 1^st groom with Rita.

In addition, we offer many other services:

• Dog Training
• Dog Daycare
• Dog Walking
• In home pet sitting
• In home vet services
• A pet boutique with an extensive line of apparel, toys and accessories
• Pet Rescue Charity

Grooming Information Documents

          Grooming Enrollment Document 
          Grooming Policy
(Click on the above links to open and/or download the document.)

Common Grooming Questions

Do you groom cats?
Why do I need to have my dog groomed every 4-6 weeks?<
How long does the grooming take?
What is your cancellation policy?
I need to drop my dog off on my way to work and pick him up in the evening. Is this going to be OK?
Can I stay with my pet during the grooming?
When is it best to have my puppy groomed for the first time?
Is my pet too old to be groomed?
Does my dog/cat need to be vaccinated?
Why does it seem so expensive to have my dog groomed?
What determines the cost?
Why do my dogs nails sometimes bleed after they have been trimmed?
My dog is matted but I don’t want him shaved. Why won’t you brush him out?<

Do you groom cats?

A:Yes, we do!

Why do I need to have my dog groomed every 4-6 Weeks?

A:In order to maintain a proper and manageable coat, it is recommended that you have your dog groomed every 4 – 6 weeks. This is true for non-shedding breeds such as Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Terriers, etc. The coat on these breeds can easily become painfully matted if not properly maintained. Breeds that have short, shedding coats can usually wait 8 -12 weeks between grooming appointments, as long as they are brushed thoroughly at home.

How long does the grooming take?

A:The typical stay at the shop is 2 for small to medium sized dogs (Depending on the condition of the coat to start), 3-4 hours for larger breeds with heavier under coats, and for pet’s receiving hand scissoring or de-matting. We do our best to get your dog groomed and back home to you in a timely manner. Let’s face it….the least amount of time they are away from you and their home the happier they are!

What is your cancellation policy?

A:If you must cancel an appointment, please try to give us at least 24 hours’ notice. In some cases pets arriving more than 45 minutes late may need to be rescheduled. No Shows will be noted. After 3 No Shows, you will be required to pay for your grooming appointment in full prior to your next appointment. If this seems a bit extreme, please understand that we work on an appointment basis. If you miss your appointment, we not only have lost business for the day but also have lost a spot for a customer who could have used it.

I need to drop my dog off on my way to work and pick him up in the evening. Is this going to be OK?

A:In a perfect world it is best to pick up your pet as soon as the grooming process is over. But who are we kidding…there is no perfect world!! So, in answer to the question….yes, it is fine. Exceptions include disruptive dogs, extremely scared dogs, elderly dogs, and MAJOR barking dogs. That is on a case by case basis. Again, for the most part, leaving your dog for the majority of the day is not a problem.

Can I stay with my pet during the grooming?

A:No. Pets are calmer and better behaved for grooming when the owner is not present. When the owner is present the dog is so focused on the owner that it disrupts the grooming process. It simply is harder on the dog and the groomer. We need the dogs full attention. We are using very sharp equipment around your pet’s eyes and other “private parts” of the body. With the owner present the dog will not remain still enough for us to groom him safely.

When is it best to have my puppy groomed for the first time?

A:We like to see new puppies in our shop as early as 8 weeks of age. It’s never too early to get your dog accustomed to grooming. We need to start very slow and sweet as to not stress the little pup out and to avoid “turning him off” to the grooming process. With that said, puppies often take a little more time groom.

Is my pet too old to be groomed?

A:Probably not, but older pets are one of the harder groups to work with. We may recommend that the cut remain simple and short so that the grooming process is as short as possible. Doing this will also insure that your older dog will not need grooming as often, which will surely make your pet happier!

Does my dog/cat need to be vaccinated?

A:Yes! Please bring a copy of your pets rabies certificate, the tag will not due. We will keep a copy for our records. Besides being the law, having your pet vaccinated ensures the safety of your pet and our staff while in our care.

Why does it seem so expensive to have my dog groomed?

A:Top Ten Reasons Why It Costs More to Get Your Pet Groomed Than Your Own Hair Cut
10. Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end.
9. You don’t go for eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair.
8. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to give you a sanitary trim.
7. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to clean your ears.
6. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to remove the boogies from your eyes.
5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
4. Your haircut doesn’t include a manicure or pedicure.
3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser.
1. The likelihood of you pooping on the hairdresser is pretty slim.
This list may be funny BUT it is TRUE!! Grooming a dog simply takes more time, patience AND COURAGE than cutting human hair!

What determines the cost?

A:The cost is based on the breed of the dog, what you want done, the condition of the coat, and the pet’s behavior. All pets are different. As hard as you try to describe your dog, his hair, his behavior and what you want done over the phone, without seeing your dog or meeting your dog, we cannot give you an exact price over the phone. Only an approximation.

Why do my dogs nails sometimes bleed after they have been trimmed?

A:When trimming your dog’s nails, occasionally, even us professional groomers, nick the blood supply to the nail called the “quick”. Although it may look like a lot of blood typically it is only a few drops and is easily controlled with styptic powder. If for some reason your dog’s nail starts to bleed after you get home, you can apply cornstarch and pressure to the tip of the nail. This should stop the bleeding right away.

My dog is matted but I don’t want him shaved. Why won’t you brush him out?

A:Because it hurts. A LOT! Not only that it doesn’t do any good. If the dog’s hair is matted, the hair is already damaged and will not brush out to healthy looking or feeling hair anyway. Again, mostly we won’t do it because it is not fair to the dog. It is not the dog’s fault that it ended up in this position and we will not torture any dog for the sake of a nice haircut! If the dog has a mat or two that is a different story. We will do our best to remove the mat or simply shave the one mat out and continue on with a nice haircut.