Before You Arrive
- Give a potty break right before you leave the house
- Skip the big meal within two hours of the appointment
- Bring vaccination records if it is your first visit
- Bring photos of a haircut you like. Descriptions like "not too short" mean different things to different people
Check-In and Consultation
We will go over what you want, look at the coat condition, and flag anything we notice such as tangles, skin irritation, long nails, or ear buildup. This is the moment to mention sensitivities, past bad experiences, and health conditions.
If the coat is matted, we will talk about realistic options before we start, not after.
The Groom Itself
Rough clip or brush-out. For haircuts, the bulk length often comes off first so the bath does more good. Bath. Shampoo chosen for the coat and skin, thoroughly rinsed, followed by conditioner. Drying. A high-velocity dryer pushes water and loose undercoat out of the coat. It is loud, and it is the part most new dogs need to adjust to. We introduce it gradually. Haircut and finish. Clipper work, scissoring, face shaping, and feet. Nails, ears, and sanitary. Nails trimmed or ground, ears cleaned and checked, sanitary trim done. Final check. We comb through, even up the lines, and check for anything we want to tell you about.How Long It Takes
- Small dog, bath and tidy — 60 to 90 minutes
- Medium haircut — 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Large or heavily coated dog — 2.5 to 4 hours
Express appointments compress this considerably by keeping your dog with one groomer start to finish rather than waiting in between stages.
What Gilbert's Climate Means for Your First Visit
Dogs arriving for a first appointment in summer often carry more surface dust and dried sweat salt in the coat than owners realize, simply from being outside in dry desert air and monsoon dust. This is normal and part of why the pre-bath brush-out matters so much here. Dogs who spend time in backyards with decomposed granite or desert landscaping also tend to arrive with more debris caught in paw fur and ear fringe than dogs in grassier climates, so the first visit often includes extra attention to those areas.
Pricing at Gordie's
At Gordie's Grooming, a Full Groom starts at $80, a Bath & Tidy starts at $70, and a Bath Pack starts at $60. Add-ons include nail trims for $20 and de-shedding treatments from $15. New clients save 15 percent on their first visit with code NEW15, and a 5-pack of grooms saves 10 percent and never expires. Final pricing depends on your dog's size, coat condition, and any matting that needs extra time.
Handling Dust and Monsoon Mess Before You Arrive
If you can, rinse off visible mud or dust at home before a summer monsoon appointment, especially around the paws and belly. It will not replace the professional bath, but it reduces the amount of standing water and debris that collects during check-in and keeps the pre-groom brush-out more effective overall.
First Visits for Nervous Dogs
Not every first appointment needs to be a full transformation. If your dog seems uneasy in new environments, consider asking for a shorter bath-and-tidy visit first, saving the complete haircut for a follow-up once your dog is comfortable with the salon, the sounds, and the groomer handling them.
At Pickup
Ask about anything we noted. Skin, ears, lumps, or behavior. We are looking at your dog closely for a couple of hours and we notice things.
Afterward
Some dogs are tired, some are wired. A short quiet period at home is normal. If your dog was shaved short, keep them out of direct sun for a few days. This matters more than owners expect in Gilbert, since a dog with a short new haircut has far less natural sun protection and can get a sunburned back within a single afternoon outside.
What Makes Express Grooming Different
Traditional full-service groomers often keep dogs for most of a day, moving between a holding kennel and the grooming table as staff become available. Gordie's uses an express model instead, with one groomer working your dog start to finish in a single, more compact appointment. For a first-time visitor, this generally means less total time away from you, less time spent waiting in a crate between steps, and a calmer overall experience, since the appointment has a clear beginning and end rather than an unpredictable all-day stay.
Setting the Next One
Most dogs do best on a 4 to 6 week schedule. Booking the next appointment before you leave is the easiest way to avoid the matting cycle.
Why a First Visit at Gordie's Is Easy to Plan
Gordie's Grooming sits at 335 N Gilbert Rd Suite 106 in the downtown Heritage District, next to OHSO Brewery, with easy access for clients throughout Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley. Booking is simple through MoeGo online, by calling 480-471-8884, or by texting 334-518-4822, and the salon is open Monday through Saturday from 8 to 5.
Book your first visit at Gordie's Grooming.