Madison, WI · Cage-free since 2017
A groomer your dog won’t be scared of.
Patient, gentle grooming with no cages. I’ve been doing this for fifteen years, and a nervous pup leaving wagging still makes my day.
Full groom from $65 · Bath & brush from $35 · Nail trim $15
Why dogs settle here
No cages. No rushing. Just patience.
Most dogs aren’t scared of the bath. They’re scared of the crate, the noise, and being hurried by a stranger. So there are no crates here — your dog waits with me, not shut in a box — and the appointment runs at their pace, not the clock’s.
- No cages, ever. Between the bath and the blow-dry your dog is on the table or at my feet, never behind a door.
- The pace is theirs. A dog that needs a breather gets one. A dog that needs the dryer turned down gets that too.
- Fifteen years of hands. I’ve groomed dogs for fifteen years and opened Waggin’ Tails in 2017 to do it this way.
For the nervous ones
If your dog hates the groomer, tell me.
Rescues, shakers, hiders, dogs who had one bad haircut somewhere else — they’re most of who walks through the door, and they’re the reason I do this. Say so when you book and I’ll plan the visit around it: more time, fewer surprises, and nothing forced.
There’s no trick to it. It’s a quiet room, one pair of hands they get to know, and the patience to let a scared dog decide I’m all right.
Meet your groomer →
“My anxious rescue actually likes going now. That’s a miracle.”
- 15years grooming dogs
- 2017the year the shop opened
- 0cages in the building
- Tue–Sat8am to 5pm
Booking
Three steps, and one of them is a phone call.
- 1
Call or email.
(608) 555-0297 or woof@waggintailsmadison.com. There’s no online form — I’d rather hear about your dog.
- 2
Tell me about them.
Breed or size, the state of the coat, how they handle a bath, and anything that frightens them. That’s how I choose the service and how much time to set aside.
- 3
Drop off, Tuesday to Saturday.
The shop is open 8am to 5pm. Come back to a dog that’s clean, calm and rather pleased with itself.
Questions
The things people ask before they book.
Do you really not use cages?
Right — there are none in the shop. Your dog stays with me from the moment you hand over the leash until you pick them up, on the table or on the floor beside me.
My dog is anxious, or had a bad experience at another groomer. Can you still help?
That’s most of my week. Tell me what happened when you book and we’ll go slower, take breaks, and skip anything they can’t handle that day. A groom they tolerate beats a perfect one they’re terrified of.
How much will it cost?
Full groom from $65, bath & brush from $35, de-shed treatment from $45, puppy’s first groom $40, nail trim $15. The “from” depends on size and coat — describe both and you’ll hear the exact price on the phone.
How do I book?
Call (608) 555-0297 or email woof@waggintailsmadison.com. I’m in the shop Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm; email any time and I’ll get back to you.
When should a puppy have their first groom?
Whenever you’re ready to start. The puppy’s first groom is $40 and is built to be short and gentle, so their first memory of the table is a good one and the second visit is easy.
Where are you?
Madison, WI. You’ll get the address when you book.
Book a groom
Let’s find your dog a spot.
Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm. Call, or email if it’s after hours, and tell me about your dog.