Dog Grooming Madison

Dog Wash

Clean and Happy Pups

Expert Dog Grooming Services for Healthy, Happy, and Stylish Pets

At River Paws, our journey begins with the right team—professional groomers who share our deep passion for nurturing strong, lasting relationships with both our clients and their dogs. We’re dedicated to advancing the standards of dog grooming by fostering clear communication, expert education, and providing exceptional care. Our mission is to deliver outstanding grooming services while raising the bar for the entire dog care industry. By focusing on how we operate and ensuring each dog’s experience is stress-free and enjoyable, we’re committed to shaping the future of grooming, one pampered pup at a time.

Conveniently located at the border of Waunakee and Madison, River Paws provides easy access for residents of Middleton, DeForest, Sun Prairie, and surrounding communities, making exceptional pet grooming just a short drive away.

Need a Trim?

Call and book today

Quick, Stress-Free Walk-In Dog Grooming for Happy Pets

Walk-In grooming services are available but are not guaranteed. It is always recommended to call ahead to check with our amazing team members.

Puppy Grooming Near Me

Need a Groom?

We can help!

a puppy being groomed by River Paws groomers

Call us at 608-571-7297

And schedule with your Dog Groomer

Puppy Grooming Near Me

And we will have you smiling

Because our Groomers are fantastic!

Enrichment-Focused Full-Service Dog Grooming Your Pet Will Love

Prices are subject to change depending on the condition of the dog’s coat, behavior, and matting.

Ala Carte

  • Nail Trim

  • Teeth brushing

  • Ear Cleaning

  • Anal Gland Expression

  • Pawdicure (Nail Trim, Nail Grind, Ear Cleaning)

Bath and Brush

  • Bath (Shampoo and Conditioner)

  • Blow Out

  • Brush Out

  • Nail Trim

  • Ear Cleaning

  • Anal Gland Expression

  • Sanitary Trim / Paw Pad Trim (if needed)

Full Body Groom

  • Bath (Shampoo and Conditioner)

  • Blow Out

  • Brush Out

  • Nail Trim

  • Ear Cleaning

  • Anal Gland Expression

  • Full Body Haircut

Dog Grooming Questions: Expert Answers for Devoted Dog Owners

A River Paws Dog outside playing

A Dog Grooming Madison Client Asked:

What are the benefits of regular dog grooming?

“Regular grooming is essential to the health and well-being of your dog. Not only does it make them look good, but it also enables you to find and address any potential issues such as skin irritations or external parasites that may be present. Grooming also provides an opportunity to check for any lumps, bumps, or other changes in your dog’s appearance that could be early signs of illness or disease. The health benefits of grooming your dog are vast and very important.” Read more

A Puppy Grooming at River Paws

A Dog Grooming Sun Prairie Client Asked:

What things could I do before/after the grooming appointment?

“When you make a grooming appointment for your dog, there are a few additional things you can do before and after the appointment to help make the experience more pleasant for both you and your dog.

– Grooming can be a stressful experience for some dogs, so it’s important to get them used to the idea of being groomed ahead of time. You can start by simply brushing your dog’s fur regularly. This will not only help them get used to being touched in different ways, but it will also help keep their fur healthy and free of tangles.” Read More

A daycare dog enjoying pool time

A Dog Grooming Middleton Client Asked:

What are the Tips and Tricks for bathing your dog at home?

“Bathing your pup at home can be a difficult and daunting task, especially for first-time dog owners and those with anxious dogs. A good bath is essential for any pet’s health, but it’s important to keep the process stress-free. – It is essential to gather all the necessary items ahead of time. This might include shampoo (it is important to use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs, as human shampoo can strip away natural oils and cause irritation), towels, treats, toys, and lots of patience.” Read More

A dog being groomed by River Paws Groomers

A River Paws Dog Grooming Waunakee client asked:

What are some of the best products for canine grooming?

“Choosing the right grooming tools is important. There are several types of canine grooming brushes, each suited for different coat types that require different brushes for effective grooming. These include rubber brushes for short and medium coats, slicker brushes for medium, long, curly, or wire coats…” Read More

Puppy Grooming Near Me

A River Paws Dog Grooming Madison Client Asked:

Do you do Puppy Grooming?

“Starting grooming routines early with a puppy can be an important aspect of their physical health and emotional well-being. Puppy grooming acclimates them to being handled, which is essential for vet visits and future grooming appointments. Puppies are much more open to new experiences than older dogs and waiting…” Read More

Pricing:

– Please call for a quote

– Prices are based on your dog’s breed, size/ weight, and what services are being done during the appointment.

– Extra charges may apply for matting or special handling.  Depending on how severe the matting is, it is a very painful and time-consuming process. If mats are found, it is possible that all or part of the coat may not be able to be saved (brushed out) without causing undue discomfort to your pet. If you have any questions or concerns please give us a call and ask to speak with a groomer.

Requirements:

– We require all dogs to be up to date on rabies, bordetella, and distemper. We will need a copy of these vaccinations before or at the time of your dog’s appointment. You or your vet can email us a copy to riverpawsgrooming@gmail.com or you can bring a copy when you drop off.

– When scheduling a groom we do require a credit card on file to book the appointment.

– Allow for approximately 4-6 hours for your dog’s grooming appointment

Please Read our Explanation of Policies

At River Paws, we are committed to providing the best possible grooming services for your beloved pets while ensuring a positive experience for our dedicated dog groomers. To achieve this, we have established policies to address timeliness, cancellations, and their impact on both dogs and our groomers. We have made every effort to ensure that all this information is readily available on our website because we believe that effective communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. By openly discussing the repercussions of late arrivals or no-shows, we aim to foster an environment of understanding and mutual respect. At River Paws, we want our clients to recognize the significance of their actions and their impact on both our dedicated staff and the dogs under our care.

Importance of Timeliness:

For the Well-being of Your Dog: Timely arrivals for scheduled appointments are crucial for the well-being of your dog. Punctuality ensures that we can maintain a structured and stress-free grooming environment. Dogs thrive in a predictable and calm atmosphere, and unexpected delays can disrupt their experience.

For the Groomers’ Schedule: Our dog groomers operate on a carefully planned schedule, accommodating multiple appointments throughout the day. When clients arrive late or fail to show up without notice, it can disrupt the entire day’s schedule. This not only affects the groomer’s workload but also the well-being of the dogs waiting for their turn.

Impact on Stress Levels:

For Your Dog: Dogs are sensitive creatures, and any undue delay or irregularity in their grooming experience can cause anxiety and stress. We aim to provide a calm and stress-free environment for every dog under our care. Timely arrivals contribute significantly to achieving this goal.

For the Groomers: Our dog groomers are experienced professionals who take pride in their work. When appointments run late or are canceled without sufficient notice, it can lead to stress and anxiety for our groomers. This stress can affect their ability to provide the best possible service and care for your pets.

No-Show Fees:

To ensure the commitment of our clients and the well-being of our groomers, we have implemented a 50% no-show fee policy. This fee is in place to address the financial impact on our commission-based groomers when clients do not arrive for scheduled appointments. Groomers rely on a steady stream of appointments to make a living, and last-minute cancellations or no-shows can significantly affect their income.

We understand that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we are always willing to consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis. We encourage clients to communicate with us as soon as possible if they encounter difficulties meeting their appointment commitments.

In summary, our policies are designed to ensure the best possible experience for your dog while respecting the time and livelihood of our dedicated dog groomers.  In cases where clients repeatedly disregard these considerations, we may regrettably need to make the difficult decision to decline our services. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these policies, as they enable us to maintain the high standards of care and service that you and your pets deserve.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our policies or need to make adjustments to your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your satisfaction and your pet’s well-being are our top priorities. If something comes up that impacts your scheduled appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

Policies:

We value your business and strive to provide the best possible service. To ensure the smooth operation of our business and to better serve all our clients, we have implemented the following cancellation policy regarding last-minute cancellations:
Last-Minute Cancellation Fee: If you need to cancel a grooming appointment with River Paws within 24 hours or less of the scheduled date and time, a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the expected bill will be applied.
How to Cancel: To cancel a booking or appointment, please contact us as soon as possible by calling 608-571-7297 or emailing riverpawsgrooming@gmail.com. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and we appreciate your prompt notification.
Reasonable Exceptions: We understand that emergencies and unexpected situations may occur. In such cases, we will consider exceptions to the cancellation policy on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us immediately to discuss your circumstances.
Refund of Cancellation Fees: Cancellation fees are non-refundable unless we make an exception due to extraordinary circumstances.
-$15 Late Fee for being 10 minutes late or more. At this time it is the groomer’s choice if they can still take the dog depending on how late you arrive
-$15 Boarding if your dog is staying 2 or more hours past the completed time of the groom. Please let us know ahead of time if you need your dog to stay late.

Vaccination Policy – Dog vaccinations are crucial for several reasons, each contributing to the overall health and well-being of the dog as well as the safety of other pets and people. Please read more about Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella. These resources cover the essential aspects of each disease, including how they are transmitted, symptoms to watch for, treatment options, and preventive measures. Vaccination remains a crucial element in preventing these diseases, with specific schedules and guidelines available for each condition to protect dogs from these serious health threats. Always consult with a veterinarian to get the most appropriate advice and treatment options for your dog.