Smoochie Pooch Portage
Smoochie Pooch

Smoochie Pooch Portage

Portage, IN

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Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday: closed3311 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, IN 46368(219) 286-3608Text (218) 559-7634info@smoochiepooch.com

Latest from Smoochie Pooch Portage

From the blogStorm Safety for Dogs: How to Calm Dog Anxiety During Thunderstorms

Storm Safety for Dogs: How to Keep Your Dog Safe During Thunderstorms Storm safety for dogs starts with preparation. Thunder, lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, and…

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Offer

New to Smoochie Pooch? Enjoy 20% off your first full groom.

SMOOCH20Valid through Aug 31
Announcement

Holiday grooming books up fast. Reserve your pet's spot for the season now.

From the blogSustainable Pet Care: Easy Ways to Go Green with Your Pets

As sustainability becomes a growing priority, pet owners have more influence than they might think. Everyday choices—what you buy, how you groom your pet, and how you…

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From the blogCrucial Dog Training Tips to Learn

Dog Training Tips to Reduce Stress Have you ever noticed your dog acting nervous, restless, or even misbehaving during car rides—especially when heading to the dog…

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From the blogSafety and First Aid Tips for Dog Owners

Responsible Dog Ownership Being a responsible dog owner means staying on top of every aspect of your pet’s care. From physical health and dog grooming to training,…

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From the blogHome Care Tips for In Between Appointments

How to Care for Your Pet Between Grooming Appointments Many pet owners ask what they can do at home to keep their dogs and cats healthy between professional grooming…

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From the blogBrushing Your Pet: Best Practices and Brushes

Table of Contents How to Choose the Right Brush for Your Dog’s Coat With so many grooming tools available, it can be difficult to know which brush is best for your dog.…

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From the blogShedding: Causes and How to Reduce Excessive Shedding

“My dog is shedding like crazy!” This is something we hear every day! We love our pets, but our vacuum does not share the same sentiment. Let’s break down some causes…

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From the blogUnderstanding Dog Grooming Costs and What Influences Pricing

At Smoochie Pooch, we believe grooming should be tailored—not one-size-fits-all. Every dog has unique needs based on their coat, size, behavior, and how often they’re…

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From the blogWhen to Bring Your Puppy for Dog Grooming and How to Prepare

Early experiences can go a long way in helping your puppy develop a positive relationship with professional services such as grooming, the vet, or any dog walking or dog…

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See the grooming gallery

Our stylists

Morgan LasleyMorgan Lasley

Morgan is a graduate of our groomer training program and has been grooming since 2020. Her desire to always be around animals led her to her career as a dog groomer. When she's not at work, she can be found spending time outside fishing, and kayaking. Morgan has a Standard Poodle named Grim. Her favorite part of working at Smoochie Pooch is getting to meet all of the dogs and getting to know their personalities.

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Amanda FodreyAmanda Fodrey

Amanda started Smoochie Pooch's grooming training program in March 2022. She was drawn to Smoochie Pooch because of the focus we place on continuing education for groomers and prioritizing the wellbeing of the pets in our care. She wanted to be a groomer because she wants to do everything she can to help pets and their owners have their best life and also have a creative outlet. When not working, Amanda enjoys going for bike rides and spending time in nature. She has a Siberian Husky named Stella and is so excited to continue to learn something new every day!

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Aubrey KriegerAubrey Krieger

Aubrey has been grooming since 2021 and trained with Smoochie Pooch in early 2023. During Covid, she started grooming her own dog and discovered a passion for it. Combining her love for dogs and interest in hairstyling, she now enjoys being a 'hair stylist for dogs!' She shares her home with Louie, an Australian Shepherd-Golden Retriever mix, and two cats, Mylo and Copper. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with makeup, spending time with loved ones, and trying fun activities. A recent highlight in her career was attending the All-American Grooming Show, where she learned new techniques to refine her skills. Her favorite part of grooming is the transformation-seeing both the dog and owner happy at the end of each session is what she loves most!

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Sara TarnowSara Tarnow

Sara began her career in pet care as a bather in 2011 and earned her technical grooming certification in 2013. She is Fear Free Certified and AKC S.A.F.E. Certified, with additional experience in dog training and animal behavior, including attending the Animal Behavior Conference in 2016. Sara is passionate about continued education and is working toward advanced AKC grooming and behavior certifications. She especially enjoys working with puppies and fearful dogs, focusing on building trust and lifelong positive grooming experiences. Sara believes grooming is a unique opportunity to form lasting relationships-and her goal is simple: to be every dog's best friend.

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What sets us apart

Grooming Philosophy

We strive to make sure that each customer, and their cat or dog, has a positive experience. Every member of the Smoochie Pooch of Portage team is highly trained and understands that the safety and comfort of your pet is a top priority. We believe in choosing specific grooming products for each of our furry customers, which helps support any skin or health issues and complements breed-specific grooming strategies.

Mobile Grooming

Our modern mobile grooming vans are fully equipped with everything a professional groomer needs to deliver five-star results. This option gives your pet special attention and is perfect if they are not comfortable travelling by car.

Customized Products

Local dog grooming services in Portage should be tailored to you and your dog's needs. The right products should be used for each dog to meet their unique requirements. Our expert dog groomers work with a range of Iv San Bernard products created to prioritize the health and comfort of every pet.

Reviews

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How it works
  1. Bath
  2. Nail trim
  3. Ear cleaning
  4. Brush out
  5. Full-body haircut (Complete Groom) or trimming of face, feet, and potty areas (Basic Groom)
FAQ
What is included in a full dog groom?

At Smoochie Pooch, you can choose from two grooming options. Our Complete Groom includes a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, brush out, and a full-body haircut. If you're looking for something simpler, our Basic Groom includes bath, nail trim, ear clean, brush out, and trimming only of the face, feet, and potty areas. You also have the option of adding on additional services.

How often should a dog be groomed?

The answer to this question really depends on the breed of your dog, their lifestyle, and sometimes their age. Ideally, all dogs should be groomed every six to eight weeks to support their overall health and avoid matting. Regular grooming is a proactive step towards ensuring healthy skin, nails, ears, and coat.

How do I know if my dog needs a haircut?

Your dog should be booked in for a haircut if you notice their coat is looking dull and feeling overly oily or dry. Additionally, should you notice any tangles, mats, or hot spots or can smell an undesirable odor coming from their coat or fur, it's time to make an appointment.

How do you tell if my dog is double-coated?

A double-coated dog has an outer layer of thicker hair and a different undercoat of thin, lighter hair. While this is often breed-specific, our highly trained breeders can recognize coats of all types and then groom accordingly. Double coated dogs can require extra time and attention so that their undercoat is fully brushed and doesn't develop mats.

How much does dog grooming cost?

Prices are based on various factors such as breed, size, behavior, and condition of the coat. Clients also have the option of adding on additional services such as anal gland expression, shed relief, or deep conditioning. We can provide a quote over the phone and then provide a more accurate price at the time of your appointment.

What is dog grooming?

Dog grooming refers to the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog. While some dog grooming can be completed at home, professional dog grooming is done by trained professionals that know how to properly care for a dog's coat, nails, ears, and skin. Dogs of all breeds benefit from regular professional grooming.

How do dog groomers keep dogs still?

Groomers have many tools that help keep dogs still during their appointment. As trained professionals, they know how to keep pets calm and comfortable, which helps dogs relax and move around less. In addition, our grooming tables have a non-slip surface, and a loop restraint (similar to a leash) may be used around a dog's neck, if necessary.

What do they do in dog grooming?

What happens during a dog grooming appointment will largely depend on the service you have booked. A basic groom will include a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, brush out, and a hair trim around the face, feet, and potty areas. You can book a more complete groom as well as additional services such as toothbrushing or skin therapy.

Is dog grooming necessary?

It's important to keep your pet groomed for their own sanitation and hygiene. Not only will their physical appearance be improved, but they'll avoid painful matting, overgrown nails, and other health complications. In addition, there are several studies that show that regular grooming can improve your dog's mood and health.

What is the average cost to groom a dog?

The average cost for a standard groom is approximately $65, but please note that there are so many variables that affect the price of grooming your dog. A dog's size, its coat type, how long it's been since its last groom, and many other factors go into the final price you may expect to pay for dog grooming.