Bathing a dog in an Athens apartment is a small operation: a bathtub or shower that wasn't built for thirty kilos, water everywhere, and a wet dog shaking itself off right next to the sofa. Petit-o's Grooming service is there so you don't always have to do it yourself.
What it includes
Grooming covers bathing, brushing, haircuts and general coat care, so your dog stays clean and comfortable. It's booked for a specific date and time and, depending on the sitter's availability, takes place either at your home or at the sitter's place — with optional pick-up and drop-off where supported.
Your home or the sitter's place?
At your home suits dogs that get stressed travelling or in unfamiliar places, and large dogs that are hard to get into a car. It does need space, though: a bathroom that can get wet, towels, and ideally somewhere your dog can dry off without running onto the sofa soaking wet.
At the sitter's place your dog gets out of the house and you skip the clean-up. Ask in advance what equipment they have — a dog dryer or a grooming table, for example — since not every sitter has the same setup.
The Athens summer and your dog's coat
At 38 degrees in July, many people's first thought is "let's shave him". For double-coated dogs — huskies, golden retrievers, Pomeranians, German shepherds — shaving down to the skin generally isn't recommended: the coat also protects against the sun, and after shaving it doesn't always grow back properly. What really helps is frequent brushing, which removes the dead undercoat and lets air circulate.
Curly coats — poodles and their crosses — are the opposite case: they need regular clipping, otherwise mats form close to the skin and become painful.
In spring and summer, brushing is also the best chance to check for ticks and fleas, which are common in Attica after walks in parks and open fields.
What to ask before you book
As soon as a sitter expresses interest in your request, you can message them. It's worth asking:
- whether they have experience with your dog's breed or coat type,
- what products they use, especially if your dog has sensitive skin or allergies,
- what they do if your dog gets stressed halfway through — stop, take a break, continue another day?
And one boundary worth knowing: grooming isn't veterinary care. If you notice redness, sores, heavy hair loss, or your dog scratching constantly, the vet is the right first stop.
How to book it on Petit-o
Create your dog's profile with type, age, weight and photos, and make a Grooming request with the date, time and where you'd like it done. In the notes, write exactly what you need — just a bath, or a haircut too — and whether you'd like pick-up. Send it to sitters near you or directly to someone specific, talk to the ones who are interested, and pay securely through Stripe.
If your dog also needs a ride to an appointment, see pet transport in Athens. All services are on the Services page.