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Cage Free

Pet Grooming

Spoiling your furry friend from nose to toes has never been more exciting

What The Pup

At What The Pup, we understand that your furry friend is more than just a pet – they're family. For over 6 years, our family-owned, cage free dog grooming service has been dedicated to enhancing the appearance and well-being of dogs in the Ocean County area. With over 30 years of combined experience, our team of highly-trained groomers brings unparalleled expertise to every grooming session.
We pride ourselves on our meticulous attention to detail and our commitment to treating each dog as if they were our own. Our comprehensive range of services, from basic grooming to specialized treatments, ensures that your canine companion receives the care they deserve. Experience the What The Pup difference – where professional grooming meets genuine love for dogs. 

✅️ 10% OFF New Customer Discount
✅️ 15% OFF Hero Discount
✅️ Over 6 Years In Business
✅️ Highly-Trained Groomers
✅️ 100% Cage Free
✅️ We Treat Pets Like Family
✅️ Satisfaction Guaranteed
✅️ High Attention to Detail

Our Locations

200 Atlantic city blvd #3, Beachwood, NJ 08722, USA
whatthepupsalon@gmail.com
(609)-312-7464

1031 Lacey Rd #1, Forked River, NJ 08731, USA

whatthepupsalon@gmail.com

(609)-312-7464

Cage Free Pet Grooming
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Our Services

Our comprehensive dog grooming services at What The Pup are designed to cater to every aspect of your pet's hygiene and appearance. We begin with a thorough bath using high-quality, pet-safe shampoos tailored to your dog's skin and coat type. Our skilled groomers then provide precise haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, ensuring your furry friend looks and feels refreshed from noses to toes.

BATH & BRUSH

Has your furry friend been having too much fun outside and coming back a bit dirty or even a little stinky? Don’t worry,  Our bath is the perfect solution! Enjoy a luxurious warm bath shampoos and conditioners specially designed for your pet’s unique needs. Every Bath & Brush includes essential services like nail trimming, ear, and anal gland expression (upon request), plus a delightful, long-lasting de-odorizing scent and a fabulous accessory! Treat your pup to a spa day they’ll love!

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BATH & TIDY

Introducing our fabulous BATH & TIDY service! Is your furry friend looking a bit messy with hair in their eyes, causing them to bump into things? No worries! If you love their coat length but want a quick refresh, this is the perfect solution! Our BATH & TIDY includes a delightful bath and brush, along with essential grooming and some limited trimming. We'll tidy up those eye corners, paws, and sanitary areas, leaving your pup looking sharp! Please note, this service doesn’t include body trimming, but we can definitely add the full teddy bear face if you’d like!

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FULL GROOM

Get ready for the ultimate pampering experience with our Full Groom package! Your pet is about to be treated like royalty a refreshing bath & brush, essential grooming, a stylish full haircut. From adorable puppy cuts to trendy summer styles, to breed cuts and everything in-between! We’ve got every haircut you can imagine! *Longer haircuts may come at a premium. Give your furry friend an unforgettable experience here at What The Pup!

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OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
What The Pup

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Jennifer

Owner/Groomer Both Locations

Hi everyone! I am Jenn, owner/groomer of What The Pup! I have been dedicated to the pet grooming industry since 2009. What began as a part-time job as a bather quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion and career. Through hard work, continuous learning, and a deep love for animals, I advanced to salon management and, in 2022, proudly took over ownership of What The Pup!—the very place i have called home since 2018.

 

I never imagined when I first started in the grooming industry that my path would one day lead to owning my own salon. Today, I bring that same humility and passion to every pet that i care for. My mission is to ensure that every dog and cat not only looks their best but also feels safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for during their time at the salon.

 

The relationships built at What The Pup go far beyond a grooming appointment. Each pet becomes family, and their owners quickly do too. I am deeply grateful for the trust my clients place in myself and my team are always excited to welcome both new and familiar faces through our doors! 

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Courtney

Manager - Forked River

Hi, I’m Courtney! I’ve had a love for animals for as long as I can remember, so it was never a question that I’d end up in the pet industry—it was just a matter of finding my place in it. I started my grooming career in 2011 as a bather and quickly worked my way up to grooming. A few years in, I was offered a position as a veterinary technician and decided to give it a try. I learned so much during that time, especially about health, safety, and handling—but ultimately, I found myself missing the creative and hands-on connection that grooming offers.


Since returning to grooming full time, I’ve developed a special interest in behavior and training. While I mostly work with my own dogs, I use what I’ve learned every day to better connect with the dogs on my table—especially those who are anxious, young, or need a little extra time to feel safe.


Now, as salon manager, I focus on creating a calm, welcoming environment where every dog can have a positive experience. I’m constantly continuing my education, exploring new techniques, tools, and products to offer the best care possible. Whether it’s helping a dog feel more comfortable or adding a creative touch to their groom, I truly love what I do—and I’m so grateful to call this my career. 
 

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Chelsea

Manager - Beachwood

My journey in grooming began on horse farms, where I cared for and trained horses—but it was the many dogs on those farms that sparked my passion for dog grooming. What started as a love for animals turned into a fulfilling career, and for the past 14 years, I’ve worked in professional salon settings, perfecting my craft and helping dogs look and feel their best.

 

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of managing multiple grooming salons and training new groomers, sharing my knowledge and love for the work. I’ve also fostered many dogs, giving me a deep understanding of different breeds, temperaments, and needs.

 

I take pride in giving each dog a personalized grooming experience, paying close attention to detail to ensure every haircut suits the individual dog’s personality and style. My goal is always to create a calm, caring environment and deliver a groom that makes tails wag and owners smile.

Pet Grooming Bayville


OUR GROOMING TEAM
Forked River and Beachwood Locations

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Nikki

Groomer

Hi I'm Nikki, I’ve been passionate about dogs since childhood, I always dreamed of running a dog rescue. Luckily, meeting Jen sparked my career in dog grooming. I washed my first dog in 2022 and have been a dog groomer for 3 years. My favorite breed? Definitely Golden Retrievers! I have 3 personal pups who love hiking as much as I do. Grooming has become a huge part of my life, and I love the daily challenge of learning and trying new things in the field!

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Ava

Groomer

Hey! I’m Ava, and I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals, especially dogs. Right out of high school, I jumped into the dog grooming world, starting as a bather and quickly working my way up to becoming a groomer. I've been doing it ever since, and I absolutely love what I do. My favorite breed? Pekingese — I’ve got two of my own, and they’re the best. There’s nothing better than seeing a pup look and feel their absolute best. It’s honestly priceless!

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Ashley

Groomer

Hi I'm Ashley, I fell in love with grooming 7 years ago when I accepted a bathing job at a local salon. I quickly immersed myself in all things grooming I took any and every course class and seminar available and continue to do so because I believe a groomers education is never done I strive to make sure your dog not only looks its best but also leaves feeling its best. Safety is a top priority of mine and I am certified in Pet cpr and first aid. I love all dog breeds but seem to have a sweet spot for bullies.

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Mia

Groomer

Hi I'm Mia! I've always adored dogs. I started out as a dog bather and quickly fell in love with it. Right after high school I learned how to groom and it was the best decision I ever made. I love making dogs look and feel their best. My favorite breed is a Pekingese, I have two of my own! It's so rewarding to know that I'm helping pets leave feeling pampered and happy. 

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Alyssa

Groomer

Hey there! My name is Alyssa a passionate dog groomer with 7 years of experience making pups look and feel their best! I specialize in gentle, stress-free grooming for all breeds—big or small, shy or sassy. Whether it’s a simple bath and brush or a full makeover, I treat every dog like family. My goal? Happy tails and paws-itvely perfect looks. My favorite breeds to groom is a schnauzer or yorkie. 

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Alexa

Groomer

Hi, I’m Alexa! Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a deep love for all animals—especially dogs. I started my career as a bather at PetSmart and eventually became a professional groomer. I truly love what I do and am always working to improve my skills so that every dog looks their best and every owner leaves happy. I take pride in every detail of my work and enjoy building relationships with each dog and their owner.

FAQ

Are pets caged at your facility?

No, our grooming salon is 100% cage free and an open facility for anyone to be able to see their pup at all times. We have suites that consist of vinyl fencing and can fit about 3 golden retrievers in each suite. 

How long will the grooming service take?

The amount of time it takes for pet grooming varies by breed and service, but you can usually plan on it taking 2-4 hours. Express services can be arranged upon request, shortening service time. Minor services, such as nail trims, take approximately 15 minutes and no appointment is necessary (subject to salon availability). Wait time may apply. Express services are available for any dogs

Do you require any vaccitionations?

In compliance with state laws, all dogs and cats must be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. We trust our clients to independently adhere to this legal requirement.

How do you dry my pets coat?

We believe that your pet should receive the best care possible. We hand dry almost every pet from start to finish, but there are occasions where your pet must be dried in one of our suites due to behavior or temperament. Our suite dryers are non-heat and blow the ambient air from the bathing room into the pets suite. We also monitor each pet during the suite drying period and pets are generally in the suite drying for 5-15 minutes.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, credit or debt for forms of payment (walk-in nail trims are cash only)

Do you offer any discounts for any of the services?

We offer all new clients 10% off their first groom with us. We also offer 10% off your next appointment when you re-book with us at checkout. For any Military or first responders we offer 15% off any grooming services.

What is included in grooming?

A typical grooming includes a bath and blow-dry, anal glands expressed if needed, ears cleaned (plucked if needed), nails trimmed, and a haircut.  Additional services such as nail grinding, teeth brushing, dematting, and de-shed treatments are extra.

How do you care for dogs with skin allergies?

We offer a variety of shampoos tailored to meet the specific needs of each pet. Our products are all natural pet safe, made from plant ingredients. Our shampoos are gentle, biodegradable, and free of harsh chemicals. This is especially beneficial for pets with allergies, as well as for maintaining a healthy, shiny coat. 

How long have you been grooming?

Jenn the owner has been grooming for over 16 years, has run many salons and had many groomers she has trained open up their own successful grooming salons. Both the managers that run our Lacey location and Beachwood location have 14 years each, experience running grooming salons. With over 30 years of dog grooming experience these girls have honed skills in areas like breed-specific grooming, understanding different coat types, and addressing various skin conditions. Our groomers are adept at handling dogs with varying temperaments, including those that are anxious, aggressive, or fearful during grooming sessions. They understand how to build trust and use positive reinforcement to ensure a positive experience for the dog. The field of dog grooming evolves with new techniques and technologies. Our groomers embrace continuous learning and stay updated on industry best practices such as safety and proper care for your pups.

Where are you located? 

We have 2 convenient locations: 1031 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731 and our Beachwood location at 200 Atlantic City Blvd, Beachwood, NJ 08722. You can stop in at any time during business hours to see one of our up to date modern facilities or give us a call at (609)-312-7464 press #1 for Lacey and #2 for Beachwood to speak to one of our highly trained groomers regarding any questions you may have.

REVIEWS

What Our Clients Are Saying

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"We loved that their cage-free, I really appreciate that!"

“The staff is very patient, kind and does an excellent job!”

I love that they are super flexible with appointment times.

Have a question? Contact  Us!

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