Check-in DOG
FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Check-in DOG.
Getting Started
What is Check-in DOG?
Check-in DOG is a complete management application for dog grooming salons. It covers appointment scheduling, customer and animal records, professional invoicing, SMS reminders, newsletter campaigns, inventory management, and a customer self-service portal. Everything a grooming business needs, in one place.
Do I need to install any software?
No. Check-in DOG is entirely web-based. You access it from any modern browser on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. There is nothing to install or update.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan lets you manage up to 50 customers and 100 animals with unlimited appointments. It includes invoicing, a public web page for your salon, and the customer portal. No credit card required, and no time limit.
How do I create my account?
Click Try free at the top of any page. You will be asked for your name, email, and a password. Once registered, a demo salon is immediately available so you can explore all the features before setting up your own salon.
Can I import my existing data?
If you are migrating from another application, contact us through the Contact page. We can advise on the best approach for your situation.
Appointments
How does the appointment calendar work?
The calendar shows your appointments in a day, week, or month view. You can create, move, and delete appointments directly from the calendar. Each appointment is linked to an animal (and therefore to a customer), which makes it easy to see the full history of each pet.
Can I link appointments to invoices?
Yes. When creating or editing an invoice, you can link it to an existing appointment. This creates a clear audit trail from the booking through to the billing record, and helps ensure that every appointment is properly invoiced.
What is the waiting list?
The waiting list lets you record appointment requests when your schedule is full. When a slot opens up, you can promote a waiting list entry to a confirmed appointment. This is useful for managing demand during busy periods without losing potential bookings.
Can customers book their own appointments?
Yes, if you use the customer portal (available on all plans). Customers log in with their own credentials and can view upcoming appointments and request new ones. The salon owner reviews and confirms the requests. This saves time on phone calls and allows bookings outside opening hours.
Customers and Animals
How many customers can I have?
The Free plan supports up to 50 customers and 100 animals. The Solo plan increases this to 200 customers and 400 animals. The Pro plan has no limits.
Can I add notes to a customer record?
Yes. Each customer record includes a free-text notes field for any information you want to keep on file, as well as a dedicated memos section for timestamped notes that build up over time.
How do I manage pet photos?
Animal records include a photo gallery. You can upload multiple photos of each animal, which is useful for documenting coat condition before and after grooming, tracking how a pet's appearance changes over time, or simply keeping a visual record.
What is a "walk-in" customer?
A walk-in customer is a special record used for customers who pay without having a customer profile (for example, a one-time visitor). This keeps your customer list clean while still allowing you to process invoices and cash operations.
Invoicing
Does Check-in DOG handle invoicing?
Yes, fully. You can create quotes, convert them to invoices, add line items from your service catalog, apply discounts, record payments, generate PDFs, and send invoices by email. The system also includes a cash register for tracking daily cash flows.
Are invoice numbers assigned automatically?
Yes. Invoice numbers are assigned automatically in a sequential, gap-free format (for example, FA26030001). The sequence is unique per salon and restarts each month. You never need to enter a number manually.
Is Check-in DOG compliant with French invoicing regulations?
Yes. The invoicing system in Check-in DOG is designed to meet the requirements of French law for point-of-sale and management software (Article 88 of the Finance Act 2016, effective 1 January 2018). The system guarantees sequential, uninterrupted invoice numbering, immutability of recorded transactions, and preservation of all invoice data. Shops operating in France automatically receive a certificate of conformity (attestation de conformite) confirming that Check-in DOG meets these legal requirements.
Can I create recurring invoices?
Not automatically. However, you can duplicate an existing invoice or quote to quickly create a similar document. For subscriptions or regular services, you can set up payment terms to track installments.
Can I send invoices by email?
Yes. From any invoice, click Send by email. The invoice PDF is sent automatically to the customer's email address on file. The customer must have a valid email address in their profile.
SMS Reminders
How do SMS reminders work?
When a customer has SMS enabled on their profile and you have SMS credits, the system can automatically send a reminder message before their appointment. You configure the message and timing in the salon settings.
How much do SMS messages cost?
SMS messages are pay-as-you-go. You purchase credit packs from the Subscription page. Credits do not expire. The price per message varies by destination country.
Which plans include SMS?
SMS messaging is available on the Solo and Pro plans. The Free plan does not include SMS.
Subscription and Billing
What are the available plans?
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price | Customers | Animals | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | EUR 0 | EUR 0 | 50 | 100 | No |
| Solo | EUR 14.90 | EUR 149 | 200 | 400 | Yes |
| Pro | EUR 29.90 | EUR 299 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes |
Can I switch plans?
Yes, at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately. Downgrades take effect at the end of the current billing period. Your data is never deleted when you downgrade.
What happens if I cancel?
When you cancel, you keep access to your plan until the end of the billing period. After that, your salon reverts to the Free plan. All your data is preserved. Nothing is deleted.
Is my payment information secure?
All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor. Check-in DOG never stores your card details. Stripe handles all sensitive payment data on its own certified infrastructure.
Can different salons have different plans?
Yes. If you manage multiple salons, each one has its own subscription. You can have one salon on the Pro plan and another on the Free plan.
Data and Security
Where is my data stored?
Your data is stored in secure, redundant cloud infrastructure in Europe. Regular backups are performed automatically.
Can I export my data?
Yes. Invoices can be exported in PDF format. Customer lists and other data can be exported in standard formats from the admin panel. If you need a full data export, contact us and we can assist.
Is Check-in DOG GDPR compliant?
Yes. Check-in DOG is operated by BlueRock Research and Development (Ireland) and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can consult our privacy policy for full details.
API
Does Check-in DOG have an API?
Yes. Check-in DOG offers a REST API that lets you connect your own website or tools to your salon data. You can display availability on your website, create appointment request forms, and synchronize customer, animal, and invoice data programmatically.
How do I access the API?
Generate an API token from Check-in DOG Account > API Tokens in the admin panel. Include the token in the Authorization: Bearer header of your requests.
Where can I find the API documentation?
The complete API reference is available in the API Reference documentation page.
Ready to simplify your day?
Join hundreds of groomers who manage their salon with Check-in DOG.