How to Find a Good Dog Groomer

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parts

1Talking with Your Veterinarian and Other Dog Owners

2Researching a Potential Dog Groomer

3Preparing for Your Visit

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Expert Q&A

Video

Tips and Warnings

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Article Summary

Taking your dog to a professional dog groomer on a regular basis can help keep your dog clean and healthy. A groomer can help clean, brush, and shape your dog’s coat, trim its nails, and even check for signs of skin disease or other signs of illness. The grooming business is a growing industry, so it is important to know how to find a quality facility to make sure your dog is getting excellent care and treatment. Discussing your options with your veterinarian and other dog owners and researching facilities in your area can help you select a safe and talented groomer in your area.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Talking with Your Veterinarian and Other Dog Owners

1. 
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   Discuss your dog’s grooming needs with your veterinarian. Each breed of dog requires various degrees of grooming and coat maintenance. Talk to your veterinarian about what specific grooming needs your dog may need, how often they should be groomed, and if seeking the help of a professional is right for your dog. The answer can depend upon your breed of dog and how comfortable you are grooming your dog at home. Your veterinarian may be able to provide you with a list of credible groomers in your area.

   • Poodles often have their hair styled in various ways, which requires help from a professional. The coat of a long-haired dog may be prone to matting and tangling, and you may feel more comfortable going to a professional groomer for assistance.
2. 
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   Chat with other dog owners. Ask friends and other dog owners for advice and recommendations. While taking your dog for a walk or for a visit to a local dog park, keep an eye out for well-groomed dogs or dogs that have similar coats to your dog’s. Approach the dog’s owner and ask if they have any recommendations for a reputable groomer in your area.
3. 
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   Visit your local pet store. Your local pet store can be a great source for discovering local businesses that cater to your dog’s needs. Check to see if there is a bulletin board in the store that lists brochures, business cards, and flyers advertising groomers in your area. Be sure to ask the employees in the shop if they have any recommendations for you and your dog.

   • Some chain pet shops offer grooming services in the store. Be sure to ask about the training and credentials of the pet groomers in the shop before making an appointment.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Researching a Potential Dog Groomer

1. 
   1
   Look into the groomer’s training and credentials. In the U.S., it is not required that pet groomers receive formal schooling and certification. Many groomers undergo an apprenticeship or have on-the-job training. A vocational and certificate program teaches the groomer safety practices and bathing procedures, and they are also trained to check for skin disorders and other health issues. Check to see if your dog groomer has received certification to ensure a thorough and safe experience for your dog.

   • The National Dog Groomers Association is a professional society in the U.S. that recognizes a particular set of grooming standards and aims to educate and certify its members. See if your dog groomer is a member and has been certified by this group to ensure that your dog receives quality care.
2. 
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   Call each of your prospects. It is important to get a sense of your potential dog groomer’s training, background, and expertise. Ask questions that are important to you and are specific to your dog’s grooming needs. Some groomers specialize in grooming particular breeds, and some groomers have strict polices regarding the size and type of dog they are able to work with

   • If your dog has a chronic health condition or a geriatric disease, ask the potential groomer if they are able to accommodate your dog.
   • Ask your groomer about their training experiences and how long they have been in the business.
   • Be sure to ask your potential groomer if they have a particular expertise or are trained to groom particular breeds.
3. 
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   Read online reviews. Other dog owners may have shared their experiences, both good and bad, with a particular dog groomer in an online review forum or website. The reviews can provide helpful information that may help you make a decision.

   • The Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource to check out the quality of a particular grooming business. The BBB sets high standards for businesses, and they offer honest, trustworthy reviews. See if your potential dog groomer has been accredited by the BBB.
4. 
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   Visit the grooming shop. Before making an appointment, stop by the grooming shop with your dog to assess the facility. You want to make sure that it is a clean, safe, and healthy environment for your dog. Be sure that the facility is well-lit and clean, that the cages are the appropriate size for your animal, and that the other animals are not crowded together. Chat with the groomer and the staff to make sure they are knowledgeable, friendly, and trustworthy and that they are kind and caring toward your dog.

   • Some groomers provide live streaming via webcam so that you can check on your dog remotely while they're being groomed. Ask if your groomer provides this service, and take advantage of it if they do.
5. 
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   Review the grooming costs. The cost of grooming varies depending on your location, the size of your dog, and its grooming needs. The grooming needs of small and mid-sized dogs that do not have a thick coat will typically cost between $30 and $50. Grooming a mid-sized or larger dog with a thicker, longer coat, like golden retriever or an Afghan hound, may cost between $50 and $70. The grooming costs for poodles, Burmese mountain dogs, and other larger dogs that require complicated cuts and styles can cost between $70 and $90.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preparing for Your Visit

1. 
   1
   Prepare your dog for professional grooming. Taking a pet to a groomer’s can be a stressful situation for the animal. Before you take your dog to a groomer, groom or brush your dog’s coat for short periods of time when both you and the dog are relaxed. Increase the grooming time every day, and reward your pet with praise and a treat when it remains calm. Helping your pet to be comfortable during grooming sessions at home can help make the visit to the groomer’s easier and less stressful.
2. 
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   Make sure your dog is healthy before going to the groomer’s. Before going to the first grooming session, make sure your pet’s vaccinations and other medications are up-to-date. Talk to your veterinarian about these details before the grooming appointment. This will help keep your dog, the groomer, and the other dogs at the facility safe.
3. 
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   Talk to the groomer about your dog and expectations. Share information about your dog’s personality and temperament before you leave the facility. This can help the groomer safely interact with your dog. It is also important to discuss what you hope the groomer will be able to accomplish. Discuss how you would like your dog’s hair to be groomed and cared for, if they require and nail care, or if they require any additional treatments.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do groomers calm down a dog that bites when nervous?

  

  Lancy Woo
  Certified Pet Groomer

  Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.

  

  Lancy Woo

  Certified Pet Groomer

  Expert Answer

  Some groomers have noticed if they sit on the floor with the dog for a little while and wait for the dog to approach them, it helps the dog get comfortable. Sometimes a muzzle is required, but sometimes groomers just need to take the time to help the dog calm down. 5-10 minutes sitting with a dog can give that dog a chance to get used to the environment and gives the groomer time to read whether the dog is easily overwhelmed, sound sensitive, or fear-based.

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• Question

  I don't want to leave my puppy at the groomer. He had very bad anxiety problems when he left my breeder, and wouldn't eat for days. It was very dangerous. Is there a groomer that would let me stay?

  

  Community Answer

  Yes, many groomers will allow you to stay with your dog while grooming. Simply call and ask if that's all right.

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Tips

• When you drop your dog off at the groomers, say goodbye to your pet quickly. Prolonging the goodbye may cause your dog unnecessary stress.
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