Different Salon Types, my POV!

✂️ An Honest Look at Dog Grooming From a Groomer’s Perspective

“How long will this take?”

“Oh… I don’t care, just make them look cute?”

If you’ve ever said this at drop-off, you’re not alone. And I completely understand—life is busy, schedules are tight, and you love your dog. I mean you made the appointment, you showed up. You clearly love your dog. But understanding what’s happening from the groomers side can help.

But here’s the honest truth:

A good groom should never be rushed.

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⏱️ Why Grooming Takes Time

Grooming isn’t just a haircut. It’s:

• Bathing and fully drying (this alone can take a long time depending on coat and the dog’s behavior that day.)

• Brushing and de-matting (if needed)

• Nail trimming (most dogs hate this or have drama from past grooms, making this harder to make them comfortable.)

• Ear cleaning

• The haircut itself

• And most importantly… working at your dog’s comfort level

When appointments are rushed, the first thing that suffers is your dog’s experience.

And that matters more than anything.

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🚨 Real Talk: Scheduling Pressure

Sometimes I see this happen:

• Parents book an appointment, then ask for it to be done sooner to fit their schedule

• Late drop-offs, followed by urgency to “have them done ASAP”

I get it—but grooming doesn’t work like a quick errand.

Rushing:

• Increases stress on your dog

• Increases risk of injury

• Reduces the quality of the groom

When booking, always allow enough time for your dog to be groomed comfortably—not quickly.

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🏢 Not All Grooming Salons Are the Same

One of the biggest things I wish pet parents understood is this:

Every salon operates differently.

And that directly affects your dog’s experience.

Here’s a breakdown to help you choose what’s best for you and your pup:

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🐾 Corporate Salons (Pet chains)

I sometimes refer to these as the “Jiffy Lube” of grooming—not as an insult, but as a comparison in structure.

These salons often focus on quantity over quality.

What that can look like (all of this in a single day while grooming many dogs a day):

• Back-to-back or overlapping appointments

• Groomers expected to upsell services

• Answering phones and booking while grooming

• Sometimes even working the sales floor

Appointments may be booked:

• Every hour

• Or multiple dogs within a short window

And often:

• Dog size or coat condition isn’t fully considered when booking

• Groomers are under time pressure from mangers and corporate to hit certain numbers.

• The environment can feel loud and fast-paced. Making dogs feel stressed and anxious.

There are absolutely talented groomers in these environments—but they are often overworked and time-restricted.

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🐶 Daycare & Boarding Salons

These can be convenient—but they come with their own challenges.

Because some of the dogs are in daycare for the day, it’s easier to:

• Overbook groomers

• Add last-minute services (“à la carte” add-ons)

A typical flow might look like:

• Dog A gets bathed and partially dried

• Dog B arrives → bathed and dried

• Dog A goes into kennel drying

• Dog B rotates out, Dog C arrives

This constant rotation creates:

• Start/stop interruptions

• Less one-on-one attention

• More stress if something goes wrong (matting, fear, behavior challenges)

Now imagine adding:

• A dog getting sick in daycare that needs an quick clean up

• Walk-in services

• Unexpected delays (due to a parent bringing a dog late for appt., a dog is matted, stressed or just needs more time to feel safe)

That pressure builds—for the groomer and for your dog.

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✂️ One-on-One / Higher-End Appointment Salons

These are typically more expensive—and there’s a reason.

In this model:

• Your dog is worked on start-to-finish

• Minimal or no overlap with other dogs

• More time is built into each appointment

This means:

• Less stress

• Better quality grooms

• A calmer environment

But also:

• Fewer appointments available per day

• Faster booking schedules

• Higher cost to keep the business sustainable

You’re paying for time, attention, higher quality products, and care—not just a haircut.

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🏪 Small Stand-Alone Shops That Do Morning Drop Off Scheduled.

These vary a lot, but one common system is:

• All dogs are dropped off by a certain time (example: by 10 AM)

• Groomers work through the list in order

What this can mean:

• Your dog may stay for several hours

• Limited one-on-one intake time with your groomer

• More kennel time throughout the day

Depending on the setup:

• Some shops don’t have outdoor potty areas

• Accidents in kennels can happen

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🐕 Cage-Free Salons

Sounds great in theory—but it comes with trade-offs.

In these environments:

• Dogs roam freely

• Groomers are multitasking between grooming and supervising free range dogs

Potential challenges:

• Dogs distracting each other during grooming

• Accidents near the grooming area

• Risk of altercations between dogs

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🚐 Mobile Grooming

Mobile grooming is incredibly convenient—but it’s also demanding.

A typical day may include:

• Early start to prep the van

• Driving between appointments

• 4–6 dogs per day

• Cleaning, refilling, and maintaining the van after

These are beneficial because of convince. They are bringing an entire salon to your front step.

These are often long, physically demanding days on the groomer, which is reflected in pricing.

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🏡 Home Groomers

These can offer:

• A quieter, more personal environment

• Less chaos than large salons

Potential challenges:

Groom set up needs to be in your home. Usually

But like any option, quality and setup vary—so it’s still important to do your research.

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💰 Let’s Talk About Pricing (Honestly)

Most groomers are paid on commission, not hourly.

Typical structure:

• 40–50% commission per groom

• 100% of tips (before taxes if on card)

If there’s a bather:

• Groomers often earn a lower percentage

• Tips may be shared

Example:

A $60 groom might mean:

• $30 to the groomer (before taxes)

• Tools, maintenance, and supplies often come out of that

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🧰 What Groomers Pay For

Out of pocket, many groomers cover:

• Clippers, blades, shears, brushes, combs, loops/harnesses

• Sharpening and maintenance

• Continued education, certification classes and memberships to Groomer Groups (AKC, TPPGA, Fear Free.. etc).

• Specialty products

This is a skilled trade with ongoing expenses.

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❤️ The Bottom Line

Every groomer I know wants the same thing:

• A safe experience

• A comfortable dog

• A beautiful result

When you choose a groomer, you’re not just choosing a price—you’re choosing:

• Time vs. speed

• Calm vs. chaotic

• Individual attention vs. volume

And your dog feels that difference.

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🐾 A Gentle Reminder

When booking your next appointment:

• Give yourself (and your groomer) time

• Be honest about your dog’s coat and behavior

• Ask questions about how the salon operates

• Choose what aligns with your dog’s needs—not just your schedule

Because at the end of the day…

A calm, cared-for dog is always more important than a fast groom.