Questions To Ask A Groomer Before Leaving Your Dog With Them

Every loving dog parent wants their pup's grooming experience to be as pleasant as a human's day at the spa, and in many cases, it can be. You just have to ask the groomer the right questions ahead of time. Before booking your dog's grooming appointment, ask the groomer about the tools and products they use, how the salon prices its services, their experience, their first-aid policy, and salon tour options.

Having these answers can help you weed out the groomers that might not be a good fit for your dog and find the right groomer for your dog's needs. Not all grooming salons are exactly alike or have the same policies, and not all groomers handle pet emergencies the same way. Plus, if it will be your dog's first time at a grooming salon, gathering information beyond the price can help your dog have a better experience and give you more peace of mind.

This might seem like an odd or irrelevant question, but the answer can be helpful if you plan to ever groom your dog yourself. Take nail trimming as an example. You can find dozens of dog nail clippers in stores and online, but some work better than others. Perhaps you've tried one or two that didn't cut well or left your dog's nails jagged. It's usually safe to assume that professional dog groomers use high-quality tools, so after you find out what clippers your dog's groomer uses, you can buy the same ones later.

Knowing what tools and products a groomer uses also provides more clarity on what your dog will experience during their visit. Many groomers are happy to not only discuss the tools and products they use, but to explain how they will use them and what the end result will be. For example, rubber brushes are typically used for short-haired dogs, while slicker brushes are used for various types of long-haired dogs. The groomer might also use a moisturizer for a short-haired dog to protect their skin.

Some grooming salons offer packages that include several services, such as a complete bath, blow dry, and brush out for a set price, while others offer and price each service individually. Make sure you and the groomer are on the same page about what you want and what your dog will actually receive. Keep in mind that some dog grooming service prices are based on weight. This means the parent of a 100-pound extra fluffy dog may have to pay more than the parent of a 7-pound long-haired Chihuahua for the same exact service.

When asking about how the services are priced, be sure you know what the final price will be for the services your dog will receive, even if you already checked the website. Websites aren't always updated to match price changes, so it's best to double-check these details with the groomer in person. Some groomers provide customers with a detailed quote in advance for transparency, so you may want to request this as well.

If you know or suspect that your dog may be a problematic client for any reason, you may want to know if the groomer has handled a dog like yours before. Some dog breeds are more difficult to groom than others, such as the Chow Chow, Giant Schnauzer, and Komondor, due to their thick fur and unique coats. Others may present challenges because they're mixed breeds and have combination coats, or due to misbehaviors like snapping, pulling away, or excessive barking.

You might get lucky and find a groomer who says they've groomed dozens of dogs just like yours, and are comfortable and willing to handle another. On the flip side, they might refuse to provide service after meeting your dog based on their behavior, a previous negative experience with a dog like yours, or both reasons. The groomer may also say they have no experience with a dog like yours, which might go against your preferences. In any case, knowing this information can ensure your dog has a better experience.

Groomers work with various tools, and while they're meant to improve a pet's overall appearance, they can also cause accidental harm. This can happen as the result of a pet moving excessively or unpredictably or because of a groomer's error. Injuries include clipping a dog's quick, cutting or nicking their skin, or shaving too close to the skin, causing brush burn. A broken dog nail may also require first-aid and treatment. Ask what the groomer's first-aid policy is so you'll know what to expect should an accident occur with your dog.

Although not as common as minor injuries, some dogs may require emergency veterinary care beyond what a groomer can provide, so ask the groomer about these potential circumstances as well. Keep in mind that groomers are not required to obtain any type of veterinary license or to transport injured pets to an emergency veterinary facility, but some may choose to. Others may prefer to leave that decision and trip up to the owner to make. Find out what the salon's emergency protocol is ahead of time, in case it becomes relevant later.

Most, if not all, grooming salons allow people to tour their facility in person, since each tourist can become a paying customer. However, not all salons allow dogs to accompany their parents on those tours. A grooming salon can be a scary place for a pet, especially if it's their very first time there, and all the smells are new and unfamiliar. But since dogs can remember places they've been to, both by sight and scent, bringing them to the salon in advance might help them relax a bit on grooming day later.

This initial visit also gives you the opportunity to see the space, including the grooming station, finishing area, kennel or holding area, and bathing area. You might be pleased with everything you see, leaving you more inclined to book your dog's appointment. Or, the opposite might happen; you may find a red flag or two and decide that you don't want to bring your dog back. Luckily, asking all of these questions in advance can help you determine if the grooming salon you've picked out is a perfect fit, or if it's time to continue the search until you find the right one.