Guide
What Happens at a Dog Grooming Appointment, Step by Step
A full groom usually takes two to four hours and follows the same order: check, brush out, bath, dry, clip or scissor, then nails, ears and a final finish. What each step involves.
What happens during a dog grooming appointment?
A full groom follows a fixed order: a health and coat check, brushing out, one or two baths, a thorough dry, clipping or scissoring, nails, ears, and a hygiene trim. A small dog typically takes one and a half to two hours; a large or heavy-coated dog three to four. The groomer phones or messages when your dog is ready.
What happens when you arrive?
The groomer looks over your dog and asks questions: age, health, skin problems, lumps, behaviour, and what style you want. This is when a matted coat, fleas or sore skin is found and the plan, and price, may change. Many salons ask new clients to sign a consent form covering health conditions and what happens if matting is found.
How is a dog bathed and dried?
Most groomers brush out loose hair and small knots before the bath, because water tightens mats. The dog is then washed, often twice, with shampoo suited to its coat, and conditioned.
Drying takes the longest. A high-velocity dryer blows water and loose undercoat out of the coat; a stand or hand dryer is then used to fluff-dry curly and long coats straight, which is what makes an even scissor finish possible. A double-coated dog can lose a surprising volume of undercoat at this stage.
How is the haircut done?
The haircut comes last, on a clean, dry coat. Clippers do the body; scissors shape the head, legs and feet. Then come nails, trimmed or filed; ears, cleaned and, on some breeds, with excess hair removed from the canal; a hygiene trim around the rear and belly; and pads and feet trimmed. Some groomers finish with a light spray or a bandana.
How should you prepare?
Walk your dog before the appointment so it is not bursting to go. Do not feed a large meal just before. Bring vaccination details if asked, tell the groomer about any changes since the last visit, and give a phone number you will answer. Collect on time: a dog waiting for its owner after the groom is a dog the groomer cannot move on from.
Common questions
How long does a dog groom take?
About one and a half to two hours for a small dog and three to four hours for a large or heavy-coated dog, longer if the coat is matted.
Do groomers clean dogs' teeth?
Some brush teeth as an add-on. Scaling teeth below the gum line is veterinary surgery and only a vet may do it.
Do groomers express anal glands?
Some do externally as an add-on; many leave it to a vet. Ask if your dog needs it.
Will my dog be sedated?
No. Groomers cannot sedate dogs. Only a vet can prescribe sedation or calming medication.