Finding the Right Groomer for Your Pet
Your pet is a part of your family. You spend a lot of time with them! From proper exercise to feeding them healthy foods to taking them to the vet when necessary. Grooming is just as important, too! While some pet owners may prefer to groom their own dogs, working with a groomer may be a better option for your pet and your lifestyle. Finding a trustworthy, skilled, and understanding groomer is important for your pet to have a positive grooming experience. We have connected with a variety of grooming experts across Eastern Iowa and developed a list of questions to ask yourself and pet salons as you work to find the right groomer!
What Type of Grooming Salon Fits Your Lifestyle?
When considering what you need in a grooming salon, you should consider what will work best in your daily life. Grooming is a consistent need for your pet - just like annual physicals, dentist appointments, and eye exams are to you! Let's talk about a few different grooming salon options and help you find what may work best for your lifestyle.
Doggie Daycare + Grooming Appointments
You may have a hectic work schedule and need to be able to drop your pet off for the day to be pampered while you go to work. There are grooming spots for that! Grooming salons that offer built-in daycare options can benefit you and your pet. This type of salon allows you to get your pet feeling good after a fun day of play AND looking good after a great groom during their visit.
“Heartland Kennels offers doggie daycare services for half price when a client is getting their dog groomed,” shares Michelle, owner at Heartland Kennels. “It can make everyone’s lives easier if the owner cannot pick up their dog right away after the appointment or if they need to drop them off early. Their dog can go play in a safe daycare setting!”
Mobile Pet Grooming Options
There are many reasons to consider a mobile dog grooming salon. Some dogs aren’t comfortable with car rides. Sometimes, it’s too chaotic to interrupt daily life and take your pet to the groomer. Sometimes, just having the service be extra close to home is nice!
“Mobile dog groomers like us schedule appointments as individual household visits,” explains Marissa with WisePup Grooming. “This means our client's pets experience a relaxing, one-on-one spa day with their groomer without the separation anxiety. It is a quiet, calm experience that all pets thrive in.”
Grooming on a Budget
If the price point is important, consider looking into a grooming salon chain or a student-run salon. These salon options offer a larger, more active environment with a larger quantity of groomers at a more affordable cost to many. Scheduling with chain salons can be more flexible, especially with last-minute appointments, since they have more stylists with wider availability. A teaching salon charges a lower price so the students can learn how to properly complete grooms with the supervision of a teacher.
As a local groomer with nearly 30 years of experience, grooming instructor Becky Clark shares insight on grooming salons in Eastern Iowa that are led by students:
“People want to bring their pets to grooming schools because they contribute to curating new, well-rounded, passionate, and educated groomers - which the world needs more of. The ideal experience for pets at these types of salons is for them to be comfortable with the student groomer, allowing them to form a connection and the student to learn something new with each groom. The pet and student should learn from and enjoy the grooming process.”
What Grooming Style Does Your Pet Need?
And when we say style, we’re talking about your pet’s look AND personality.
Unique Grooming Behavioral Styles
Not all pets are created equal! Some pets have special needs when it comes to their grooming experience. There are a lot of behavioral factors about your pet to consider and questions to ask yourself.
Does my pet behave better in a quiet, calm environment?
Is my pet reactive towards other animals?
Do new people scare my pet?
Does my pet bite in fear or have difficulty when being groomed?
“Tails a Wagg’n Pet Resort in Cedar Rapids partners with Zoey’s Spaw in Ely, Iowa, to offer grooming services on scheduled days,” says Patsy from Tails A Wagg’n. “While we work with all types of pets, one of our specialties is to offer individualized grooming services to pets with special needs, elderly dogs, and dogs with anxiety. There is a special attention to detail and an extra level of care that can sometimes take longer - but the goal is quality grooms over quantity.”
It’s normal! Pets can be extra nervous at a new grooming salon - or if it’s their first time! Don’t be discouraged. It is common for pets to require a calmer environment. In this case, we recommend looking into one-on-one grooming services instead of choosing a high-volume grooming salon.
Specialty Coats & Haircuts
Think about what type of coat or fur your pet has. Would your pet’s coat or hair be considered challenging to some groomers? Many grooming services and specialties are available from grooming salons that fit certain breeds’ coat styles better than others.
Groomed in Marion, Iowa, owner, Jannessa, shares her experience with different grooming styles:
“I offer special services that cater to high-stress or reactive dogs. Many foster dogs in local rescues are groomed at my salon - and it’s sometimes the first time they’ve had a haircut. As a one-on-one grooming salon, it’s easier for dogs with special needs to come to Groomed.”
What Should You Look For With a Groomer?
Research and recommendations are great options for helping you find the right groomer. Personal referrals from family, friends, and veterinarians can be incredibly insightful. Firsthand experiences can give you a great starting point for matching with the right grooming salon.
Aside from great referrals, you should still do your own research. There are many things to look for in a groomer, including the groomer’s experience, certifications, and health and safety practices.
Professional Training & Certifications
The grooming industry does not have specific regulations to manage grooming professionals. It is common for established grooming salons to self-regulate their grooming practices and uphold personal grooming standards. Be on the lookout for grooming salons dedicated to professionalism, quality grooms, a true love for the pets in their care, and a commitment to their career.
Groomers are strongly encouraged to participate in regular continuing education workshops. Various professional grooming certifications require various levels of continuing education. Finding that your groomer is willing to stay up-to-date on current grooming techniques, tools, products, and trends shows commitment to their profession and dedication to improving their skills to best service their furry clients.
“We work closely with a local dog trainer,” says Alyssa with Uptown Paws. He is always teaching us what we can do or improve to help with the dogs’ behavior during grooming. Most dogs have to be groomed their entire lives, and we want to make sure that it is something they can look forward to.”
The Groomer’s Experience
Since a qualified grooming professional may not publicly share their professional training and certifications, it is a good idea to look at their past work or portfolio of furry clients. This content is typically found on their business websites or social media profiles. Photos are a great indicator of their expertise, skill level, and the environment of their grooming salon.
Pay attention to the small details in their portfolios. The grooms should look finished. This means the dogs don’t look wet or uncut. The grooming salon space where the photos are taken should look clean and inviting, and the pets should look happy in the photos! There should be a wide variety of breeds, coat types, and styles of grooms to look at. If you have a certain breed, search for photo samples of their work with that breed for the best idea of what grooms they can offer you. The details matter.
“We see a huge variety of breeds and love posting updates of pets that visit us,” shares Chelsea with Shear Standards of Grooming. “Every groomer has a different style, and we love showing off our personal flair and expertise in each groom.”
“Making every pet look the best they can is always our goal,” adds Allie with Shear Standards of Grooming. “We love showing off our grooms on social media as much as their parents love seeing them!”
If you have a rare breed of pet, it’s okay to ask breed-specific questions if you don’t see samples of their work with your breed. You’ll want to verify their experience or background with your breed type, especially if they require services like hand stripping or hand scissoring. Asking questions or requesting references for their work with your breed is a good idea. You may want to find a groomer who has plenty of experience with your unique breed/needs.
What Should You Expect From a Groomer?
A groomer is going to ask you plenty of questions - and that is totally normal! They’re going to want to know the age of your pet, its experience with grooms in the past, the details of their last haircut, information about what you’re looking for in your pet’s haircut, and ask about any problem areas for your pet. These questions are signs that your groomer is knowledgeable and cares to know more about you and your pet.
As groomers, it is our job to educate. Your groomer should be happy to address any concerns you have and provide insight into how to handle these concerns in the grooming salon or at home. Groomers can help you navigate issues, such as coat change, at-home maintenance, haircuts to suit your pet’s lifestyle, and any possible behavioral or medical issues your pet may be having.
“With my clients, I prioritize the pets’ well-being over anything,” explains Isabel with Wags n’ Waves Pet Salon. “I’m very transparent with my clients on how things went and what they need to work on at home.”
Transparency is key for you as a pet parent to feel confident in your groomer’s commitment to your pet. You should expect honest, complete answers to help you best care for your pet. A good groomer is a person you can feel comfortable having these discussions with regularly.
Not sure what to ask your groomer? That’s okay, too! Here are just a few questions to get you started in conversation…
How does your scheduling work?
What is included in a grooming service?
What breeds does your grooming salon specialize in?
How long should my pet’s appointment take?
What is the expectation for drop-off and pickup?
What special services will you be able to provide my pet?
Can I schedule a consultation with your groomers and visit the salon?
Your grooming experience is just that—your experience!! Sometimes, choosing the right groomer is about finding the right “vibe” that works for you and your pet. Don’t hesitate to ask questions as you shop for the perfect grooming salon.
Next Steps: Find the Right Groomer for Your Pet
There is no “one size fits all” grooming salon. No matter what type of pet you have, it is necessary to understand that grooming is a regular part of your pet’s care - and your choice of a groomer is a very important one. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and visit multiple grooming salons before finding the right fit for you and your pet. Your groomer should be excited to work with you and your pet and allow you to feel comfortable with the grooming experience. A positive grooming experience is one that you and your pet will be happy with for many return visits to come!
