GUIDE
How to choose a dog groomer
Grooming is unregulated in Australia. Anyone can open a salon, so the questions you ask do the work.
Ask who will actually handle your dog
Salons vary from one experienced owner-operator to a rotating roster. Ask who does the groom and how long they have been doing it.
Ask what happens if your dog is frightened
The answer tells you most of what you need. Good groomers stop, reschedule and tell you. Ask directly whether they use sedation, and who decides.
Ask about vaccination requirements
A salon with no vaccination policy is a salon with no policy on anything. It is a reasonable proxy for the rest of the operation.
Ask how long your dog will be there
Some salons book a two-hour slot. Others keep dogs from morning to late afternoon in a crate between stages. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you are buying.
Start with something small
Book a nail trim or a wash before a full clip. You learn how they handle your dog for a fraction of the cost.