What to Tell Your Dog Groomer Before Your Appointment (Health, Behaviour, Style)

Tell them about bites, pain, mats, medications and the trim you want when you book or at drop-off. What to tell your dog groomer before appointment notes is the last-groom date and any skin or fear history. That honesty keeps the clip safer and closer to the photo.

Honest history protects the dog. Pair your notes with RSPCA dog care advice so you are briefing welfare, not just a hairstyle.

Use this checklist so nothing important is missed. It pairs with how to prepare your dog for first grooming for puppies and nervous dogs.

Safety and behaviour

• Bite or nip history – Even one incident around paws, ears, or nail clipping helps staff plan handling and tools.
• Fear triggers – Dryer noise, being lifted, men vs women, other dogs in view.
• Muzzle tolerance – Some salons use basket muzzles briefly for safety; say if your dog has never worn one or panics.
• Recent behaviour changes – Pain from arthritis or ear infection often shows as sudden snapping. See dog nibble during grooming.
• Whether you can stay – Most salons prefer owners wait outside; confirm policy. Read should I stay when my dog is groomed.

If anything changed between booking and drop-off, send a quick text. A dog who nipped at home yesterday needs the groomer to know today.

Health and skin

• Vet diagnoses – Allergies, hip issues, heart disease, seizures, anything that affects standing time or water temperature.
• Open wounds, lumps, or hot spots – Groomers can work around them or ask for vet clearance.
• Fleas or ticks – Salons may need to schedule differently or use a flea shampoo policy.
• Medications – Especially sedatives prescribed for grooming; never medicate without vet direction. See sedate dog for grooming.
• Skin reactions after past grooms – Mention itching or scabs so hypoallergenic products can be used.

Hotspots, ear gunk, lumps, and last vet visit. Show the cream. A blade over a scab is how pickup gets ugly. They’d rather a two-line text the night before than a surprise on the table. Flag seizure history or heart meds too if a dryer panic is likely.

Coat condition and timeline

• Matting – Honest photos save time; severe mats can require a short clip for welfare. Read dog matting.
• Last groom date – Helps them estimate time and blade choice.
• Shedding goals – If you want deshedding emphasis on a Labrador or Husky, say so. See what does deshed mean.
• Double-coated breed – Say if you want deshedding, not a full shave. See shaving double-coated dogs.

Last groom date and whether anyone has already tried to comb out mats. Honesty here is cheaper than a fight at pickup about a welfare clip. If the collar is felted, say felted. “A little fluffy” wastes everyone’s time.

Style and length (especially Oodles and Poodles)

• Reference photos – Bring 1-2 clear pictures of the trim you want on similar coat texture.
• Length in millimetres – “Not too short” is vague; ask for 12 mm body with rounded face, for example.
• Breed vs pet trim – A “puppy cut” or breed-standard trim aren’t the same. See Poodle and Oodle haircut lengths explained.
• Areas to leave longer – Leg feathering, top knot, tail flag, clean face vs teddy face.

Centimetres or a blade number plus a photo. “Teddy” is not a length. If you want a longer skirt and a shorter face, say both. Changing the brief at pickup is how uneven ears happen. Lock it before clippers start.

Practical booking details

Confirm price band for your dog’s size (small full groom commonly $70-$90, medium $85-$110, large $100-$140 at salons), what’s included, estimated duration, and cancellation policy. See 2026 grooming prices and how far in advance to book.

Who will collect, whether they can wait, and a backup number. Payment method if they don’t take cards. Parking notes for inner-city salons. Boring details prevent the “we’ve finished and you’re not answering” text while your dog sits in a crate.

Sample drop-off note you can copy

Many Australian salons appreciate a short printed note at handover. Example: “Cavoodle, 8 kg, last groom 5 weeks ago, mild matting behind ears, nibbles at nail clippers, no medications, wants 14 mm teddy body with rounded face (photo attached).” That takes two minutes and prevents the rushed verbal version at a busy counter.

If your dog has a bite history, don’t downplay it to get a booking. Groomers need lead time to schedule a second handler or a quieter slot. Honesty protects your dog and the staff.

Frequently Asked Questions