09/15/2026
🐾 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DOG GROOMER 🐾
It’s 8:45 AM. The first dogs are coming through the door, everyone is getting checked in, and we’re ready to have a smooth, productive day.
Then real life happens.
One client needs to explain every detail of their dog’s haircut—which we absolutely want to hear—but check-in takes a little longer than expected.
The phone rings.
Another dog is terrified of the dryer, so instead of forcing them through it, we slow down, lower the dryer and give them breaks. Their groom may take longer, but keeping them comfortable matters more than rushing.
The phone rings again.
A puppy is here for their very first groom. They’re wiggly, confused and convinced the clippers are suspicious. They need extra patience, reassurance and sometimes a few little breaks so their first grooming experience is a positive one. New dog mom doesn’t want to leave them, so that check in takes a bit longer.
A walk-in nail trim arrives.
The first client walks in to check to see if their dog is done. It’s only been an hour. She just got on the grooming table for her haircut. Dog gets excited to see her owner, takes 10 additional minutes to calm down again.
One groomer needs an extra set of hands with a large or nervous dog.
Then that dog p**ps on the table, and has to be put away to get it all properly cleaned up.
We stop to sign for a product delivery.
Someone remembers, “Oh crap—I forgot to call that client back!”
Meanwhile, a dog that was completely clean and almost ready to go p**ps in the kennel…and then steps, sits and somehow rolls in it. Back to the tub we go! 🫠
The humidity has decided that nobody’s thick coat is going to dry on schedule today.
Wait…did that dryer just quit?
Another walk-in nail trim arrives.
Another dog pees on the grooming table.
Check the plug. Check the breaker. Turn it off and back on. Say a tiny prayer. 😂
Now a client is here to pick up, so every dog currently being worked on has to be safely secured before we step away. We check the finished dog out, discuss their groom, collect payment, answer questions and get their next appointment rebooked.
Then we safely get everyone back out and start again.
The phone rings. Again.
This is why grooming pickup times are estimates—not promises carved in stone.
We are working with living, breathing animals, not products moving down an assembly line. Dogs get scared. Puppies need patience. Senior dogs need breaks. Some coats take longer than expected. Equipment occasionally acts up. Accidents happen. Clients need help. Coworkers need help. And sometimes a freshly bathed dog decides it would be a wonderful time to p**p in the kennel.
If your dog’s groom takes a little longer, it does not mean they have been forgotten or that we aren’t working hard. Most of the time, it means we’re adjusting to what that dog—and the salon—needs that day.
We would rather take a little more time and handle your dog safely, patiently and kindly than rush through their groom just to meet an exact time. We are skipping lunches, skipping breaks, and going as quickly as safely possible to get your baby back to you—clean, healthy, and safe.
We promise we know you’re waiting, and we will always contact you as soon as your dog is ready. Calling repeatedly for an update can actually slow the process down because we must safely stop what we’re doing before answering the phone.
So when we say, “We’ll call you when they’re ready,” please know that we mean it. We haven’t forgotten about you. We’re probably just drying a doodle, comforting a puppy, cleaning up p**p, resetting a breaker, holding a wiggly dog for a coworker and answering the phone—all at the same time. 😂
Thank you to the clients who give us grace, trust the process and understand that a safe groom is always more important than a rushed groom. We truly appreciate you. ❤️🐾
