If you had to name the most important people in your dog’s life, your dog groomer would probably be on the list. If not among the top five, surely amid the top ten. Somewhere between their vet and your uncle who always gives them hidden chunks of meat.
A grooming session is more than a mere hygiene service; it is a bonding experience and a profound expression of pet care and wellness. Certainly, your dog doesn’t see it that way. But you know it’s the ultimate sign of gratitude toward that fur ball who’s almost the center of your life.
All grandiosity and exaggeration apart, a dog groomer is an important service provider. The question is, after the job’s done, how should you tip them? How much is too much? How much is too little?
What’s a service provider?
Before delving into numbers and percentages, let’s summarize what service providers do and how they’re typically paid. Service providers offer services that make our lives easier: They style our hair, make coffee, and bring our avocado toast. Though an institution or facility may employ them, many service providers rely heavily on the tips they receive from their clients.
What does a dog groomer do?
A dog groomer is a special service provider that resolves everything concerning your pet’s personal hygiene and comfort. Whatever your dog’s thoughts are on having their nails clipped, hair trimmed, and blow-dried, he or she comes out the other side feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
And what’s in it for you? Having your dog groomed professionally saves you time. It can also save you money at the vet, as many grooming tasks are a hassle to do yourself but are important in avoiding infections.
So, how much should you tip a dog groomer?
Having said this, how much is a good tip? Well, it depends on a range of circumstances.
Size, temper, and complexity of dog’s hygiene needs
The complexity of the dog’s grooming needs matters regarding tipping. Dogs come in all sizes, furs, and complexities. Grooming a well-behaved Border Collie is not the same as grooming a hostile Maltese. Dog groomers may sometimes get bit and scratched.
While some dogs may only require a quick brush and a nail trim, others, like the Afghan Hound, may require more time for hair styling. Dogs whose hair tends to get matted may also require more effort.
Pet grooming isn’t typically charged by the hour, but per session. A professional dog groomer should be able to handle a wide range of grooming challenges and do their job efficiently. A session might last anywhere between 30 minutes to a couple of hours. This also weighs in on the tip.
For most grooming services that are simple to normal (well-behaved, small to medium-sized, standard bristle fur), you could tip 15%-10%.
For complicated grooming services (a hostile dog, big-sized, matted fur, or double coat), you could tip 25% to 40%.
Was the job well done? Was it not?
Of course, the result tips the scale on the recognition. Is your dog as good as new? Is their hair soft as silk and shiny as the sea? Most people expect a professional service with excellent treatment toward you and your dog. If this box is checked, you can reward them with a tip of 20% and up.
What if you didn’t love the result or were unhappy with the service?
Not all service providers deliver what’s expected of them. However, if you’re unhappy with your dog’s hair, you should still tip the groomer. Especially if you believe they did their best. Tell them politely what you didn’t like about the cut, and tip them 15% to 20%.
Did they go the extra mile?
For example, going beyond what’s expected of a groomer could be cleaning your dog’s teeth and ears. Or being extra patient with your dog and showing signs of sweetness and care toward them. In this case, you could tip 20% to 30%.
What about holidays?
It’s a normal practice to pay bigger tips on holidays. You never know how much effort working a holiday is for your groomer. They may be taking time away from their families and their own leisure time. Consider a 40% tip or a gift card.
See also
What do dog groomers think?
Sidewalk Dog recently asked on Facebook how much to tip a groomer, and many dog groomers replied. A user underlined the level of commitment required for the job, mentioning the task of properly cleaning a dog’s hind area. Some also noted that grooming is very difficult and that 20% is a good baseline, going up if the job was complicated.
Interestingly, many users underlined that they would prefer the grooming services to be done more regularly and the tips to be less. This makes sense since more visits mean the job will run more smoothly, thus justifying a more regular tip.
Some even went as far as saying that if the tip financially worries pet owners, they would prefer they bring the dog in regularly and not receive a tip.
Other ways to show your appreciation
A tip is considered a sign of recognition and appreciation for a service that was well done. But there are other ways of showing gratitude that can be added to a suggested 20% tip to be given whenever possible.
- Writing positive reviews on google.
- Acknowledging them on social media by uploading photos of their work and tagging them.
- Sharing your positive experience with them to their employer.
- Gift cards.
The bottom line
Your dog needs grooming, and your dog groomer is the one who will do it the best. A tip is a sign of appreciation than can help strengthen your alliance with them, letting them know exactly how you would like your dog to be groomed.
If you take your dog regularly and the service goes smoothly, you can tip 20%. But, if your groomer looks like they spent a week under the sofa and is completely covered in your dog’s hair, consider tipping upwards of 40%.
