How To Pick a Good Groomer: Why Not All Groomers Are Created Equal

What to Look Out For

The pet grooming industry is entirely unregulated--meaning literally anyone can buy a pair of clippers and start taking clients. No license is required. No safety or handling course. No hands-on training. And unfortunately, that lack of accountability leads to a wide range of service quality at best, with increased risk for severe injury at worst--and some very real risks to your pet's safety and comfort. 

Experience Doesn't Always Mean Expertise

Many pet owners are told to "look for someone with lots of experience", but the truth is: years don't always equal skill. Clients have shared stories of seasoned groomers who were rough with their pets, rushed through the service, or used outdated and unsafe techniques. What you really want is someone who's invested in continuing education and certified in animal safety and behavior at a minimum. Some of the worst work and most abusive handling I've seen came from groomers with over 20 years of experience that chose to not only disregard continued education--but laugh at the thought of it.

Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore

• You don't receive any intake questions. A reputable groomer will always ask about your pet's health, behavior, and past grooming experiences. If they don't--it's a sign they may treat all pets the same, regardless of individual needs, which could cause health and safety issues.
• They Don't Require Proof of Vaccination. I know this is controversial for some, however in the state of California, all groomers are legally required to have proof of vaccinations on file in the event an accident occurs. Skirting this law endangers staff and every other dog in the salon. Now, you can provide a vet note exempting your pet from vaccinations for health reasons if that is a concern.
• You Feel Uncomfortable Asking Questions or You are Met with Defensiveness when You Do. You should never feel uncomfortable, dismissed, or brushed off when asking questions for clarification. A professional welcomes your questions because they respect you and your pet and want to be on the same page.
• Online Courses are All They've Completed, If Any. Many franchise owners have no real knowledge or experience before they open up shop, all they see are dollar signs. There are also plenty of people in a similar boat, but rather than being fueled by money, they are only fueled by their love for dogs--sounds pure enough, but puts them in the same boat as those franchise owners that think they can pick it up as they go or take an online course and call it a day. This is a severe gamble on your pet's safety. You can memorize the ins and outs of dog grooming on paper but be completely clueless and unprepared in reality. This is a tactile industry that is much different in reality than in theory, and it is crucial to train under a seasoned mentor up to date with continued education.
• You Know Your Pet Struggles with Certain Services, But You Always Hear, "Everything Was Great!" Good groomers will inform you of any and all changes in health and behavior or report business as usual and are transparent if your pet had anxiety or fear surrounding the dryer or getting their nails done. There is bound to come a point where there is a change unless you are very close with your vet, whether it's subtle or not, and it is imperative knowledge to the owner that can aid in potential diagnoses when needed. Shady grooming practices train their staff to tell you your dog was perfect despite there being obvious signs of distress that go ignored to complete the groom to not only charge full price, but to get you to trust them to get you to come back-- and it is exceptionally more common than one would think.
• Yes-Men. Due to the lack of regulation and overwhelming amount of misinformation out there, it's very common for owners to request services that will harm their dog unbeknownst to them. A good groomer will educate you, offer a solution tailored to your pet's unique needs, and refuse the harmful request. An example is shaving your double coated dog for the first time because you think it will stop the shedding or asking to get the nails as short as possible by going past the quick (vein, and yes, I've gotten that request plenty of times). Good groomers will not accept the job unless you accept adjusted services.
• Lack of Communication and or Transparency. If they refuse to let you see the grooming area, won't explain their grooming process or policies or are vague, or discourage you from staying nearby, run for the hills. It is normal practice to not allow clients to stay at the salon or go into the groom room when they are working due to insurance and safety risks, however they should have no problem with you waiting nearby.
• Poor Hygiene or Facility Conditions. If the space smells bad or if tools or equipment look dirty or poorly maintained, you will be jeopardizing your pet's health by making or keeping your appointment. Due to the nature of the job, salons--mobile or stationary--have high humidity which can cause mold if not properly sealed and maintained. Dirty or poorly maintained equipment not only have an increased risk of injuring your pet but make them susceptible to infection if injured.
• Bashing Other Groomers or Businesses. There is no reason any good groomer will have anything negative to say about other groomers or salons in the area. If you bring a choppy cut from one salon to another to fix it, it should be met with questions - not condemning the previous groomer. The grooming industry is surprisingly catty, and unfortunately such people in the clique feel it appropriate to put others down to lift themselves up. This is a major sign they do not have a good knowledge base of behavior and all that can affect it, as there are a multitude of reasons why a dog can be sent home incomplete or choppy--it very well could have been done to keep stress levels down or to keep the pet from injuring itself.

Conclusion:

You trust your groomer with your pet's health, happiness, and safety. That's a big deal. Don't settle for someone who cuts corners, rushes through appointment, doesn't take the time to know your pet's background, or treats your pet like just another number. Do your research, ask questions, and trust your gut--your pet deserves nothing less.

How Roman's Empire Sets a Higher Standard

At Roman's Empire, we believe grooming should never be a gamble. We're AKC S.A.F.E. Certified, Fear-Free Certified, breed origin and standard knowledgeable, and involved in continued education to keep us up to date with any and all industry advancements.