Questions to Ask Before Your Dog's First Groom

A good first groom starts with good communication. The more I know about your dog before we start, the better experience I can give them.

Here's what to tell your groomer - and what to ask them.

What to Tell Your Groomer

Behavior & Personality

• Is your dog generally calm, anxious, or reactive?
• How do they do with strangers handling them?
• Have they been groomed before? How did it go?
• Any history of biting, snapping, or fear aggression?
• Do they have any triggers (loud noises, specific handling)?

Sensitive Areas

• Do they hate having their paws touched?
• Are they ear-shy?
• Any areas where they're ticklish or sensitive?
• Do they have any painful spots (arthritis, old injuries)?

Medical Information

• Any skin conditions, allergies, or hot spots?
• Lumps, bumps, or warts I should be careful around?
• Joint problems or mobility issues?
• Seizure history?
• Any medications that might affect grooming?
• Recent surgeries or injuries?

The Style You Want

• How short do you want the body?
• What style face - teddy bear, clean face, natural?
• Ears left long or trimmed short?
• Tail style preference?
• Any specific look you're going for?

Pro tip: Bring photos! A picture of the haircut you want is worth a thousand words. Even a photo of your dog from a previous groom you liked helps.

Questions to Ask Your Groomer

About Their Process

• Do you cage dogs while they wait?
• How many dogs do you groom at once?
• How long will my dog be there?
• Can I see where you work?
• What products do you use?

About Experience

• How long have you been grooming?
• Do you have experience with my breed?
• How do you handle anxious dogs?
• What do you do if a dog gets too stressed?

About the Appointment

• What's included in the price?
• Are there any add-on charges I should know about?
• How should I prepare my dog?
• Should I stay or leave during the groom?
• How will you contact me when it's done?

Red Flags to Watch For

A good groomer will welcome your questions. Be cautious if they:

• Seem annoyed by questions about their process
• Won't let you see the grooming area
• Can't explain how they handle anxious dogs
• Rush you through the consultation
• Guarantee a specific time regardless of dog's needs
• Don't ask YOU any questions about your dog

What I'll Ask You

When you book with me, I'll want to know:

• Your dog's name, breed, and age
• Any grooming history (good or bad experiences)
• Behavioral concerns or sensitivities
• Medical issues I should know about
• The look you're going for
• Anything else you think I should know

The more you share, the better I can tailor the experience to your specific dog.

Don't Be Shy

Some owners feel embarrassed telling me their dog is difficult, or that they had a bad experience elsewhere. Please don't be.

I specialize in anxious dogs. I'd much rather know upfront that your dog is nervous than discover it mid-groom. That information helps me - it doesn't scare me away.

The best grooms happen when there are no surprises. Tell me everything.

What to Bring to the First Groom

You don't need to pack a bag, but for an anxious dog a few familiar items help. Everything here is optional - plenty of confident dogs need nothing at all.

• A favorite toy - something that smells like home and won't be destroyed if left nearby.
• A small blanket from home - don't wash it first; the familiar scent is the whole point.
• High-value treats - small and soft, the ones you save for special occasions.
• A worn t-shirt - for very anxious dogs, a shirt that smells like you can be calming. Sleep in it the night before.

Skip these: full meals (nervous dogs can get nauseous, so light treats only), toys they resource-guard, and calming sprays you haven't tested at home first. The most important thing you bring is your own calm energy.

Prepare at Home in the Weeks Before

The dogs who do best aren't the calmest ones - they're the prepared ones. A few minutes a day of gentle handling builds tolerance for the parts of grooming dogs find stressful. Pair everything with treats and praise, and always end on a positive note.

• Paws - hold each paw, touch between the toes, lightly press the nails. Nail trims are the number-one stress point.
• Ears - lift the flap, touch around the opening, rub the base (most dogs love that part).
• Face and muzzle - gently hold the muzzle, lift the lips, hold the chin still for a few seconds.
• Tail and hindquarters - lift the tail and get them used to being handled at the back end for sanitary trims.
• Grooming sounds - play clipper and dryer sounds quietly from YouTube with treats, raising the volume over days.
• Brushing - short, positive sessions over the whole body, not just the easy spots.

Should You Stay or Leave During the Groom?

Owners of anxious dogs often want to stay and watch. After grooming hundreds of dogs, my honest advice is that most dogs do better when you leave.

When you stay, your dog spends the whole groom focused on you - whining, pulling toward you, looking to you for rescue during nail trims or ear cleaning. When you step out, that pressure disappears. Within a few minutes most dogs settle, turn their attention to me, and accept what's happening. It isn't about trust: dogs trust you to protect them, so your presence during something uncomfortable is actually confusing for them. Anxious dogs also mirror your nervousness, and leaving breaks that feedback loop.

Leave well - keep it quick and casual ("Bye, have fun!"), don't linger at the door, and trust they'll be fine. I'll text you when we're done. If it helps, tell me their fears ahead of time, bring a comfort item, and ask for photo updates. A rare few severely anxious dogs do better with their owner present, but that's something we work toward intentionally, not the default.