Finding the Best Dog Groomer is Easier With These Tips

Last updated on September 9th, 2026 at 04:53 pm

When you use the best dog groomer in your area, it makes life easier. Let’s face it, a dog groomer can make or break your day.

When you pick up your dog up from the salon and love the look, it’s a happy experience. But seeing your dog look more like a 5-year-old got their hands on scissors can make you cry and ruin your entire day.

That means finding the best dog groomer for you and your pup is important. This article tells you what to look for in a great groomer, what to avoid, and how to find a groomer that will make and not break your day.

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a cute yorkie enjoys a trim from the best dog groomer

Budget Tip:

Keeping your dog groomed regulary, means you keep their fur and skin healthy. That means you can avoid other expenses later on down the road. Finding the best dog groomer for you and your pup is really a cost savings, and can put your mind at ease. That's worth the effort.

Table of Contents

Where To Look For A Good Dog Groomer

There are ways to gather a list of viable dog groomers that you might want to try.

1. Ask friends and family

If a groomer has passed the tests of friends and family, they deserve a look.

2. Look at reviews

You can find reviews on groomers’ websites, YELP, and Google. I recommend taking the overall view and impression of the reviews. Some will be bad, some will be good, but what’s the overall impression? And how did the groomer respond to bad reviews? Or did they?

3. Ask your vet

Your veterinarian will know all the local animal resources. He mostly knows one of them or their work. He will be able to give you some input.

In this article, I walk you through how to find a great veterinarian for you and your dog.

4. Ask at the dog park

Now that you’re taking your dog to the dog park, you’ll see other dogs that you know are groomed. You can ask their owners for a referral. Also, they will probably tell you the groomers you should avoid. Both are valuable pieces of information.

In this article, I talk about the unwritten rules of the dog park and how to master them.

Again, your dog walker will have experience with many dog groomers and will know which ones are good and which ones to avoid.

In this article, I walk you through the process of finding a great dog walker.

7. Ask at doggie daycare

The staff and dog parents at doggie daycare will hear about the good and bad of many dog groomers. You can even see the dog groomers’ work firsthand.

In this article, I discuss how to find a fabulous doggie daycare for you and your pup.

What To Do When You Have A List of Possible Dog Groomers?

You’ve now asked a lot of people for a dog groomer referral. Is there a name or two that keeps popping up? If so, then that is one that you might want to look at further with an in-person inspection.

In-person inspections

It’s time to grab your dog and pop in on the groomers. You want to take your dog to assess how he reacts to the groomer. This is important.

Dogs are very sensitive to people’s true personalities. If your dog walks in happy, meets the groomer, and starts shaking, you may want to rethink this groomer.

What To Look For In The Best Dog Groomer

1. Cleanliness

You want the shop to be clean. Yes, there will be fur. But the shop shouldn’t be dirty. It should be professional. The staff and groomers should be clean and professional.

2. Happy dogs

Look at the dogs being groomed in the salon. Are their tails wagging? Look at their back. Do they have their backs hunched with heads down? Are they shaking or trying to hide?

This is great information. Dogs can’t hide much. Look for what they are saying.

3. Dog Groomer Responses Interactions

How are the groomers interacting with the dogs? Are they talking kindly and being kind to the dogs? Or are they hurling curse words at the dogs and tossing them around on the tables?

Of course, some dogs are a bit of a challenge to groom. However, experienced groomers can handle challenging dogs. You just have to find the right one for you.

4. Cameras Can Provide Reassurance

Look around the shop for cameras. If there are cameras, ask if you can look in on your dog while he’s being groomed. Some groomers have this option.

10 Questions To Ask a Potential Dog Groomer

How long have you been a groomer?
Have you ever groomed a dog like mine? How many times?
What would you do if my dog acts up?
Can I get an appointment on short notice?
How long does it take to groom a dog like mine?
Do you trim nails as an included cost?
Do you have special shampoos for sensitive pups’ skin and coats?
What is the cost to groom a dog like mine?
How will you notify me when my dog is ready?
Are you able to do specialty cuts?

Note: For speciality cuts, I generally will get my cockapoo groomed with the teddy bear cut. Experienced groomers will not have any issues meeting your requirements. But you should ask during your initial meeting. Many groomers will even provide photos of their work.

Does Finding The Best Dog Groomer Save Me Money?

When you have a great dog groomer, they help to keep your dog’s coat, skin, paws, and nails healthy. Think of the groomer as part of your dog care team. Also, a great groomer will let you know if they find anything suspicious so you can act early and hopefully avoid a pricey problem. Consider the following for a moment.

Curious about how to prevent your dog from costing you more than you expected? Here are the hidden costs most dog parents overlook and how to avoid them.

What to Consider	Estimated Cost
Vet Visit	$50 – 250+
Dog Skin Infection	$150 – 500+
Pain and Broken Nails	$100 – 300
A pup with healthy skin, coat, nails, and looking good	PRICELESS!!!!

Are you looking for ways to save on your dog’s expenses without compromising? This free 5-day reset will give you the tools you need.

Final Thoughts On How To Find The Best Dog Groomer

Finding the best dog groomer for your dog can seem like a daunting task. Once you have a list of potential dog groomers, you can narrow your choices. By taking your dog and visiting the salon

In-person evaluations allow you to ask questions and observe how the groomer treats the dog and how the dogs react to the groomer. My dog, Henry, has always told me which groomer is the best dog groomer for him.