Time is one of a groomer’s most valuable resources. Whether you're mobile or salon-based, staying on schedule keeps your business running smoothly—and your stress levels manageable. But rushing can compromise safety, quality, and even your reputation. The key is to work smarter, not faster. Here’s how to save time without sacrificing precision or care.
1. Set the Stage: Prep Before the Groom Begins
Prepping your station before the client arrives is one of the easiest ways to shave time off the clock:
-
Lay out all tools: brushes, clippers, shears, blades, ear cleaner, cotton, towels
-
Pre-fill your tub or water heater if needed
-
Sanitize and check blades and attachments before your first dog arrives
A fully stocked and organized station reduces fumbling and mid-groom tool hunts.
2. Dry First When You Can
If a dog’s coat allows it, blast dry before dematting or brushing. Drying first lifts mats, loosens undercoat, and speeds up brushing time considerably.
For drop-coated or non-shedding breeds, towel dry thoroughly and use a high-velocity dryer to break up tangles before attacking with a slicker brush.
3. Work in a Consistent Flow Pattern
Developing a consistent grooming flow—same order of operations every time—saves time and reduces missed steps:
A repeatable routine turns into muscle memory, which makes even tricky dogs easier to handle efficiently.
4. Use the Right Tools for the Right Job
Time lost to the wrong tool adds up fast. Examples:
-
Use chunkers to blend quickly instead of overworking with thinning shears
-
Use longer blades or guards to speed up bulk cutting on large breeds
-
Swap to a pin brush or rake if the slicker isn't reaching through a thick coat
Investing in the right tool saves more time in the long run than struggling with the wrong one.
5. Don’t Fight the Coat
Don’t waste time trying to preserve an overgrown, severely matted coat just to meet a client’s unrealistic expectations.
Instead:
“Your dog’s coat is in a condition that would make a full trim painful. A short cut today is the most humane option, and we can work together to maintain length going forward.”
Clear boundaries save you time and build trust.
6. Nail Trims: Tackle Early and Quickly
Nail trims can either be a 2-minute task or a 10-minute struggle—depending on timing and technique. Do them early in the groom when the dog’s still dry, alert, and less tired. Use guillotine-style or quick-grind Dremels for speed if tolerated.
7. Pre-Book and Pre-Communicate
Avoid late arrivals and re-do discussions by:
-
Sending text reminders with grooming instructions (like potty before arrival)
-
Pre-booking clients for their next groom while they’re still in the salon
-
Charging for no-shows or late arrivals to reinforce punctuality
Less back-and-forth = more time on the table.
8. Time Yourself and Set Personal Benchmarks
Start tracking how long each step takes for different breeds or coat types. This will help you:
-
Identify bottlenecks in your workflow
-
Adjust pricing to match time and effort
-
Spot areas where a tool upgrade or technique change could help
Over time, you'll naturally build speed without pushing quality aside.
Speed doesn’t mean rushing. It means optimizing. When your setup, routine, communication, and tools are dialed in, you can shave minutes off every groom—without cutting corners. The result? More dogs, more income, and less stress in your day.
Maximizing Your Time: How to Shave Minutes Off Your Groom Without Losing Quality
Time is one of a groomer’s most valuable resources. Whether you're mobile or salon-based, staying on schedule keeps your business running smoothly—and your stress levels manageable. But rushing can compromise safety, quality, and even your reputation. The key is to work smarter, not faster. Here’s how to save time without sacrificing precision or care.
1. Set the Stage: Prep Before the Groom Begins
Prepping your station before the client arrives is one of the easiest ways to shave time off the clock:
Lay out all tools: brushes, clippers, shears, blades, ear cleaner, cotton, towels
Pre-fill your tub or water heater if needed
Sanitize and check blades and attachments before your first dog arrives
A fully stocked and organized station reduces fumbling and mid-groom tool hunts.
2. Dry First When You Can
If a dog’s coat allows it, blast dry before dematting or brushing. Drying first lifts mats, loosens undercoat, and speeds up brushing time considerably.
For drop-coated or non-shedding breeds, towel dry thoroughly and use a high-velocity dryer to break up tangles before attacking with a slicker brush.
3. Work in a Consistent Flow Pattern
Developing a consistent grooming flow—same order of operations every time—saves time and reduces missed steps:
Sanitary trim → pads → nails → ears → bath → dry → body cut → legs → head
Or whatever order works best for you—but stick to it
A repeatable routine turns into muscle memory, which makes even tricky dogs easier to handle efficiently.
4. Use the Right Tools for the Right Job
Time lost to the wrong tool adds up fast. Examples:
Use chunkers to blend quickly instead of overworking with thinning shears
Use longer blades or guards to speed up bulk cutting on large breeds
Swap to a pin brush or rake if the slicker isn't reaching through a thick coat
Investing in the right tool saves more time in the long run than struggling with the wrong one.
5. Don’t Fight the Coat
Don’t waste time trying to preserve an overgrown, severely matted coat just to meet a client’s unrealistic expectations.
Instead:
Clear boundaries save you time and build trust.
6. Nail Trims: Tackle Early and Quickly
Nail trims can either be a 2-minute task or a 10-minute struggle—depending on timing and technique. Do them early in the groom when the dog’s still dry, alert, and less tired. Use guillotine-style or quick-grind Dremels for speed if tolerated.
7. Pre-Book and Pre-Communicate
Avoid late arrivals and re-do discussions by:
Sending text reminders with grooming instructions (like potty before arrival)
Pre-booking clients for their next groom while they’re still in the salon
Charging for no-shows or late arrivals to reinforce punctuality
Less back-and-forth = more time on the table.
8. Time Yourself and Set Personal Benchmarks
Start tracking how long each step takes for different breeds or coat types. This will help you:
Identify bottlenecks in your workflow
Adjust pricing to match time and effort
Spot areas where a tool upgrade or technique change could help
Over time, you'll naturally build speed without pushing quality aside.
Speed doesn’t mean rushing. It means optimizing. When your setup, routine, communication, and tools are dialed in, you can shave minutes off every groom—without cutting corners. The result? More dogs, more income, and less stress in your day.