Do You Tip Dog Groomers? 5 Reasons Why You Should Be

There are 63.4 million homes in the United States with at least one dog living in them. And if you’re one of them, chances are your dog has been to the groomer at least once in its life.

Some dog breeds have long hair that will grow unless it is cut from time to time, thus necessitating a visit to the groomer every few months.

This service typically includes a bath and a hair cut. Your groomer may also include extras like clipping the nails, cleaning the ears and excising the anal glands.

But, do you tip dog groomers?

While not everyone sees groomers as a service worker you should be tipping, we think there’s good reason to. Read on for some of our top thoughts on why your dog groomer should receive a little something extra from you each time you go.

1. They’re Performing a Service for You

Think about it. You tip most people who perform services for you. You tip delivery drivers, taxi drivers, waiters, hairdressers…the list goes on. It’s practically ingrained in American culture at this point. So, why would you leave a dog groomer off the list?

A dog groomer is performing a service for you, and one that can be unpleasant at times. Your dog may have a nasty temper or may be old or sensitive. Your dogs are your babies to you, but to someone else, they may be a bit of handful.

As such, you should always tip a dog groomer for performing a service you couldn’t otherwise complete for yourself.

2. They’re Professionals and Should Be Treated as Such

Dog groomers are professionals. They’ve been to school to learn how to cut your pup’s hair. Many of them have years and years of experience to get where they are now. They may even own their own business and have a goal-oriented mindset.

As professionals, you want them to know you recognize and appreciate the work that has gone into their careers. As such, you should give them a little bit of a tip in recognition of that.

3. They Endeavor to Deal with Picky Customers

You may love your dog groomer and think they do an excellent job. But if you’ve ever worked in the service industry, you know that people can be petty and picky. Working in the service industry is exhausting, and they probably have had times where they want to throw down their clippers and walk away.

Since they voluntarily put themselves in “harm’s way” like this, you should let them know you appreciate them, even if other customers can be picky, rude or a nightmare. A tip is a little bit extra to say thank you for dealing with people that might not be so easy to please.

4. You Love Their Work

Does your dog groomer always bring your dog back smelling fresh? Do they give them a fresh cut that makes them positively radiate? Does your dog prance around afterward?

And most importantly, does your dog act like they like that person?

If so, you should give them an even more generous tip than you would as a standard thank you. This is because you’re acknowledging that they’ve done a great job.

Sure, anyone could have cut your dog’s hair, but a groomer that your dog loves and who performed well? That’s priceless. As such, they should definitely be rewarded. After all, it gives them an even bigger incentive to do well and make sure your pooch is always a priority with them.

5. They Often Accommodate Your Needs Above and Beyond Their Call of Duty

You’ve probably had a time in which a dog groomer came early or stayed late just to take care of your pup. Or, maybe you have a dog groomer that comes to your house in a mobile van and grooms them at your home for convenience.

In these ways, your groomer is accommodating your needs and putting themselves by the wayside in order to ensure your pet gets their hair cut.

If your groomer does this, it is something that should definitely be acknowledged with an extra tip. This is a way to say thank you for going above and beyond their regular call of duty.

How Much Do You Tip Dog Groomers?

Tipping can be tricky, but when you’re given a service, you should always reward it with a little bit of cash. 15% is a good place to start.

If someone did an okay job, as in they didn’t go above and beyond but you’re satisfied with their service, a 15% tip is reasonable.

If you had a lot of issues with a dog groomer, or they didn’t perform their job well, a 10% tip may be appropriate.

However, the better the individual performed in their role, the more you should tip them. 20%, or more if you can swing it, is a good baseline if the server has gone above and beyond to meet your needs.

Visiting a Dog Groomer

So, do you tip dog groomers? Absolutely. These are the small business owners who need our support more than ever right now. They’re performing a vital service for you, and as such, you need to acknowledge what they’re doing for you. Tipping is customary in most instances, and as such, it should be customary in this one, too.

Are you looking for software to help you keep your grooming business running? If so, you can request information about Daysmart Pet Software, or you can try it for free with no obligation. Let us make managing your business easier.