Taking your dogs to get groomed....?

Question

When you take your dog to get groomed,
do you tip the groomer "and" the bather?
I did, but I wasn't sure if we're supposed to or not.

Thanks for your opinions :)

JJ,
Hasn't your Mother ever taught you that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?

I guess this is the only way you think you can get attention.
Bad attention, is better than no attention?

Grow up !!!

Answer 1

Yes you can tip and it will be appreciated. When I worked in shops, the groomers often gave the bathers a percentage of their tips if the bather was missed by the pet owner. When my son was young, we often lived off my tips while waiting for the next paycheck so sometimes that tip goes further than you think and is very appreciated.

I don't generally look at a check from a customer until after our conversation is over because I think it is kind of tacky to do so while they are standing there but I always thank all of my customers the same whether I know they have tipped me nicely, tipped me very little or skipped me once again.

Another thing to think about when not making payment directly to your groomer but to a manager or cashier: I have had more than one employer/co-worker steal my tips before I ever knew I had any coming so please, whenever possible, ask to talk to the groomer and pass the cash directly into her hand. Some of the nicest people I have worked with have stolen from me, only for me to see a check written out in the cash drawer for higher than the groom amount yet they never told me I had that coming!

Normally a groomer will tip her bather out of her tips but often the bather is part time and gets to cut out and go home early as soon as the last dog is done, then the groomer gets to clean the whole shop at the end of the day so often the groomer is working harder and longer than the bather and tipping goes either way with the bather. When bathers do the bath dogs that get no haircuts, they should receive the entire tip on those dogs so it kind of evens out.

As far as 'most groomers' being prisoners, this is totally untrue! I have seen the prisoner program at my state but have never worked with any ex-cons. The particular vet who stated that most groomers were prisoners most likely had his practice in a town close to one of these state programs. There are also prison programs for men to train dogs for the handicapped but I would also not tell everyone that all trainers are former prisoners. The thought of a statement like that is just ridiculous.

Finally, I hope I'm not being greedy here but I would far prefer the cash tip to the card. The card is nice but the cash lasts in my mind forever. It also helps get your foot in the door when the schedule is super tight and you forgot to call in advance. When we hear your name mentioned the first thing that goes through our mind is your dog's temperament (is she sweet or a difficult brat?) The next thing is 'She's a good tipper' - Oh OK, tell her to bring her in, I'll squeeze her in. If you never tip and the dog is difficult and the day is booked solid, you will most likely need to wait until there is a day with enough time.
Sorry if that sounds bad but I am trying to be completely honest and I will bet money that I am not the only service provider with the same thought process. Maybe that is what tipping is all about. We really do take good care of our customers who take good care of us.

Answer 2

Every Petsmart is going to be different. Some have wonderful groomers, some don't. I used to work in Petsmart grooming and our salon manager was trained by a show groomer. She is an amazing groomer and takes great pride in her work. Then on the flip side there are horrible hack jobs that take place but Petsmart GUARENTEES your satisfaction and will fix anything and everything that you have an issue with. So please, for the millionth time, just because the ONE store you brought your dog to sucked, doesn't mean they all do. There are thousands of groomers who work for Petsmart in this country. And many of the 'private groomers' that everyone recommends people go to instead are castoffs of Petco/Petsmart grooming. They don't have any regulations and they don't have to do anything to appease you. If you want to find a good groomer than ask around your area, don't just jump on the 'private is better than corporate' bandwagon like everyone else. ETA: And yes, Petsmart does shave dogs often. But it's not because it's easier, it's because it's less pain for the dog. If a dog can easily be brushed out without causing pain to the dog then of course they would do what they can. But if an owner cannot keep on top of brushing their dog, why should the groomer torture the poor thing for two hours brushing out horrible mats?

Answer 3

Yes tip your groomer. I was a groomer through college. Groomers get paid by either commission or hourly. I worked at different places some paid commission and some paid hourly. The job itself is not easy and they do not make as much money as people think.

To do a good quality job it takes a while, and some times a lot of patients. The tip can be a way of saying thank you for a job well done, or thank you for putting up with my dog, especially if you know you dog can be difficult. And difficult doesn't necessarily mean bitting, or fighting with the groomer. If the dog is a puppy or young and is a wiggly bouncy, just can't stand still cause they are so happy, that can be really difficult as well. The tip shows that you appreciate them, and after a long hard day, when the groomer is tired dirty ans smelly it can make them feel a lot better.

Answer 4

I'm a professional groomer and tips are greatly appreciated. The best tip in my opinion is a heartfelt thank you! The best one's I have gotten are just cards from the dog saying how pretty they look and how happy they are to come see me, no cash involved!

And as far as groomers being ex convicts, I do not know of ANY ex con's who are groomers, and I am aquainted with thousands.

Deanne Morris
Purple Poodle Pet Grooming

Answer 5

Absolutely. The groomer is paid a small per hour wage, but makes most of their money (just like a hairdresser) through tips. Also, bathers are paid, generally, minimum wage and will appreciate your tips.

Always best to show your appreciation for those who provide services.

Cindi G.

Answer 6

You can always ask your groomer, but in my shop the customer tipped the groomer and the groomer tipped the bather. Unless it was strictly a bath dog and the groomers hadn't touched it, then the tip went straight to the bather.

I have done some really difficult dogs and the customer tipped myself and the bather because they knew their dogs were horrid LOL

And yes there are prison programs to train women as groomers and dog trainers...but that is a tiny percentage of the groomers in this country ! I think it's a great idea, but appalled that people think all of us are ex cons !

Answer 7

well where i go theres only 1 groomer per dog bur yes i tip them

Answer 8

Yes and yes.

These people are taking care of your baby...so you want to make sure they treat him nicely.

Many dog groomers are ex-convicts...women's prisons provide them training...no joke...my vet who writes for the town paper told me this!

Not that it is a bad thing...I think it's good, but something to keep in mind.

As always, tipping always provides better service.

Answer 9

A tip is never wrong. In any case I do believe it's customary.

Answer 10

I just add 15-20% onto the total and let them split it up however they've worked out among themselves.

Answer 11

YES! you can pay as much as you want depending how you like them and the service and the good job they did with your pet..