How long does it take to groom a dog and why?

Question

I took my two dogs in for a grooming at 9 this morning. One is a bichon frise, the other, a maltese. The maltese was a matted mess (she's a puppy) but my bichon just needed a trim, no knots. It is now almost 3 in the afternoon, and they're still not done. I'm worried. Why does it take so long, what do they do?
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

If a small breed dog is groomed straight through, as in mobile dog grooming service, the average groomer can complete a small breed in 45 minutes to about an hour and 45 minutes.

In an average shop situation, the normal procedure is this: All dogs in the door between 8 and 10 AM (depending on the shops hours) and then starts an assembly type situation. Every dog that is not matted goes into the tub to be washed. One after another. Normally no pre-clipping is done unless the dog is quite long or matted. Average time out the door is four hours after drop off, 5 or 6 hours for two dogs. Some shops release all the dogs at the end of the work day but I think most release them as soon as they are done so the dogs don't start barking.

Each dog is towelled off, blow dried for a few minutes, then cage dried the rest of the way. If this is a one-person shop, the dogs sometimes don't start getting their finishing cuts until late morning or even after lunch if the shop is super busy that day. (IF the groomer gets the time to take a lunch at all!)

As others have mentioned, the phone rings and people stop in to drop off more dogs, at which time everything grinds to a halt. Some people think of themselves as the groomer's buddy or they are lonely and stand around and talk. Not realizing that EVERY minute counts. Every single customer that did not do their homework when they bought their dog or the breeder did not do THEIR homework and inform the buyer of the proper care of the dog's coat, will take a huge chunk out of a groomer's day asking questions that should have been answered by the breeder.

Your Bichon was most likely finished quite early but calling you to pick up the Bichon would be like a waitress delivering one plate of food to a table of four because that dinner took less time to cook. They simply DON'T do that unless one of the dogs has some health issue and must be released to go home immeadiately.

I just groomed a Maltese yesterday who was also a matted pelt. The dog was VERY well behaved and she was done straight through in an hour and 26 minutes.(I'm mobile) Had she been naughty, she could have easily taken more time.

Another thing for you to consider, the dogs who come in every week to every 4 weeks are going to take preference over the dog that comes in only as a last resort, as a mat ball. The customer who comes every two weeks understands the correct concept of good grooming, it is Maintenance, NOT Make over. This frequent client basically is the life blood of the business and therefore they automatically get to the head of the line and their requests are accomodated.

The matted dogs must be stripped before they can be bathed so they automatically go to the back of the line. Last bathed is normally last finished and last out the door. Normally when you drop your dogs off, a rough time estimate is given at that time. If you don't ask, it is assumed that you don't care so everyone who did ask will go out in order. But if your dog is matted, they may not have been able to give you a solid ready time. You do not want to rush a groomer if your dog is in this condition

Worst case scenario, the shop has lost your information card and can't find your number to call you to come pick up and they are wondering why you have not called them yet.

Answer 2

hi there i took a grooming course in college. it depends on the dog and how matted your maltese was, usually it shouldnt take that long to trim a dog about an hour. the maltese on the other hand may have taken a bit longer, and they may have taken there time doing her so that they dont irritate her or anything. she is also a puppy so she may need to stop working on her and give her a little brake.
i think they are just taking their time with you dogs. all the best, but i wouldnt be too worried. if you know or have gone to these people before and they have a good rep i wouldnt worry.

you could give them a call to see how they are doing with your dogs.
good luck

Answer 3

a lot of these places take many dogs in and keep them in cages until they get to them.
the Bichon should take about 1 1/2 hours and the maltese will probably be shaved and could take 2-3 hours
I try to take my time and do what the dog can tolerate.
once they are use to be shaved it's about 2 hours.
I just take one or two dogs at a time and call the owner as soon as I'm done.

Answer 4

Could be that they are just having a very busy day. Grooming consists of bathing, haircut or trim as needed, nail trim, cleaning eyes and ears and expressing anal glands. A good groomer will take his or her time on your dog to be sure all is done properly. Then, the dog will not usually be released until the coat is completely dry. If you are worried, call and ask when they will be ready. They should be able to tell you exactly when to come pick them up. I always ask what time they will be done when I drop mine off and then call about 5 minutes before I go to be sure they are ready.

Answer 5

My guess is that they haven't spent six hours grooming your dogs - the dogs have been in cages waiting their turns. Ask what they do when you pick up the dogs. If you don't want them sitting in cages all day, chose a place that has set appointment times and they groom the dog when brought in.

I have not groomed a dog before, but I would think an hour should be sufficient, unless the maltese was matted all over to the skin - that would probably take longer.

Answer 6

Well, if your maltese had a lot of mats in her coat, that could take a while. Most likely, the grooming place is busy, and they have lots of dogs to groom. If you're really worried, you could call the grooming place and ask when your dogs will be ready.

Answer 7

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://biturl.im/aU8Sb

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 8

i know that some groomers get very busy, sign of a good shop i always thought.. steady cleintelle is a good thing.. but also means that a few employees have a lot of work to do. some times each groomer may handle more than one dog at a time.. one gets washed, then dried. and put in kennel with dryers for a little longer.. then secong dog gets washed and dried, then put in kennel for more drying time, third dog gets washed, and dried, put in kennel, frist dog is ready for trim, nails, fur, etc. maybe he does not like his nails done so it takes longer. second dog comes out for his trim, and nails, is done and goes back in, third dog, needs to potty, then come back in for grooming. in between more clients arrive. and need to be kenneled. oerson one has been there all day and need a luch break...
so do the other employees... the phones ring. dogs bark. another one or two come in....

Answer 9

When I take my dogs to get groomed it takes about 3 hours. And thats if we are first. You have to think of delays in other people being late, phone calls coming in, lunch break, etc. Just call and ask. I 've never been somewhere where they didn't give me a time to pick the dog up. I would think about switching!

Answer 10

Why did you let your maltese get to be a matted mess?

My guess is that detangling the mats takes a huge amount of time .. especially with a puppy who you do NOT want to learn to equate the groomer with "ouch! you're pulling my fur!" They are probably doing it a bit at a time and letting the puppy rest.

If you have concerns... call them and discuss why it is taking so long.

Since your puppy will be coming home unmatted please make it a priority to not let it get all knotted up again.