FROM JULY 1 2021, OUR PRICES ARE CHANGING
WHY DOES IT COST SO MUCH TO GET MY DOG GROOMED?
Dogs’ hair is dirty. It may contain poo, urine, pollen, sticks, mud, concrete, crayons, pus, wire, grass seeds, lollies, salt, sand, plant matter - the list is endless, and we have seen it all. Groomers need a clean coat in order to achieve an even and cute haircut. This takes time, patience, and skill. Additionally, not all dogs enjoy being bathed and dryed. An enormous amount of skill, care and observation is required to ensure the safety of both groomer and dog through this process.
Grooming equipment is expensive to purchase and maintain. Groomers have their own scissors – they are as individual as hands and the good ones are pricey, with a standard basic scissor costing around $175. Groomers need three types of scissors – thinners, curves and straights – at a bare minimum. Many groomers have a collection of a few of each and use different ones depending on the coat type of their client.
Your dog may bite and may require 2 groomers – one to hold the dog and one to groom the dog
Your dog may be scared, senior or young, and may need 2 groomers – for the same reasons as above.
Your dog may urinate and defecate during the grooming process. Your groomer must clean this up. This takes time.
Your dog has a lot of hair (compared to a human). At times there may be up to 30 hairs in one follicle. It takes time to clean and style an entire dog.
Your dog requires a professional stylist who is trained in:
- Grooming
- Behaviour
- Handling
- First aid
- Breed specific styling and knowledge
- And who has skin, hair and product knowledge
Your groomer’s education is ongoing. This costs money. As with all professions, ongoing training is important. Your groomer attends seminars, webinars, hands-on training, expos, shows and competitions to stay up to date with best industry practice. Your dog benefits from this training.
Dog grooming is among the lowest paid jobs in the service industry.
There are many risks associated with working as a dog groomer. Some of these include: lung diseases, bites, scratches, hair splinters, infections, head butts, sore backs, tendonitis (in the hands, elbow and shoulders), eye infections and hearing loss.
So, why do we do it? Because we LOVE dogs! We VALUE and HONOUR dogs, and we know how much joy it brings you to come home to a well-groomed, clean and happy dog.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN MY DOG'S GROOM?
Depending on your dog’s breed and coat type, your dog’s groom will include some or all of the following:
Nail trim and /or file
Hair removed from each paw pad
Sanitary trim – both front and back bottoms!
Ears cleaned
Brushing and combing
A warm bath including 2 shampoos and 1 conditioner
Drying with a professional or hand dryer, often both
Deshedding / blowout / groomout service
Trimming the coat with clippers
Intricate, skilled scissor work
Styling to meet your expectations, OR what is possible due to the dog's temperament and or condition of the coat
Above all, your groomer loves your dog, almost as much as you do. They are caring, thoughtful, kind, and considerate. Grooming is a tough job, and a highly skilled groomer is worth their weight in gold.
WHY IS MY GROOM GOING UP?
Each year, incremental price rises help to cover the rising cost of business. A small increase in the cost of your groom goes towards rent, rates, insurance, consumables, wages, water and electricity, all of which increase each year.
Your dog may have been identified as having ‘special needs’. This may mean an early or late appointment is needed or a second groomer is required to support your dog through the groom safely and professionally.
High quality products and tools are used and need to be maintained.
Dog grooming is highly undervalued. It takes an enormous amount of skill, patience, and genuine love to groom dogs.
We would like to thank you sincerely in advance for you understanding and continued custom of our small business. We have been serving the dogs of the Inner West for over 21 years as of this year. We are passionate about the welfare of all dogs, but especially the dogs of our clients. It is an honour and a privilege to groom your dogs. Thank you, from Nat, and all of us at Doggy Dooz.
