How to Hire Good Groomers for Your Pet Business

Where to find groomer candidates

Cast your net where groomers actually hang out.

• Petgroomer.com job board
• Groomers Facebook groups (search "dog groomer jobs [your city]")
• Local cosmetology or vocational school grooming programs
• Indeed and ZipRecruiter with specific "dog groomer" keywords
• Your own client base (some clients want to learn the trade)
• Other groomers you meet at trade shows

The skills test — non-negotiable

Never hire a groomer without watching them work. Book a 2-hour paid skills test with one of your own shop dogs or a friendly client's dog. Watch their handling, their blade technique, their bath process, and their stress management. You'll know within 30 minutes whether they're the real deal.

• Observe handling — does the dog trust them?
• Watch blade safety and skin check
• Evaluate drying technique (dryer distance, heat control)
• Assess their finish work on the face and ears
• Note how they communicate with the dog

Compensation structure

Most groomers work one of two models: hourly wage or commission. Commission (typically 40–50% of the groom price) is common in busy salons. Hourly works better when volume is unpredictable. Many successful shops use a hybrid: base hourly + small tip-share.

• Commission: 40–50% of groom price
• Hourly: $16–$22/hour for experienced groomers
• Hybrid: base + 10–15% commission
• Tip policy: groomers typically keep their own tips
• Mileage reimbursement for mobile groomers

Onboarding your new groomer

The first 30 days set the tone for the entire working relationship. Put your new groomer on a structured onboarding track — shadow days, supervised bookings, feedback sessions, and a clear 90-day review.

• Days 1–3: Shadow experienced staff, no solo grooms
• Days 4–10: Supervised grooms with feedback after each
• Days 11–30: Light solo schedule with daily check-ins
• Day 30: Performance review — quality, speed, client feedback
• Day 90: Full schedule if performing to standard

How Animal Friends OS helps you manage grooming staff

Animal Friends OS lets you assign grooms to specific staff, track completion times, log client feedback per groomer, and run reports on individual groomer revenue. You'll know exactly who your most productive team members are.