Why Groomers love a Schedule
Welcome to this little corner of the Internet where I, Elle from Elle Grooms, share what I know about helping dogs feel as good as they look.
If you're here to learn something useful, pull up your reading glasses.
Today it's all about The Grooming Schedule—something I talk about a lot because it makes a real difference for most dogs.
If you've been a client at our Salon for any length of time, you know we strongly recommend getting your dog set on a regular grooming routine. There are very few exceptions: emergency/health services workers who book ahead once their roster's out, or owners who handle home grooming well enough to get my approval.
Everyone else? A schedule is the way to go.
What it means: committing to grooms and/or in-salon maintenance every 2–8 weeks (up to 10 weeks max for some elderly dogs with thinning coats or health issues). This means as dog owners we really should be budgeting around this.
The reasoning:
You can pre-book the year ahead, so your dog always has a spot—no forgetting and then scrambling for the next opening weeks later.
Hair keeps growing, skin cells shed, and dogs need regular care to stay healthy and comfortable. It's not optional for most.
You have your heart set on a cute and super fluffy clip, but can’t manage the correct maintenance at home.
We can help catch health conditions at early stages, or keep them clean to avoid common skin issues.
For dogs that get haircuts, aim to stay within 6 weeks for a full groom, or 8 weeks if you’re able to trim your dog’s nails, keep them hygenic, and you had them groomed nice and short.
For puppies, 4 weekly appointments are recommended to keep learning and trust-building fresh in their busy minds during their different development periods.
4 weeks is actually our favourite schedule, as the dogs are most likely to be happy to see us, and view their visits as a fun trip to see their friends to have special attention.
What if your dog's clipped short and "doesn't look like they need it" at 6 weeks? Fair question—but even short coats need attention in key areas: eyes, bottom (sanitary), groin, paw pads, and nails.
Push it too long between appointments and then we start seeing issues like matting, hidden skin issues, and even embedded grass seeds or icky ears
Did you know that hair between paw pads can matt so tightly it forms a boomerang shape between the toes? Dogs end up walking on a matt of hair that feels like a rock stuck in their pads, and these nasty buggers often hold grass seeds or burrs - ouch!
Nails that get too long can push back into the paw bones as they walk on them and forces dogs to walk differently to avoid pain, which can cause pain, and aversion to having their feet and nails handled or cared for.
Regular maintenance keeps grooming calm and predictable. When it's overdue, it turns into a bigger reset—dogs can become confused or anxious, increasing the chance of stress or resistance, and accidents become more likely.
This is especially true for behavioural pups—the ones who have specific parts of the groom they don't like, or who come in fear-aggressive or highly anxious. Consistency and trust are the only way forward here. Continuity is essential for these dogs to learn they can be brave enough with us. Skipping or stretching out appointments resets progress every time, making it harder (and sometimes impossible) to retrain those negative associations. Stick to the schedule, and you see some really cool, heart-warming results: dogs who used to shut down or react now relax, tolerate handling, even wag through tricky bits. It's rewarding for everyone.
Our prices and time slots are built around dogs on a 4–6 week schedule. Outside that window, it's no longer maintenance—it's a full overhaul requiring extra time, more product, and an overdue groom surcharge to cover it fairly.
To avoid that and keep your dog happy and comfortable, we can slot in a Tidy around the 4-week mark (5 at the latest). It hits all the essentials—eyes, sanitary areas, pads, nails, light tidy-up, plus a great bath and brush out—without a full clip. It's quick, effective, and prevents those little problems from building up.
This isn't about rules for the sake of it—it's about what's best for your dog's welfare and making grooming a positive experience every time. If you're not sure what rhythm suits your pup's coat, lifestyle, or needs (especially if they're on the anxious or reactive side), message our awesome team at Elle Grooms on 0478 603 396.
Happy to chat and get you sorted!
PS. My team and I are in this industry because we love dogs. Like, we reeaallyyy love dogs. Seeing dogs in discomfort is not something we like to do, and working with dogs in discomfort hurts our souls and our bodies. What makes it worth it though? When we can make a difference, and help an owner/dog team find a new rhythm within a great schedule.
Dogs live short lives. Our goal as groomers is to help maximise quality, comfort, and even style during their shooting star lives.
