At our grooming salons, two to four dogs arrive within the first hour of the groomer’s day. The groomer spends 5 to 15 minutes talking with the pet parents about the dog’s health, behavior, goals, and so on. Once the dog is checked in, work proceeds in five logically ordered steps: Prep work – The groomers take care of the basics first: coat, nails, teeth, and ears. Bathing – The bath itself can be quick or more intense, depending on the dog’s coat and any treatments such as conditioners or de-shedding. Drying – The drying process is essential; coats need to be completely dry in order to stretch to full length and make an even cut possible. Drying times can be less than 15 minutes for a Yorkie, but closer to 45 for a Goldendoodle. Many dogs still benefit from a break after the drying process. Clipping and tidying up – Finally, we’re to what feels like the “haircut”! This is when the groomer trims and tends to every last detail, from nose to toes to the tip of the tail.