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A dog groomer, like any service provider, can often go above and beyond their call of duty. When that happens, you’d want to gift them a token of appreciation to let them know that their services are truly appreciated.
The reward can be monetary or in-kind. It can also be any amount, depending on what’s within your means.
But like any industry, the dog grooming business has several best practices on tipping. In this article, we present some invaluable insights to follow in figuring out how much to tip your dog groomer.
Is It Necessary To Tip Your Dog Groomer?
Tipping is a voluntary gesture of kindness that’s usually left to the discretion of the tipper. In other words, it’s not unethical to simply pay your dog groomer the agreed fee after rendering their services.
However, a tip can go a long way in motivating the groomer the next time you hire them. Tipping also speaks to your sense of gratitude.
The following are common reasons you should consider tipping your dog groomer;
1. They Performed a Service for You
Dog grooming can be a quick and easy task for some pet parents. But it can also be a long and laborious one for others, especially for those with long-haired dog breeds with a nasty attitude.
Despite the category you belong to, it’s still recommended to tip your dog groomer for the simple reason that they’re performing a service for you.
After all, you tip other service providers like waiters and cab drivers. So, why not do the same to the one person who makes your dog’s hair look pleasantly tidy and kempt?
2. They Went the Extra Mile
Dog grooming essentially involves three services – a bath, a haircut, and a hair brush.
However, your groomer may offer extra services, ranging from nail clipping to ear cleaning, excising the anal glands, etc.
You originally didn’t expect them to go the extra mile. Therefore, it’s only fair that you tip them accordingly.
3. They Chose You over Tons of Other Clients
You went online and searched for the best dog groomer near you. A few recommendations popped up and you picked on the first business. You proceeded to give them a call and after a short deliberation, they accepted your offer.
You’re now thinking that you did the groomer some favor by hiring them! Well, think again.
There are probably tons of other requests that the service provider declined to accept yours. Perhaps it’s not even because you floated the best offer. It could be that you simply struck the groomer as someone they’d love to partner with in the long run.
Once you understand that your dog groomer might have easily passed you over for someone else, tipping will come naturally.
4. They’re Professionals and Ought to Be Treated As Such
Dog grooming is not always an acquired skill as many pet parents tend to believe. On the contrary, most dog groomers are professionals who underwent rigorous training.
Some of them have years of grooming experience up their sleeve and may even own their own businesses. Therefore, they’re simply not grooming your dog for the money. They also have a reputation to uphold and will do their best to ensure they render flawless services.
As a dog owner, it’s important to recognize the effort that has gone into a dog groomer’s career. And one way to do that is by tipping them.
How Much Should You Tip A Dog Groomer?
Now that you appreciate the importance of tipping your dog groomer, your next question is probably how to figure out the right tipping amount.
Now, there are two main approaches to follow in determining the best amount to tip a dog groomer, as discussed below;
a) The Cash Approach
As the name implies, this method involves giving your dog groomer a cash bill. $20 is generally the industry’s acceptable amount.
However, the cash approach isn’t always effective. A $20 bill can be too much or too little, depending on several factors.
The following aspects might further help you determine the exact amount of money to tip your dog groomer;
• The average dog grooming cost in your location, which typically varies from $30 to $100+ depending on your dog’s size, breed, personality, and overall medical condition
• The extent of services rendered, i.e. whether the dog groomer included additional services like nail clipping
• Levels of professionalism exhibited, such as whether the groomer showed up at the agreed time
• Your location in relation to the groomer’s
• Pick-up and drop-off services
b) The Percentage Approach
This is the most effective method for determining a dog groomer’s tipping amount. That’s because, as we’ve just pointed out, numerous factors can make the cash approach impractical in certain scenarios.
In the percentage approach, all you need to do is tip your dog groomer a defined fraction of the total grooming cost. Standard industry rates are 15 – 20%.
By way of illustration, let’s assume that you’ve agreed to pay your dog groomer $70 and are willing to offer them an additional 15% tip for the services rendered. You can arrive at the total figure as follows;
> (100% + 15%)/100% X $70
> 115/100 X $70
> 1.15 X 70 = $80.5
Remember…
You’re not under any ethical obligation to tip your dog groomer. However, tipping can go a long way in appreciating the groomer’s services in making your pooch look tidy and radiant.
We hope you can implement the above-listed strategies the next time you’re considering tipping your dog groomer.