Communicating your dog’s haircut preferences to a groomer can feel frustrating—but clearly explaining your vision is key to a successful grooming experience. Whether you’ve moved to a new area, your regular groomer has retired, you’re a new dog owner, or you’re caring for a breed that requires regular haircuts, learning how to communicate effectively with your groomer makes all the difference.
By following the tips below, you’ll feel more confident sharing your expectations and working with your groomer to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
Research Before Your Appointment
Before taking your dog to the groomer, it’s important to understand their coat type—whether it’s curly, wiry, straight, silky, or double-coated. Each coat texture (and breed) requires different grooming techniques and supports different styles.
Take time to:
Research haircut options appropriate for your dog’s coat type
Learn basic maintenance needs for that style
Compare grooming styles between pet trims and show cuts
It’s also helpful to research groomers in your area. Browse their social media, review photos of past work, and read customer reviews to see if their grooming style aligns with your preferences.
Find Photos and Take Notes
Photos are one of the best communication tools you can bring to a grooming appointment. Save pictures of dogs with similar breeds, coat textures, and body shapes to your own dog.
When reviewing photos with your groomer:
Discuss each body area (face, ears, body, legs, tail, feet)
Note desired length, shape, and fullness
Clarify what you like—and what you don’t
A great tip is to take a photo of your dog after a grooming appointment you loved. This becomes an excellent reference for future visits, especially if you change groomers or need a reminder of a previous style.
Be Specific About What You Want
Vague terms like “short,” “trim,” or “puppy cut” can mean very different things to different people. To avoid misunderstandings, specificity is essential.
Instead:
Define exact lengths when possible (for example, half an inch vs. one and a half inches)
Describe how much hair you want left, not just removed
Specify preferences for individual areas like the face, ears, tail, and feet
Ask your groomer to explain guard lengths and help you choose what best matches your vision. Reference photos paired with clear descriptions give your groomer the direction they need to deliver the look you want.
Trust Your Groomer’s Expertise
Your groomer is a trained professional and an important partner in your dog’s care. Sometimes pet parents apply human assumptions to grooming—such as believing shorter hair is always cooler in summer or that a fuller coat is healthier, even when mats are present.
Be open to your groomer’s recommendations. They consider:
Coat health
Skin condition
Comfort and safety
Your dog’s behavior and tolerance
This is also a great time to ask about additional services or grooming packages. If nail trims, ear cleaning, or deshedding treatments are not your favorite tasks at home, ask whether they’re included or available as add-ons.
Set Your Groomer Up for Success
Always inform your groomer ahead of time about:
Health conditions
Skin sensitivities
Behavioral concerns
Areas your dog dislikes being handled
This information allows the groomer to adjust techniques, take extra care where needed, and create a calmer, safer grooming experience. A comfortable dog is easier to groom and more likely to achieve the desired result.
Keep Expectations Realistic
It’s important to uphold a sense of realism when discussing grooming expectations for your dog. Certain breeds and individual characteristics may limit the achievable styles. For instance, a golden retriever cannot realistically sport a poodle-style cut. When providing reference photos, ensure they depict dogs of the same breed or at least similar breeds with comparable hair textures. Attempting to compare vastly different breeds or hair types can lead to unachievable expectations, as the desired look may not translate effectively across different breeds or coat textures.
Consistency in at-home brushing and dog behavior also play key roles in determining the potential grooming outcome. Dogs that aren’t regularly brushed may require shorter cuts due to matting issues. Additionally, dogs with a tendency to wiggle or become restless may not tolerate intricate grooming styles, necessitating simpler cuts.
Partnership with Your Groomer
Successful grooming is a team effort. View your groomer as a partner—not just a service provider. Clear communication, realistic expectations, consistent at-home care, and trust in professional expertise all work together to keep your dog healthy, comfortable, and looking their best.
Have questions about your dog’s haircut or grooming routine? Our experienced groomers are happy to help—just ask at your next visit!