Olive comes to be groomed every seven weeks, and her owner does some brushing at home. Using good hand tools (brushes and combs) and appropriate liquid tools, I had Olive brushed and combed in eight minutes.

Olive’s owner likes her to look fluffy, but she also lets her run in the woods and play in water daily, so we have come up with a trim that is aesthetically pleasing to the owner but practical as well. I use an “O” comb on her body and legs. It took just over eight minutes to trim her body.

I also invest in powerful clippers, and have recently experimented with wide blades and corresponding wide attachment combs. The added width means fewer passes over the pet’s body because more hair is clipped with each stroke using a wide blade.

It took me one hour and twenty minutes from the time Olive (and the mud she came coated in) arrived to complete her grooming service. I will give myself some credit for my skillset, but I am mostly grateful for the well-designed tools I have at my fingertips.

I firmly believe that investing in great tools is a key element in preventing burnout, reducing wear and tear on our bodies, increasing our profit, and keeping the pets we love safe and happy.

House-call groomer Edina Viens shares why she chose this particular business model: “The house-call model was the easiest grooming business to start. I began right out of grooming school in 1998. I could start with minimal tools, and I didn’t need a table initially. I have my own schedule and can book as many dogs as I want.

“When I started, I groomed anywhere to build my clientele, but after 25 years, I am more selective,” Edina continues. “I do not groom outside unless the area is covered. I need a wind- and weather-protected place, otherwise it is more difficult for both the dogs and myself.”

Groomer Jan Davidock shares her advice for introducing and explaining what house-call is to potential clients: “Don’t sell the grooming, sell the benefits. Tell them that your full attention is given to their pup without interruption. There is no anxiety from other barking dogs. They don’t have to drive, their baby isn’t kept waiting for service, and they don’t need to guess at a pick-up time. There is no transfer of diseases such as kennel cough, and no chance of fleas or other parasites”

When clients fully understand the value of your services and what will be required of them—access to bathtub or sink, a place to set up, an electric outlet, etc.—they are often very receptive of the house-call model.

“One of the other biggest things is making sure your routing is on point,” Brittany continues. “If you can get all of your clients in the same area on the same day, that’s ideal.”

“The tools that help me most are my Alpha suction cup and my portable camp shower,” Deanna Marie shares. “Some dogs try to jump out of the tub or sink, and the suction cup helps keep them steady and safe. The camp shower pulls water from a bucket, and I mainly use it for medium/larger dogs. I’ll fill the bucket with soapy water so it sprays out ready to go, which helps move the bath along quicker.”

When it comes to house-call, you often have to be creative and do what works for you.

Pat McCauley says, “I use queen-size sheets to cover counters. It makes cleanup a snap.”

“I use drain hair-catchers, and drying double coats in the tub helps to reduce mess and aids in easy cleanup,” states Jessica Siorek.

Veronica Bolin adds, “I Velcro a bag to the underside of my table so I can wipe hair from my table into the bag.”

Ashlee DeSimone, who is both a mobile groomer and a house-call groomer, offers services depending on what the client and dog can handle/afford: “If the customer is older or the dog is older, I try to do only house-call,” explains Ashlee. “I let the clients know that all I need is an outlet and water hookup.

“I use a fully enclosed, floor-to-roof netted pop-up tent,” Ashlee continues. “There’s no hair all over the people’s homes. I can clean it elsewhere and pack up quickly when done!”

House-call grooming is a physical job. In addition to the actual grooming, it takes time to travel, set up, tear down and clean up. But for some it’s an ideal career choice. Is it right for you?

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A more serious form of lupus affecting skin, joints, muscles and other organs, it can also be associated with lethargy and a fever. Common dog breeds affected: German Shepherds, Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Afghan Hounds, Beagles, Irish Setters and Poodles. In cats: Siamese, Himalayan and Persians.
• Puppy Strangles/Juvenile Cellulitis: A disease primarily affecting puppies, this is usually a sudden-onset disease that affects the ears, nose, eyes, mouth and lips. In addition, it is often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, fever and lethargy, and the puppy may stop eating due to the sores.
• Sebaceous Adenitis: Although not proven, many believe this condition falls into the category of autoimmune diseases. This is an inflammatory process of the sebaceous glands which leads to scarring and non-function of the affected glands. Common breeds affected: Poodles, doodles, Akitas, Samoyeds and Vislas.

These are all severe diseases that not uncommonly end in euthanasia, mainly because they are misdiagnosed and are not given appropriate treatment. As groomers and pet advocates, we must be vigilant in educating our clients about the possibility of these diseases so that the owners seek second opinions with dermatologists or more advanced diagnostics to prevent fatal outcomes.

If a pet is not responding appropriately to treatment and belong to one of the common breeds mentioned, it is advisable to discuss the possibility of a deeper issue. Not all of these cases can be medically managed, but the vast majority can. However, the best chance of successful management is to recognize it early in the process.

The management of these diseases does require veterinary diagnostics and care to get started. The groomer can also play a vital role in the process. Once the veterinarian initiates systemic care, the groomer can focus on managing the infection and restoring the skin barrier, which is crucial to the process. This is where a groomer needs to obtain the necessary education on proper techniques and products to achieve great results.

The following indicate when we should consider autoimmune disease in a pet being treated for “allergies:”

1. Lack of response to treatment.
2. When the treatment that was previously working stops working and skin issues return with a vengeance.
3. Skin issues keep reoccurring even when not in allergy season.
4. The dog or cat breed is prone to the disease.

Remember, this is not about diagnosing! This involves making observations and guiding the client to seek appropriate help. There is no way to tell just by looking at a pet whether it has an autoimmune condition or not. That can only be determined with further diagnostics performed by a veterinarian.

Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.

Together, they found the perfect van, customized it inside and out, crafted a digital presence, and put all the systems and processes in place to establish PupLuxe Grooming, a full-service mobile grooming salon serving Orlando and its surrounding communities.

PupLuxe Grooming offers three packages: the Luxe Bath Service, which is an all-inclusive bath service, complete with premium shampoo and conditioning, blow-drying, teeth-brushing, nail trim, gland expression and more; the Mini Groom, which covers everything in the Luxe Bath Service plus a face, paw pad and sanitary area trim; and the Full Groom, which includes all the Mini Groom services plus a full-body haircut and styling.

Although he had never owned a dog or worked with animals, Jessie started working with dogs at a veterinarian hospital in Roanoke, VA, helping in the kennel and learning the vet tech side of the business.

“That’s where it kind of lost me, because I wasn’t a fan with all of the emotions that come with that,” he shares. “I had a friend at a pet retail store, and she told me about an opportunity for a groomer, so I tried and ended up falling in love with it.”

“I did dabble in mobile for a while, but then I went back to corporate because I wanted to learn all the management stuff and started taking things more serious,” Jessie explains. “I started listening to more influencers—all these incredible people who groom and take it really seriously—and I just wanted to be a part of that.”

Once he didn’t want to continue in the corporate retail space anymore, Jessie felt the time was right for his own mobile company, as he had success in his previous mobile experience. And since it wasn’t long after the pandemic, a lot of people were still wary about leaving the house and were uncomfortable about public places.

“COVID changed the landscape entirely; suddenly so many people were working from home and a lot of people moved here to Florida because it was one of the first states to open up, and there was a huge demand,” Johan says. “Within our first three months, we grew exponentially. The mobile model just made it easy to jump on the opportunity.”

With more than 10 years of marketing and design experience, Johan’s skills were the perfect yin to Jessie’s yang, who knew everything about grooming and managing a business as a salon leader.

Early on, it was challenging for the couple because they didn’t really know what to expect, so they were just taking things day by day and making adjustments along the way. Still, the calls came in quickly, and Jessie was working six days a week. They learned very quickly that scheduling is the most important aspect of mobile grooming.

“It was a hectic start and very explosive at the beginning,” Jessie recounts. “I did a lot of driving around because a big part of our marketing was our van—it’s big, black, and has faces of dogs on it, so it looks really cool. Almost all vans are white, so we paid to have it wrapped to standout.”

Today, PupLuxe Grooming has three vans, four groomers, and a fleet manager who manages all the bookings, social media and maintenance for the vans.

“Two of the groomers were people I had trained and taught how to groom, and I also found groomers on Indeed,” Jessie explains. “I love what I do and seeing my clients and working with the dogs. Now, with our team, I have more of a work-life balance, which also brings me fulfillment.”

As the mobile business continues to attract customers, the couple has thought about one day opening a brick-and-mortar shop to complement its business and appeal to those clients who don’t want a mobile groom for their dogs.

“Originally, the brick-and-mortar did not interest me, but now people are going out more and there are a lot of great benefits of having a store front,” Johan notes. “Right now, we store our vans in separate storage facilities and it would be nice if we had one central location where they can be maintained. We also can then have a retail model, selling treats, toys, and accessories.

“With a salon there is more room for scalability, and we find that really attractive. We are hoping that will be the next step; I think a fleet of three is perfect for one city,” Johan concludes.

When it comes to grooming and medical care, using food rewards isn’t always straightforward. Knowing when and how to use food during grooming starts with a clear understanding of the long-term goals for the dog you’re working with. With clear intentions, good timing and the ability to read canine body language, you’re well-equipped to use food rewards effectively and safely.

Over-excitement around food is another consideration. While foundational training can address this issue, overly-food-motivated dogs that lack the basics are unlikely to benefit from treat use in the grooming salon. The extra energy can lead to excessive movement, making it harder for the groomer to manage both the dog’s behavior and the grooming process.

Food rewards can work especially well for puppies, dogs that already tolerate grooming reasonably well and those in the “needs improvement” category. It’s not a bad idea to reinforce good behavior occasionally, and using treats to help build a dog’s comfort and cooperation during grooming can be an effective strategy—when done thoughtfully.

Dogs form associations quickly, so timing is one of the keys to success. For example, if you try to distract a dog by having a helper feed them every time you trim nails, some dogs may start to associate the treat with nail trims…but not in the way intended. Soon, the sound of a treat bag or the sight of a cheese can in the salon could trigger stress.

Instead, consider using a marker word to communicate clearly with the dog. Once you get the desired response, say your chosen marker word—such as “good”—and then reach for the treat. The marker word buys you a couple of seconds to reach for and deliver the treat without losing the connection to the behavior you’re reinforcing. Treats should be kept just in front of the dog so they can maintain a square, balanced stance on the grooming table. This positioning helps prevent the dog from nudging your hands or tools during the session.

In order to get the desired response to reward the dog, I often implement strategic patterns into grooming sessions that balance time management with behavior-focused care. While this takes some practice, it can be highly effective for many dogs. The pattern allows the dog to communicate more clearly and gives the groomer opportunities to respond appropriately.

This technique can help some dogs get through a full nail trim in one session, but not all. Knowing when to refer a dog to a reputable trainer for a more structured approach is key.

Offering food from a bowl placed in front of the dog can add another layer of communication. The bowl shouldn’t be on the grooming table but just in front of it. For dogs with more serious behavioral concerns, I train this as a specific skill called the “focus target.” When the dog is looking ahead at the focus target, it signals engagement and readiness to earn reinforcement. If the dog starts looking away, the grooming task may be too difficult. Even without formal training, a dog’s body language can give you the same feedback.

Sometimes food is used not as a reward, but as a tool to help keep a dog busy. Cheese on a lick mat can work well in some cases, especially for puppies just learning about grooming. But keep in mind, if the lick mat is always presented during slightly unpleasant procedures, it can become part of the negative association instead of helping to change it.

While some salons may choose not to use treats at all, others may use them selectively depending on the dog and the situation. Whatever the approach, it’s always important to communicate with the dog’s owner. Ideally, the groomer and owner are working together to create low-stress grooming visits that are better for the dog, and easier for the groomer.

This potential client requested pricing and I happily sent her over a price quote as well as an explanation of services. Her reply made her seem quite interested, but she wanted clarity on why the pricing was so different compared to what she had been paying for years at the brick-and-mortar salon.

While I have been grooming since 2012, I have only been mobile for a year and a half. Having just recently comprehended the immense differences of shop versus mobile myself, I was very excited to help this pet parent understand more about it.

I began my email back to her eagerly. The first benefit I pointed out was the most obvious: mobile grooming prices will always be higher than brick-and-mortar prices because the professional comes directly to the client’s driveway. The client does not need to worry about getting their dog ready and in the car by a certain time and driving to their preferred shop. Instead, their dog will be done right outside on their own property.

On top of that uncontested convenience, without the dog being crated, they are automatically done straight through. Most salons charge an additional $15+ “express” fee for a service that is naturally included in the groom. Not only does a one-on-one groom mean a shorter groom time overall, it also means that they do not do crate-drying. I made sure to remind this client that crate-drying can be stressful or dangerous for older dogs like Boomer.

Keeping everything in alignment, or in NBP, affects more than just your back. For example, when we twist ourselves sideways to scissor the inside of a leg, we’re not just affecting our wrists, but throwing the entire body out of alignment. Our elbow, shoulder, back, hip and knee can become out of alignment, and excess strain can be placed on all of these joints.

How we stand while grooming can be influenced by our table height and the part of the dog we’re working on. We have hydraulic and electric tables for a reason. But how many times have we found ourselves forgetting to adjust the table between dogs, or even between different parts of the same dog when we have a fully functioning electric table?

When we aren’t working at a proper height for us or the dog we’re working on, it will throw us out of alignment. Once or twice—or even once or twice a day—is unlikely to cause lasting damage. But groomers rarely do things by halves, so when we multiply that many times daily over the course of years, it can build up to pain and injury.

Even little movements that are out of alignment can build up over time. Think of how often we are looking down to work—not even including looking at our phones. Moving your head out of neutral position just an inch can add 10 pounds of pressure to your neck and spine.

tarting a home-based grooming salon can be a rewarding and flexible way to build a business in the professional pet grooming industry. However, this entrepreneurial endeavor comes with its own set of challenges—particularly when it comes to zoning and legal restrictions. Understanding and navigating these regulations is crucial for the success and sustainability of your home-based grooming business.

There are several types of zoning classifications, but the primary ones include:

1. Residential Zoning: Areas with single-family homes and small businesses. Home-based businesses are often subject to stricter regulations in these areas. Residential zoning covers matters such as allowing mobile homes on the property and how many structures can be built.
2. Commercial Zoning: Areas designated for businesses and commerce. Running a grooming salon in a commercially zoned area typically involves fewer restrictions. Commercially zoned areas are made for larger businesses such as malls or factories.
3. Mixed-Use Zoning: Areas that allow for a combination of residential and commercial uses. These zones can be more accommodating for home-based businesses.