Dog Grooming · Free Template · ~9 steps
Dog Grooming Finishing Checklist
A groomer who wants every dog to look great when the owner picks them up — no hidden missed spots.
Free SOP template — copy it, adapt it, or generate a custom version for your business in 5 minutes
Who it's for
Groomers, bath assistants, salon owners.
When to run it
After every groom, before the dog goes back to the kennel for owner pickup.
Before you start
- •Final trimming shears + thinning shears
- •Brush + comb
- •Cologne or finishing spray (if used)
- •Camera for the after-photo
The procedure
Step-by-step, in order. Each step has the action and the reason it matters.
- 1
Brush the entire coat one more time
Run the brush through every section after the cut. You'll find tufts you missed and loose hair the dog will shed all over the customer's car.
- 2
Check ears — clean and dry
Look inside both ears. Should be clean, no leftover hair from the trim, no discharge. Touch should be dry.
- 3
Check paws — pads, between toes, nails
Pads cleaned. Between-toe hair trimmed. Nails clipped to the customer's preference (most customers don't actually want them ground down to nothing — confirm).
- 4
Check the face and around the eyes
No tear stains left visible. Eye corners clean. Beard (if applicable) symmetrical and not sopping wet.
- 5
Check the sanitary area
Trimmed cleanly, no nicks. Important for the customer to NOT see anything embarrassing here on pickup.
- 6
Symmetry check from front, side, and behind
Walk around the dog. Look at it from the front: ears even? From the side: legs even? From behind: rump even? Touch up anything asymmetric NOW.
Why: Asymmetric grooming is the single most-cited reason for refunds and bad reviews. Touch up before the customer sees it.
- 7
Photograph the finished dog
Front, side, back. Time-stamped. Saved to the customer record. This is your proof of the finished work — useful for marketing AND disputes.
- 8
Light cologne if used + bow / bandana
Light spray of finishing cologne (some dogs and owners don't like it — check the file). Add the bow or bandana if it's part of your service.
- 9
Walk the dog out to the owner personally
Don't have a kennel assistant hand off. The groomer who did the work walks the dog to the owner. Point out anything specific you noticed.
Verify when done
- ☐Symmetry verified from 3 angles
- ☐After-photos saved to the customer record
- ☐Groomer (not assistant) handed off to the owner
Common mistakes
- ✕Skipping the second brush — loose hair everywhere
- ✕Asymmetric ears or legs — visible to anyone
- ✕Kennel assistant hands off the dog instead of the groomer
Trainer notes
The 3-angle symmetry check is the single highest-impact quality step. New groomers do everything by feel and miss obvious asymmetries that would have been caught with a 30-second walk-around.
Common questions
Who should run the dog grooming finishing checklist?
Groomers, bath assistants, salon owners.
When should this dog grooming procedure be run?
After every groom, before the dog goes back to the kennel for owner pickup.
How many steps does the dog grooming finishing checklist have?
9 steps. The procedure starts with "Brush the entire coat one more time" and ends with "Walk the dog out to the owner personally". Each step in between has the action and the reason it matters.
What's the most common mistake when running this procedure?
Skipping the second brush — loose hair everywhere. The 3-angle symmetry check is the single highest-impact quality step. New groomers do everything by feel and miss obvious asymmetries that would have been caught with a 30-second walk-around.
Can I get a custom version written for my dog grooming business?
Yes. TalkNDone generates a custom SOP from your voice or text description in about 5 minutes — written using your team's words, your equipment, and your specific procedure. $49 one-time, free preview before you pay, no subscription. Start at talkndone.com.
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