Can I Stay For My Dog's Grooming Appointment? A Fear-Free Approach

Last week, I had potential new client walk in to ask if I allow pet parents to stay for the groom. As per my policy, I don't allow pet parents to stay with a few exceptions. I get it—you love your dog and want to make sure they’re comfortable during their grooming session. It’s totally normal to want to be there for your fur baby. But believe me, there are some good reasons why stepping out of the room can actually make the experience smoother for your dog (and me, too!). Let me walk you through why this is so important—and how it actually benefits your dog long term.

Is this you when you leave your dog at the groomer's?

Wiggly Dogs and Grooming Tools Don’t Mix

When your dog sees you, they get excited, right? It’s adorable, but not when they’re on a grooming table. Of course they want to be with you—asking for cuddles or belly rubs, and that can make them wiggle around—sometimes to a dangerously wiggly degree. The safer option? Let the groomer work with them one-on-one so they can keep things calm and safe. Trust me, it helps avoid any accidental nicks or other injuries.

Building Trust Takes Time—And Space

Fear-Free grooming is all about building trust between your dog and the groomer. Our main goal as fear-free groomers is to keep them calm, comfortable, and cooperative. When they have their favorite person (that’s you!) in the room, it’s hard for them to focus on building that bond with anyone else. With some alone time, your dog can learn that I’m not just the person with the scissors—I’m also the one who can care for them and make them feel better.

Minimizing Distractions for All Dogs

Even though I try to work one-on-one, there might be another dog with their groomer in the other room. And guess what happens when your dog gets all excited seeing you? Other dogs might join in on the excitement too. To keep the grooming room calm and peaceful, it’s best to let me work with your pup solo, so everyone can stay focused and relaxed.

"Squirrel?"

Keeping You Safe Too

Here’s something you might not think about—your safety. Having a pet parent in the grooming area can be risky. I’m in work mode, using sharp tools, and I make sure to wear the right shoes and follow safety protocols. If something were to get knocked over, like scissors or clippers, you could accidentally get hurt. You could slip on dog hair and fall. The grooming space is built for groomers, not groomers with pet parents. Keeping the grooming space pet-parent-free just makes it safer for everyone involved.

Want to Stay for the Groom Anyway?

I totally understand if you’d still like to stay for your dog’s grooming. If that’s important to you, we can make it work—just on a quieter day or a day we are closed. It does come with a higher fee, but I’ll do my best to make the experience as calm and comfortable as possible.

Alternatively, you could consider contacting a mobile groomer. Some operate from a grooming van parked conveniently near you. Others provide grooming services inside your home, allowing your dog to stay at ease in their familiar environment. It's important to communicate with the groomer to determine if you can be nearby during the grooming session.

At the end of the day, I want what’s best for your dog. By letting them have some one-on-one time with me, we can make sure their grooming session is safe, stress-free, and maybe even a little fun!

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Hope to see you and your pup soon!

— Mari, Owner of The Top Knot Pet Grooming & Atelier