Tipping is common for many services in the United States. Here is what you need to know about when to tip, plus answers the age-old question of how much do you tip a dog groomer.

Key takeaways:

• Tipping is common for most service industries in the U.S.

• Basic hygiene and routine grooming experts are highly skilled at their craft.

• The amount of the tip depends on the quality of service.

• It may also depend on how many people interact with your dog.

• Consider holidays and special circumstances as cause for larger tips.

It’s common to tip for many services in the United States. Tipping your server is expected when you eat at a sit-down restaurant, for example, and there’s an expected tip involved if you choose valet parking. Hairstylists and barbers are two of the most common service industry professionals to expect tips.

As you probably know, grooming and bathing visits for dogs fall under the category of the “service industry.” Dog parents who take their pups for routine bathing and brushing are getting a valuable service. Your dog leaves the appointment looking and feeling good, and you have peace of mind knowing a trained expert gave your dog a thorough once-over to evaluate their overall external health.

Do you tip your groomer? The answer is that you likely should be. This article gives you insights into U.S. tipping practices, the specific things to consider when tipping your dog care pro, and why holidays, your dog’s temperament, and other factors make a difference.

Common tipping practices in the United States

Tips are a large part of restaurant wait staff’s income, but they don’t get to keep everything they make. Servers often have to share tips with the bus staff and bartenders, for example. Mandatory gratuities are thus often added to bills for groups over a certain number of diners.

In the hair industry, meanwhile, it’s common to tip your stylist directly. Separate roles within the process – such as another person shampooing or blowing out your hair – mean the stylist must share the amount with the other professionals who worked with you during your visit.

The reality is that the skill required, effort put in, cost of the bill, and the number of people involved in a service should all impact the amount of the tip left. That includes when deciding how much to tip a dog groomer.

Understanding routine dog care services

Making your dog look great is only part of the training that goes into proper dog grooming services. Dog care and grooming professionals must understand basic anatomy to keep your pup safe around their instruments and chemicals. That’s often complicated by fussy, four-footed customers who may not be as interested in the services being performed on them.

Your dog care professional’s job may include:

• Brushing out matted fur

• Clipping a dog’s nails – including when and where to cut or trim so your dog doesn’t get hurt

• Bathing and brushing

• Trimming long fur or thinning thick fur

• Checking your pup’s eyes, teeth, and ears

• And more

The biggest challenges arise when a dog doesn’t like or understand what’s happening. Wiggling, barking, whining, scratching, and biting can make providing high-caliber services difficult. Your groomer works hard to make sure your pup looks and feels great once the visit is over!

There are many benefits to routine dog care, but it takes time and effort for your groomer to get your dog accustomed to the process (if they ever do). There will likely be days when your pup “just isn’t feeling it,” and your pro will have to work harder to complete their tasks. There may also be days when your dog got into something extra sticky, gross, or messy. It’s your groomer’s job to deal with all of it – and do so cheerfully! Keep that in mind when it’s time to leave your tip.

How much do you tip a dog groomer?

If you look at standard tipping practices in the U.S., fees for services vary drastically based on geography. The good news is that percentages are standard, making the amount of a tip easy to calculate. Here are some common percentages to keep in mind:

• A tip of 15% of the total bill before taxes signals a job well done.

• A tip of 20% is common for excellent service.

• For a subpar job, 10% is enough to let astute professionals know they have to up their game.

Does your dog care professional work alone or with a team? If they are working solo, tips are easier to calculate. If multiple people work with your pup, remember that any tips are likely shared among team members. If you can afford it, raise the amount of the tip to help the team share a bit more.

Holidays are another consideration. The winter holidays are a cause for celebration, plus gift giving and other holiday expenses mean everyone is spending more. A bigger tip during the holidays would certainly be appreciated!

Moving forward

Dogs are explorers by nature, but they generally prefer a routine and for daily life to be predictable. Choosing and sticking with routine dog care will be easier on your dog’s stress levels, and you’ll feel better knowing your dog is getting consistent, routine care.

That relationship goes both ways, though! Always remember that your basic hygiene and grooming provider is creating a loving bond with your pup and doing everything they can to keep your dog happy and healthy – even if your pup spends the entire appointment running for the door. Tipping your dog groomer for a job well done will make them feel valued, and strengthen the relationship for years to come.

If your dog does not have a basic hygiene and grooming routine, find the nearest Scenthound near you.