I have two boxers and I’ve always just bathed them myself, but they have an appointment later this week at Petco for baths, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Obviously, being Boxers, there are no haircuts required 
What is the proper etiquette for tipping the groomer? Is tipping the norm? If so, what is an appropriate amount? Thanks guys!
I always tip my groomer… usually 15-20% depending on what I have on me. She actually applies all tip money to her not for profit organization that helps under privileged families in various countries so I get a tax write off…tipping the dog groomer is just like tipping the hair stylist.
I’ve never tipped. I take mine to a smaller place, the owner works there- also boards dogs. The price he sets is what I pay, can’t say I ever thought about tipping him! I’d be more inclined to tip for boarding if they gave my dog extra attention.
I know a lot of people do. I usually make the check for $40 when the groom costs $35, solely because I don’t want to look like a cheapskate. The quality of work I’ve gotten does not deserve it in my opinion, though.
I must be in some sort of groomer wasteland here, because out of groomers I’ve tried they’ve been just crappy in one way or another. One was just absolutely out-and-out RUDE. The others I have problems getting the dog cut the way I want. I mean, it’s not hard. I know he’s a Cocker, but nobody is judging him. Just gimme poodle feet, no skirt, and floofy legs. Geez… One took FIVE HOURS. The latest is nice, and speedy, but fights me on the cut and then clips him so haphazardly, I secretly think it’s a little passive aggressive because she doesn’t like the way I want him done. I see others on her Facebook page that are clipped nicely, and mine looks like a lawn mower attacked him :uhoh:
Anyway, sorry about the rant. If you feel like they do a nice job I’d probably tip a little.
Yes I tip them, usually more if they are a private groomer. In the past when I’ve used Petco, I’ve tipped $10 mostly because my dog was old and they treated him well (their grooming jobs usually sucked). Once I started going to a private place, I tipped anywhere from $20-$40 depending on the services required.
I never tipped at petsmart or petco because they didn’t give me an option to put it on my card. For my private groomer I usually wrote the check out for $5 more.
I tip (cash). I take my GSD to Petsmart because bathing him in the house is a PITA. He comes out of there looking and smelling great. I tip anyone who does me a service that I don’t want to do for myself. Just for a bath/blow dry/brushing I tip $10. Well worth it.
My aussie has a lot of hair and weighs 65 lbs. I tip $15 - $20 on an $85 groom.
crap, cant say Ive thought about tipping the groomer… I think I might have been committing a faux pas perhaps. Oops.
Tipping the groomer varies wildly. I would say my average tip for any size/cost of dog is $5. Some don’t tip at all, and some tip a percentage of the groom. Most groomers appreciate tips but don’t expect them.
What groomers appreciate more than tipping is being ON TIME!!! and keeping the dog on a good schedule (not as important on boxers as a more hairy breed, but still groomers like consistent clients), and being polite.
I worked at a pet store that had groomers. Most customers (85%ish?) tipped the groomer between 5 and 10 bucks, regardless of the cost of the grooming/cut.
What ElisLove said, I always appreciate, never expect tips. $3 to $5 is pretty typical, with $10 being a wow and the rare $20 for a very hairy/deshed type job.
Some of my favorites clients have never tipped, but the combination of polite, consistent, and on time owner with a well behaved dog is priceless.
One of my Dobies is a bit problematic at the groomer and I always tip because I appreciate that she accommodates his special needs 
I’m a groomer, and we definitely appreciate tips. I get tips ranging from $4 for nail trims to $50 for difficult dogs/ very generous customers. If you think they did a good job and you have well behaved dogs then $5 per dog is good 
The store I work at doesn’t do tips on credit card, which I know is a pain for some people, but if you want to show appreciation, it really isn’t hard to stop and get some cash. I will say some of my favorite clients do not tip. It doesn’t bother me, I just assume they don’t know that they can tip us. I love when clients request me and come in regularly, that is usually better than a tip.
If I could find someone that was pleasant and did a decent clip job the way I ask I would probably tip at least $10, maybe more. Before this Cocker I never knew the wide range of grooming available…
I always appreciate a tip, but it’s never necessary. Most of the people who do tip, tip between $3 - $10. A few are more generous - I once received a memorable $150 for what I considered to be an ordinary grooming job, but the customer was obviously pleased - but I also have one customer who gives me 75 cents per dog…I think it’s the best she can do, given her situation, and she gets a discount.
I will say that there are some dogs that no matter how hard I try, I cannot always get the show finish I want on all of them. Sometimes it’s poor diet/health/lack of regular grooming, but there are just some dogs who have uncooperative hair. Cockers can get rebellious hair when kept at about an inch or so - it waves and I swear that some of them look like I went to town with the hedge trimmers on their legs. Totally frustrating! Does nothing for the artist’s ego whatsoever…
All things considered, though, my philosophy on grooming is this: I have to look at the dog for a few hours. The owner has to look at the dog for the next six or so weeks…guess whose opinion should trump???
Yeah, but it’s not that hard to make cocker hair behave when I just want it clipped with a #10 
Oh my I have a happy groomer. I guess I am a heavy tipper! $25 on a $45 grooming charge. I figure if she’s happy to see my dog she’ll be extra nice. She’s super sweet and nice and my dog likes her. She does a good job. This next grooming I’m going to change up my dogs style, that will be fun!
Well, the groomer did a great job and took good care of my “kids” so I tipped her $10 and set up recurring appointments with her, which I think made her happier than the tip Thank you for all of the responses, I really had NO idea if tipping is the norm or not, and like a few people mentioned, there is no space to leave a tip on the receipt which makes it even more confusing! Thanks again!
