Running a pet store is no walk in the park. You’re juggling inventory, training staff, restocking shelves, and keeping customers happy. Add dog grooming into the mix, and it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day.
So, how do you keep your grooming schedule full while still managing the shop?
Grooming can be one of the most reliable and profitable parts of your business — as long as you know how to promote it. Unlike retail, which can be seasonal or unpredictable, grooming is steady. Dogs always need their nails trimmed, their coats cleaned, and their fur styled.
And once you land a grooming client, they’re likely to return again and again. That’s why you should invest in learning how to grow your dog grooming business.
Here are some practical ways to bring new grooming clients to your pet store and keep them coming back for more.
Let’s dive in.
Bringing home a new puppy can be overwhelming. Between shots, training, and picking up supplies, new pet owners want to find someone they can trust to help. That’s where you come in.
A new pet promotion can be the perfect introduction. For example:
The goal is to make that first visit easy and appealing. Help pet parents when they’re feeling overwhelmed, and they’ll be back.
Related Read: 33 Pet Store Promotion Ideas You Haven’t Tried Yet
Upselling sometimes gets a bad reputation, but in grooming, it’s about educating pet parents on what their dog might need. Bundling services or creating seasonal packages is a smart way to increase your average ticket while providing real value.
Think about what pet owners worry about — shedding in spring, fleas in summer, and dry skin in winter. You can build packages around those concerns. For example:
When you suggest an upsell, all you need to do is frame it as helpful — it doesn’t need to be salesy.
Instead of “Want to add this on?” try something like, “Since your doodle’s coat is pretty thick, we recommend our deshedding package. It helps reduce tangles at home and saves you time brushing.”
That one sentence frames the upgrade as a benefit for them, not an add-on for you.
Nothing messes up your grooming schedule faster than no-shows. They waste staff time and cost you money. But the solution is simple — make booking easy and send reminders.
How do you do that?
Want to really wow them? Include a link to reschedule so they can do it without picking up the phone.
Email and SMS serve different purposes, and every dog grooming business should leverage both. Here are the benefits to using each marketing channel:
A simple plan could look like this:
If you can get a client to prebook before they leave the store, you’ve won half the battle.
Most pet parents genuinely want to stay on top of grooming, but they just forget to schedule. You can offer a small discount for booking the next appointment on the spot, or create a simple loyalty program. For example:
Loyalty programs create a sense of progress and belonging. Plus, shoppers love knowing they’re working toward a freebie, and you benefit from steady repeat business.
When someone searches “dog groomer near me,” you want to be at the top of the list. Local search engine optimization (SEO) is how you make that happen.
Start with your Google Business Profile:
You should always encourage every happy client to share their feedback. A handful of fresh, positive reviews each month can boost your visibility and credibility. And don’t forget to sprinkle local keywords like “dog grooming in [your town]” on your website and service pages.
Related Read: Local SEO for Pet Stores: 6 Tips To Increase Traffic
Dog owners can’t resist before-and-after photos — and neither can their friends. Every groom is a built-in marketing opportunity.
Snap a quick transformation picture or record a short reel of your staff gently handling a nervous pup. Then post it on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok with a fun caption that highlights the glow-up.
Even better: ask your customer if you can tag them. Most pet parents love showing off their dogs, and when their friends see it, your reach grows instantly. It’s free marketing with a personal touch.
Some of the best grooming clients you get are the ones who hear about you through a trusted source. That might be their vet, trainer, or a local shelter.
Here are some ways you can collaborate:
These events cost very little but build trust quickly. People see you in their community, and that credibility carries over into your grooming business.
Marketing isn’t a one-and-done job. You need to track what’s working and what isn’t.
Start with a few simple metrics:
Checking these stats every month helps you tweak promotions and identify the areas where you’re making progress.
Related Read: 9 Pet Store Metrics To Track: Beyond Just Sales Numbers
If this feels like a lot, don’t worry — you don’t need to implement everything at once. Here’s a simple roadmap for the next month:
By the end of the month, you’ll already see a fuller calendar and more loyal customers.
When it comes to learning how to grow your dog grooming business, you should also make sure you have the right systems in place.
Many pet store owners juggle too many tools at once: one app for scheduling, another for reminders, another for email, and a separate point of sale (POS) system for retail. It gets messy fast.
That’s where eTailPet comes in. It’s an all-in-one POS solution designed specifically for pet retailers, so instead of piecing together five different systems, you get everything under one roof.
With eTailPet, you can:
Want to see it in action? Schedule a demo today.