About this template

A first groom sets the tone for every appointment after it. A dog that has a stressful first experience will be harder to work with in the future. This template gives your groomers a consistent approach so that the first visit is calm, honest with the owner, and properly recorded.

When to use it

Use it for any dog coming in to our salon for the first time, including puppies that have not been professionally groomed before.

Tips

Let the dog lead the pace. A partial groom done calmly is a better outcome than a full groom done under stress. The finish matters less on a first visit than the experience.

Set expectations with the owner before you start. Telling an owner upfront that you will call or message if anything comes up, and that you work at the dog's pace, removes the awkward conversation at pickup if you did not complete everything.

Write the record for the next groomer. Notes like "a bit nervous" are not useful. Be more specific, such as "Stiffened when left rear paw was lifted, settled after two minutes off the table" is.

Rebook before they leave. For puppies especially, frequent early visits build tolerance. An owner who leaves without a next appointment often does not come back for months.