A full groom follows the same broad path every time: a check-in chat about your dog and the style you want, a health and coat check, then bath, blow-dry and a full brush-out before any cutting starts. Clipper work sets the length, scissoring shapes the finish, and nails, ears and hygiene areas are tidied along the way.
Where does a groom actually start?
Not at the tub. It starts with a conversation. When you drop off, your groomer will ask how you want your dog to look, whether that's breed styling or a teddy trim, and how the coat has been behaving at home. Then they'll go over the dog with their hands: feeling for knots and matting close to the skin, checking ears and nails, and noting anything unusual, like a warty lump that could catch a blade. If they find something mid-groom that changes the plan, a matted patch hidden under the topcoat, for instance, they'll call you before going ahead. No surprises at pick-up is the aim.
Why does the bath come before the haircut?
Because the bath and blow-dry decide how good the haircut can be. A clean, completely dry, fully brushed-out coat stands up off the skin and cuts evenly. A dirty or damp one drags, clogs the equipment and leaves ragged lines no amount of scissoring can fix. So your dog is shampooed for their coat type, rinsed thoroughly, then dried with a purpose-built dryer that pushes water out of the coat rather than just blowing hot air at it. As the coat dries it's brushed section by section, so by the time your dog reaches the table, every knot is out and the coat is sitting exactly as it will be cut.
What happens during the haircut itself?
The haircut usually runs in two passes. Clipper work sets the overall length through the body, working with the lie of the coat. Then the scissor work begins: shaping the face, rounding feet, blending where clipper lines meet longer coat, and tidying the tail. This is the slow, skilled part, and a good groomer is constantly reading the dog while doing it, pausing when they shift their weight, steadying a wobbly hip, giving an older or anxious dog a break off the table rather than pushing through. The finish you see is a few hundred small decisions, most of which you'll never notice individually.
The bits you don't see
Around the haircut sit the jobs that matter most for comfort. Nails are trimmed or ground back. Ears are checked and cleaned. The pads of the feet are cleared of trapped hair, and hygiene areas are clipped short so everything stays clean between visits. Your groomer is also quietly observing the whole time: skin condition, new lumps, sore spots, how your dog is moving. Groomers see dogs with their hands in a way owners rarely do, so a groom often surfaces changes worth knowing about. Anything we notice, we tell you at pick-up, and anything that looks like a health issue belongs with your vet, not with us.
How long does a full groom take?
It varies more than most people expect. A small smooth-coated dog is a very different job from a large curly-coated one, and coat condition moves the time as much as size does, which is why we quote each groom at booking rather than publishing a flat list. If mats have formed close to the skin, brushing them out isn't a safe or kind option, and we'll talk to you about a shorter clip instead: our doodle coat guide explains why that's the gentler path.
Where can you book one?
We groom at three salons across Perth's south: Jandakot and O'Connor take dogs of all sizes, while Byford grooms small to medium dogs up to around 17kg, by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Between visits, a few minutes of brushing at home keeps the coat workable and every groom quicker and more comfortable: here's how to do it well. And if you're wondering how often to book, our coat-by-coat guide covers every coat type.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for a full groom?
Yes. Grooming is by appointment at all three of our salons: Jandakot, O'Connor and Byford. Booking online takes a couple of minutes, and it means your dog gets a dedicated slot rather than a spot in a queue.
How long will my dog be with you?
It depends on their size, coat type and coat condition, and on how they handle the process. Ask when you book and we'll give you a realistic window for your dog rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
What happens if my dog's coat is matted?
We'll talk you through the options before we start. Brushing out heavy matting is painful and unsafe, so a shorter clip is often the kindest path, with a plan to keep the coat comfortable as it grows back.
Will you tell me if you notice a health concern?
Yes. Groomers see and feel more of your dog than almost anyone else, so if we spot a new lump, a skin change or a sore ear, we'll point it out at pick-up. We never diagnose: anything of concern goes to your vet.
More advice: How often to groom by coat type · Finding a good dog groomer in Perth · Should you bath before a groom?