Dog Grooming Salon Daily Checklist

A dog grooming salon combines animal handling, sharp equipment, water, heat and nervous owners in a small space. The best salons look calm because their routines are tight. Every table, tub and dryer is checked, every pet's notes are read, and nobody leaves a dog unattended on a table.

Opening

• Check the day's appointments and read each pet's notes: temperament, health conditions, allergies, previous issues
• Confirm vaccination records are on file according to your policy
• Turn on and test dryers, clippers and tub water temperature
• Check grooming tables, arms and loops are secure and undamaged
• Stock towels, shampoos, ear cleaners and first-aid supplies
• Check kennels or holding areas are clean and secure

Before Each Groom

• Greet the owner and confirm the requested style and any changes
• Check the pet for matting, skin problems, lumps or injuries, and note them with the owner present
• Agree what happens if severe matting means a shave-down
• Confirm a contact number for the owner during the appointment

Safety During Grooming

• Never leave a pet alone on a grooming table or in a tub
• Use grooming loops correctly and never leave a pet tethered unattended
• Check dryer temperature and never leave cage dryers running without supervision
• Watch for signs of stress or overheating, especially in flat-faced breeds and older dogs
• Keep sharp tools stored when not in use

Unattended cage dryers and pets left tethered on tables are among the most serious risks in grooming. Many professional groomer associations and certification programmes stress constant supervision for exactly this reason.

Between Pets

• Clean and disinfect tables, tubs and tools
• Remove hair from tables, floors and drains
• Change towels
• Wash hands
• Log any incident, nick or injury and tell the owner at pick-up

Client Communication

• Text the owner when the pet is ready
• At pick-up, explain anything you noticed: skin issues, lumps, matting, behaviour
• Recommend the next appointment interval
• Note preferences in the pet's record for next time

End of Day

• Clean and disinfect all tables, tubs, kennels and tools
• Oil and maintain clippers and blades
• Empty hair traps and drains
• Wash and dry towels
• Restock shampoos and supplies
• Turn off dryers and heating equipment
• Log maintenance needs and any incidents

Weekly

• Deep clean kennels and walls
• Service or sharpen blades
• Check first-aid kits
• Review incident logs for patterns

See pet care business daily operations checklist and doggy daycare daily checklist for related operations.

How MyTeamTasks Helps

In MyTeamTasks, opening safety checks and end-of-day sanitation can be assigned checklists with timestamps, and text tasks capture notes about each pet's condition at drop-off. Photo tasks are useful for documenting matting or skin issues before a groom starts, which protects the salon if an owner later asks what happened.