Average Cost of Puppy Cut

[Yelena]

Hi everyone. I'm sorry if this has already been discussed but I couldn't find anything when I searched. Leo is going to the groomer for the first time this week. He's almost 14 weeks old so I want her to do a basic trim so that he can get used to going to the groomer. When I asked what a basic puppy trim would be at the Pet Supplies store where we have classes, they said around $20. Then I called the professional groomer (she owns a salon) that grooms several family dogs, her assistant quoted me from $40-$60 depending on what we'll be doing. This is a big range. So I'm wondering what the average cost is?

Since this is just a minor puppy trim, should I just go to the pet store? Or is it important for him to develop a relationship with the groomer who I plan on taking him for his major cuts? She's a family friend and helped me a lot during my dog search (i.e. hours long discussions about various breeds). So I'm already basically promised her that Leo will be her client. 

Is $40-$60 too much for a trim for a 13 week puppy?

P.S. Here's a picture of my shaggy doodle! 

[Namrata and Rowlfy]

Professional grooming is expensive!  I paid $30+tip just to get Rowlfy's paw hair trimmed and for sanitary trim on the butt.  But I live in NYC so $40 to $60 seems very reasonable to me. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's been a long time since I had a puppy, but it's true that prices vary greatly depending on location.

I would talk to the groomer personally about it; the assistant may not be aware that you have a personal relationship with her and just quoted you a generic price off a price list. She also didn't see the dog or what is needed. If she is a family friend, she may be willing to work with you on the price.

When my Jack's allergies flare once a year, he needs a bath every week, and I can't do it myself. I spoke to his groomer (who owns the shop)  about it and she agreed to do it for half the usual cost, based on the fact that he would be coming in 4 times a month. I am sure that if I had just asked an assistant, I would have been given the full price.

So I think it's worth asking your family friend directly what she would charge you. Even if she says the same thing the assistant said, you always have the option of going to the pet supply store, but IMO it's worth paying a little extra to find a really good groomer you can trust and with whom you can build a relationship.

[Yelena]

Thanks for all of your replies. I think that I'll just try to work something out with the groomer directly. She charges my mom $20 for her cat every month while the same pet store quoted her $70-$80 which is why I was surprised that it was the other way around for the dog's cut. The price that the assistant gave me just seems like too much for a minor cut for a 20lb puppy. 

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

IMO it is too soon to take the puppy to the groomer for health reasons. My puppies do not have all their shots until 16 wks and this is a factor. After 16 weeks you can go for a meet and great and maybe a quick around the eye trim so puppy can see. At 20 weeks you can go for a bath, dry, sani trim, face trim and feet and ears. Before this you can work on brush and comb training on a table at home. Working at home on a puppy bath and using a hairdryer is good too. I start the puppies on a low volume of air with some low  heat while they are dry, then progress to drying while wet. Lots of treats when starting anything new.

[Yelena]

Thank you for your reply. Leo will have his last shots on the 20th but our grooming appointment is for the 18th. I've given him 2 baths at home and he LOVES the blow dryer. I towel dried him after his baths but he loves when I blow dry my hair and blow it on him. haha. I've tried trimming around his eyes a few times but he's not a big fan of that. I also brush him a few times a week but his hair is getting so long and I don't want it to get too matted. I go back to school next week so I wanted to get him groomed before then. 

[Patti]

I pay $40.00 for the full ball of wax. Wash, cut, dry, nails, brush etc.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

That is a very cute shaggy dog.  

I have read so many almost horror stories on this web site about doodles taken to get groomed and coming out not really looking like a doodle.  That is even when the doodle owner brings in pictures and is pretty specific.   Having said that, I was very nervous about getting Hurley groomed so I found a groomer that grooms doodles. I went to a shop recommended by Hurley's trainer.  I talked to the owner of the shop and 'interviewed' the groomer that specifically grooms doodles. Even after that I was a little nervous about the grooming but Hurley has come out great both times.  We paid $45 and Hurley came out perfect every time.  Yes, it was not cheap, but neither was it extreme especially since I only take Hurley to a groomer every 3 months.   Plus I brush Hurley every night to make sure there are no snarls which can make a difference on the cost considering the additional time it might take to comb out.

$20 seems very inexpensive for a doodle type cut, even if it is only paws, sanity, ears cleaned, trim around the face/eyes, shampoo, brush out and dry.    

The groomer did say that when we bring him in for a complete cut (with a scissors) it will be about 3 hours and closer to $85.  We don't plan to have Hurley's coat cut for quite some time since he is wavy with a coat that isn't real heavy so he is not that difficult to comb out.  

I wish I was brave enough to purchase the tools to groom him myself but I am way to nervous about messing up the cut to do that.  I have trimmed around the eyes and hair between the pads that is long.  That is about it.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Daphne had her first groom at Petco where we had puppy classes. Because we were enrolled  in the puppy class she gave us a first time rate of $15.00 but she did say that after that, depending on how often we get it done it would be $40-$60. The $20.00 rate may just be a discounted rate.

[Bob Johnston]

Sophie's first grooming was 53 with everything they did when she was 3 months old. They did a great job so paying that much was fine to ensure they cut her as we asked. She goes back on sat the 18 th and i am sure it will be more since she is a giant doodle now. If the pet store groomer gives you a good feeling hey can groom your doodle the way you like then I would go for it but if you think they can't shop around until you find a place and price that works.

[Stephanie]

For a puppies FIRST groom, I would avoid a major haircut to be honest.  A first grooming experience should be full of positives!  I very rarely will put clippers on a puppy for their first groom, unless it's maybe a standard poodle for a face/feet shave or other breed that needs to get used to heavy clipper work around the head/ears/face at a young age (schnauzers, wheatons, etc...) but for a doodle puppy you can get them pretty nice looking just by bathing, brushing, trimming nails and most importantly talking to them, rewarding for positive behavior and acting like this is the best experience in the entire world.

I do groom dogs for a living and in my experience sometimes putting scary, loud, heavy clippers on a puppy for their first trip can often lead to them never wanting to come back!  So, find a groomer willing to make it fun, feel comfortable with the place and make sure you talk to the person who will have their hands on your dog!  It's also important they don't stay all day on their first trip to the groomer..a simple bath and freshen up shouldn't take more than an hour or two at most.

WIth that said it is important they get used to the entire grooming process.  So, I wouldn't wait too long before pups first haircut..but for the first time in a salon, try to make it positive.

Good luck!