Grooming is an essential part of most dog breeds’ lives. It’s just something you’ve got to take into account before adopting a dog! Especially if you’ve got a dog that’s known for being a bit high-maintenance. So, how long does dog grooming take? Let’s find out.

Table of Contents

Want to Learn
DIY Doodle Grooming?

“Every concern and question I had now has clear, practical solutions.” – Paula D.

“These lessons have provided tremendous amounts of information.” – Steve B.

“Buy the course and complain about how easy it is!” – Chris S.

Learn How To Groom Your Doodle At Home…
Safely…And Without Confusion:

>>> GET STARTED <<<

How Long Does Dog Grooming Take?

How long does dog grooming take depends on a variety of factors. Professional and at home groomers can get the job done in as little as 20 minutes. But, sometimes it can even take up to 4 hours. Of course, this depends on what type of services your pup needs. A simple bath and a nail trim will obviously take much less time compared to a full grooming package.

On average, however, it would take about 1 or 2 hours to groom your dog. Naturally, professional groomers tend to get their job done quicker compared to at home groomers (i.e dog owners). After all, it’s what they do every day, and they’re already efficient at it.

However, if you’ve been practicing grooming your Dood at home for a while yourself, it’s likely that you’ve learned some useful tips and tricks on your own, making the process much smoother and quicker over time. 

So, we did answer your question – how long does it take to groom a dog? But, the estimates do range quite a bit. Luckily, you can get a pretty good estimate on how long dog grooming takes after you’ve taken your pup to their very first grooming session.

To get a better understanding on how long it will take to groom your dog, here are a few different factors you’ll want to consider. 

What Factors Influence Dog Grooming Time?

What Needs To Be Done?

Obviously, the total amount of time spent on grooming depends on what type of grooming activities need to be done. A full grooming session either at home or at a professional groomer’s would include brushing, bathing, blow drying, hair and ear hair trimming, nail trimming, eye cleaning, ear cleaning, and sometimes even brushing the teeth. Naturally, all of this will take time. 

On the other hand, if your pup only needs a quick bath and some nail trimming, this could be done in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Again, depending on the size and breed of your dog, and what state their fur is in. 

However, sometimes it happens that dog owners notice that their pups are in dire need of a little extra care. You may have forgotten to brush your pup’s hair for a while, it may be severely tangled, or even matted. In these cases, the grooming session will likely take much longer, as the hair has to be thoroughly brushed through to get rid of any pesky knots and tangles.

Of course, in a severe case of matting, the only option may be to shave all of the fur. On the other hand, this ‘haircut’ is super simple and quick to achieve.

With that being said, intricate haircuts, especially on Poodles and Doodles, may take up quite a lot of time. So, if your pup prefers to flaunt a rather flamboyant hairstyle, be prepared for them to spend a little more time at the salon.

Flea Treatments

With those curious and outdoorsy creatures, there’s always a risk of flea and tick infestations. Dogs with thick and textured coats are even more prone to get fleas. If you’ve got a dog whose fur is on the thicker side, a flea treatment will very likely take much longer compared to pups with smooth and short coats.

In case your pup has managed to catch fleas, a flea treatment will be imminent. As a result, you can also expect this to extend the time of your pup’s grooming session. Not only do they have to go through all of the regular grooming activities like brushing and bathing, you or your groomer will also have to go in with a special flea comb to get rid of all those pesky insects. 

See Also:

(Click the image)

Extra Pampering

How long dog grooming takes also depends on whether or not your pup is in need of some extra pampering. Maybe you’ll want to add in a massage or some paw treatments. Some grooming salons also offer relaxing baths with special soaps, bath salts, or oils. 

Some dog owners also like to have their dogs’ hair colored or nails painted. Of course, this comes down to your own preference. But, be advised that all of these extra beauty treatments will extend the time your pup will spend at the groomers.

Your Dog’s Size

How long dog grooming takes also depends on your dog’s size. Small dogs with short and low-maintenance coats usually get their grooming done much faster. In contrast, if you’ve got a larger dog with a long coat or thick fur, their grooming session is bound to take much longer. Needless to say, the bigger the dog, the more time it takes to go through all of the grooming activities like brushing, bathing, blow drying, and hair trimming. 

The Breed

As we briefly mentioned, your pup’s coat type will also affect how long dog grooming will take. Even if you’ve got a very small-sized breed, but they’ve got a thick and high-maintenance coat, it will take more time to brush and trim all of its hair. This is especially common in Doodles, as they are prone to tangles and matting. As a result, their hair will likely need extra attention compared to some other breeds.

Your Pup’s Attitude

How long does dog grooming take is also affected by your pup’s attitude and behavior. Some dogs get especially anxious and fearful about grooming, which will obviously make the process that much harder – and it will also take longer.

In addition to that, some dogs haven’t been properly desensitized to body handling or regular grooming activities. Some dogs are even afraid of grooming tools, which will obviously result in some behavioral problems. 

For this reason, it’s crucial that puppies are safely exposed to grooming and body handling from an early age. Of course, it’s also possible to teach adult dogs how to be more content with grooming as well. Nevertheless, it’s much easier to get your pup well-adjusted to grooming if you start with socialization and desensitization early on. 

If your pup is simply a bit wary of grooming tools, a great tip would be to let your dog inspect and sniff the grooming tools beforehand. Make sure that the clippers and blow drier aren’t working and that you’re not making any harsh movements when you introduce the tools to your pup. The same goes for every other grooming tool. Trust us, it really does help!

Waiting Time

If you’re getting your dog groomed at a professional dog grooming salon, you’ll also have to take into account the possible waitlists and waiting times. As you’d expect, highly sought-after dog groomers have longer waitlists, and you’ll likely have to book in a time well in advance. 

However, if you do decide to groom your dog at home, you won’t have to worry about booking any appointments or waiting until your pup’s hair has grown way too long. Instead, get your grooming tools ready, learn the know-how, and you’re ready to go!

In fact, many Doodle owners prefer to groom their Doods at home. It’s a great way to save money, and also time spent on car rides and in traffic. We’ve actually created a full online course on How To Groom A Doodle At Home. It includes a ton of useful tips and tricks and video tutorials.

By the way, it comes with lifetime access, so you can learn how to groom your dog from the comfort of your own home, whenever you need to look up some techniques.

Accidents

Although accidents aren’t as common with professional groomers, they do happen from time to time. For instance, pups with especially sensitive skin may get an allergic reaction to certain shampoos or conditioners. 

Moreover, as sharp objects like scissors are involved in grooming, your pup may accidentally get injured in the process. However, any reputable and professional dog groomer will prioritize the dog’s health and do everything in their power to find a solution to the problem. In case of injuries, they’ll disinfect and bandage the wound. If necessary, they’ll also involve a veterinarian.  

How Long Does Dog Grooming Take? Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Cut A Small Dog’s Hair?

Usually, small dogs can be groomed much faster than larger dogs. Simply because they are smaller and there’s less fur and smaller areas to work through. On the other hand, even small dogs with thick and textured coats require some extra time to brush, bathe, and trim the hair. 

For small dogs with low-maintenance coats, a grooming session might take about 30 minutes and up to an hour. However, for small dogs with high-maintenance and thick coats, the grooming sessions can vary anywhere between 1 and 2 hours, even up to 3 hours in some cases. 

Hair cutting specifically on smaller dogs could take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your pup’s coat type. The more textured and thicker the coat, the longer it will take to cut the hair. 

Do Dogs Feel Better After Grooming?

Indeed, dogs feel much better after a good grooming session. Not only is the whole process of grooming keeping your pup’s coat looking beautiful, it’s also essential for their health and wellbeing. Unkempt hair can become matted and painful, even lead to skin irritations and infections.

In addition to that, your dog will feel much more comfortable going about their day to day activities if they don’t have any fur blocking their view or constantly getting caught in their mouth. Not to mention, your pup will also feel much more comfortable if they don’t get poop bits stuck in their bum hair. 

Can Grooming Be Stressful For Dogs?

Grooming can definitely be stressful for dogs that haven’t been desensitized to grooming tools and regular grooming. That’s why ethical breeders usually start with simpler grooming like nail trimming, brushing, and bathing even while their puppies are still living with them. 

Of course, grooming will also be stressful for a dog if they’ve had negative experiences with it before. For this reason, you should never punish or scold your pup if they don’t behave exactly the way you’d like them to during grooming. 

Grooming is often stressful for dogs that aren’t used to body handling or if they’re generally very anxious and fearful. Early socialization and desensitization is crucial to raise confident dogs that are used to regular grooming.

How Long Does Dog Grooming Take? Final Thoughts

How long dog grooming takes depends on a variety of factors. Most notably, your dog’s breed, coat type, and size. You’ll also want to consider what type of grooming activities need to be done. Whether it’s a simple bathe and cut or a full-blown grooming session with line brushing and flea treatment, all of it is bound to determine how long your pup will have to spend at the salon. Nonetheless, knowing what to expect is vital, as you want to be prepared for many years to come with your little pal. And grooming is definitely one of your top priorities when taking care of your dog. 

How long does dog grooming take for your pup? Do you have them professionally groomed or do it yourself at home? Let us know in the comments below!

The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have.