08/23/2026
I’ve had a few of my current clients see what Four Pretty Paws will be charging once I transition over, and understandably, there’s been some sticker shock.
I want to talk about that for a minute, because I think it speaks to a much bigger issue in the grooming industry.
I was by no means a “cheap” groomer. But there’s also a reason I’m closing my business while Four Pretty Paws has grown to 18 vans.
They price for long-term success. I didn’t.
Looking back, I can admit that some of my pricing simply wasn’t sustainable for the amount of time, physical labor, overhead, skill and responsibility this profession requires.
And this is why I feel so strongly when I see groomers undercharging.
Cheap grooming might feel like a win for the customer in the moment, but chronically underpricing our work hurts the entire industry. It teaches people to expect skilled, physically demanding professional work at prices that simply aren’t sustainable.
There’s a reason you don’t see nearly as many senior groomers as you should.
This job is HARD on our bodies. It’s hard on our minds. And in far too many salons, groomers are encouraged or expected to do 8, 10, even 12+ dogs a day just to make ends meet.
That shouldn’t be normal.
I want to see grooming treated like the skilled profession it is. I want better education, certifications, enforceable standards, sensible regulation and expectations that protect BOTH pets and groomers.
We’ve all seen the horrific videos of groomers losing control and abusing dogs. There is absolutely NO excuse for abusing an animal. Ever.
But I also think our industry needs to be willing to ask uncomfortable questions about what happens before someone reaches a breaking point.
Was that groomer burned out? Were they pressured to squeeze in “just one more dog”? Were they working through pain? Were they terrified of losing their job if they said no? Did they desperately need the money for rent, groceries or their child’s medication?
None of those things excuse hurting an animal.
But understanding what contributes to burnout is part of preventing it.
And THIS is one of the biggest reasons I feel so good about joining Four Pretty Paws.
Four Pretty Paws sees and values their groomers. They put their groomers first.
That might sound backwards in an industry where we’re so accustomed to hearing that the client always comes first. But something the owner said when I met with him has stuck with me ever since:
“If I make my groomers happy, they make the clients happy.”
And honestly, that philosophy makes so much sense.
Putting groomers first doesn’t mean clients matter less. It means recognizing that a happy, supported, fairly compensated groomer is able to provide better care to the pets and people depending on them.
And it shows. Four Pretty Paws doesn’t have the revolving door of groomers that has become so common in this industry.
I’ve joked several times that Four Pretty Paws “spoils and pampers” their groomers. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized…
They’re not spoiling groomers. They’re giving groomers what they deserve.
Proper equipment. Support. Benefits. Time off. A manageable workload. A team behind them. The ability to make a career out of grooming without destroying their body or burning themselves out in the process.
Those things shouldn’t be considered luxuries.
And sustainable pricing is what makes that possible.
Higher prices aren’t always greed. Sometimes they’re what allow a company to take care of the people taking care of your pets.
I love this profession. I want to see talented groomers still grooming 10, 20, even 30 years from now.
Maybe elevating the grooming industry starts with recognizing that taking better care of groomers ultimately means taking better care of the dogs. 🐾❤️
