Holiday Grooming: Booking Ahead & Setting Your Pup Up for the Year Ahead

Holiday Grooming: When to Book & How to Get Ahead for the New Year 🎄🐾

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us.

One minute we're enjoying the last bit of fall, and suddenly Thanksgiving is around the corner, Christmas is approaching, and you're realizing your pup needs a groom before the family arrives. 😅

Holiday grooming appointments are some of the most requested appointments of the year, which means the schedule can fill much faster than it does during other times of the year.

So when should you book?

If you know you want your pup looking their best for the holidays, the answer is simple: don't wait until the holidays are right around the corner.

But there's an even better way to stay ahead of the holiday rush — use the end of the year to plan your pup's grooming appointments for the year ahead.

WHY DO HOLIDAY APPOINTMENTS FILL SO QUICKLY?

There are only so many days surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas, and many pet parents want their dogs groomed within that same short window.

If you want an appointment a few days before Christmas, you're not looking for just any December appointment. You're looking for one of a limited number of appointments during a very specific time.

Those appointments can be booked well in advance.

This is especially important if you have a specific groomer you prefer, a particular day or time that works best for your schedule, or a dog who needs to stay on a consistent grooming routine.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOUR DOG IS DUE TO BOOK

This is one of the biggest advantages of pre-booking.

If your groomer is already booking six weeks in advance and your dog normally needs a groom every four weeks, waiting until your dog is due to call for their next appointment means you may already be behind.

By the time you call, the next available appointment may be weeks away.

Pre-booking allows you to reserve your dog's next appointment before you actually need it.

That means you're not waiting for an opening after your dog is already overdue. You're planning ahead and getting priority on the dates that work for your pup's regular schedule.

HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD YOU BOOK?

There isn't a single right answer for every dog.

Some clients prefer to book one appointment at a time, while others like having several appointments already scheduled.

We recommend booking at least a few appointments ahead whenever possible.

Even booking just 1–2 appointments in advance can make things easier.

Booking 3–5 months ahead gives you even more flexibility and can help you stay ahead of busy seasons.

And if you already know your dog's normal grooming schedule and want to have the entire year planned out, you can absolutely book your appointments for the year.

There is no such thing as being "too prepared" when it comes to maintaining a consistent grooming schedule.

USE THE END OF THE YEAR TO PLAN THE YEAR AHEAD

The holiday season is actually a great time to think beyond Thanksgiving and Christmas.

When you're scheduling your holiday appointment, take a look at the months that follow it.

If your dog is normally groomed every four, six, or eight weeks, you can schedule several of those appointments at once.

This can take the guesswork out of keeping up with your dog's grooming throughout the year.

Instead of remembering to call every time your dog is due, your appointments are already on the calendar.

It also means you're choosing your appointments while there are still plenty of options available rather than trying to find an opening after the schedule has filled.

WHAT IF YOUR PREFERRED HOLIDAY DATE ISN'T AVAILABLE?

Sometimes, even planning ahead doesn't mean you'll get the exact date you had in mind.

Holiday appointments can fill quickly, especially for the days immediately before Thanksgiving or Christmas.

If a full groom isn't available on the date you're hoping for, consider whether a maintenance appointment might work instead.

A bath and fluff dry or a tidy can be a great option for keeping your pup clean, fresh, and maintained when a full groom isn't available.

This can be especially convenient for dogs who already have a regular grooming schedule.

For example, if your dog normally receives a full groom every six weeks but the next available full groom doesn't line up with your holiday plans, a bath or tidy may help bridge the gap until their next full groom.

A maintenance appointment doesn't have to replace your dog's regular full groom. It can simply help keep them looking and feeling fresh in between.

WHAT IF YOU WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE?

If you haven't scheduled your holiday groom yet, don't assume it's too late.

Give us a call!

We may have an opening, a cancellation, or another appointment option that works for your pup.

However, the closer we get to the holidays, the fewer choices there are likely to be.

You may need to be flexible with your preferred date, time, groomer, or even the type of appointment you're looking for.

The earlier you book, the more options you'll have.

A LITTLE PLANNING CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF STRESS

Your dog's grooming schedule doesn't have to be something you remember one appointment at a time.

If your pup is on a regular grooming routine, planning several appointments ahead can make the entire year easier.

When you're picking up your dog from their next groom, consider asking us to schedule their next appointment — or even several of them.

And when the holidays roll around, take advantage of that same opportunity to get your pup's upcoming appointments on the calendar.

Whether you book one or two appointments ahead, several months at a time, or the entire year, planning ahead gives you more flexibility and helps keep your pup on track with their regular grooming routine.

So as you're making your holiday plans this year, don't forget about the furry member of the family.

Book early, stay ahead, and start the new year with your pup's grooming schedule already taken care of. 🎄🐾✨