How Dog Groomers Can Ask for Tips (Without Feeling Weird)
Let’s get one thing straight: you deserve tips.
You’re not just giving a dog a bath—you’re wrangling wiggly butts, dodging surprise shakes, mastering precision fluff-drying, and making pups look pawsitively fabulous. That’s a whole art form, and yet so many dog groomers hesitate to ask for tips like it’s some guilty secret.
But guess what? Human hair stylists get tips all day long—and they don’t even have to deal with muddy paws or teeth-baring terriers. So let’s talk about how you, yes you, can start confidently inviting tips without being pushy or awkward.
First, Let’s Flip the Script
Stop thinking of tipping as a favor and start thinking of it as a thank you.
You’re providing a luxury service. You're building trust with clients and their fur babies. You're keeping dogs healthy, happy, and looking fresh. If that’s not tip-worthy, what is?
Creative (Non-Cringe) Ways to Encourage Tips
Here are a few genius, feel-good ways to make tipping a natural part of your grooming business:
1. The Tip Jar Glow-Up
Skip the boring mason jar. Create a cute, branded tip jar with a fun message like:
“My scissors are sharp but my bills are sharper. Tips appreciated!”
or
“Tipping makes tails wag—especially mine.”
Bonus: Make it match your brand colors, fonts, and vibe. (Pixels Unleashed can totally help with that, btw.)
2. Add a Line to Your Booking Site or Receipt
Subtle and effective. Something simple like:
“Love the groom? Tips help keep the treats flowing!”
A professionally designed website or booking form gives you the perfect place to add this without it feeling random. (See where I’m going with this?)
3. Make It a Social Moment
Post a behind-the-scenes grooming photo or a happy pup with a cheeky caption like:
“Snips, suds, and style—brought to you by your friendly neighborhood groomer! Tips always appreciated and treats always shared.”
Design a branded Instagram template to keep this cute and cohesive. (You know who can help you with that? Pixels Unleashed ;)
4. QR Codes, Baby
Add a small framed QR code at checkout that links to your Venmo or tip option, next to a short message like:
“Want to toss a bone my way? Tips are always appreciated!”
Make it match your brand. If you don’t have one yet, that’s a sign—let’s build your visual identity so you look just as legit as you are.
You’ve Got the Skills—Now Own the Value
At the end of the day, asking for tips is just a natural extension of valuing your time, energy, and expertise. It’s not greedy. It’s not awkward. It’s empowered.
And when your brand—from your website to your logo to your checkout process—reflects that same confidence and professionalism? Tips become easier, business feels smoother, and you get to show up like the grooming rockstar you truly are.
Need help making your grooming biz look as polished as your perfect poodle cuts?
Whether it’s a tip-worthy website, a bold new logo, or print materials that scream pro, Pixels Unleashed is here to make you look as legit online as you are in real life. Let’s turn heads—and wag tails—together.
