The Complete Grooming Business Setup Checklist
Most booking software treats every dog the same. Book a slot, add a name, done.
But you know that's not how grooming works. A matted double-coat Samoyed isn't the same as a smooth-coat Staffy. And somehow, you're supposed to remember every pet's quirks, every owner's preferences, every coat condition across hundreds of clients.
This guide walks you through setting up Petboost step-by-step, so your software finally understands grooming the way you do.
Quick Setup Checklist
Before we dive into details, here's your complete setup checklist. Tick these off as you go:
Services Setup:
- Create size-based services (Full Groom - Small, Medium, Large, XL)
- Set variable pricing ("from $X") for coat-dependent costs
- Create add-on services (Nail Trim, Teeth Brushing, De-shedding)
- Create internal-only services (De-matting Fee, Extra Time)
- Set up Initial Consultation service for new clients
Resources Setup:
- Create grooming stations as resources (Station 1, Station 2, etc.)
- Set capacity to 1 per station
- Assign services to appropriate stations
- Set working hours for each station
Packages Setup:
- Create 5-pack grooming bundle
- Create 10-pack grooming bundle (with better discount)
- Enable self-service purchase for packages
Automation Setup:
- Enable Pre-Hold Funds (72 hours before)
- Enable Auto-Start at scheduled time
- Enable Auto-Complete when finished
- Enable Auto-Finalise for invoicing
- Enable Auto-Pay for card on file
Self-Service Setup:
- Enable self-service booking on services
- Configure eligibility rules (vaccinations, weight limits)
- Set up booking link for website and social
- Test booking flow as a customer
1. Services That Match How You Actually Groom
The Problem
Most booking systems give you a blank service with a name and a price. But grooming isn't that simple. You've got different pricing by size, different durations by coat type, different add-ons for different situations. Trying to squeeze all that into basic software is a nightmare.
How Petboost Solves It
Size tiers (XS through XL) — Pricing and duration automatically adjust based on the dog's size. No more manually calculating every booking.
Coat type considerations — Eligibility rules can restrict bookings based on coat type, ensuring appropriate time allocation.
Add-on services — Nail trims, teeth cleaning, de-shedding treatments, all configurable and added at booking or during the appointment.
Internal-only services — De-matting fees that staff add (not clients) for situations discovered during the groom.
Pro tip: Create a "first-time client" service that requires extra time for intake. Once they've had that first appointment, they automatically qualify for your regular booking slots. Elegant protection for your schedule without manual screening.
The Outcome
Your services reflect the complexity of what you do. Not every dog is the same price, and finally your booking system understands that.
Step-by-Step: Create Your First Grooming Service
Navigate to: Services → Add New → New Service
Step 1: Basic Info
- Service Name: "Full Groom - Small Dogs" (be specific about size)
- Service Type: Regular (this is your repeatable core service)
- Category: Dog Grooming (create this category if it doesn't exist)
- Description: Use the AI Writing Assistant - click "Get Help from AI"
Step 2: Pricing & Duration
- Base Price: Set your starting price (e.g., $65)
- Variable Pricing: Enable "from $X" if final cost depends on coat condition
- Duration: Set realistic time (e.g., 1h 15m for small dogs)
- Buffer Time: Add 15 minutes after for cleanup
Step 3: Team & Resources
- Assign Team Members: Select groomers who can perform this service
- Assign Resources: Select grooming stations this service requires
Recommended Service Structure
CORE SERVICES (Regular type):
├── Full Groom - Small Dogs (1h 15m, $65+)
├── Full Groom - Medium Dogs (1h 30m, $85+)
├── Full Groom - Large Dogs (2h, $110+)
├── Full Groom - XL Dogs (2h 30m, $140+)
├── Bath & Blow - Small/Medium/Large
└── Puppy First Groom (45m, $45)
ADD-ON SERVICES (Add-on type):
├── Nail Trim ($15)
├── Teeth Brushing ($10)
├── De-shedding Treatment ($25+)
└── Flea Treatment ($20)
INTERNAL-ONLY SERVICES:
├── De-matting Fee ($30+)
└── Extra Time ($15 per 15m)
INITIAL SERVICE (for new clients):
└── Initial Grooming Consultation (30m, $25)
2. Pet Profiles That Remember Everything
The Problem
A client brings in their Goldendoodle. Last time, there were specific instructions: teddy bear face, shorter ears, scissor finish on the legs. But the groomer who did that appointment isn't in today. Now you're guessing, the client's frustrated, and you're spending the first 15 minutes recreating information you already had.
How Petboost Solves It
2,000+ grooming attributes — Coat type, cut preferences, sensitivities, all saved permanently.
Body-area notes — Specific instructions per body area that persist across appointments.
Vaccination tracking — Expiry dates, reminders, compliance blocking for expired vaccinations.
Photo documentation — Before/after photos, style references attached directly to the pet profile.
Medical alerts — Flags that appear at booking time for pets with special needs.
Pro tip: Attach reference photos directly to the pet profile. When a client says "same as last time," you've actually got a photo of what that means. No more guessing games.
The Outcome
This is your institutional memory. Staff come and go, but the information stays. Two thousand attributes saved permanently for every pet that comes through your door.
3. Self-Service Booking Without the Phone Tag
The Problem
How do clients currently book with you? Phone calls during work hours? Facebook messages at midnight? Text messages that get buried? You're grooming all day, and somehow you're also supposed to be answering enquiries. It doesn't work.
How Petboost Solves It
Booking links — Customised per service or universal, shareable anywhere.
Pet owner portal — Clean, professional booking experience from the client's perspective.
Real-time availability — Based on YOUR actual schedule and capacity.
Eligibility rules in action — Coat type or breed restrictions work automatically.
Vaccination compliance — Blocked if expired, or warning with override option.
70% of bookings happen outside business hours — That's not just convenience; that's revenue you'd never capture with phone-only booking.
The Outcome
No more phone tag, no more midnight messages. Clients book when it's convenient for them, and you never miss an enquiry because you were mid-groom.
4. Grooming Packages for Predictable Revenue
The Problem
Grooming is often boom and bust. Christmas is packed, January is dead. You're constantly trying to fill gaps and then overwhelmed when everyone books at once.
How Petboost Solves It
5-pack, 10-pack bundles — Create grooming packages with volume discounts.
Balance tracking — Clients see their remaining sessions before booking.
Automatic deduction — Usage happens seamlessly at booking time.
Expiration settings — Create urgency without being punitive.
Multi-pet family packages — Shared credits across household pets.
Pro tip: The magic of packages isn't just revenue smoothing. It's cash flow. You're getting paid for future work today. That transforms how you can plan, hire, and grow.
The Outcome
Packages turn casual clients into committed clients. Committed clients mean predictable revenue, smoother schedules, and better cash flow.
Step-by-Step: Create Your First Package
Navigate to: Packages → New Package
Step 1: Basic Information
- Package Name: "5-Pack Full Groom Bundle 🐕"
- Description: "Buy 5 full grooms, save $30! Valid for 6 months."
- Service: Select the grooming service this package applies to
Step 2: Pricing
- Redemptions Included: 5
- Package Price: $295 (if regular price is $65 each = $325, saving $30)
- Petboost automatically calculates and displays savings
Step 3: Settings
- Self-Service Purchase: Enable (customers can buy online 24/7)
Recommended Package Structure
GROOMING PACKAGES:
├── 5-Pack Full Groom
│ └── 5 sessions for $295 (save $30, 9% off)
├── 10-Pack Full Groom
│ └── 10 sessions for $550 (save $100, 15% off)
└── 5-Pack Bath & Blow
└── 5 sessions for $180 (save $20, 10% off)
Multi-Pet Families: Package credits can be shared between pets in the same family.
5. Payments That Happen Automatically
The Problem
The traditional model: you groom the dog, you chase the payment. Weekend evenings spent sending invoices. Clients who "forgot their wallet." No-shows that cost you money. It's exhausting.
How Petboost Solves It
Card on file — Captured at first booking.
Pre-authorisation 72 hours before — No-show protection that actually works.
Auto-charge on completion — Appointment ends, payment happens.
80% fewer no-shows — Pre-authorisation creates accountability.
Pro tip: Add charges during the appointment for things discovered during the groom: de-matting, extra time, add-ons requested. It all gets added to the invoice and charged automatically. No awkward conversations.
The Outcome
Zero payment chasing. Zero weekend invoice catch-up. The work ends when the dog is done.
6. Station Capacity Without Double-Booking
The Problem
You've got three grooming stations. Somehow, you've booked four dogs for the same time. Now you're scrambling, calling clients, apologising. Embarrassing and avoidable.
How Petboost Solves It
Per-station capacity — The system prevents overbooking.
Calendar view — See station allocation at a glance.
Drag-and-drop assignment — Move appointments between stations.
Team member + station — Assign both to appointments.
Pro tip for mobile groomers: Use resources for your vehicle. One van, one appointment at a time. Same principle, different application.
The Outcome
Per-station capacity means double-booking is literally impossible. The system knows what you have and won't let you overcommit.
Step-by-Step: Create Your Grooming Stations
Navigate to: Resources → Add New → New Resource
Step 1: Basic Information
- Resource Name: "Grooming Station 1" (or "Table 1", "Bay A")
- Resource Type: Location
- Description: "Hydraulic table, large dog capacity"
Step 2: Details
- Address: Your salon address
- Capacity: Set to 1 (one dog at a time per station)
Step 3: Working Hours
- Choose Business Hours to follow your salon hours
Step 4: Service Eligibility
- Select all grooming services this station can handle
Station Setup Examples
Solo Groomer (1 station):
Resources:
└── Grooming Station 1 (Capacity: 1)
Small Salon (2-3 stations):
Resources:
├── Station 1 - Main Table (Capacity: 1)
├── Station 2 - Bath Station (Capacity: 1)
└── Station 3 - Drying Area (Capacity: 2)
Mobile Groomers: Create your van as an Asset resource with capacity 1.
7. Lifecycle Automation: Get Paid Automatically
The Automation Chain
72 hours before → PRE-HOLD FUNDS (validate card)
↓
Scheduled time → AUTO-START (appointment begins)
↓
End time → AUTO-COMPLETE (appointment finished)
↓
Immediately → AUTO-FINALISE (invoice generated)
↓
+30 minutes → AUTO-PAY (card charged automatically)
Step-by-Step: Configure Automations
Navigate to: Settings → Pro Automations
Enable each automation:
- Pre-Hold Funds: Required — Validates card 72 hours before, reduces no-shows by 80%+
- Auto-Start: Enabled — Appointment starts at scheduled time automatically
- Auto-Complete: Enabled — Appointment finishes at scheduled end time
- Auto-Finalise: Enabled — Invoice generated automatically (disable if you add charges during groom)
- Auto-Pay: Enabled — Charges card on file 30 minutes after finalisation
Grooming-Specific Recommendation
For groomers who often add charges during the groom:
✅ Pre-Hold Funds: Required
✅ Auto-Start: Enabled
✅ Auto-Complete: Enabled
❌ Auto-Finalise: DISABLED (add charges manually first)
❌ Auto-Pay: DISABLED (finalise manually, then charge)
8. Enable Self-Service Booking
Pre-Flight Checklist
Before enabling self-service:
- Capacity: Set to 1 per grooming station
- Vaccinations: Enable if required
- Weight limits: Set per service if needed
- Booking notice: Set minimum notice (e.g., 24 hours)
- Buffer time: 15 minutes between appointments
Step-by-Step: Enable Self-Service
Navigate to: Services → [Your Grooming Service] → Booking Settings
- Self-Service Booking: Toggle ON
- Confirmation Mode: Instant (recommended) or Pending Approval
- Vaccination Certificate: Enable if required
- Notice Period: Set minimum lead time (e.g., 24 hours)
Setting Up Your Booking Link
Navigate to: Settings → Booking Configuration
Copy your Business Booking Link and use it:
Website:
<a href="https://app.petboost.com/booking-form/?businessAccountId=YOUR_ID">Book Now</a>
Social Media Bio:
🐕 Dog Grooming in [Your Suburb]
📅 Book online 24/7: [your booking link]
Service-Specific Links: For targeted marketing, go to Services → [Service] → Overview tab and copy the Direct Booking Link.
Key Stats for Dog Groomers
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Admin time saved | 20+ hours weekly |
| No-show reduction | 80% fewer with pre-auth |
| After-hours bookings | 70%+ of all bookings |
| Pet attributes | 2,000+ per profile |
| Package revenue | Up to 45% of total |
Your First Week Checklist
Day 1-2: Foundation
- Create your service structure (sizes, add-ons)
- Set up grooming stations as resources
- Configure working hours
Day 3-4: Revenue
- Create grooming packages
- Set pricing and discounts
- Enable self-service package purchase
Day 5: Automation
- Configure lifecycle automations
- Test the booking-to-payment flow
Day 6-7: Go Live
- Enable self-service booking
- Share booking link on website and social
- Monitor first bookings
Common Questions
Q: Should I create separate services for each dog size? A: Yes, if pricing and duration vary significantly.
Q: What if I need to add charges after the groom starts? A: Disable Auto-Finalise, add charges manually, then finalise and charge.
Q: What if a client's card fails pre-authorisation? A: They receive an automatic notification to update their payment method.
Start Your Free Trial
If what you've read solves problems you're dealing with, you can start your free trial at business.petboost.com/register. No credit card required, no sales call needed.
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