I wondered what the protocol is for tipping groomers. I don't tip my dog groomer, but am beginning to think that maybe I should. I always get her a lovely gift at Christmas, but now she's doing 2 dogs regularly for me, I feel that maybe I should tip her. What do other people do - any professional groomers out ther who can advise ?

I never expected a tip although some owners insisted!  I always charged what I thought my work was worth - much more than sheep shearers in the area! ;) 
It's really nice to receive a gift at Christmas to say thanks for the year.  I was more than happy with that. :)

I bet the sheep shearers charged more for their work though!

£7 to shave a Westie completely with no bath???  Looked like a skinned rabbit! ;)  Would take about 15 minutes I would think - so not a bad hourly rate.  The problem is that owners who want that done only turn up once or twice a year.

Some owners have no choice but to have their dogs skinned if they can't be bothered to groom them at all inbetween times. Sadly they're usually the ones who want their dogs to come out ready for a show!!
Becky

if they can't be bothered to groom them at all inbetween times
Then I ask them to come in more often. :)

Unfortunately it wasn't my business I just had to do what was put in front of me! They never even bothered to ask them to book in their next appointment after being done so I never knew what I was doing in advance!! Ah well I'm free from it now.
Becky

Good for you! :D

I would never tip anyone if it was their own business :)

Daisy

If you value her work enough and just want to I cant see any harm in it ;) One of my customers buys me flowers every now and then :) but she does know what wok i put into her dogs as shes watched me at work . im no sheep sheerer either ;) it takes me far longer to do one dog then it would most highstreet groomers .
I think tipping is becoming a thing of the past . everyone used to tip years ago

I like the idea of taking her flowers sometimes, She does run her own business and I just feel a bit awkward somehow about tipping, so that will be a nice alternative. Thanks for the suggestion

... or nice chocolates - Green and Blacks are always thought of as 'superior choccie' to my mind (grin), or a nice bottle of wine ;-) One can always put it in hubbys golf society raffle if tee total is the order of the day ;-)
Di