Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's are when family photos happen, guests come over and dogs get hugged by everyone. They are also the busiest weeks of the year for most grooming salons, especially in South Florida, where winter visitors arrive at the same time. A little planning gets your dog clean, fluffy and comfortable for the holidays without a last-minute scramble.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →- Book early: 3 to 4 weeks ahead for the week of Thanksgiving or the week before Christmas.
- Best timing: 2 to 5 days before your event, so the coat has settled and nails aren't freshly sharp.
- Curly and silky coats: keep their regular schedule in November so the holiday groom isn't a mat removal.
- At home: brush daily the week before and wipe paws after walks.
- Tipping: 15% to 20% is common, and a little extra at the holidays is a kind gesture, never a must.
When to book holiday grooming
Many salons fill their December calendar weeks in advance, and the days right before Thanksgiving and Christmas go first. Booking 3 to 4 weeks ahead gives you the best choice of days and times. If your dog is due for a regular groom in early or mid-November, book that one now and ask for the holiday appointment at the same time: two visits on a normal schedule are easier on your dog than one long visit for an overgrown or matted coat.
How many days before the holiday should your dog be groomed?
For most dogs, 2 to 5 days before your gathering is the sweet spot. The coat has a day or two to settle, any trimmed nails have smoothed out, and there's still time to fix something small. Grooming the morning of a big event works too, but it leaves no room for traffic, a late start or a nervous dog who needs a slower visit.
By coat type
- Curly coats (doodles, Poodles, Bichons): a haircut looks its best for about 2 weeks, so book within a week of the event. See doodle haircut styles.
- Silky coats (Shih Tzus, Yorkies, Maltese): book within a week and brush daily afterward so the coat stays tangle-free.
- Double coats (Goldens, Huskies, Aussies): a bath and deshed 3 to 7 days before keeps loose hair off the couch and your guests. Never shave a double coat for the holidays. Read the deshedding guide.
- Short coats (Labs, Frenchies, Beagles): a bath, nails and ear cleaning 1 to 3 days before is usually all they need.
Not sure which one your dog has? See the dog coat types.
Keep the groom fresh until the big day
- Brush a few minutes a day, especially behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits, where mats start.
- Wipe paws and the belly with a damp cloth after walks instead of giving another full bath.
- Take off sweaters and costumes between photos. Fabric rubbing on a curly or silky coat causes mats fast.
- Keep holiday food away from the coat and the floor; sticky spills on long ears and beards are a common reason for an emergency bath.
Tools from the Pawradise shop: Stainless Steel Grooming Comb (2-Pack) · Calming Lick Mat
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Traveling, boarding or hosting?
If your dog is boarding or traveling with you, groom a few days before so they leave with a clean coat, short nails and clean ears. Ask your boarding place if they offer a bath before pickup. If you are hosting, a groomed dog with trimmed nails is easier on guests, kids and furniture.
Nervous dogs and the holiday rush
Busy salons are louder in December. If your dog gets anxious, ask for a quieter time of day, keep goodbyes short and calm, and practice handling paws and ears at home with treats in the weeks before. A lick mat with a spoonful of plain yogurt during brushing at home helps many dogs relax. See how to make grooming easier for puppies and nervous dogs.
How much to tip your dog groomer at the holidays
Tipping is personal and always your choice. In the U.S., many owners tip about 15% to 20% of the service price after a groom. Around the holidays, some owners who see the same groomer all year add a little extra to the holiday visit or give a small gift or a card. A kind review or referring a friend is also a meaningful thank-you for a small local salon.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Holiday grooming FAQ
When should I book a holiday grooming appointment?
About 3 to 4 weeks ahead for the week of Thanksgiving or the week before Christmas, since those days usually fill first. If your dog is also due in early November, book both visits at once.
How many days before a holiday should my dog be groomed?
Usually 2 to 5 days before. Curly and silky coats look best within a week of the groom; double coats can be bathed and deshedded 3 to 7 days before.
How much do you tip a dog groomer at Christmas?
Many owners tip 15% to 20% of the service price, and some add a little extra or give a small gift at the holidays to a groomer they see regularly. It is always your choice.
Is a gift okay instead of a tip?
Yes. A card, a small gift, a kind online review or referring a friend are all thoughtful ways to say thanks.
How much does a holiday groom cost?
It depends on the salon, your dog's size, coat condition and the haircut. A dog who has kept a regular schedule and has been brushed at home is quicker to groom than one with an overgrown or matted coat, so keeping November's appointment helps keep the holiday visit simpler. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing is always included).
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile guides.