Intake & Health/Temperament Check: the full procedure
Check every dog on arrival, record it, and flag-and-refer anything medical before you start.
- Applies to: Groomer / bather at check-in.
- Frequency: Every dog, before grooming.
- Scope: Covers the pre-groom assessment. Any medical finding (lumps, wounds, illness) is documented and referred to a veterinarian — not treated.
What you need
- Client/pet card
- Camera (for condition notes)
The procedure, step by step
- Do a nose-to-toes check — Check overall condition: coat and skin, mats and tangles, eyes/ears, paws/pads, and note any lumps, bumps, wounds, fleas/ticks, or sore spots.
- Assess temperament — Note how the dog handles being touched and restrained — fearful, sensitive areas, or bite-risk — so you can plan safe handling (time, second person, muzzle).
- Confirm the service — Confirm the requested style/service and any matting expectations with the owner (refer to the consultation).
- Flag and refer — Point out concerns to the owner; for anything that looks medical (lumps, infections, injuries, distress), document it and refer to a veterinarian — do not diagnose or treat.
- Record it — Document the condition and notes on the pet card (with photos where useful) so it’s on record and protects you.
- Refuse/reschedule if unsafe — If the dog is unsafe to handle or unwell, reschedule or decline per policy rather than risk an incident.
Quality check before you finish
- Nose-to-toes condition checked.
- Temperament/handling assessed.
- Requested service + matting expectations confirmed.
- Concerns flagged; medical referred to vet.
- Condition documented on the pet card.
- Unsafe/unwell dogs rescheduled per policy.
This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Dog Grooming business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.
Sources
- Groomer to Groomer — Pre-Groom Pet Assessments (groomertogroomer.com)
- AKC — How to Groom a Dog (check + vet triggers) (akc.org)
- NDGAA — Coat Evaluation / Standards (nationaldoggroomers.com)
About Free Dog Grooming Intake SOP
Free printable grooming intake SOP: check every dog on arrival — coat/skin, mats, lumps, and temperament — record it, and flag anything for the owner or a vet before you start.
How to use
- Read the full procedure top to bottom before the work — the SOP runs in order and each step builds on the last.
- Toggle Ink-saver (black & white) for a cheaper mono print for the binder; leave it off for the full-color version.
- Click Print SOP to print or save as PDF. Print one per crew, laminate it for the binder, or attach it to the job in your scheduling system.
- Train new hires on it and have staff sign off. Found something out of date? Use the feedback link — flagged SOPs are re-researched against the source list.
Frequently asked questions
What should a groomer check at intake?
Coat and skin condition, mats and tangles, any lumps, wounds, fleas/ticks, ear/eye condition, and the dog’s temperament and handling tolerance. Record it, confirm the requested service, and flag anything concerning to the owner — and refer anything medical to a veterinarian — before starting.
Why assess temperament before grooming?
Knowing a dog is fearful, sensitive in certain areas, or bite-risk lets you plan safe handling (extra time, a second person, a muzzle) before you’re mid-groom. The intake check is the foundation of both a good result and a safe one.
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