Terms and conditions for a dog groomer

A groomer works on a client who cannot consent, on the instructions of an owner who is not in the room. The terms have to put the disclosure on the owner, deal with the matted coat that has to be clipped, say what happens if the dog is injured or falls ill, and charge for the owner who does not come back on time. I draft those terms for a fixed fee of £995, delivered in five working days.

Who this is for

Dog grooming salons and mobile groomers in England and Wales, from a single groomer to a salon with several staff, taking bookings online, by phone and in person. Your customers are consumers, so the terms are written for the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the online booking rules.

What matters in dog grooming terms

Behaviour, health and what the owner must tell you

The terms should require the owner to disclose the dog's temperament, any history of biting, health conditions, medication, skin problems and recent surgery, and to keep the information current. They should give you the right to stop a groom, to use a muzzle, and to refuse a dog that cannot be handled safely, with the appointment still chargeable. A groomer relying on what the owner said is in a much better position than one who never asked.

Matted coats, clipping and consent

A heavily matted coat often cannot be brushed out and has to be clipped short, and clipping can reveal skin problems that were already there and cause irritation that is not the groomer's fault. The terms should explain that, obtain the owner's consent to clip where necessary, and say that the result on a neglected coat is not a defect in the service. That is the single most common grooming dispute and the terms should settle it before the dog is on the table.

Vaccinations, parasites and other dogs

The terms should require dogs to be vaccinated and free of fleas and other parasites, allow you to refuse or send home a dog that is not, and charge for treatment of the salon if fleas are found. They should say whether dogs are kept apart, and put the risk of a dog brought in unwell on the owner.

Injuries, emergencies and liability

Dogs move, and nicks and cuts happen even with reasonable care. The terms should say that you take reasonable care and that minor injuries may occur despite it, give you authority to seek veterinary treatment in an emergency at the owner's cost, and require the owner to be contactable. You cannot exclude liability for your own negligence in a way that cuts down a consumer's statutory rights, and elderly or unwell dogs are best dealt with by a recorded acceptance of the risk rather than a blanket exclusion. Your insurance should be stated.

Bookings, collection, no-shows and payment

A booking made online or by phone is a distance contract under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, and the booking flow needs the owner's express request for the groom to take place inside the 14-day period for a no-show or late-cancellation charge to be enforceable; the charge itself must reflect what you lose. Late collection should carry a stated charge, and the terms should say what happens to a dog that is not collected. Payment is on collection, prices depend on breed, size and coat condition and the terms should say so, and photographs of the dog for marketing need the owner's agreement.

What it costs

Customer or supplier terms and conditions, £995. One set of terms, customer-facing or supplier-facing, drafted around your business. Five working days.

Review of your existing terms, £495. You already have terms and want to know how much of a problem they are. Returned marked up with my amendments and an explanation of the changes. Three working days.

Buying online forms the engagement on payment. The scope is what the terms and conditions drafting page describes, you accept the Terms of Service at checkout, and I email you within four working hours to get started. If you would rather ask something first, email me.

What you get

• A full set of terms drafted around your business, not a template with your name inserted
• A covering note in plain English explaining every commercial choice I made and why, so you can defend the terms in a negotiation without ringing me
• Liability, payment, termination and IP provisions set at a level that will survive a procurement review
• Consumer-facing wording drafted to be enforceable where you sell to consumers
• Guidance on how to incorporate the terms properly, which is where most businesses actually fail
• One round of amendments after you have read them

What is not included

• Negotiating your terms with individual customers
• Sector-specific regulatory compliance beyond the contract terms themselves
• Website privacy notice and cookie compliance, which I quote separately
• Terms governed by the law of another country

Questions I am often asked

The owner is furious that I clipped the coat short. Where do I stand?

If the terms explain that a matted coat may have to be clipped and the owner consented, and the condition of the coat was recorded at drop-off, you are in a strong position. Photographs at drop-off are worth more than any clause.

Can I charge the full price for a no-show?

You can charge what you lose, which for a no-show can be close to the full price if the slot could not be refilled, provided the owner agreed to it at booking and the booking flow met the distance selling rules.

What if a dog bites me or another dog?

The terms should require disclosure of any bite history, give you the right to stop and to refuse the dog in future, and make the owner responsible for injury caused by their dog. Owners are responsible for their dogs in law in any event, and the terms make sure the point is on paper.

Related guidance and services

• Terms and conditions drafting, £995, the service this page describes
• Contract review, £495, if a main contractor or business customer has sent you their terms to sign
• Terms and conditions for a domestic cleaning business, for a similar structure of regular and one-off bookings

This page is general guidance for businesses in England and Wales, not advice on your own circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026. Email geoffrey@caesar.co.uk.