What Does Dog Grooming Include?

A full professional dog groom typically includes a brush-out, bath, blow-dry, haircut, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and finishing touches. Some packages also include nail grinding and teeth brushing. At Barky Lounge in Miami, most full grooming appointments take approximately two to three hours, depending on your dog’s size, coat type, and condition.

However, not every grooming package includes the same services.

Most explanations stop at a list of grooming steps, leaving two questions owners actually want answered: What is already included in the price, and what costs extra?

Both are better understood before booking than at the checkout counter.

This guide explains what professional dog grooming includes, the order in which services are performed, how long appointments take, and which additional treatments may affect the final cost.

What Does Dog Grooming Include?

A professional grooming appointment covers several essential aspects of your dog’s hygiene and coat maintenance.

While the exact services vary between salons, a complete grooming package generally includes bathing, brushing, drying, a haircut where appropriate, nail care, ear cleaning, and finishing.

At Barky Lounge, we offer two main grooming packages: Bath Only and Bath and Haircut.

Here is what each service includes.

Bath Only — Starting at $50

Our dog bath service in Miami is designed for dogs that need professional cleaning and routine maintenance without a complete haircut.

It includes a bath, blow-dry, brush-out, ear cleaning, nail trimming, nail grinding, a tidy-up trim, and a bow or bandana.

A full-body haircut and teeth brushing are not included in this package.

Bath and Haircut — Starting at $70

Our Bath and Haircut package includes everything offered in Bath Only, plus a complete body haircut and teeth brushing.

The haircut is adjusted to suit your dog’s coat condition, breed characteristics, and preferred style.

For example, a Yorkshire Terrier may require a different trimming approach from a Poodle or a short-haired breed.

If you own a Yorkie, explore our dedicated Yorkie grooming in Miami service.

Which Grooming Services Cost Extra?

Some treatments require additional time, specialized techniques, or products and are charged separately.

At Barky Lounge, these include:

Additional services are discussed before the work is performed.

For current package details and starting rates, visit our dog grooming services and prices page.

How Long Does Dog Grooming Take?

Most full grooming appointments at Barky Lounge take approximately two to three hours, although the exact duration depends on your dog’s coat, size, temperament, and the services required.

A small dog with a well-maintained coat may finish considerably faster than a similarly sized dog with extensive tangling.

Long, dense, or curly coats also require additional brushing and drying time.

Here is a general breakdown:

These estimates are guidelines rather than guaranteed appointment lengths.

One of the biggest variables is matting.

A dog with a regularly brushed coat is generally easier to wash, dry, and style than one with extensive knots, even when both dogs are the same size.

Behavioral and physical needs also matter. Puppies, senior dogs, and nervous pets may benefit from additional breaks or a modified grooming approach.

At Barky Lounge, every dog receives one-on-one attention from check-in through pickup, without cage waiting or group handling.

For a detailed explanation of appointment duration, read our article on how long dog grooming takes.

What Are the Seven Steps of Professional Dog Grooming?

When people ask what grooming a dog means, they are often interested in the actual process rather than simply the services listed on a package.

A commonly shared seven-step grooming routine focuses on basic home maintenance. A professional full groom follows a more detailed process that prepares the coat for safe, even trimming.

While individual groomers may change the order to suit a dog’s needs, here is how a typical appointment works at Barky Lounge.

1. Initial Coat and Skin Check

Before grooming begins, the groomer examines your dog’s general coat condition, paws, nails, and visible skin.

This helps identify tangles, significant matting, sensitive areas, or other concerns that could affect the appointment.

Groomers may notice signs of irritation or unusual changes during this assessment, but diagnosing medical conditions remains a veterinarian’s responsibility.

2. Brushing and Combing

The coat is assessed and brushed before bathing to remove loose hair and work through manageable tangles.

This step is particularly important for long-haired, curly, and double-coated dogs.

Bathing a heavily tangled coat without assessing it first can make existing mats harder to manage.

Severe matting requires a different approach because attempting to force a comb through tight knots can cause unnecessary pain.

For more information, see our guide on how to get matted hair out of a dog.

3. Bathing and Thorough Rinsing

Once the coat has been prepared, the dog receives a bath using suitable grooming products.

Shampoo is worked through the fur, followed by conditioner when appropriate, and the coat is rinsed thoroughly.

Removing product residue matters because leftover shampoo can contribute to skin irritation.

Dogs with known sensitivities may require a modified product routine.

If your dog has previously developed irritation following an appointment, our article on how to relieve dog itching after grooming explains possible causes and warning signs.

4. Nail Trimming and Grinding

Nails are trimmed to a suitable length while avoiding the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves.

Grinding is then used to smooth rough edges when appropriate.

At Barky Lounge, nail trimming and grinding are included in both main grooming packages.

If your dog only needs nail maintenance, our dog nail trimming service in Miami is also available without an appointment.

5. Complete Drying and Fluffing

After the bath, the coat is dried thoroughly.

Professional drying is important because moisture can remain trapped beneath dense or curly fur even when the outer layer feels dry.

For dogs receiving a haircut, the drying and fluffing process also helps straighten and separate the hair, making it easier to achieve an even finish.

This is particularly useful for Poodles, Bichons, and many doodle coats.

6. Haircut and Styling

Once the coat is clean, dry, and properly prepared, the groomer completes the haircut.

The final style depends on several factors, including:

• Breed characteristics and coat texture.
• The owner’s preferred haircut.
• The current condition and length of the coat.
• How much brushing the owner can maintain between appointments.
• The dog’s comfort and individual grooming needs.

Some owners prefer a short, manageable style, while others request longer or more detailed shaping.

When a coat is severely matted, however, safety and comfort take priority over maintaining a particular hairstyle.

7. Ear Care, Teeth Brushing, and Finishing

The final stages involve completing any remaining hygiene services, checking the haircut, and adding the finishing touches.

At Barky Lounge, this includes gentle ear cleaning, along with teeth brushing for Bath and Haircut appointments.

Ear cleaning focuses on the accessible outer ear. Deep ear cleaning or treatment for suspected infections belongs with a veterinarian.

Our dog ear care guide explains how to recognize common ear problems and maintain healthy ears between appointments.

Once everything is complete, your dog receives a finishing bow or bandana.

The exact order of these seven stages may change depending on your dog’s temperament and the grooming techniques required.

Do Groomers Cut Dogs’ Hair Wet or Dry?

Most professional finishing haircuts are performed on a clean, dry, properly brushed coat.

Drying and fluffing allow the groomer to see the coat’s natural shape, evaluate length more accurately, and create a balanced finish.

Wet hair may stretch or lie differently, making it harder to judge how the completed haircut will look once the coat dries.

There are exceptions.

Some professional techniques involve cutting or preparing the coat before bathing, particularly when dealing with significant matting or specific styling requirements.

A severely matted coat may require a preliminary clip before the regular washing and finishing stages.

This is not simply a styling preference. It is sometimes necessary to protect the dog’s comfort and avoid prolonged, painful dematting.

What Changes the Price of Dog Grooming?

The cost of a professional groom is influenced by more than the dog’s breed.

At Barky Lounge, three important factors help determine the final price.

1. Your Dog’s Size

Larger dogs generally require additional shampoo, drying time, and physical handling.

However, size alone does not determine how complicated an appointment will be.

2. Coat Type

Different coat textures require different grooming techniques.

For example, a curly-coated doodle may need more brushing, drying, and scissoring than a similarly sized short-haired dog.

Long silky coats, heavy undercoats, and detailed breed-specific styles can also increase the time required.

3. Coat Condition

A well-maintained coat is usually easier to groom than one with significant tangling or packed undercoat.

Extensive dematting and specialized coat treatments require additional time and may affect the total appointment cost.

This is why giving an exact final price over the phone can sometimes be difficult without assessing the dog’s coat.

At Barky Lounge, we provide starting prices based on size and coat type, then confirm additional work before proceeding.

You can explore our Miami pet grooming services for package information and starting rates.

What Is Not Usually Included in Basic Dog Grooming?

A standard grooming appointment covers essential coat and hygiene maintenance, but certain services may require additional charges or professional veterinary care.

Here are a few important distinctions.

Anal Gland Expression

Anal gland expression is not automatically necessary for every dog.

At Barky Lounge, it is an on-request service rather than a routine part of every grooming appointment.

Dogs experiencing persistent scooting, swelling, pain, or recurring anal gland problems should be assessed by a veterinarian.

As explained by VCA Animal Hospitals in its guide to anal sac disease, recurrent anal sac problems may require veterinary investigation and treatment.

Full Deshedding Treatment

A regular brush-out is included in both Barky Lounge grooming packages.

However, extensive undercoat removal takes additional time, particularly for breeds with thick double coats.

A dedicated deshedding treatment is therefore charged separately.

Extensive Dematting

Normal brushing and minor coat preparation are part of grooming, but working through significant matting is a separate service.

In some cases, attempting to preserve heavily tangled hair is not comfortable or safe, and a shorter haircut may be necessary.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Teeth brushing is included in Barky Lounge’s Bath and Haircut package.

However, cosmetic brushing during grooming is not the same as a veterinary dental examination or professional dental cleaning.

Veterinary dental procedures are necessary when problems such as periodontal disease, significant tartar accumulation, or other oral health concerns require treatment.

Flea and Tick Treatment

A groomer may notice fleas, ticks, or signs of skin irritation during an appointment.

However, diagnosing and managing a parasite infestation should involve appropriate veterinary guidance.

What Should You Ask Before Booking a Dog Groom?

A few simple questions can help prevent confusion about pricing, services, and appointment expectations.

Before booking, consider asking:

1. What is included in the base grooming price?

Confirm whether the package includes a full haircut, nail grinding, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and any finishing services you expect.

2. How long will the appointment take?

Ask for an estimated completion time based on your dog’s size, coat condition, and the requested services.

Remember that additional breaks or unexpected coat issues can affect the duration.

3. What happens if my dog’s coat is matted?

Different salons have different approaches to extensive matting.

Ask how the condition will be assessed, whether an additional charge applies, and what happens if the coat cannot be comfortably detangled.

4. Are there any additional charges I should know about?

Discuss optional treatments, specialized styling, and extra coat maintenance before the appointment begins.

At Barky Lounge, starting prices are provided according to size and coat type, and additional work is discussed before proceeding.

Booking a Professional Dog Groom at Barky Lounge

A complete grooming appointment is about more than giving your dog a haircut.

Bathing, brushing, drying, nail care, ear cleaning, and routine coat maintenance all contribute to keeping your dog clean and comfortable.

Understanding what is included in your selected package also makes it easier to plan appointments and avoid unexpected charges.

At Barky Lounge, our Bath Only package starts at $50, while Bath and Haircut starts at $70, with final pricing depending on your dog’s size, coat type, and condition.

We provide personalized, one-on-one dog grooming in Miami, without cage waiting or group handling.

Location: 275 NE 18th St, Suite 104, Miami, FL 33132.

Free parking is available on-site.

Whether your dog needs a simple bath, routine maintenance, or a complete haircut, our team can help you choose the appropriate service.

Book your grooming appointment or contact Barky Lounge to discuss your dog’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Does a Full Dog Groom Include?

A full dog groom typically includes brushing, bathing, blow-drying, a complete haircut, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and finishing touches.

At Barky Lounge, Bath and Haircut appointments also include nail grinding, teeth brushing, a tidy-up trim, and a bow or bandana.

2. How Long Does Dog Grooming Take?

Most full grooming appointments at Barky Lounge take approximately two to three hours.

A short-haired bath appointment may take around an hour, while larger dogs, dense coats, or extensive matting can require additional time.

For a complete breakdown, read our guide on how long dog grooming appointments take.

3. Do Groomers Cut Dogs Wet or Dry?

Most professional finishing haircuts are completed after the coat has been washed, dried, and fluffed.

A clean, dry coat makes it easier to see the final shape and achieve an even result.

However, certain grooming techniques or severe matting situations may require clipping before bathing.

4. What Are the Seven Steps of Grooming a Dog?

A typical professional grooming process can be divided into seven stages:

1. Initial coat and skin assessment.
2. Brushing and combing.
3. Bathing and rinsing.
4. Nail trimming and grinding.
5. Drying and fluffing.
6. Haircut and styling.
7. Ear care, teeth brushing, and finishing touches.

The exact sequence may vary depending on the groomer and your dog’s needs.

5. Is Nail Trimming Included in a Groom?

Yes. Nail trimming and grinding are included in both Barky Lounge’s Bath Only and Bath and Haircut packages.

Nail trimming is also available separately without an appointment.

6. What Is Basic Dog Grooming?

Basic dog grooming generally refers to essential hygiene and coat-maintenance services such as bathing, brushing, drying, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.

A basic grooming package does not necessarily include a full-body haircut, teeth brushing, extensive deshedding, or specialized styling.

Always confirm the services included before booking.

7. How Often Should Dogs Be Professionally Groomed?

Grooming frequency depends on coat type, length, lifestyle, and at-home maintenance.

Many dogs requiring regular haircuts benefit from appointments every four to six weeks, while short-haired breeds may need professional bathing less frequently.

For suggested schedules by coat type, read our guide on how often you should take your dog to the groomer.