Do You Apply a Surcharge to Groom Doodles?

• We charge by breed instead of weight or time. Shih Tzus are $55, and Doodles are $90 (or more for complicated or pony size). — Nicole Voegtle, EarthWise Pet, Voorhees Township, NJ
• We charge by breed and size. Doodles are charged separately. I prefer not to charge by the hour because more times than not, my very experienced groomers can get smaller dogs (the majority of our grooms) done fairly quickly. — Bill Huffor, Furry Friends Inc., Colorado Springs, CO
• We stopped taking [new] Doodles. I’m not a groomer, but have had grooming in the store for 14 years. The amount of time is not the issue, it’s the intense nature of the coat type and the stress it puts on the groomer’s body. We’ve always charged more for Doodles, and we have plenty of current Doodle customers. — Carol Will, Lola & Penelope’s, St. Louis, MO
• Agree 100 percent with charging by the hour… like a mechanic or a lawyer! I was given this advice 20-plus years ago, and it is right on. I cringe when I see a price for a “Golden”… not specific enough! Size isn’t always a correct method either. Charging for the time you spent is the best and most accurate way to charge fairly and get paid! — Karen Conell, The Bark Market, Delavan, WI
• We charge all dogs based on time. Hourly fee is broken down into 15-minute increments for dogs taking more than an hour. — Teresa Hogge, Belly Rubs ‘n Suds, Ashburn, VA
• You should think about charging by the quarter hour for Doodles. That way, the owners are rewarded with a lower price if the dog comes in in good condition, and they pay through the nose if the dog is matted. That’s also a good incentive for them to listen to you on how to lower their grooming bills. — Sonya Wilson, Southpaws Playschool for Dogs and Puppies, Austin, TX

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