Sticking solely to standard full dog grooming is the quickest way to hit a glass ceiling with your turnover. If you want to achieve sustainable dog grooming business growth without overstuffing the diary or leaving your stylists burnt out, you need a more tactical approach to upgrades. This isn’t about ‘upselling’ for the sake of it; it’s about offering high-value treatments that deliver visible results for the dog and a healthier bottom line for you.
High-Margin Extras That Actually Work
The most effective add-ons solve a specific, visible frustration and take a matter of minutes to perform. Services such as deep-conditioning coat masks, de-shedding baths and ultrasonic teeth cleaning are easy for an owner to justify. When clients search for the best local groomers, they are often looking for professional solutions that go beyond a basic wash. These services bolster your average spend per visit without dragging out your afternoon.
Pricing to Protect Your Margins
Add-ons should be priced to reflect the premium products used and the specialist skill involved, typically adding 15–30% to the base price of the groom. When setting your dog grooming prices, don’t fall into the trap of ‘bundling’ everything into a flat rate it devalues your expertise. Be crystal clear about your rates; for matted coats, a transparent ‘per 15-minute’ de-matting fee agreed at drop-off prevents any awkwardness at the till.
Training the Team to Consult, Not ‘Sell’
Your staff are your best brand ambassadors, but they shouldn’t feel like they’re flogging double-glazing. Shift the focus from ‘selling’ to ‘consulting’. Rather than rattling off a cold price list, train your stylists to identify a dog’s specific needs during the initial hand-over. If a Golden Retriever is clearly blowing its coat, the groomer should explain how a premium de-shedding treatment will save the owner from hoovering the carpet every night. It’s about being helpful and building trust; the client leaves feeling they’ve received expert advice, not just a haircut.
Services Worth Shouting About
Some extras offer a fantastic return for very little elbow grease. De-shedding treatments are a lifesaver for double-coated breeds because they save the owner a messy job at home. Likewise, paw and nose balms take seconds to apply but add that premium finishing touch that owners love. If you feature these options prominently in your online booking flow, you’ll find clients often opt in before they’ve even set foot in the salon.
Tracking Success and Tweaking the Menu
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Use your reporting tools to see which extras are proving a hit and which are just cluttering the menu. If a particular treatment isn’t landing, look at the pricing or how the team describes it to customers. Your most popular services should be front and centre in your automated rebooking reminders. Platforms like Pawpal UK make it simple to track this data, allowing you to scale your business with total confidence.
Ready to Grow Your Salon?
If you’re looking to boost your turnover without adding more hours to the working day, the right systems make all the difference. Pawpal UK streamlines your bookings, pricing and client communication in one place helping you attract local owners and keep your diary topped up.
Book a free Pawpal demo today to see how smarter pricing and seamless scheduling can support your growth.
