It’s very important to know how to speak to your groomer when requesting your desired style.
A guide to common grooming terms to help groomers and clients communicate clearly and confidently.
Appointment & Service Terms
Full Groom : Includes bath, blow dry, brushing, nail trim, ear cleaning, and haircut.
Bath & Brush / Bath-Only : No haircut; includes bath, blow dry, brushing, nail trim, and ear cleaning.
Touch-Up Trim : Light trimming on specific areas like face, feet, or sanitary region.
Sanitary Trim : Trimmed or shaved areas around the rear and genital area for hygiene.
De-Shedding : Treatment to remove loose undercoat and reduce shedding.
De-Matting : Removing knots or mats from the coat. Extra charges may apply.
Pawdicure : Nail trimming or grinding; sometimes includes paw balm or polish.
Anal Gland Expression : Hygienic procedure to relieve built-up pressure in anal glands.
Teeth Brushing : Brushing with pet-safe toothpaste for basic oral hygiene.
Flea Bath : Medicated shampoo bath to kill fleas and soothe the skin.
Medicated Bath : A bath using specialty shampoos to treat skin issues.
Add-On Services : Optional extras such as nail grinding, facials, de-shedding, etc .
Express/Same Day Groom : A premium $FEE, kennel-free grooming appointment done straight through.
Style & Cut Terminology
Shaved : When a clipper blade is used without a guard comb. Does not mean “to the skin.” Shaving is available in 3 lengths depending on coat thickness. Skin will not be exposed. (This is typically the most affordable haircut.)
Guard Clip : An attachment comb is used over a blade to create longer coat lengths (up to about 1 inch). This method sets length, but hand-scissoring is needed for a uniform finish. (More expensive than a shave.)
Hand Scissor : Used for styles longer than an inch with no clippers involved. This is the most time-consuming and expensive groom.
Puppy Cut or Teddy Bear Cut : ❌ Myth Alert! This term has no standard definition. One groomer might shave the coat, another might leave it long. Avoid using this term be specific instead.
Teddy Bear Head A round, fluffy face style slightly longer than the body, usually uniform on top, cheeks, and chin. Final look depends on coat type and face shape.
Page Boy Head Hair is combed down and trimmed off the bottom, with a neat trim above the eyes.
Clean Face The face is completely shaved, often used for Poodles.
Clean Feet Feet are shaved down to the skin, commonly requested for certain breeds like Poodles.
Natural Feet / “Grinch Feet” Very light or no trimming on feet; long flowing hair is left. Seen in breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Cat Foot Hair growing between toes and on top of foot is trimmed down for a tidy, rounded look.
Teddy Bear Feet Hair on feet is clipped the same length as the body and rounded for a plush appearance.
Flag Tail Tail is shaped and trimmed to resemble a waving flag.
Bobbed Tail Hair is trimmed off the end of the tail, creating a clean, short look.
Squirrel Tail Tail is trimmed evenly all over, giving it the bushy look of a squirrel’s tail.
Shaved Tail Entire tail is shaved down, exposing the skin often referred to as a “rat tail.
Pom Tail A narrow shaved band at the base of the tail with a full puff left at the tip.
Shaved Ears All hair is removed from the ears.
Layered Ears Hair is trimmed in layers to give the ears a fuller, fluffier appearance.
Bobbed Ears Hair on the ears is cut off at the ends, usually level with the chin.
Tipped Ears The top of the ear is shaved; often done on breeds with erect ears like Yorkies or Westies.
Ears to Shape of Leather Ear hair is trimmed to follow the natural contour of the ear leather.
Spaniel Ear The top one-third of the ear is shaved, leaving the lower two-thirds long and flowing.
Feathering Trimming the long hair (feathers) on the legs, ears, and tail.
Scissor Finish Final shaping using scissors after clipper work for a polished look.
Shave Down Coat is clipped very short due to matting or for easier upkeep.
Breed Standard Cut Cut follows AKC guidelines for the dog’s breed.
Coat Condition & Behavior Descriptions
Matting / Matted Tightly tangled fur close to the skin. May require shaving for comfort and safety.
Undercoat Dense secondary coat that sheds heavily in double-coated breeds.
Blow Out Powerful drying to remove excess undercoat, especially in shedding breeds.
Coat Type Hair classification (e.g., curly, wiry, silky, double-coated).
Sensitive Skin Skin prone to irritation requires gentle handling and special products.
Senior Pet An older pet needing extra patience and accommodations during grooming.
Reactive / Fearful Describes a pet that shows anxiety or aggression during grooming.
Needs a Muzzle Indicates a pet may attempt to bite and needs to be safely restrained.
Groomer’s Choice Allows the groomer to use their professional judgment to determine the best haircut based on coat condition and pet behavior.
Scheduling & Communication Terms
Kennel Drying A fan-assisted method of drying dogs in a crate used only on dogs who tolerate it well.
Rebooking Scheduling the next appointment immediately after a current service to stay on a routine.
No-Show A missed appointment without notice. Usually results in a fee.
Late Cancellation Canceling within 24 hours of the appointment time, which may incur a charge.
Drop-Off / Pick-Up Window Specific timeframes for bringing and picking up your pet.
**Breed Specific Groom: Please see your breeds specific groom on the breed’s parent club website. (Mixed dogs such as GoldenDoodles, Cockapoos, ** Schnoodles, etc.. do not have a breed specific groom. It’s all owner preference)