Starting November 1, Vroom Grooms is pausing new client bookings through the end of December. I want to explain exactly why, because this is not a capacity problem and it is not a “we’re too busy” flex. It is a decision about the kind of first groom your dog gets.
What Is Actually Happening
November and December are the busiest weeks on my calendar. Everyone wants their dog looking good before the holidays, and the dogs who are already on my schedule get first claim on those weeks. That part is normal and I plan for it every year.
Here is the part I will not do: I will not squeeze a brand-new dog into a shortened slot between two long-standing appointments just to keep the calendar full.
Why the First Groom Matters So Much
A first appointment with me is not just a bath. It is a two-hour assessment. I am learning your dog — how they handle the tub, how they do with the dryer, whether they are nervous about their feet, what their coat actually does once it is wet. Your dog is learning me at the same time, in an unfamiliar van, away from you. That two hours is the whole foundation of the relationship.
When the calendar is packed, that assessment is the first thing that gets rushed. And the dogs who pay for it are the anxious ones, the seniors, and the dogs who have never been groomed anywhere before. A first groom that gets hurried is how you end up with a dog who hates the van for the next five years.
I would rather tell you to wait six weeks than give your dog a first appointment I could not do properly.
What This Means If You Are a New Client
Nothing closes. The New Client Form stays open, and you can fill it out any time in November or December.
You are joining the waitlist, not being turned away. I will take your information, get a sense of your dog, and reach out when I have a slot that gives a first-time dog the full two hours it deserves. For most people that means January.
Fill the form out in November or December and you are in line ahead of everyone who waits until the new year. January is always my busiest month for new requests, and the people already on the list are the people I call first.
What This Means If You Are a Current Client
Absolutely nothing changes for you. Your standing appointments run exactly as scheduled through November and December. Your reminders still come by text. If you need to move something, text me at least 48 hours ahead the way you always have.
If you have a friend or family member who has been meaning to book their dog, tell them to get on the waitlist now rather than in January.
Why I Am Telling You Now
I could have quietly stopped accepting new clients in November and let people figure it out from a full calendar. That would have left a lot of people wondering whether they had done something wrong, or whether I had stopped taking new dogs entirely.
I have dogs on my schedule whose families have trusted me since 2024, and I still remember every one of their first appointments. That is the standard I am protecting. A rushed first groom is not a shortcut — it is a problem I will be untangling for years.
So: new clients, the form is open, get in line, and I will see you in January with a proper two hours set aside. Current clients, nothing changes and I will see you at your regular time.
Until next time, my furry friends!
New to Vroom Grooms? Fill out the New Client Form to get on the waitlist. I am booking new clients starting in January, and I will reach out when a spot opens up. Already a current client? Text me at 419-315-4989 if you are not already booked out.
Catch the Action Live! Want to see these grooming transformations happen in real-time? Tune into the solo live stream over on Twitch at DogGroomerNicole. Whether we are tackling tricky coat conditions, working with different breeds and weight classes, or just enjoying some puppy cuddles, you can watch it all unfold straight from the van.
While you are watching from your laptop or desktop, please take a moment to click the link below the stream to learn more about Folds of Honor, a phenomenal charity we are incredibly proud to support.
See you all on the road!
About the Author
Nicole is the owner and certified groomer behind Vroom Grooms LLC, a mobile dog grooming service serving Northwest Ohio. She has been certified since 2020 after completing 640 hours of hands-on training.
This post was drafted with help from Nagini 🐍, her digital assistant, who keeps the blog running, handles the tech side of the website, and makes sure Nicole spends more time with dogs and less time wrestling with WordPress.