Mini Poodle puppies......

[poochpickup]

Hey,

I had a call for 2 mini poodle puppies. First haircuts. I don't want to under charge or over charge. Can anyone help me? I know we can't post actual numbers, but maybe you can compare what I should charge to another breed of about the same price. Like, would it be more then a Bichon? Thanks!

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[Poodlefluff]

On a puppy groom I will charge about half the price of the adult cut if it is a young puppy but over 6 months I will charge about 10 less than the adult price. And if they are just getting face feet tail done I would charge half of the adult price as well. We are running a special to groom puppies for very cheap and I think it is a little to low.

[misscatahoula]

I consider the time involved, then charge the same amount as I would for a comparable breed's full groom.If a mini poo takes me the same amount of time as an adult shih tzu, for example, I charge a shih tzu price. I don't offer a real cheap puppy price because pups often take time to get them used to everything, even if they don't have full coat or size yet.

[diamienono]

On a puppy groom I will charge about half the price of the adult cut if it is a young puppy but over 6 months I will charge about 10 less than the adult price. And if they are just getting face feet tail done I would charge half of the adult price as well. We are running a special to groom puppies for very cheap and I think it is a little to low.

AHH. I know where you work. $14.99 special under 5 months including a hair cut.

[amysue2638]

For a smaller breed, like a mini poodle, I charge the same amount for a puppy as if it were full grown...generally it's not going to be that much smaller and chances are it will take me at least as long to groom since puppies tend to be either very skittish or way too active on the table. For a larger breed depending on its current size, I might charge a little less than if the dog were grown....but let the customer know that the full price is $xx for when the dog gets to be full-sized.

[Poodlefluff]

nope diamienono even lower try $10.00 lol

[bow_wow_wheels]

Maybe I'm different...I don't charge anything but my mobile service charge for about the first 5-6 visits. I also don't promise anything other than I won't scare their pet 1/2 to death just to groom it. I've seen pups who were groomed by a heavy-handed person for their first grooms and then had to do the corrective training to get them out of their fearfulness. I'd rather give it away and have a loyal client for life than to power my way through to a complete adult groom and have the pup hate me and grooming for the rest of their life. I do mini-visits at the rate of 2 a month for a couple of months and then start working up into the full grooming, charging more as I'm able to get more done. The pups love me and run to me and give me kisses! The owners appreciate that I am sensitive to the pup's needs and work with me to assure a good experience for the pup. It doesn't matter to ME what they look like as long as they're not afraid of me, the van, a brush or comb and the process in general. Pups that I've done this way are some of my best adults for grooming. They stand like a statue and tolerate the process well. IMO it is because I was sensitive to their needs and worked with their fear instead of against it. Look on the thread about being frightened by a year old Golden Ret. and read what Helly has to say about the stages that pups go through as the grow. VERY informative posts from Helly there I'd prefer to give it away rather than scare the pup but that's me. It does create some very loyal clients and exceptionally well behaved adult pets who are NOT fearful and run to greet me rather than run to hide; I like that!

[Fur Elite]

Wow Patty, it sounds like you are giving your grooming away or am I not understanding...so if you charge $20 mobile fee on top of a grooming fee...you only charge the $20 for the first 5 visits? So you are working for free? Why would you not charge for your time? I guess you do this in hopes of getting a long term full paying client in the end? That has to be the best deal in town...unless your mobile fee is $50.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[Deana]

I totally agree. I rather the dog not look the best and be happy. I never force grooming. Dogs don't learn anything that way.

[Poodlefluff]

Oh thats right we are in the mobile section. Then I like bow wow's way of just charging a trip fee. And I agree that pups should not be scared or frightened of their groomer, I groom most little ones on my lap- this is where they want to be and are trying to crawl off the table to be. They feel safe there. I can usually do what ever clipping I have to do on my lap with no fuss. But I do not let them get away with biting me either, as this just teaches them that it is ok. to bite. I will usually shhh them or growl at them to let them know their limits. Then start again with kisses of coarse.

[diamienono]

nope diamienono even lower try $10.00 lol

WHAT!. I don't start my jeep for that. Heck, I won't get out of bed for that.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[Kim in SD]

Of course she's joking..lol..Anyway I do pricing totally different, maybe because I didn't know better. Anyway, I have my prices set per size of dog. I have a low end for short haired breeds and a high end for long haired breeds. As the pups grow they get charged more. I have a base price to "start the bus". Meaning I wont go anywhere under $$.$$ amount. And I don't think you should start any pup w/a full groom, bath them, first groom, don't even do a sani. 2nd groom do pads. 3rd butt. 4th tummy. meaning work up to it.