Free template · 7 min read
Dog grooming release form template
Three free, plain-English releases you can use as they are or combine into one form: a general grooming waiver, a matted coat release, and a senior or medical condition release. Fill in your details below, then download it for Word or Google Docs, or print it to PDF.
Why groomers use a release form
Grooming involves sharp tools, warm dryers, wet floors and dogs that do not always want to hold still. Even careful groomers see the occasional nick, a bit of clipper rash, or a dog who goes home sulking after a shave-down. A release form does not make you bulletproof. What it does is put the normal risks in writing before anything happens, so the owner has agreed to them while they are calm, not while they are upset at pickup.
It also gets you the information you need to groom safely: health conditions, behavior history, and permission to call a vet in an emergency. And it makes your payment, cancellation and no-show policies something the client actually agreed to, rather than something they heard about once.
Which release do you need?
- General grooming release. Every client, signed once before the first appointment. Covers handling, minor nicks and clipper irritation, stress, health disclosures, emergency vet authorization, photo consent, and payment and no-show terms.
- Matted coat release. Signed on the day you find mats that cannot be brushed out humanely. It records consent to a shave-down and explains that mats can hide sores, hot spots and parasites that only show up once the coat comes off.
- Senior or medical condition release. For older dogs and dogs with heart, breathing, joint, seizure or other conditions. It explains the extra risk, and gives you the right to shorten or stop a groom if the dog is struggling.
Many groomers combine all three into one form with the matted and senior sections marked “if applicable”. Others keep the general release on file and use the two shorter ones as add-ons. Either works. The builder below lets you do both.
What a good grooming waiver includes
- Owner and pet details: names, phone, breed, age.
- Handling and restraint: that you may use loops and tables for safety, and that small nicks and clipper irritation can happen despite care.
- Behavior and stress: the owner discloses biting or anxiety, and you can stop a groom if it becomes unsafe.
- Health disclosure: conditions, allergies, medications, skin problems, fleas.
- Emergency vet authorization: who to call and a spending limit if the owner cannot be reached.
- Photo consent: opt in or out of before and after photos on your social media.
- Payment, cancellations and no-shows: when payment is due, your cutoff, and your fee.
- Signature and date, plus a line saying it covers future appointments.
Fill it in and download it
Pick the sections you want, add your business details, then download a document you can edit in Word or Google Docs, or print it straight to PDF. Owner and pet details stay as blanks to fill in per client.
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Dog Grooming Release Form
This release is between [YOUR BUSINESS NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS] ("Groomer"), and the owner named below ("Owner"), for grooming services for the pet named below. Owner name: [OWNER NAME]. Phone: [PHONE]. Pet name: [PET NAME]. Breed: [BREED]. Age: [AGE].
1. Handling and grooming
Owner authorizes Groomer to bathe, brush, dry, clip, trim nails and otherwise groom the pet named above. Groomer will use reasonable care and may use restraints such as grooming loops and tables for the pet's safety. Owner understands that pets can move suddenly, and that despite reasonable care, minor nicks, scrapes, clipper irritation or razor burn can occur, especially around sensitive areas.
2. Stress and behavior
Grooming can be stressful. Owner has disclosed any history of biting, aggression, fear or anxiety. If the pet becomes dangerous to itself or to staff, Groomer may stop the groom, and Owner agrees to pay for the work completed and to pick the pet up promptly.
3. Health conditions
Owner has disclosed all known health conditions, injuries, allergies, skin problems, seizures and medications. Groomer is not responsible for problems that arise from undisclosed conditions or from pre-existing conditions made worse by normal grooming. Pets with fleas or ticks may be given a flea bath at Owner's expense.
4. Emergency veterinary authorization
If the pet becomes ill or injured while in Groomer's care, Owner authorizes Groomer to seek treatment from Owner's vet, [PRIMARY VET], or the nearest emergency vet, and to approve reasonable treatment up to $500 if Owner cannot be reached. Owner agrees to pay all veterinary costs, except where the injury was caused by Groomer's negligence.
5. Photo consent
Check one: [ ] Groomer may share before and after photos of the pet on its business website and social media. [ ] Photos are for Owner only.
6. Payment, cancellations and no-shows
Payment is due at pickup. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, and no-shows, may be charged a fee of $50. Pets not picked up within [1] hour of the ready time may be charged a late pickup fee.
Matted coat release
Owner acknowledges that the pet's coat is matted. Brushing out severe mats is painful and can injure the skin, so Owner authorizes Groomer to shave the coat short (a shave-down) as needed. Owner understands that: (a) the coat will be much shorter than requested; (b) mats can hide skin problems such as sores, hot spots, bruising, parasites or infection, which may only become visible once the mats are removed; (c) clipping close to the skin can cause clipper irritation, itching or minor nicks; and (d) the pet may scratch, shake its head or act differently for a few days after. Groomer will put the pet's comfort ahead of appearance. A dematting or shave-down charge of $[AMOUNT] applies. Groomer is not responsible for skin conditions revealed or aggravated by removing mats, and Owner agrees to seek veterinary care if they persist.
Agreement
Owner confirms they are the pet's owner or authorized agent, are 18 or older, have read and understood this release, and agree that it applies to this and future grooming appointments until Owner revokes it in writing. This release is governed by the laws of [YOUR STATE].
The full templates
Prefer to copy by hand? Replace the [bracketed] fields with your details.
1. General dog grooming release form
This release is between [YOUR BUSINESS NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS] (“Groomer”), and the owner named below (“Owner”). Owner name: [OWNER NAME]. Phone: [PHONE]. Pet name: [PET NAME]. Breed: [BREED]. Age: [AGE].
Handling and grooming
Owner authorizes Groomer to bathe, brush, dry, clip, trim nails and otherwise groom the pet named above. Groomer will use reasonable care and may use restraints such as grooming loops and tables for the pet's safety. Owner understands that pets can move suddenly, and that despite reasonable care, minor nicks, scrapes, clipper irritation or razor burn can occur, especially around sensitive areas.
Stress and behavior
Grooming can be stressful. Owner has disclosed any history of biting, aggression, fear or anxiety. If the pet becomes dangerous to itself or to staff, Groomer may stop the groom, and Owner agrees to pay for the work completed and to pick the pet up promptly.
Health conditions
Owner has disclosed all known health conditions, injuries, allergies, skin problems, seizures and medications. Groomer is not responsible for problems that arise from undisclosed conditions or from pre-existing conditions made worse by normal grooming. Pets with fleas or ticks may be given a flea bath at Owner's expense.
Emergency veterinary authorization
If the pet becomes ill or injured while in Groomer's care, Owner authorizes Groomer to seek treatment from Owner's vet, [PRIMARY VET], or the nearest emergency vet, and to approve reasonable treatment up to $[500] if Owner cannot be reached. Owner agrees to pay all veterinary costs, except where the injury was caused by Groomer's negligence.
Photo consent
Check one: [ ] Groomer may share before and after photos of the pet on its business website and social media. [ ] Photos are for Owner only.
Payment, cancellations and no-shows
Payment is due at pickup. Appointments cancelled with less than [24] hours' notice, and no-shows, may be charged a fee of $[50]. Pets not picked up within [1] hour of the ready time may be charged a late pickup fee.
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
Owner signature
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME]
2. Matted dog grooming release form
Owner acknowledges that the pet's coat is matted. Brushing out severe mats is painful and can injure the skin, so Owner authorizes Groomer to shave the coat short (a shave-down) as needed. Owner understands that: (a) the coat will be much shorter than requested; (b) mats can hide skin problems such as sores, hot spots, bruising, parasites or infection, which may only become visible once the mats are removed; (c) clipping close to the skin can cause clipper irritation, itching or minor nicks; and (d) the pet may scratch, shake its head or act differently for a few days after.
Groomer will put the pet's comfort ahead of appearance. A dematting or shave-down charge of $[AMOUNT] applies. Groomer is not responsible for skin conditions revealed or aggravated by removing mats, and Owner agrees to seek veterinary care if they persist.
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
Owner signature
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME]
3. Senior dog grooming release form
Owner acknowledges that the pet is a senior or has the following medical conditions: [LIST CONDITIONS]. Older pets and pets with heart, breathing, joint, neurological or other conditions are at higher risk during grooming because of standing, handling, water, drying and stress. Owner understands that grooming may aggravate existing conditions, and that in rare cases a pet may suffer a medical event during or after grooming that is not caused by the groomer.
Groomer may shorten the groom, take extra breaks, skip parts of the service, or stop entirely if the pet appears distressed, and Owner agrees to pay for work completed. Owner authorizes emergency veterinary care as described in the general release and accepts these risks.
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
Owner signature
_____________________________________ Date: ____________
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME]
Talking to owners about matted coats
The matted release is the one that saves the most arguments, but only if the conversation happens before the clippers come out. Show the owner the mats at drop-off, explain that brushing them out would hurt, and say plainly how short the coat will be. “Humane over vanity” is a line many groomers use, and owners usually accept it once they understand the dog's comfort is the reason. Then get the signature, quote the dematting charge, and note it on the client's record so the next groom is booked sooner.
How to get the release signed
- Before the first appointment, not at the counter with a wriggling dog on a leash. Owners read more carefully at home.
- Paper or printable PDF works fine for a salon with a front desk. File it by client name and keep it for as long as you groom that dog.
- E-signature is easier for mobile groomers and anyone booking online. The client signs on their phone and you keep a dated copy automatically.
- Re-sign when things change: a new matted coat release on the day you find mats, and the senior release when a dog gets older or gets a new diagnosis.
Collect signatures in Nuzzo
If you use Nuzzo's grooming software, paste your release into Settings > Agreement. Clients e-sign it on their phone from a link you send, or as part of online booking. Turn on “Require a signed agreement” and anyone who has not signed yet gets a “No agreement” tag on your client list, so you can see at a glance who still needs to sign. Each signature keeps its own copy of the text, so you can update the form later without changing what earlier clients agreed to.
Agreements are included on every plan: Solo is $29/month and Team is $79/month for up to 5 people, with size-based grooming prices built in. There is a 14-day free trial and no credit card needed. Switching from another app? See how we compare in Nuzzo vs MoeGo.
Common questions
Is a dog grooming release form legally binding?
A signed release is usually enforceable for the ordinary risks it describes, like minor nicks, clipper irritation or stress from a shave-down. It generally will not protect a groomer from their own gross negligence, and enforceability varies by state. Treat it as clear, documented consent, and have a local lawyer review your final version.
What is the difference between a grooming release and a grooming waiver?
In everyday use they mean the same thing: a form the owner signs to say they understand the risks of grooming and agree to your policies. Some groomers call the whole document a waiver; others call it a release or a grooming agreement. The wording matters more than the name.
Do I need a separate form for matted dogs?
You can keep one general release on file and add a short matted coat release that the owner signs on the day you find heavy matting. It records that they agreed to a shave-down and understand that skin problems may be hiding under the mats, so there are no surprises at pickup.
How often should clients sign a grooming release?
Most groomers have new clients sign once, with wording that covers future appointments, then ask for a new signature when the form changes or when a dog's situation changes (a matted coat, a new diagnosis, old age). Keep every signed copy with the date.
Can clients sign a grooming release form online?
Yes. E-signatures are widely accepted for this kind of consent form. Many groomers send a link the client signs on their phone before the first appointment, which saves clipboard time at drop-off and keeps a dated copy on file.