Dog Grooming Intake Form Free Template

The first appointment tells you everything — if you ask the right questions. A well-designed dog grooming intake form gives you a dog’s health history, the owner’s preferences, and any red flags before you’ve picked up a brush. It protects you from liability, sets expectations, and builds trust that turns one-time clients into long-term regulars.

This guide includes a free template, explains each section, and shows how to move from paper to digital without making your workflow complicated.

Why Every Grooming Salon Needs an Intake Form

Grooming without an intake form is a risk you don’t need to take.

Without documentation:

• You can’t prove what a client told you
• You have no written grooming instructions
• You’re exposed if a health or behavior issue comes up

An intake form creates accountability on both sides. It also improves your service — being able to pull up notes like “#4 body cut, sensitive to dryer, lipoma on left shoulder” instantly makes you look professional and prepared.

What to Include in a Dog Grooming Intake Form

Owner and Contact Information

Collect:

• Full name
• Primary phone
• Backup/emergency contact
• Email

Always have a second contact option in case the owner is unreachable during the appointment.

Dog’s Basic Information

• Name
• Breed or mix
• Age or DOB
• Sex and spay/neuter status
• Weight
• Color/markings

Breed and coat type directly impact time, tools, and pricing — don’t skip this.

Health and Medical History

This is one of the most important sections.

Include:

• Chronic conditions (diabetes, seizures, etc.)
• Skin issues or allergies
• Medications
• Recent injuries or surgery
• Joint or mobility issues
• Vet contact info
• Vaccination status

For senior dogs, add extra notes — age significantly affects grooming tolerance.

Behavioral History

Ask direct questions:

• Has the dog bitten or snapped before?
• Fear triggers (dryer, nails, water, strangers)
• Behavior with other dogs
• Sensitive areas
• History of incomplete grooms

Specific questions = more honest answers.

Grooming History and Preferences

• Previous groomer
• Style or cut requested
• Product sensitivities
• Nail preference (clip vs grind)
• Approval required before changes

That last point avoids conflict mid-groom.

Vaccination Documentation

At minimum:

• Rabies
• Bordetella (recommended for salons)

Set clear expectations — this protects your entire client base.

Consent Section

This is where your intake form becomes legally meaningful.

Include:

• Authorization to groom
• Matting release
• Health risk acknowledgment
• Cancellation/no-show agreement
• Photo consent
• Signature and date

For a complete legal-ready version, you can reference:‍

Dog Grooming Waiver Template

Keep each consent item clearly separated — avoid vague, combined paragraphs.

Free Dog Grooming Intake Form Template

[YOUR SALON NAME] — Dog Grooming New Client Form

Owner Information

• Full Name:
• Primary Phone:
• Secondary Phone:
• Emergency Contact:
• Email:
• Address:

Dog Information

• Name:
• Breed:
• Age/DOB:
• Sex / Spayed-Neutered:
• Weight:
• Color/Markings:

Health History

• Conditions:
• Medications:
• Allergies:
• Injuries:
• Joint Issues:
• Senior? Y/N
• Vet Name/Phone:
• Rabies Current? Y/N
• Bordetella Current? Y/N

Behavioral Notes

• Bite history:
• Anxiety triggers:
• Dog interaction:
• Sensitive areas:
• Past grooming issues:

Grooming Preferences

• Requested style:
• Previous groomer:
• Product sensitivities:
• Nail preference:
• Call before changes? Y/N

Consent

• Authorization to groom
• Matting consent
• Risk acknowledgment
• Agreement to policies
• Photo release

Signature: ____________
Date: ____________

Paper vs. Digital Intake Forms

Paper works — but it creates problems:

• Hard to search
• Easy to lose or damage
• No quick access mid-groom

Digital forms solve all of that.

With tools like Teddy, intake forms are built directly into the booking process. Clients fill them out before the appointment, and everything is stored automatically in their profile — no chasing paperwork, no manual entry.

If you’re just starting, Google Forms is a simple alternative.

Tips for Getting Clients to Fill It Out

• Send it before the appointment (not at drop-off)
• Keep it concise — only ask what matters
• Explain why you ask (build trust)
• Make it required for booking

The easier it is, the higher your completion rate.

Linking Your Intake Form to Your Cancellation Policy

Your intake form should reference your cancellation policy — this is where clients formally agree to it.

For best practices on reducing missed appointments, read:‍

How to Handle Grooming Cancellations Without Losing Money

Combining intake + policy acknowledgment reduces disputes significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an intake form legally required?

Not always — but it’s essential for liability protection. It documents what the client disclosed and what they agreed to.

Intake form vs waiver — what’s the difference?

• Intake form = collects information
• Waiver = protects against liability

Most salons combine both into one document.

How often should clients update it?

• Once at onboarding
• Annually or after major changes

Can I use a tablet in-salon?

Yes. Tablets work well, though sending the form ahead of time is better for completion rates.

What if a client refuses to fill it out?

You can decline service. Refusal often means missing critical safety information — and that’s not a risk worth taking.

A strong intake form doesn’t just protect your business — it improves your grooming quality, client communication, and overall professionalism. Pair it with a system like Teddy, and you remove most of the manual work while keeping everything organized and accessible.