Free Dog Grooming Intake Form Template

The intake form is the least exciting part of grooming and one of the most important. It's the difference between knowing a dog is up to date on rabies and finding out the hard way, between a clear record of consent and a he-said-she-said if a groom goes sideways. A good intake form protects the dog, protects you, and makes every first appointment smoother. This page gives you a complete dog grooming intake form template you can copy, plus the reasoning behind each section so you can adapt it to your shop and skip the paper clipboard for good.

What every grooming intake form needs

Break it into five sections. Skip any of them and you'll eventually wish you hadn't.

The copy-and-use template

Paste this into a form builder, a printed sheet, or your grooming software's digital intake, then tweak the wording to match your policies.

Owner information

• Owner full name
• Phone number (for appointment texts)
• Email
• Emergency contact name and number

Pet information

• Pet name
• Breed (or mix)
• Age and weight
• Spayed/neutered? (Yes/No)
• Preferred groom/style and length

Health and vaccination

• Is your dog current on rabies vaccination? (Yes/No — proof may be required)
• Any allergies or skin conditions?
• Any medical conditions, injuries, or medications we should know about?
• Is your dog a senior or does it have mobility issues?

Behavior and handling

• Has your dog ever bitten or attempted to bite? (Yes/No)
• Any areas your dog is sensitive about (ears, feet, tail, sanitary)?
• Anxiety triggers (dryers, clippers, being alone)?
• How does your dog typically react to grooming?

Consent and acknowledgment

• I confirm the information above is accurate.
• I understand severely matted coats may require a shave-down for my pet's welfare, and that matting can hide skin issues the groomer isn't responsible for.
• I authorize the groomer to seek veterinary care in an emergency at my expense.
• Signature and date

Why each section earns its place

Vaccination status protects every dog in your shop and, in many areas, is a legal or insurance expectation. Behavior and bite history keeps you and your staff safe and lets you plan handling before the dog is on the table. The matting release is the one groomers most often wish they'd had — matted coats hide skin problems, and a signed acknowledgment that a shave-down may be necessary saves an ugly conversation later. Pairing intake with a full service agreement and a waiver gives you complete coverage on the legal side.

Go digital — the clipboard is costing you

A paper intake form means clients fill it out in your lobby while you wait, the info lives in a folder you can't search, and updates never happen. Digital intake fixes all three. Clients complete the form from their phone when they book, the details flow straight into the pet's profile, and everything's searchable and current. This is a core feature of modern grooming software — Teddy includes digital intake forms that feed directly into the client CRM, so the Frenchie's allergy note is right there next to the appointment; platforms like MoeGo and DaySmart offer digital forms too. However you do it, capturing intake before the dog arrives is the upgrade that makes first appointments feel professional instead of chaotic.

A solid intake form is quiet insurance for your business — a few minutes of setup that protects the dog, your staff, and you on every new client. Copy the template above, add your matting and consent language, and move it to a digital form so it works for you automatically. If you want intake, scheduling, and pet records connected in one place, Teddy is built for groomers and offers a free trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a dog grooming intake form include?

It should cover owner contact details, pet information (breed, age, weight, spay/neuter), health and vaccination status, behavior and bite history, and a consent section with a signature. The matting and emergency-care acknowledgments are especially important for protecting you.

Do I need vaccination proof on my grooming intake form?

You should at least ask about rabies status, and many groomers require proof for the safety of every pet in the shop. Requirements vary by location and insurance, so check your local rules, but capturing vaccination status is standard best practice.

Should grooming intake forms be digital or paper?

Digital is far better. Clients complete it from their phone when booking, the info flows into the pet's profile automatically, and everything stays searchable and current. Paper forms sit in folders, don't get updated, and slow down your first appointments.

Does an intake form protect me legally?

It helps. A signed intake with consent, a matting/senior release, and emergency-care authorization creates a record that you disclosed risks and got permission. Pair it with a full service agreement and waiver for stronger protection, and consult local guidance for your area.

Can grooming software handle intake forms automatically?

Yes. Modern grooming software includes digital intake that clients fill out at booking, feeding straight into their pet's record. Teddy, MoeGo, and DaySmart all offer versions of this, which removes the clipboard and keeps client information accurate and accessible.