Okay, I’ve chosen my pet grooming software—now what?

Whether you're brand new to a pet grooming software or switching from another system, setting things up properly from the get-go can make a world of difference. Think of it like grooming a dog—you don’t just jump in with scissors. You prep, plan, and work methodically. Same goes for your software setup. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, in simple, friendly terms, so you get the most out of your investment.

Step 1: Customise Your Services and Pricing

First things first—set up your services just the way you offer them in real life. From “Wash & Tidy” to “Full Groom”, to those quirky little add-ons like a facial or de-shedding treatment, everything should be listed clearly. Include durations, prices, and any notes about what’s included. Your software will then be able to schedule appointments more accurately, avoid overlaps, and give your clients a clear picture of what to expect.

Top Tip: Add clear descriptions to each service. It’ll help clients pick what’s right for their pet, and cut down on back-and-forth questions.

Step 2: Add Your Team and Set Roles

As the lead, plan ahead by setting up team roles and permissions. Add your staff to the system and define their working hours, break times, and which parts of the system they can access. For example, your receptionist might need access to booking and customer details, but not payroll. Your groomers will need access to schedules, but not pricing setups.

Why it matters: It protects sensitive info and keeps everyone focused on what they need to do.

Step 3: Enable Online Booking (Seriously, Do It)

Clients love convenience. They don’t want to wait until your salon opens to book an appointment. Let them book online, any time.

Choose software that lets you customise your booking flow—add time buffers between appointments, allow for grooming durations, and even set limits on how far in advance people can book.Whatsapp reminders massively reduce no-shows. Some platforms even allow for deposits or prepayments, which further cuts down on last-minute cancellations.

Pro Tip: Link your online booking page on Instagram, Facebook, and your Google Business Profile.

Step 4: Use Intake Forms and Digital Agreements

Before a client walks in the door, you should know a bit about their furry friend.

Set up a digital intake form to ask about breed, temperament, allergies, medical conditions, and previous grooming history. This ensures a smoother experience and can help avoid unpleasant surprises.

Also include a digital grooming agreement—outlining terms, cancellation policies, and anything else that keeps things professional.

Step 5: Connect Your Payments and POS

Running a modern salon means making payments as simple as possible. Whether you accept card, cash, or mobile payments, your system should support it all—and tie it back to customer records.

If you sell pet products like shampoo, brushes, or even branded bandanas, your POS system should allow for inventory tracking and sales reporting too.

Bonus: Make tipping easy! Most customers want to leave a tip but don’t carry cash. Let them do it digitally.

Step 6: Centralise Communication

Nothing’s more frustrating than chasing messages across text, email, DMs, and sticky notes. Keep your communication streamlined. Use 2-way messaging within your grooming software to chat with clients, send reminders, confirm appointments, and follow up after visits.

Added value: Some systems (like Pettle) even let you send mass texts for promotions, loyalty rewards, or seasonal campaigns.

Step 7: Set Your Calendar and Working Hours

Your calendar isn’t just about blocking time. It’s your command centre. Sync your grooming schedule with your Google Calendar if needed.

Block out lunch breaks, holidays, and specific time slots for clean-up or walk-ins. This helps your day flow better and prevents burnout.

Insider Tip: Use smart scheduling features like Pettle’s  Smart Schedule to auto-optimise bookings based on staff, location, and service time.

Step 8: Transfer All Your Existing Data with Ease

Switching software shouldn't mean starting from scratch. One of the biggest concerns salon owners have is losing their valuable client or appointment history during the switch.

If you choose Pettle, we take care of this for you with free data migration, handled entirely by our expert team. No stress, no spreadsheets, no hours lost. We’ll move over your existing customer details, appointment history, service lists, and more—so you can get started without missing a beat.

No mess. No downtime. Just a smooth switch.

Step 9: Use Reports to Drive Smarter Decisions

Your grooming software isn’t just a fancy calendar. It’s a business intelligence tool.

Pull reports to see which services are most popular, which clients book the most often, and how your team is performing. Use this data to adjust pricing, create new packages, and even plan staff schedules.

Example: Noticing most no-shows happen on Tuesdays? Maybe avoid promotions that day, or adjust your reminder timing.

Step 10: Keep Evolving

The pet grooming industry is growing fast, and so are client expectations. Stay ahead by regularly checking for new features in your software—whether it’s marketing tools or mobile grooming support. Your software isn’t a one-time setup. It’s your partner in growing a thriving, happy, tail-wagging business.

Bottom Line

Setting up your pet grooming software may feel like a chore at first, but it’s really an investment in your future success. With everything running smoothly behind the scenes, you’re free to focus on what you do best—making pets look and feel fantastic.

Start smart, stay organised, and let your software do the heavy lifting. You’ve got this!