How to Start a Dog Grooming Business in 2026: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about starting a dog grooming business from scratch, licensing, equipment, pricing, marketing, and the software that keeps it all running.
Online Payments
Online Payments
Accept credit cards through Stripe, no extra fees from us
Stripe standard rates, 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction. GroomBoard adds nothing on top of that.
9:41
P
Paws & Co
Secure deposit payment
Full Groom · Bella
Wed, Apr 16 at 2:00 PM
Payment Summary
Service total$65.00
Deposit due now$25.00
Remaining balance (due at visit)$40.00
Card details
Card number
MM / YY
CVC
Secured by Stripe
Accept credit card payments online through Stripe, the same payment processor used by millions of businesses worldwide. Clients can pay when they book or at checkout. Stripe handles all the security and PCI compliance, you just see the money in your account. GroomBoard doesn't charge any additional payment processing fees on top of Stripe's standard rates (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction).
A deposit at booking, not a promise.
Turn deposits on, pick the amount, and your booking page collects it through Stripe before the appointment exists. The rest is due at the appointment, and the payment screen does that subtraction for you.
What the client sees
Deposit paid: $25.00. Remaining balance of $40.00 due at appointment.
We never hold your money.
The card goes to Stripe, not to us. Stripe carries the security, the fraud checks and the PCI compliance, and pays out to your bank account. GroomBoard takes no cut of the transaction, only your monthly plan.
Cash is still cash.
Card payments are optional. Plenty of groomers take cash, e-transfer, or whatever their regulars already use, and record it against the appointment so the day still totals correctly. Turning Stripe on does not commit you to using it for everyone.
Step by step
How It Works
1
Connect your Stripe account
Create a free Stripe account (or connect an existing one) during onboarding. Takes about 5 minutes to set up.
2
Clients pay online
Clients can pay when they book online or you can process payments at checkout. Everything goes through Stripe's secure payment system.
3
Money hits your bank
Stripe deposits funds directly to your bank account within 1-2 business days. You can track all transactions from the Stripe dashboard.
Everything included
Accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and all major cards through Stripe
No additional payment processing fees from GroomBoard
Stripe handles all security, fraud detection, and PCI compliance
Payments deposit directly to your bank account (1-2 business days)
Professional checkout experience builds client trust
Track all payment history from your dashboard
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the payment processing fees?
Stripe charges their standard rate of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. GroomBoard does not charge any additional fees on top of this.
Do I need a Stripe account?
Yes. Stripe is free to create and takes about 5 minutes to set up. You'll need a bank account for deposits and basic business information.
Can I still accept cash or other payments?
Yes. Online payments through Stripe are optional. You can continue accepting cash, checks, Venmo, or whatever your clients prefer. Stripe is there when you want to offer card payments.
From the blog
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Dog Grooming Pricing Guide: How to Set Your Rates in 2026
Not sure what to charge? This guide covers average grooming rates by region, breed size, and service type, plus tips for raising your prices confidently.
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