Dog Grooming in Melbourne
⎸FearFree Grooming
Our dog grooming service is based in Camberwell, Melbourne.
At Melbourne Dog Clinic, grooming is guided by the same Fear Free principles we use throughout the clinic, with a focus on comfort, confidence, and low-stress care.
Whether your dog needs a bath, tidy up, full groom, breed styling, deshedding, or handstripping, our experienced groomers tailor the experience to the individual dog.
From coat care and hygiene to styling preferences, our goal is to help each dog look and feel their best in a calm and supportive environment.
For many dogs, grooming can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Our role is to make that experience feel safe, predictable, and as positive as possible.
Our Grooming Services
We offer a range of grooming services tailored to your dog’s coat type, lifestyle, and comfort level. If you’re unsure which service is most suitable, our team is always happy to guide you.
Bath Only
A bath only service is ideal for dogs who need a freshen up without trimming or styling.
It includes a wash and dry to help remove dirt, loose coat, and odours while supporting skin and coat health.
Wash & Tidy
A wash and tidy is a great option for maintaining neatness between full grooms.
It includes a bath and light trimming of areas such as the face, feet, sanitary areas, or feathering, depending on your dog’s coat and needs.
Full Groom
A full groom includes a complete clip and style tailored to your dog’s breed, coat type, and lifestyle.
Our groomers work with you to create a grooming plan that supports both appearance and comfort.
Full Groom with Breed Style Clip or Deshedding / Feathering
For dogs who require more specialised grooming, this service includes breed-specific styling or additional coat work such as deshedding or feathering.
These grooms are more detailed and often require additional time to achieve the desired result while maintaining comfort.
Handstripping
Handstripping is a specialised grooming technique used for certain coat types, where dead coat is removed by hand rather than clipped.
This helps maintain coat texture and encourages healthy regrowth.
Because this is a more time-intensive service, pricing is based on your dog’s size and coat condition.
Handstripping Introduction Sessions
Some dogs, particularly puppies or those new to handstripping, may benefit from shorter introduction sessions.
These sessions are designed to gently build comfort and tolerance with the handstripping process, helping create a more positive and low-stress experience over time.
They are not designed to replace a full handstripping appointment but to support dogs in gradually working towards one.
Our team will guide you on whether this approach is suitable for your dog.
Introduction sessions are 30 or 60 minutes long.
Puppy Intro Groom
A gentle introduction to grooming for puppies, designed to create a positive and comfortable first experience.
Mani-Pedi
A nail trim service available for dogs who require regular nail maintenance.
Comfort & Wellbeing Supports
Every dog experiences grooming differently.
While many dogs feel comfortable during grooming, some may benefit from additional support to help them feel calm and settled.
At Melbourne Dog Clinic, we offer Comfort and Wellbeing Supports to tailor the grooming experience to each individual dog.
Comfort Supports
Designed for dogs who may feel nervous, sensitive, or unsure during grooming.
These supports help dogs feel safe and settled and may include:
• extra time to settle into the environment
• gentle, low-stress handling
• working at a slower, more comfortable pace
• rest breaks during the groom
You can read more about nervous dogs on our Nervous or Anxious Dogs page.
Wellbeing Supports
Designed for dogs who require additional care due to age, coat condition, or physical comfort.
These supports focus on maintaining comfort while ensuring coat care is completed safely and may include:
• support for senior dogs or those with mobility considerations
• adjustments to grooming position or duration
• additional coat care for deshedding or more complex coats
• gentle management of tangles or matting where extra time is required
For more information on Seniors refer to our Seniors page.
If you have noticed behavioural changes in your dog you may find our Is It Behaviour or Is It Pain? page helpful.
→Is It Behaviour or Is It Pain?
How Supports Are Applied
Not every dog will require additional support.
For many dogs, grooming proceeds as planned with no changes needed.
Where additional care is beneficial, supports are applied to help maintain a calm, low-stress experience.
For example:
• Full Groom + Comfort Support
• Breed Style Groom + Wellbeing Support
Supports are available from $20 - $35. Where additional time or care is required, extended support may be recommended. Our team will always discuss this with you beforehand.
Some dogs may also benefit from pre-visit calming support. You can read about PVPs on our Pre-Visit Calming Support for Dogs page.
→Pre-Visit Calming Support for Dogs
A Calm, Individual Approach
As a Fear Free clinic, our priority is always your dog’s comfort and wellbeing throughout their visit.
Some dogs may benefit from additional support beyond grooming alone. In these cases, a more tailored plan can be created through a Fear Free Consultation to help dogs feel more comfortable and confident over time. You can read more on our Fear Free Visits page.
Grooming Pricing
Our grooming prices are based on your dog’s size and the service required.
All grooming services are delivered with a focus on calm handling, gentle techniques, and your dog’s overall comfort and wellbeing.
For many dogs, grooming proceeds as planned with no additional supports required.
Where appropriate, Comfort or Wellbeing Supports may be recommended to help maintain a low-stress experience or to safely complete the groom. These will always be discussed with you beforehand.
Our pricing reflects the time, care, and attention required to provide a high standard of grooming, particularly for larger dogs and more involved grooming services.
Dog Grooming Prices
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Up to 9.9kg............$90
10 - 19.9kg.............$105
20 - 29.9kg.............$130
30 - 39.9kg.............$150
40 - 59.9kg.............$170
60kg+.................... $200
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Up to 9.9kg...........$105
10 - 19.9kg............$120
20 - 29.9kg............$140
30 - 39.9kg............$165
40 - 59.9kg............$190
60kg+....................$215
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Up to 9.9kg............$120
10 - 19.9kg.............$145
20 - 29.9kg.............$165
30 - 39.9kg.............$185
40 - 59.9kg.............$210
60kg+.....................$235
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Up to 9.9kg............$145
10 - 19.9kg.............$170
20 - 29.9kg.............$190
30 - 39.9kg.............$210
40 - 59.9kg.............$235
60kg+.....................$260
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Up to 9.9kg............$145
10 - 19.9kg.............$170
20 - 29.9kg.............$190
30 - 39.9kg.............$210
40 - 59.9kg.............$235
60kg+.....................$260
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Up to 9.9kg............$175
10 - 19.9kg.............$200
20 - 29.9kg.............$230
30 - 39.9kg.............$285
40 - 59.9kg.............$295
60kg+.....................$315
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Up to 9.9kg............$90
10 - 19.9kg.............$95
20 - 29.9kg.............$105
30 - 39.9kg.............$115
40 - 59.9kg.............$135
60kg+.....................$155
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Up to 9.9kg............$120
10 - 19.9kg.............$130
20 - 29.9kg.............$150
30 - 39.9kg.............$160
40 - 59.9kg.............$180
60kg+.....................$200
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Complimentary. This is an introduction to grooming session.
Proof of DOB may be required.
Future puppy grooms after the initial complimentary groom are based on weight.
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Includes Nail Trim and Paw Tidy Up.
Dr Lisa Soothing Balm will be applied to the pads to finish the treatment.
$30
Grooming Inclusions & Important Information
Grooming Inclusions
Most grooming services include important coat care and hygiene steps such as:
• ear tidy
• nail trim
• outer anal gland expression, if required
• light trimming of the face and hygiene areas
Exact inclusions can vary depending on the service booked and your dog’s individual coat care needs.
A bath only service includes washing and drying, with no trimming or styling.
Coat Condition
If your dog has tangles, matting, or a coat requiring more complex care, additional support may be recommended to keep grooming comfortable and low-stress.
In some cases, matting may need to be carefully removed to ensure grooming remains comfortable for your dog. This can require additional time and may affect the final grooming plan. Our team will always discuss the options with you beforehand.
Regular brushing and routine grooming appointments can help prevent matting and keep dogs more comfortable between grooms.
Handstripping
Handstripping is a specialised grooming technique suited to certain wire-coated breeds. Pricing is based on your dog’s size and coat condition.
Because handstripping is a gradual and labour-intensive process, appointments are limited to the 8:30–9:00 am or 10:00–10:30 am drop-off windows, and dogs are usually with us for most of the day.
Our groomers will always assess your dog’s coat and discuss a tailored grooming plan before booking.
Mani-Pedi Appointments
Standalone Mani-Pedi appointments are available between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
This service includes gentle nail trimming and paw care in a calm and supportive environment.
Appointment Timing & Collection
Grooming times can vary depending on coat condition, behaviour, and the level of support a dog may need during grooming.
We will provide an estimated collection window on the day and will contact you once your dog is ready to go home.
Spacing grooming appointments throughout the day helps us maintain a calm grooming environment and allows each dog time to settle comfortably.
Pricing & Appointment Times
Dogs are weighed at the clinic to confirm the appropriate pricing category.
Grooming drop-off times are 8:30–9:00 am, 10:00–10:30 am, and 1:00–1:30 pm.
Mani-Pedi appointments can be booked between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Handstripping appointments are limited to the earliest two drop-off windows due to the time required.
Booking & Cancellation
We understand that plans can change. If you need to reschedule or cancel your dog’s groom, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice so the appointment can be offered to another dog.
A $50 cancellation fee applies to bookings cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Dog Grooming - Frequently Asked Questions
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Every dog experiences grooming differently. Some dogs are comfortable with a standard groom, while others benefit from additional time, reassurance, or a slower pace, particularly puppies, seniors, and anxious dogs. Our support options allow us to tailor grooming to your dog’s individual comfort and needs.
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The ideal grooming schedule depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Some dogs benefit from grooming every 4–6 weeks, while others with shorter coats may require less frequent grooming.
Regular grooming helps maintain coat health, prevent matting, and keep dogs comfortable. Our grooming team can help recommend a schedule that suits your dog’s individual coat care needs.
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Introducing puppies to grooming early can help them feel more comfortable with brushing, bathing, and handling as they grow.
Many puppies benefit from a gentle introduction to grooming once they have started their vaccination schedule. Early visits allow puppies to become familiar with the sights, sounds, and handling involved in grooming in a calm and supportive way.
Puppies under 20 weeks of age are welcome to attend a first puppy groom, which provides a gentle introduction to the grooming environment.
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Matting can occur when loose hair becomes tangled and tight within the coat. This can sometimes cause discomfort for the dog.
If matting is present, our grooming team will assess the coat and discuss the safest and most comfortable grooming approach with you before proceeding.
Regular brushing at home and routine grooming appointments can help prevent matting and maintain coat condition.
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Our team will guide you. Many dogs are suitable for an Essential Groom, while others may benefit from Comfort Care or Support Grooming depending on behaviour, age, coat condition, or health considerations.
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Some dogs may feel unsure about grooming, particularly if they have had limited grooming experience or if grooming involves unfamiliar sounds and sensations.
Our grooming team follows Fear Free principles, which focus on gentle handling, patience, and allowing dogs time to settle so grooming can be carried out in a calm and supportive way.
For dogs who may need additional support, we may recommend adjustments such as shorter grooming sessions, additional breaks, or modified grooming plans that allow the dog to proceed at a comfortable pace.
In some cases, pre-visit calming pharmaceuticals (PVPs) may be recommended to help reduce anxiety before the appointment. Because our grooming team works alongside our veterinary team, we are able to discuss appropriate options if additional support may help your dog feel more comfortable during grooming.
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Yes. If we feel your dog would benefit from additional time or support, we’ll always discuss this with you before proceeding.
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Comfort and Wellbeing Supports are additional comfort, handling, or coat care adjustments that may be incorporated into your dog’s groom when needed. They help us tailor grooming to your dog’s individual needs and keep the experience calm and positive.
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Not at all. Support Grooming simply allows us to work at a pace that keeps your dog comfortable. Many senior dogs, puppies, and sensitive dogs benefit from this approach.
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Not all dogs require additional support. Supports are only recommended where they help maintain comfort and a low-stress experience.
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Coat condition, behaviour, and time required can change between grooms. Our goal is always a gentle, positive experience, and pricing reflects the level of care and time needed.
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Handstripping is tailored to coat condition and time required, and is typically around 50% higher than a Breed Style Clip. Our groomers will provide a personalised quote.
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Our grooming team works with a wide range of dog breeds and coat types.
Grooming may involve breed-specific styling, practical trims for lifestyle and coat management, or coat maintenance such as deshedding or bathing.
If you are unsure whether a particular grooming service is suitable for your dog, our team is always happy to provide guidance.
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The length of a grooming appointment can vary depending on your dog’s size, coat type, coat condition, and the grooming service being performed.
Some dogs may be ready within a few hours, while others requiring more extensive coat work or additional comfort supports may stay with us for longer.
Our team will provide an estimated collection window when your dog is admitted and will contact you once your dog is ready to go home.
Spacing grooming appointments throughout the day helps us maintain a calm grooming environment and allows each dog time to settle comfortably during their visit.
Grooming Inquiry Form
If you have questions about grooming for your dog or would like help deciding which service may be most suitable, our grooming team is happy to assist.
Because grooming needs can vary depending on coat type, coat condition, and your dog’s individual temperament, the best way for us to help is to learn a little more about your dog.
You are welcome to complete the grooming enquiry form below, and our team will be in touch to discuss suitable grooming options, appointment availability, and any questions you may have.
If your dog has specific coat care needs, previous grooming challenges, or may benefit from additional comfort supports, please include this information in your enquiry so we can plan the most appropriate grooming approach.
Our goal is always to ensure grooming is carried out in a way that supports your dog’s comfort, wellbeing, and coat care needs.
If you’re unsure which grooming service is right for your dog, our team is always happy to guide you.