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Dog Grooming Release Form: Template + What to Include

Written by PawDash TeamFact-checked June 24, 20267 min read

A dog grooming release form does two things: it collects the health and behavioral information you need to safely groom a dog, and it limits your liability if something goes wrong. Every independent groomer should have one — and clients should sign it before every new service. Here's what to include, and a template you can use today.

Why groomers need a release form

Grooming is a hands-on service with real physical risk to the dog. Mats can hide skin conditions. Senior dogs can have undiagnosed heart conditions. Anxious dogs can injure themselves or you. A release form:

Documents that you disclosed the risks of grooming to the owner
Confirms the owner authorized the service knowing those risks
Records health and behavioral information so you can make safe choices during the groom
Limits your liability for conditions that were pre-existing or outside your control
Gives you legal standing if a client claims the groom caused an injury or health issue

Independent groomers are especially exposed compared to salon employees — you don't have a corporate legal team behind you. A one-page form is cheap protection.

What to include in a dog grooming release form

Owner and pet information

Owner full name, phone, and email. Pet name, breed, age, weight, and sex (spayed/neutered). This is basic but essential — you'd be surprised how many disputes come down to "which dog are we even talking about."

Health history

Ask about: current medications, known allergies (including product sensitivities), recent surgeries or injuries, skin conditions, heart or respiratory conditions, seizure history, and whether the dog has ever had a negative reaction to grooming. For senior dogs (7+), ask when they last saw a vet.

This isn't just legal protection — it's how you avoid accidentally applying a shampoo to a dog with a contact allergy, or putting a dog with a heart condition under the stress of a full groom without knowing the risk.

Behavioral notes

Ask directly: Does the dog bite? Has it bitten before? Is it anxious, reactive, or aggressive around nail trims, dryers, or being handled in specific areas? Does it do better with breaks? These answers protect you and the dog.

Include a line letting you stop the groom and contact the owner if the dog shows signs of extreme stress. A dog in distress is a liability — for the dog and for you.

Matting and coat condition disclosure

This is one of the most common dispute triggers. If a dog comes in severely matted, dematting can cause skin irritation, and sometimes the only humane option is a short shave-down that the owner didn't expect. Include language that:

You will contact the owner before shaving if possible
Dematting may cause temporary skin sensitivity
You are not liable for coat or skin issues caused by pre-existing matting
A shave-down may be required for the dog's welfare and you will use your professional judgment

Senior and special needs dogs

Add a separate acknowledgment for senior dogs or dogs with health conditions: grooming can be physically stressful, and underlying conditions can surface during or after a groom. Have owners acknowledge this risk explicitly and confirm the dog is cleared for grooming by a vet if there are known heart, respiratory, or mobility issues.

Emergency veterinary authorization

If something happens and you can't reach the owner, you need authorization to seek emergency vet care. Name the owner's preferred vet and include a secondary contact. Specify who is responsible for emergency vet costs (almost always the owner).

Liability release

This is the legal heart of the form. Include language releasing you from liability for:

Reactions to products when no allergy was disclosed
Skin or coat conditions that were pre-existing or hidden by matting
Stress-related incidents in dogs with undisclosed health conditions
Injuries caused by the dog's own behavior during grooming

Note: A liability release reduces your exposure but doesn't eliminate it. Gross negligence is generally not releasable. Carry professional liability insurance regardless.

Photo release

Add a checkbox if you want to use before/after photos for marketing. Many clients are happy to say yes if you simply ask — but you need permission.

Dog grooming release form template

Copy and adapt this for your business. Replace bracketed fields with your own details.

DOG GROOMING RELEASE FORM Groomer: [Your Name / Business Name] Date of service: _______________ OWNER INFORMATION Name: _______________ Phone: _______________ Email: _______________ PET INFORMATION Name: _______________ Breed: _______________ Age: ___ Weight: ___ Sex: M / F Spayed/Neutered: Y / N HEALTH HISTORY Current medications: _______________ Known allergies or product sensitivities: _______________ Skin conditions: _______________ Heart, respiratory, or seizure history: _______________ Recent surgery or injury: _______________ Last vet visit: _______________ Vet name/phone: _______________ BEHAVIORAL NOTES Has the dog ever bitten anyone? Y / N Details: _______________ Anxious or reactive during grooming? Y / N Areas of sensitivity (e.g., paws, ears): _______________ Any previous grooming issues: _______________ MATTING ACKNOWLEDGMENT If the dog arrives with matting, I understand the groomer may need to shave affected areas for the dog's welfare. I authorize the groomer to use their professional judgment, and I acknowledge the groomer is not liable for skin or coat conditions resulting from pre-existing matting. SENIOR / SPECIAL NEEDS ACKNOWLEDGMENT (if applicable) I understand grooming can be physically stressful, and that underlying conditions may surface during or after service. I confirm this dog is suitable for grooming and release [Your Name] from liability for stress- related incidents caused by undisclosed conditions. EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION If I cannot be reached, I authorize the groomer to seek emergency veterinary care. I am responsible for all associated costs. Emergency contact: _______________ Phone: _______________ LIABILITY RELEASE I release [Your Name / Business Name] from liability for reactions to products where no allergy was disclosed, pre-existing conditions, coat issues caused by prior matting, or injuries caused by the dog's behavior during grooming. I confirm all health information above is accurate. PHOTO RELEASE [ ] I give [Your Name] permission to photograph my dog and use images for social media and marketing. Owner signature: _______________ Date: ___

How to collect signatures without the paperwork hassle

Chasing paper forms is a time sink. The cleanest approach is to collect health and behavioral information digitally at booking time — before the dog arrives — so you have everything you need when they walk in the door.

PawDash collects pet health profiles — breed, age, allergies, medications, behavioral notes, and vaccination records — from every client at booking. Your cancellation policy and terms are shown and acknowledged on the checkout screen before payment. No paper, no chasing.

Collect pet health info before every appointment

PawDash automatically collects breed, allergies, medications, behavioral notes, and vaccination records from clients at booking — so you arrive prepared every time.

Create your free profile

Sources & references

National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) — professional grooming standards and client communication (nationaldoggroomers.com)
International Professional Groomers (IPG) — liability and risk management guidelines for independent groomers
Next Insurance — groomer liability coverage and what release forms can and cannot protect against (nextinsurance.com)