The countdown is officially on — Halloween is less than two weeks away, which means we’re entering that time of year. From now until Christmas Day, the world of dog grooming gets busier, louder, and more chaotic with every wagging tail that walks through your door.

If you’re already feeling the pressure of full appointment books, endless messages, and clients desperate for last-minute Christmas grooms, you’re not alone. The “holiday rush” can make even the most organised groomer feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the good news — with a few simple time management tweaks, you can glide through the next two months like a pro, keeping your business running smoothly and your sanity intact.

🕒 1. Get Clear on Your Capacity

The first step to managing your time well is knowing exactly how much of it you have to give.
Look at your calendar from now until Christmas Eve and map out:

• Your working days and hours

• Any personal commitments (school events, family time, your own Christmas prep)

• Your absolute cut-off date for appointments (I actually finished the day before Christmas Eve as I used to host Christmas for all the family, and will again when we finally secure our own home)

Once you’ve set those boundaries, stick to them. This helps prevent burnout and ensures you can give each dog the quality attention they deserve — even when things get hectic.

🗓️ 2. Batch and Plan Ahead

Batching is your secret weapon during the busy season. Instead of jumping between tasks, group similar ones together:

• Appointment scheduling: Handle all bookings at one set time each day.

• Messages and social media: Reply in batches — not constantly throughout the day.

• Prep work: Set aside time each week to wash towels, clean tools, and restock products.

A solid weekly plan helps you feel in control instead of reactive.

🐾 3. Set Holiday Policies (and Communicate Them Early)

Time management isn’t just about what you do — it’s also about managing client expectations.

If you haven’t already, make sure your clients know:

• Your holiday booking cut-off date

• Your cancellation policy (especially for December)

• Any price changes for festive grooms

• The dates you’ll be closed over Christmas and New Year

Pop this info on your social media, website, and in your salon — and remind clients during appointments. The earlier you set boundaries, the fewer last-minute headaches you’ll deal with later.

🎁 4. Simplify Your Services

The festive season is not the time to overcomplicate things. Consider offering:

• A few set holiday grooming packages (e.g. “Festive Freshen Up” or “Santa’s Spa”)

• Know your Add-on treats like bows, bandanas, or Christmas cologne and have them on hand ready to use, no fuss, no drama

• Have your go home bags ready to go in advance so there is no messing around when you are so tired you have to fight with yourself just take a shower before you fall into bed.

This helps streamline your bookings while still adding that special holiday magic your clients love.

☕ 5. Protect Your Energy

Time management isn’t just about productivity — it’s also about preserving your energy.

During the rush, it’s easy to skip lunch, work late, or forget to rest. But small self-care moments (like stepping outside for 5 minutes of fresh air or scheduling a real lunch break) can completely shift your mood and stamina.

Remember: your clients’ experience depends on your well-being. A tired, frazzled groomer can’t deliver a polished, positive service.

🌟 6. Use Systems to Stay Organised

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to lean on your tools:

• Keep everything as simple as possible - The Glossy Pup Blueprint includes all the checklist you need to simply scan through tick off and keep you putting one foot in front of the other - No brain power or remembering needed.

• Keep client records and notes up to date to save time at each appointment

• Save all FAQ answers in your notes to copy and paste as needed

The goal is to make your business work for you — not the other way around.

🎄 Final Thoughts

The next few months will be busy — there’s no way around that. But with clear boundaries, smart systems, and a little forward planning, you can handle the holiday rush like a total pro.

And when Christmas Eve finally rolls around, you’ll be able to look back feeling proud — not just of how many pups you made sparkle, but of how confidently you managed it all.