How often should a dog be groomed, and other mobile grooming questions
The short answer to the first one: every six to eight weeks is a common starting point for a healthy dog that doesn't shed. The rest of what Milwaukee dog owners ask is below, from parking to licenses.
Call (414) 310-0049Last updated
How often, and how long
How often should a dog be groomed?
It depends on the coat. Healthy dogs that don't shed generally need a bath every six to eight weeks, and a Shih Tzu does well with a groom every four to six weeks. Brushing happens far more often: daily for long, silky or curly coats, at least weekly for double coats, and about weekly for short, smooth ones.
Those numbers come from VCA, the AKC and the ASPCA. They're starting points, so let your groomer adjust them after seeing your dog.
How long does a mobile groom take?
Roughly one to two and a half hours, depending on your dog's size and coat. A small dog with a tidy coat is at the short end. A big dog with heavy undercoat or mats is at the long end.
The van at your place
Does a mobile groomer need my water or electricity?
Usually not. Most vans run on their own water tank and a generator or battery, although a groomer may occasionally ask to use a hose. It varies by van.
While you're at it, ask how they hold their wastewater and where it goes.
Where does the van park if I live in a duplex or have no driveway?
It comes down to the provider and your block. Level ground near the house is a stated must for at least one groomer here, so describe your setup on the phone.
Duplexes are common all over Milwaukee, so you won't be the first to ask. Daytime parking and meter rules for a work van couldn't be confirmed for this page, so check those with the provider. The city does ban unpermitted street parking from 2 to 6 a.m., Monday through Saturday, which shouldn't matter for a daytime visit. See the city's parking regulations.
Do I need to be home for mobile grooming?
Providers differ on this. Some may want you there for the handoff and payment, which matters if you'll be at work that day.
Is there a weight limit for mobile grooming?
Often, yes, and it varies widely. Among U.S. mobile groomers who post a limit, the median is 80 pounds. Closer to home, one groomer takes new full-groom clients only up to 25 pounds. With a big dog, make this your first question.
Shots and licenses
What vaccinations will a groomer ask for?
Rabies is the safe bet, since Wisconsin law requires it. Beyond that it varies by provider, and one list here also calls for DHPP. Keep your dog's certificate handy when you call.
Under Wisconsin Statutes section 95.21, an owner has to get a dog vaccinated against rabies by 5 months of age, repeat the first dose within a year, and give later doses before the certificate's date runs out (within three years if it gives no date). The tag goes on the collar. The law has some exceptions.
Do I need a dog license in Milwaukee?
Yes. In all 19 municipalities of Milwaukee County, dogs older than 5 months need a yearly license, and the rabies shot comes first. As of 2026, the fee is $12 for a spayed or neutered dog and $24 for an unaltered one.
Licenses expire December 31. A late fee of $6 or $12, respectively, starts April 1, and online or mail applications add a $1 processing fee. Details are on the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) licensing page.
Do groomers need a license in Wisconsin?
Not from the state, as far as dog grooming goes. Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says dog groomers don't need a license or inspection from it, so there's no state lookup tool for groomers.
Whether a municipal business license applies couldn't be confirmed. With no state license to check, experience and insurance are fair questions to put to a provider directly. Source: Wisconsin DATCP.
The awkward one
Should I tip a mobile groomer?
It's optional and up to you. The only percentages that turned up came from a single roundup, which isn't enough to call a norm.
Is your question about your own dog?
That part is for the provider. Call and describe your dog.
Call (414) 310-0049