Inside the Pet Grooming Industry: Expert Insights with Teri DiMarino

pet grooming industry with teri dimarino your natural dog

By Angela Ardolino

Updated on October 30, 2025

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In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we’re joined by guest Teri DiMarino, award-winning professional groomer of over 50 years, and we’re pulling back the curtain on the pet grooming industry. Angela and Teri talk about why so many pet parents struggle to find a groomer they trust, why the grooming industry is almost completely unregulated, what actually happens when you drop your dog off “for just a few hours,” and how to know if your dog is safe behind those salon doors. They get into hot-button topics like matted doodles, seniors and special-needs dogs, shaving double-coated breeds, anal glands, ear plucking, cage dryers, pricing, tipping, and why honest communication with your groomer can literally protect your dog. Teri also explains the standards of care, safety, and sanitation she’s helped create for groomers, and what questions you should be asking before you book your next grooming appointment.

Episode Recap:

  • Angela opens the episode discussing the common struggle to find a pet groomer you trust, and her past experience owning a grooming salon. (00:50)
  • Teri shares her 52-year career in pet grooming and why pet parents often struggle to find a groomer they connect with (02:40)
  • They discuss why licensing doesn’t necessarily stop bad groomers, but regulation and accountability can help protect both groomers and pet parents. (05:40)
  • Teri explains how the Standards of Care, Safety, and Sanitation were developed by multiple grooming organizations to set best practices for safe, clean salons,  and how these standards are now recognized worldwide. (09:30)
  • Teri explains why some dogs have incidents in salons, often due to hidden health conditions or misinformation from owners, and how accountability should work both ways. (13:55)
  • Teri breaks down the difference between licensing, certification, and registration, and the misconceptions pet owners often have about what each means. (17:00)
  • Teri and Angela remind pet parents to always be honest with groomers, explaining that lying about biting, brushing, or matting can cause injuries, legal issues, and unnecessary suffering for the dog. (21:00)
  • Angela and Teri tackle the “to shave or not to shave” debate, explaining why shaving double-coated breeds doesn’t keep them cool and can actually damage the coat (28:40)
  • Teri explains the debate around ear plucking, encouraging groomers to take a conservative approach, only clearing the ear canal when needed, keeping ears clean and dry, and referring severe cases to a vet. (39:57)
  • Teri and Angela emphasize the groomer’s vital role in spotting early health issues, urging pet parents to trust their groomer, and tip generously (46:04)
  • Angela and Teri discuss client misunderstandings, false reviews, and lawsuits in the grooming industry (50:30)
  • They wrap up the episode with a brief touch on responsible vaccination practices, microchipping, and due diligence in animal rescue. (57:26)

Episode Resources:

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.

 

About Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino Your Natural Dog PodcastAngela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.

Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere. 

About Teri DiMarino

professional pet groomer teri dimarino Teri is a long time veteran of the pet styling industry, having owned and operated a successful South Florida salon for nearly thirty years. A multiple Best in Show winning grooming competitor, Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal winning teams, served as GroomTeam USA team coordinator and Treasurer and is currently on the Board of Directors. Teri is a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Korea, China, New Zealand and Australia.

Teri has written regular columns and feature articles for the industry publications including Groomer To Groomer, Pet Business and Grooming Business magazines. She has also contributed to the Animal Planet reality show, Groomer Has It, acting as the show’s Professional Consultant. With the help of other groomers in the state, Teri helped found and is currently the President of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc. Teri was also instrumental in working on the organization of the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) that unites many of the grooming industry organizations and composed the PPGSA Standards of Care, Safety and Sanitation.

Among the awards garnered, Teri has several Cardinal Crystal Grooming Achievement Awards, including American Groomer of the Year and Judge of the Year. She is also the recipient of numerous Barkleigh Honors Awards for Journalist of the Year and for Outstanding Contributions to the Industry as well as the American Kennel Club’s Leadership Award.

Teri regularly lectures at trade shows and consults with pet styling businesses, specializing in teaching everyday grooming and bathing techniques, salon set-up, business logic and time management efficiency with an emphasis on safety and sanitation. Teri now resides in Southern California where she still enjoys grooming in her private salon.