Kambah-based Master dog groomer Kylie Gallimore has closed her books.
She has appointments filled up to 2022, following an immense demand for her services post-lockdown.
"People stick with their groomer and they book six months ahead, a year ahead. I've got dogs booked all the way up to 2022 because they want to keep in with me and they don't want to miss their appointment," she said.
"I've got a wait list of people still trying to get in to me. There's only so many dogs I can do a day."
Ms Gallimore said she knew several groomers who were in a similar situation to herself.
Some told The Canberra Times they were working 12-hour days or 72-hour weeks just to keep up with demand.
Ms Gallimore said there was already an undersupply of groomers in Canberra and lockdown had exacerbated the problem as weeks worth of appointments had been cancelled.
"There's never been enough groomers in Canberra before COVID," she said.
"Now every dog groomer is swamped."
The advent of warmer weather had worsened the problem, with long-haired pups needing a shave to keep cool, and people wanting pets cleaned up before Christmas.
The groomer of 24 years said dogs who had not had their fur sorted out could be at risk of health problems.
"If they get matted, it restricts the skin movement and it doesn't let air get into the skin, and then you can have skin problems as well," she said.
Ms Gallimore advised pet owners not to clip their animals unless they knew what they were doing.
"I've seen so many injuries from home grooming. If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it," she said.
In the meantime, Ms Gallimore recommended pet parents keep brushing their dogs with a good slicker brush and comb, and keep them inside as the weather heated up.
"Keep them inside in air conditioning," she said.
"Don't walk a dog in the heat with a full coat. Walk them in the evening or early morning, not during the day when it's really hot."
And when you get one of those precious spots at a groomer? Keep it - and book in a few more while you're there.
