Typically, you will need to train anywhere from 400 to 650 hours. References A high school diploma and a dog groomer license (given by an official certifying authority) will make the task of finding a job/starting a business a lot easier. CPD Courses Be patient and caring. Try your hand at grooming. - Interest-Free Financing and Payment Plans available!!! So if you seriously want to become a dog groomer, a program with 400 to 650 hours is a good bet. In fact, a lot of employers prefer hiring someone with experience and doing an apprenticeship. In this program, an apprentice learns to trim properly, bathe, and clean canines under the direct supervision of an expert dog groomer. There are a certain set of skills that you need to get into this field. take precautions. Is it normal for me not to be paid when I'm being trained to groom? Being a grooming assistant is far from glamorous and not particularly lucrative, but chain stores often choose promising assistants for training programs to become groomers. Veterinary Assisting - Work alongside with pets, a very fulfilling career option! There are plenty of online programs available if there are no grooming schools in your area, but you may want to consider whether ones that advertise themselves as two-month programs with no hands-on requirements are worth your time and money. Enrolling in a college course in dog grooming is one of the most popular routes into the industry, and these courses are available at colleges and private training centres in the UK. Many will work in a small store, salon or boutique, with others choosing a larger chain. Even without bathing and grooming, however, dealing with a diversity of dog breeds, from a wide variety of backgrounds, will give you a better sense of the day-to-day challenges and rewards of being a dog groomer. In addition to styling, groomers tend to their clients dogs skin and coats to prevent issues like dry skin and matting. Use steel wool to catch hair coming out of the drain stopper . Enjoy! By volunteering here, not only will you be able to give them affection but you can also gain some benefits. The best puppy shampoo and conditioner or soap used in grooming is special and changes based on the dogs skin condition. Online Campus Stage 1 Introduction to Grooming: Covers the history of cat and dog grooming as well as canine and feline anatomy. Once accepted, dog grooming students will need to meet all the requirements as stated in the curriculum. This can be more profitable than working as an employee, but its also higher risk and less stable. One of the downsides of this is that it can be expensive to purchase equipment, such as a grooming table, clippers, scissors, brushes, clippers, a bath, dryer, shampoo and conditioner, towels, and other tools. You might start by volunteering or just observing in his/her shop, and perhaps move into a paid position. Another option to get certification from a certified authority is the National Dog Groomers Association of America. The owner may be paying the bill, but don't use that as an excuse to ignore the dog's well-being. The entry requirements for these courses vary depending on the college, but students usually need at least 2 GCSEs or an equivalent level 2 course, or 5 GCSEs or a level 3 course to enroll on a level 4 diploma course. Tools like a dog grooming table, bathtub, scissors, nail clippers, and dryers are needed to start the business. To become a proper dog groomer, one must undergo an apprenticeship program. Seeing how good the dog/pet looks after grooming will make any groomer proud. There is also the option to work part-time or flexibly, especially if working as a self-employed dog groomer, as some clients will require evening or weekend appointments. In some cases, youll need to have difficult conversations with clients, such as about matted dogs that need to be shaved or dogs that are too reactive to be groomed without sedation. The experience you gain as an apprentice will help you get employment at the entry level. This is the first link I opened. Go as usual, and try to associate grooming with good things like treats. Express their creativity through their work. Changes in temperament or activity level among regular canine customers, which can be a sign of injury or illness. There is the potential to move up from what is a generous starting salary as more experience and seniority can make for a greater annual salary for dog groomers in Indiana. Its important that they communicate clearly with their client, to begin with, so they know exactly how they want the dog to be groomed. During the program, a candidate has to pass 4 written exams and 5 demonstrations. Dog groomers can work in a variety of places. Following some of the crucial dog grooming requirements: There are no set of dog grooming education requirements. All these qualities help make a successful dog grooming business. When you assist another groomer, youll get hands-on experience about what its like to be a groomer. Many dog groomers continue to move their career forwards by progressing to a senior stylist or salon manager by learning on the job and continuing their professional development. A dog groomer's salary will depend on how many dogs a groomer can finish in a day within their working hours. As dog grooming can be messy at times, groomers also need to take responsibility for cleaning their work area so its hygienic and tidy, and ready for the next client. There isnt a standard formal education when it comes to becoming a dog groomer. Here are the 3 ways that explain how to become a dog groomer: 1. Dogs are cute, cuddly creatures loved by a large portion of the populace. ); offering extras like spa treatments, accessorizing (bows, etc. If your dream is to start your own business, make it so. Making a note of any skin problems. They should also be empathetic, self-motivated and willing to complete physical tasks like standing for long periods of time or picking up large dogs. Other certification programs like the Certificate III in Pet Grooming or the Certificate IV in Pet Styling can also give you more of an insight into the dog grooming profession. This is going to be a big part of the training program. Learning about dog breeds can be hugely helpful for career progression, as different breeds have different needs, and this knowledge can help dog groomers in their careers. Animal groomers dont have any licensing requirements. In the UK at present, typical rates for freelance dog groomers generally run at around 20-30 per hour, prices varying depending on location, the size and condition of each dog, and its general temperament. They can also be employed by a veterinary practice or work on a self-employed basis, which means visiting peoples homes. Indications of mistreatment or abuse. If you are certified as a groomer and groom, you should be paid groomer's wages. Step 6 Attend a Dog Grooming School. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. The lowest reported salary was 13,000 a year, and the highest was 39,000 for more experienced dog groomers or those in senior positions. "You gave me a starting place: to volunteer at my local shelter to gain the experience I need to open my own, "It was a lot of help. Dog groomers help with numerous aspects of this, like bathing and shampooing fur, cleaning ears, drying, trimming, styling fur, and clipping nails to make sure dogs are clean and presentable. Currently, there are nolicensing requirementsfor professional groomers. They will often perform basic health checks and look for cuts, swelling, signs of parasites, or infections in the dog. In addition to people skills, dog groomers should be able to. Becoming a dog groomer involves taking a number of routes to becoming qualified. You will get bitten and scratched but it comes with the job. While it is a great career for pet lovers, working with dogs also means working with their people. On the other hand, if your locality has no program available, you can enroll online. To gain experience working as a dog grooming try getting a position in dog grooming salon or kennels as an employee. Rescue dogs are often in need of professional care before being rehomed, and this is an opportunity for knowledgable dog groomers who can stay calm under pressure to develop their skills and gain experience in a more challenging field. Locations near dog parks are also great, too. This training will either be in a dog grooming school or as an assistant to an experienced groomer. In this job, you would do the general bathing work, while the trained groomer does the fine cleaning, trimming, and cutting. Step 2. The benefits of getting a certification cannot be understated. They will need to speak to clients and listen to their needs so they can groom dogs according to the breed of the dog and the customers preferences. To become a professional dog groomer, it is not necessary to have earned a high school diploma or GED equivalency. That's because, as Graham noted, some dogs come to the groomers in health distress. 811. You should be willing to work hard and on weekends. A dog groomers day-to-day schedule can include tasks like: Dog grooming can be a stressful profession at times. Dry the dog's fur and brush it again. Getting a certification is not only a sign of a groomers skill, but it also helps ease the mind of customers. This article has been viewed 246,399 times. Anyone who has gone through the apprenticeship program or done on-the-job training (through grooming schools) can become a dog groomer. Hopefully you won't ever have to. You can try applying at pet stores as they are regularly in need of grooming assistants. As a result, it greatly affected the dog/pet grooming business. The median annual salary for a full-time dog groomer is $33,245. The prices will also depend on the location, the type of dog, and the treatment thats required. Dont give up just because you end up soaking wet and your dog has an unintended half-mohawk, but do consider whether you have the patience and passion to do this task over and again with new dogs every day. Join me for the second part of my interview with trainer Victoria Baker as we dive into her specialty- leash reactivity! You will need to detangle the hair. Examining the dog carefully allows a groomer to decide which tools will be best for that certain dog. In situations like these, it is up to the groomer to create a relaxed environment for the dog. Some states may require you to have a license to operate a grooming facility (even as a mobile or freelance groomer), but if youre working for someone else, you dont need to obtain any kind of license. Never ever harm an animal as you will probably lose your job. I'm currently 14, and looking to start my own business.". You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This allows you to get a small taste of what it will be like to work as a dog groomer. Learn more at Animal Behavior College's website http://bit.ly/ABCDogGrooming Read and react appropriately to dog body language. Recently, hybrid or designer dogs (a cross of two purebred dogs, such as a Labradoodle), have become more popular. Dog groomer jobs are ideal for anyone that is interested in dogs or animals in general, as its a fulfilling profession that involves spending time caring for dogs and maintaining their appearance, hygiene and cleanliness, and overall health and wellbeing. This could be a freelance mobile business or their own shop, depending on the stage they are at. Consider creative ways to build your business as well, for instance by offering specials and discounts (new customer, loyalty, 2-for-1, etc. A dog groomer is required to maintain the physical appearance of many breeds. Your dog sheds a lot of hair when it is bathed, which can clog your drain and cause it to become wet. Distance Learning Oftentimes, groomers are the first to notice a lesion or growth on a dog, so their job is just as much about health as it is about appearance. Dog groomers salariesvary widely based on their location, position, and specialty. A certification from a well known college can provide a solid foundation to boost your pet grooming career. They will also need to ask the right questions to find out about the dogs medical history, temperament, and age. If candidates score 70% or higher during the program, they are awarded the International Model of Pets Grooming Distinction. Candidates who score 86% or higher are entitled to International Certified Master Groomers. ), nail painting, or even teeth-cleaning; or selling canine health and beauty products. It will be very helpful! Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Its important to note that you can do the same things even without a certificate. While the things mentioned above are the basic tasks a groomer performs, he also has to take care of a few other things. At worst, theres no interactive component whatsoever. Not everyone is able to attend school full-time. Since dog grooming is relatively easy to get into, it is hard to stand out. Many dog lovers turn to grooming as a career so they can earn a living working with animals. If you want to become a dog groomer, sign up to volunteer at an animal shelter so you can get comfortable handling all kinds of dogs. Income potential varies widely by hours worked, business type, and client base, but a general range is roughly $15,000 to $50,000 per year. Listing for: PetSmart, Inc. Full Time position. Complete the form below for more information, or tobook a tour of our Missouri facility. This way, you can stay updated on the best practices for pet care, health, and safety. Styling to create the desired look. If you like, you can attend grooming schools or take online courses to learn a few technical skills and techniques. If a dog acts like it's going to bite you go ahead and muzzle the dog. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. However, dog owners are becoming much more willing to spend more on their dogs. Most of us really get curious regardig these professional groomers. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. There are also other things to consider, like registering as self-employed with HMRC, arranging professional insurance like professional and employer liability, managing and tracking finances, completing self-assessments, and managing clients appointments. Youll need to learn how to manage your client base, your finances, and your marketing. The reason mainly stems from pet owners willing to pay a lot of money to take care of their pets. Dog groomers can also progress by turning their skillset into their own business. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Start your journey toward a career with animals. So the one thing they really need is someone to take care of them. You will often need to trim the hair. Dog grooming as a job doesnt have a high barrier to entry. A lot of people think that a dog groomer just makes a dog look good. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. State-approved grooming schools provide classes on various aspects of dog grooming. More information on the benefits of joining can be found in the member benefits section. Its important for dog groomers to be aware of this and behave accordingly. 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