A dog groomer job is very physical. It’s like going to the gym with dogs and sometimes cats. It requires gentle lifting, proper technique and a positive attitude. To begin, how do you even become a dog groomer?
As a certified pet groomer, I have worked with professional groomers of all backgrounds. At the end of the day, the best dog groomers were those who possessed patience, a gentle touch, and a willingness to constantly learn. When it comes to learning about how to become a dog groomer, it is also important WHO you learn from.
Here are the 3 ways that explain how to become a dog groomer:
1. Grooming school
There are many dog grooming schools to choose from. On average, it takes about 1 year to graduate from a dog grooming school. A certification from a well known college can provide a solid foundation to boost your pet grooming career. Above all, it also shows your level of commitment to prospective employers.
PRO TIP: Not all grooming schools are equal. I suggest looking into a government registered college that meets professional standards.
Check to see if the grooming school has a Facebook page that allows public reviews. This can help give you an idea of what the experience was like for others.
CAUTION: There are online schools that offer grooming certification in as little as 3 months. However, beware – you NEED the practical training. For example, mastering scissoring skills can take months to years to master.
If you research job opportunities, most places require at least 1 year of practical experience.
The Pros :
- Graduating from grooming school provides proof of your successful training to employers.
- Many dog grooming schools focus on proper technique and safety.
- Reputable pet grooming schools offer a good balance between academic theory and practical skill development.
- Graduating from dog grooming school also opens up more options to possibly also teach at the school.
The Cons :
- The average cost for pet grooming school is about $10,000. In addition, dog grooming tools can add up to about $1200.
- Going back to school requires time management and potentially cutting back on work hours.
- Some grooming schools, that are not government registered colleges, focus only on theory. Beware of online grooming schools that do not provide practical experience.
2. Petsmart Grooming Academy:
Petsmart is a petstore giant in the US and Canada. They also offer dog grooming training through their Pet Grooming Academy. To apply, you start out working as a groomer’s assistant, dog bather, kennel assistant or groomer trainee.
Depending on how well you progress, Petsmart offers to send qualified candidates to their Pet Grooming Academy.
PRO TIP: If you are unsure about a dog groomer career, think about applying as a groomer’s assistant with Petsmart to get an idea of what the work involves.
You can also speak to other groomers at Petsmart to find out more about what a dog grooming job entails.
This is all considered on-the-job training. Above all, it is fantastic way to jump into the whole experience of a dog groomer career. Through this avenue, you get to work and develop a new career.
CAUTION: Though you receive on-the-job training through Petsmart, there is usually a 2-year contract. Therefore, after your certification through the Petsmart Grooming Academy, you may be locked into a 2-year contract. So, make sure you can commit, if you are serious about a dog grooming career.
The Pros:
- Petsmart offers an opportunity to apply as a groomer’s assistant. This is a great way to experience what the job entails for those unsure about a dog grooming career.
- Safety is very important to Petsmart. Therefore, you will learn how to groom in a way that is safe for both you and the pet.
- Petsmart salons have many professional groomers that can show you grooming tips and tricks along the way.
- The Petsmart Grooming Academy offers on-the-job training. In this way, you are working and developing a dog groomer career. It also provides a Pet Grooming certification for successful candidates.
- The Petsmart Grooming School provides practical experience to help develop proper technique.
The Cons:
- Petsmart can be a fast paced environment. Therefore, it can truly test your ability to work under pressure and value team work.
- After graduating through the Petsmart Grooming Academy, you may be locked into a 2 year contract. Usually, if the contract is breached, you may have to reimburse Petsmart for their Grooming School training.
- Some Petsmart locations do not groom cats.
3. Dog Groomer Apprenticeship:
Many private pet grooming salons hire apprentices as dog bathers or groomer’s assistants. From here, they may also train you to become a dog groomer under apprenticeship.
PRO TIP: Many boutique dog grooming salons have a cage-free policy that take great pride in spending extra time with each and every dog. Therefore, some of these boutique salons offer the best training for creative grooming.
Learning from a grooming salon that shares your values and passion is important. Be sure to check out their Instagram or Facebook pages to give you an idea of the quality and style of their grooms.
CAUTION: Make sure to learn under a pet grooming salon with a good reputation. It is important to learn GOOD HABITS and PROPER TECHNIQUE. Poor habits and technique can lead to accidents. As an example, poor animal handling can lead to dog bites, cutting a dog or spraining a muscle.
The Pros:
- Offers on-the-job training. Many boutique grooming salons offer the experience to work as a groomer’s assistant. It’s a great way to experience the career with minimal cash investment or locked-in contracts.
- Some private grooming salons are known for creative dog grooming. This is a bonus for those looking for a more creative outlet.
- Private grooming salons may offer the benefit of possibly training under a National Certified Master Groomer.
The Cons:
- Some salons require a probation period before advancing to training as a dog groomer.
- Smaller boutique dog grooming salons may not get a wide variety of dogs for practice.
- Informal dog grooming training also carries the risk of learning improper technique and poor animal handling skills.
If you have any questions about how to become a dog groomer, feel free to leave a comment below or on my Facebook public page at: Styling with Shades.
– By Nikita King , Certified Pet Groomer