How to Become a Dog Groomer

If you have always wanted to explore a career working with dogs you have certainly landed in the right place.

In recent years the dog grooming industry has continued to thrive and grow, presenting more opportunities than ever before for dog lovers and those looking for a job working with animals to enjoy a career with huge potential.  In the UK most households have a dog and these days it is not just the specific  breeds like poodles or bichon frise that need a haircut. These days it is easy to take your boxer or labrador for a bath and brush than attempt  it at home so the dog grooming industry now caters for all breeds in every shape and size.

Dog groomers work with a huge variety of dog breeds and the grooming process  involves bathing, brushing , clipping, scissoring and styling, nail clipping and ear cleaning to ensure the dogs leave you looking their best.  Spa treatments for dogs is also a growing industry and some salons offer pawdicures, blueberry facials, fragranced baths and spritzes, mud bath treatments for dogs with sensitive problem skin and a wide variety of pamper treatments are now available.  Courses that cover animal health care enables you to obtain knowledge on  understanding the overall health and well being of the animals in your care and the types of shampoos and products that will be suitable for particular dogs for instance with sensitive ski n or other health concerns.

How do I get started?

Courses have been designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and techniques that you will need to secure your dream job. It is important to pick a well established and reputable school with qualified tutors and to make sure the course curriculum covers all you will need to know and that they have a adequate bank of model dogs so that the training is hands on and practical. This is essential to master the dog handling skills and the different styles and haircuts of all the different breeds. The duration of the course is also important . Some schools offer 2 week courses but this is only a basic introductory course and you will not learn all the skills required in that amount of time. Every day for 5 weeks is realistic so that the student is competent and well equipped by the end of the course and able to then get started straight away. Any good school should offer a course in first aid and animal health as any would be groomer needs to have a understanding in this area before embarking on a career  as a dog groomer.

Once you are qualified there are many different paths you can follow. You could go on to work for a dog grooming salon or a reputable  chain such The Groom Rooms at Pets at Home.  Usually you would only be considered for a job if you have a qualification and have completed a dog grooming course and have the overall basic skills required.  A large percentage of people go on to set up their own business and there  are many options. Setting up your own salon, working from home in a summer house or converted shed in the garden or from a converted garage which gives you the flexibility to work the hours that suit you without the commute to work. Others prefer to go mobile in a van. This is not just a profession for the young as it is a popular choice for the more mature student looking for a change of career.  A course that offers help and guidance on setting up your own business is advantageous.

Is it right for me?

If you are looking for a career working with animals and you have a genuine love of dogs this could be the answer for you. It can be a  challenging but hugely rewarding  job. Good  customer service  and communication skills are essential as you will be required to liaise with customers and their pets. You will need to discuss styles and tailor haircuts to the customer's requirements. You will be  Interacting with the customers and their furry friends and a warm caring nature is important as customers will be leaving their pets  in your care and the dogs comfort, welfare and well being is all part of the service. Not only is a quality groom important but just as important is the service that you offer if you wish to excel in this industry. 

Case Study

After working in an office environment for over 30 years, I decided I needed a change.  I became interested in dog grooming after my own dog was groomed by a local dog groomer, realising it wasn’t the best cut, started to look into dog grooming courses.  I choose Anrich because I was impressed by their training methods, the set up and the environment.  You were hands on from day 2 and every day for 5 weeks, I worked on a variety of breeds all with different styles.  In addition, Anrich taught me how to set up my own business, build a web site, advertise, clean and maintain my equipment, first aid on a dog and general health checks to look out for whilst grooming the dog.  This course gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to start my own business, the girls are always there at the end of the phone, to help and advice even when I had finished my course. 

Even though I am a single parent and had left the security of a full time job to have a complete career change, I can honestly say it was the best decision, because now I am self-employed with my own little set up in the back garden which enables me to dictate when and how many hours a day I want to work, giving me freedom to walk my own dogs daily and be at home for my children. 

If you have an interest in dogs and dog grooming, then take the plunge, because once you have a client base and word gets around, your reputation will grow too.  It really was the best move for me.