Every job is different, and they all suit different people. However, if you love dogs and want the flexibility of being your own boss, without having to incur huge amounts of debt or spend years training, then a dog groomer could be the perfect career for you. Being able to build your own dog grooming business allows you to fit your career around your life and enables you to enjoy a healthy work-life balance as well as earn money doing something that you love.
Overview of Dog Grooming as a Career
Dog grooming involves bathing and trimming different breeds of dogs. Many of the dogs that go to dog groomers are poodle-type dog breeds, that don’t shed their hair, and need regular trimming. However, short-breed dogs are often bought for bathing or pampering. You may offer other services such as nail clipping as well. All dog groomers work in different ways, some have a mobile van and travel to people’s houses to groom their dogs, while others set up a dog salon in their home. You can choose what suits you best, or what your customers want. Like all jobs, you will have good and bad days, but if you manage your diary well, and remember that you can turn away dogs that are aggressive or untrained, then being a dog groomer is a good career. It is satisfying, you will build relationships with your regulars, (both the humans and the dogs), and you can decide when you want to work and for how many hours, making it the ideal career for people who want to fit their career around their family. If the idea of being stuck in an office fills you with horror, then why not consider training to be a dog groomer?
Dog Grooming Services Demand
Since the breeding of the first cockapoo, there has been a rise in the number of cross-breeds using the poodle as part of their makeup. Poodles are renowned for being hypoallergenic, which means that people who are allergic to dogs don’t react in the same way to poodles. The dog hair on a poodle grows constantly, so they need to be trimmed regularly. Many cross-breeds that have part-poodle also need regular trimming. Some long-haired dog breeds also require grooming or stripping to get rid of mats and tangles and keep their coats in good order. Generally, people use the same dog groomers and the majority of your clients will need regular appointments for their dogs which gives you a stable business structure.
What is the State of the Dog Grooming in the Industry?
Pet ownership has increased since the global pandemic and with it dog grooming demand. This said it is worth checking how many dog groomers are operating in your area. You may find that you will need to offer a niche, such as a mobile service, or evening appointments, to stand out from the other dog groomers in your area. Ask around locally, and find out how far people are travelling to take their dog to their dog groomer.
Pros
You get to spend your day with dogs! Also, you can be your boss, which allows you to create a life that suits you. Unlike many careers, you don’t need to spend years training and accumulating debt, but can achieve a Diploma in Dog Grooming in a 4 or 5-week course, leaving you ready to work.
Cons
If you like dressing up in high heels and sitting down all day, then dog grooming isn’t for you. It is a physical job that involves being on your feet. If you are running your own business, you will need to take care of all the admin associated with running a business, such as filing your tax and promoting your business. However, with our dog grooming Diploma course, we cover all these areas.
Qualifications and Skills Needed to Become a Dog Groomer
You don’t need any formal qualifications to become a dog groomer, but it helps. People are leaving their dog in your care, they expect a certain standard of dog grooming from you, and they will be reassured by your qualification. Having a qualification also gives you the confidence that you are competent and professional and will do a good job for your clients. You will already be good with dogs, confident at handling different dog breeds, and knowledgeable about dog behaviour, and all these skills will benefit you in your dog grooming career.
How Much Can You Earn as a Dog Groomer?
The great advantage of training to be a dog groomer as a profession is that you have the control to make your business as large or as small as you want. The average price for a dog groom in the UK is £43. How many dogs you can groom in a day depends upon how many hours you have available, how much demand there is for your services, and how long it takes you to groom a dog. Running your own business as a dog groomer allows you to decide.
What Does the Future Hold for Dog Groomers?
As a nation of dog lovers, there will be no shortage of dogs for you to groom, and the trend of increasing pet ownership looks set to continue. The rise of cross-breed dogs has ensured that demand for pet grooming remains strong, but it is always important to do your own market research in the area where you are thinking about starting a dog grooming business.
Is Being A Dog Groomer Worth It?
If you want to spend your day with dogs, and want the flexibility of being your own boss, then being a dog groomer is the perfect career for you. It is the ideal career for people who enjoy being active, love dogs, and want the freedom that self-employment brings. You can start your dog grooming career with a dog grooming course, it does not require years of expensive studying that many people can simply not afford. If you are looking for a career that will fit around your family, then dog grooming is also an excellent choice. Change your life today and sign up for our Introduction To Dog Grooming Course or call us to discuss the best course for you on 01942 242001