Do you have your heart set on being a dog groomer? What an excellent career choice! Who doesn’t want to spend their days surrounded by adorable pooches?
We may be a little biased, but dog grooming is a fun and fulfilling profession with plenty of opportunities to establish a life-long career.
It is incredibly satisfying and rewarding for animal lovers, and you get to make new four-legged friends while helping them feel and look their best. A win-win!
Whether you want to open your own studio, work from home, or go mobile with a van, dog grooming is a career with lots of options and plenty of freedom.
What do I need to become a dog groomer?
Sure, this all sounds great, but you’re probably wondering how to actually become a dog groomer in the first place.
Well, it may surprise you to learn that you don’t need any formal dog grooming qualifications to be successful and established in the field. Like dog training or web design, dog grooming is an unregulated profession. This means anyone can choose to start a career as a dog groomer, despite having no qualifications.
Although qualifications aren’t essential, completing a dog grooming training course can help you stand out to potential employers or customers.
Taking the time to train professionally means your clients know they can trust you to take the best care of their furry companions. Training also helps you to feel more confident in your skills and abilities.
What are the skills you need for dog grooming?
- The ability to be both gentle and firm with dogs
- The ability to calm down nervous dogs
- Strong attention to detail
- The ability to work with your hands for clipping and trimming
- Strong communication skills for interactions with owners
- A calm and composed demeanour under pressure.
- Patience and understanding
The benefits of a career in dog grooming
Flexibility
Having your own dog grooming business offers plenty of flexibility. You can decide how many hours you work each day and each week. Setting up a grooming service in your home is always an option and a great way to fit work around a busy lifestyle.
You can also run a mobile grooming service, allowing you to keep overheads low and reach a new range of customers outside your local area.
Variety
Dog groomers can develop their skills and techniques just like a hairdresser. In fact, professional dog groomers are constantly working on new methods that work for the pets in their care. Pro dog groomers have to learn the different fur types and how to best treat each.
This variety adds a sense of excitement and diversity to the profession. You’ll be kept on your toes as no two days (or dogs!) are the same. Dog grooming is a dynamic career for those who love learning and expanding their minds.
Working with your best friends
This one goes without saying, but we had to include it anyway. What could be better than working with dogs every day if you love dogs?
Your working hours will be filled with joy as you focus on making your four-legged customers happy and healthy. You’ll become a professional dog whisperer as you learn to care for dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes.
High demand
Dog ownership has risen significantly in the past couple of years. In the UK, 33% of households currently have a pet dog, while in 2011 this number was only at 22%. Not only do more households have dogs but they increasingly view them as members of their family, meaning they are more likely to spend significant amounts of money looking after them.
What are the day-to-day tasks of a dog groomer?
There is much more to dog grooming than simply washing and trimming hair. In fact, groomers must know how to give dogs an all-around pamper and be able to identify and treat common skin issues. Here is what the role of a dog groomer includes:
- Preparing dogs for washing
- Washing and drying dogs' coats
- Detangling and removing matted fur
- Checking for parasites and other skin conditions
- Cutting nails
- Cleaning ears
- Brushing teeth
- Managing dogs’ behaviour
- Interacting with human customers
- Adding bows, hair colour, and nail polish for competitions
Building a career in dog grooming
When building a career as a dog groomer, you have two options – to work for an existing grooming company or to branch out and start your own business. The option you choose will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences.
Thankfully, dog grooming is in high demand, and when you work hard and deliver on your promises, you will find plenty of work.
Many dog owners struggle to find the time to give their pets adequate grooming. Once they enlist your services and their dog learns to trust you, most customers will return.
Of course, to gain this customer loyalty, you must be talented at your work. That’s why a training course is so beneficial in helping you flourish and take the dog grooming world by storm.
After completing a dog grooming course, you’ll be a competent dog groomer from the beginning with training under your belt. Building a loyal customer base will be easier when you have developed your skills and capabilities.
Choosing a dog grooming training course
The best dog grooming courses consist of hands-on training led by qualified, experienced experts. Here at the Paw Pad, this is precisely what we offer.
We aim to teach aspiring groomers modern dog grooming techniques, along with all the additional skills you need to work as a dog groomer.
Get in touch today to learn more about Paw Pad dog grooming courses and get started in your dream career.
