How do you become a dog groomer?

Question

I love dogs and I would like to find out if I am cut out to be a groomer.

Answer 1

It sure does take special training to be a dog groomer and it is not as easy as some may think.
You don't just grab a pair of scissors or clippers and start hacking away and call yourself a groomer.

Every breed (and there are hundreds) has a different type of cut it gets and there are different lines and patterns you must set and follow.
You also need to know what types of shampoos to use on certain dogs with different skin problems and hair types, and what ingredients are in those shampoos, you need to know all the different skin/hair disorders, and parasites and how to deal with them. (i.e...dog has seborrhea..what shampoo should you use?) You need to know about canine anatomy and the proper name for all the body parts. You need to know a little about training and animal beahvior.
Oh, and then there are the owners....definitly need some people skills.
You need to know about all the different tools and how to maintain them. All the clipper blades and what lengths they leave the hair. If someone tells you they want their dog left 1/4"..what blade are you going to use? Then the clip names get confusing as there is a name for all the different styles...how would you set a Miami or a Royal Dutch clip on a Poodle? Or what blade should you use on a Cocker head? Does an Airedale get a fall or split brows?

If you are not sure if you want to be a groomer or not, your best bet would be to start out as a bather working for a GOOD groomer. Bad groomers will just teach bad grooming. If you decide, after all the bugs, pee, poop, biting, smelly, old, and uncooperative dogs, that you still want to be a groomer. Check into grooming schools. They range in tuition. When I went over 10 years ago it was around $5,000.
You can apprentice under a groomer if you can find one willing to do so, but I would try to find one that is a CMG (certified master groomer)

There are lots of professional (that is what we are..professionals) grooming sites and message boards out there for the newbie or prospective groomers. Check out petgroomer.com tons of info on there.

Dog grooming takes a special breed of people. If you do not have patience, kindness, a huge love for animals or just want to do it for the money..you should not be a groomer.

I love my job!

Answer 2

You can take a grooming course, but that is expensive if you're not sure if this is what you want to do for a living. Groomers work very hard in noisy and sometimes unpleasant conditions. You won't make much money, you'll be on your feet all day and your back will ache until you get used to it. You may get bitten and peed on. Dogs may come in filthy, crawling with fleas and ticks and sometimes even maggots. Their owners can be a pain, too - complaining if Fluffy doesn't look "just so".

No offense to any good groomers working at large pet stores, but the most talented and experienced groomers are usually going to have their own businesses. Some groomers will allow you to stay and watch while they work on your dog. Some will let you watch them work if you clean up the shop for them. If you can get hired as a bather/fluffer (the person who washes and blow dries the dog before the groomer trims it), you can often learn for free while you're earning a salary.

Visit your local grooming shops during the week when they're less busy and see what you can find out. You can also go to dog shows and talk to the professional handlers who show breeds like poodles that need grooming. They are the BEST groomers in the world and they are often looking for live-in kennel help. You can learn a lot from them about grooming, handling and showing dogs.

Answer 3

This isn't difficult, just go to your local groomer and apply for a job. It doesn't take any special training to be a dog groomer. Oh, and you'll also have to deal with cats. Suggest wearing thick rubber gloves to avoid scratches from claws.

Answer 4

You have to go to school. But there is shortcuts, I went through PetsMart, I started as an assistant, they sent me to school and paid for it!!! Or you look for trade schools.............being a groomer is so much fun!!! But you better REALLY like dogs. Grooming school is really expensive.

Answer 5

U could become ur local dog groomer and buy ur own supplies and have people in ur area be ur customers.

Answer 6

read up on some good dog grooming books or else visit some good sights for dog grooming like www.HGTV.com Dogs.Best4Sites.net www.hundeforum24.de

Answer 7

The best way might be to be an apprentice.

Answer 8

brush your dog