What does a groomer need to know?

Question

My sister in law has worked at a dog groomer's for many years. She wants to start up her own grooming business closer to her home. However, in all her years of grooming dogs, she has never had to do a "breed-specific" cut. Everyone who has come in has just wanted the dog shaved or cut in a way to make the dog's coat more manageable.

I think that she really should learn how to do these special cuts if she wants to run her own business. Someday, someone will want this type of cut, and she'll have to turn them away otherwise.

Am I right, or is it fine for a groomer to not know how to do these breed-specific cuts?

For the past five years, my sis has basically run the grooming salon she works for. She knows about first aid, shampoos, skin reactions, etc. In terms of cuts, though, all she knows is how to clip and use the scissors on the hard-to-clip areas. Not a single customer in the past five years has asked for anything else.

Answer 1

There are some groomers who do nothing but basic shave downs. I guess they make a living at it. I don't object, as long as they don't pretend that they DO know how to do breed cuts and try it on unsuspecting customers. I've seen far too many dogs come to me with horrendous haircuts that take months to fix because some idiot groomer didn't want to admit they didn't know how (i.e. Cavaliers is cocker cuts, Wheatens in schnauzer cuts, or just plain they don't know how to do a proper schnauzer or cocker cut in the first place).

But if she wants to consider herself to be a professional, and take pride in her abilities, I think she should learn to do the proper clips. Not just read them in a book (the most popular two books are WRONG, by the way), but study each individual breed by attending dog shows, talking to breeders, studying anything put out by the parent club on proper grooming. Once she knows the proper show clip, it can be adapted for pet grooming (for example, a shorter and more manageable version).

If she gets a reputation for being able to do these clips, the owners who want them will flock to her, since few groomers are able to do them well.

Answer 2

I have NEVER known a groomer who cannot do breed specific cuts. I don't see how your sister in law can even dream of owning a business when she basically doesn't know how to groom! Grooming is more than just shaving off hair. She needs to take some class, attending grooming school, or buy a book at the very least. She's not going to find a very big clientele if she can't do breed clips.

What I would suggest is that she get a job at Petsmart. They'll send her to their grooming school free of charge, give her a full set of equipment, although she does have to stay on staff for 2 years afterwards. But really, she needs to have at least 2 years of doing actual clips before she should try to start her own business. I've seen a lot of people start grooming businesses, and the last one I saw was over $200,000 in debt and counting when I left her company. At Petsmart, she can have training and 2 years of experience with other trained groomers before she invests in a home business.

I also strongly suggest she take some basic business, accounting, and management classes at a local college before she starts her business. It's not nearly as easy as people think.

Answer 3

I have to agree with all the previous answers....Your sister in law NEEDS to learn specific breed cuts, along with basic "doggie" first aid. Cuts are NOT just shaving. Many dogs require proper scissored cuts (that takes a long time to learn to do it properly). In addition to that, she needs to be able to determine what shampoos are best for different coats, what coats should and/or should not get cream rinses. There are a LOT of variables. Insurance is also an issue. What would she do if a dog that was in her care suddenly passed away? Or if she inflicted a serious cut (for example: a groomer I know cut off the tip of a dog's tongue)???
I have my own grooming business. I started in a bit of an unusual way...instead of going to grooming school per say, I paid a certified groomer to teach me in her shop. I worked for quite a while with her before I set out to do dogs on my own.
Tax, accounting, equipment, utilities and insurance all cost money. I was fortunate that I had saved enough that when I started I was able to purchase some decent equipment off the top. SInce then, I have added multiple dryers, a wash system, a hydraulic table (large dogs are HEAVY and need special equipment) and I have even hired part time help. The first 3 years was a struggle but it is now paying off.
I would also advise your sister-in-law that she needs multiple sets of clippers, scissors and blades. If you only have 1 of each and something breaks down, you are in SERIOUS trouble!!!
Good luck.

Answer 4

I absolutely agree unless your sister would just like to refer out all her customers for the more advanced cuts. She can do routine services for herself and maybe work out a deal with the nearest private grooming business for referrals. In any case she may stand to lose customers to the next location unless distance is an issue.

There are probably videos available if you just do a search on amazon for dog grooming tutorials. You never know!

As far as for starting a business, the proper tools are also important for different cuts, and sharpening services to keep her instruments nice and sharp.

Answer 5

She will not be in business log if she does not know specific cuts. But, it's also not only about washing and clipping a dog. Let's not forget about start up costs, supplies, location, clientele, utilities, insurance, etc. Her best bet is to get started with volunteering with the ASPCA, reputable breeders, vet clinics, etc..

But yes, you right. She needs to learn cuts specific for breeds. Clip a breed wrong, she won't get paid...too many of that, not only will she lose money, but she will lose business.

Answer 6

If all she can do is an overall shave vut she is not going to have a very successful business.
That would be like being a hair stylist for humans and only knowing how to so a shag cut.
Groomers not only have to know about how to clip dogs they need to understand about how to run a business and how to figure the taxes and pay them and how to pay employees and how to do their taxes and how to charge tax to customers and how and where to pay that. It takes a course in accounting to run a small business or at the very least a good accountant.

Answer 7

I could be wrong but it seems to me that being a groomer requires much more then knowing breed specific cuts. Awareness of health and first aid applications, would be one, dog psychology or handling. Insurance coverage,accounting,advertising, record keeping, tax laws etc. etc.