I want to be a dog groomer. What kind of education do I need? What is it like being a groomer? Any disadvantages/advantages to be a groomer? Anything else I should know?
Being a groomer is a wonderful career, but it is also frustrating, heartbreaking, stressful, and physically, most groomers only last about 10 years, because it’s very hard on the body.
The education you need depends on where you live and where you want to work. Places like Petsmart will start you as a pet bather, where you will learn the basics of bathing, brushing, trimming nails, and cleaning ears. When you have mastered that, they will send you to grooming school. It’s free, but you have to sign a contract to say you’ll stay with the store for at least 2 years, or else you have to pay back $4,000+ in education and equipment. If you don’t want that, you can go to a regular grooming school, but those can be pricey.
Good Things:
-You get to work with animals
-You get to express your creative side
-It’s a fun environment
-It makes really good money
-You can groom just about anywhere in the world
-You end up learning a lot about dog husbandry
-You can work in a shop, in a mobile van, in a doggie daycare or kennel, or in a vet clinic
-You usually get regular clients who know you by name and it’s great to see the dogs grow up in front of your eyes
Bad Things:
-Very high stress
-You have to be time-oriented and able to multitask
-You have to accept that some owners just won’t like you, or your grooming style
-You’ll probably injure a dog at some point in time, and you have to learn to cope with the guilt and get the dog cared for by a vet.
-It’s a lot of wear and tear on your body, your back and wrists will never be the same.
-You’ll smell terrible every day.
-You’ll probably get bitten.
-You’ll have to deal with bad dog owners who bring in matted, flea-bitten, filthy dogs, whom you’ll have to shave, and when you do, you’ll discover horrible open bleeding wounds on their skin, and it will make you cry.
-It’s a big investment financially, a full set of grooming equipment can cost $1,000+, not counting grooming school if you choose to pay for your own.
-You have a lot to learn- there are a lot of breeds and a lot of haircuts!
I’ve been a groomer for 4 years, and while I love my job, there are plenty of days I come home angry or crying, my left wrist is already starting to go bad, and I have to wear a brace sometimes, my back is always in pain… on the other hand, I make good money, I love working with dogs, and even if it makes me cry, I love to make a horribly neglected dog look and feel so much better when I’m finished, I love seeing my regular customers come in to see me, and I wouldn’t trade my job for any other.
If you have more questions or want to chat, feel free to email me:
babyangelluvs@yahoo.com
I can help you get off on the right foot if this is the job you really want.
