How to Become a A Dog Groomer

Dog groomers help keep dogs healthy and presentable by looking after their coats. A dog groomer is responsible for shampooing, combing, trimming and grooming dogs’ fur. In addition, they may offer other grooming services like nail clipping and, during the grooming process, will also check dogs for things like skin conditions. 

A dog groomer will offer advice to dog owners on coat care and how to maintain good hygiene for their dogs.

An average salary for a full-time dog groomer when starting out is around £13,000 per year, but that may increase to about £20,000 per year as you gain experience. Self-employed dog groomers can set their own prices, so an experienced, well-qualified dog groomer with an established business and reputation may earn more.

If you’d like to know how to get into dog grooming, you’ll be pleased to hear that no formal qualifications are needed to become a dog groomer. However, it is highly advisable to have experience working with animals and do a course in dog grooming or training if you can. 

Dog grooming courses are available in private training centres, colleges and online. For example, you might choose to study the Dog Grooming Diploma or the Dog-Grooming Professional Diploma, which are online courses that equip you with knowledge and insights into the dog grooming industry and dog grooming techniques.

Another option is to consider broader training courses in animal care that will teach you about pet care and provide the opportunity to explore wider career opportunities. Furthermore, some dog grooming businesses offer apprenticeships as an alternative route to becoming qualified to work as a dog groomer.

The more qualifications you can show off on your CV, the more choice and success you will have regarding employment or building your own client base.

If you’re considering a career in dog grooming, then you’re almost certainly a dog lover. Still, you’ll also need to be confident in managing dog behaviour and be prepared to carry out the less glamorous elements of the job as well.

Remember that you will also be dealing with dog owners, so people skills are essential, too. Whether you are employed or running your own business, you’ll need good customer service skills. 

Skills in numeracy, communication, administration and business management are helpful as your career progresses. If you run your own business, it will be up to you to manage your business finances, marketing, and admin, such as client appointments and records. 

Some dog grooming businesses offer photographic services, so if you have skills in photography, you may want to refine them so you can provide clients with photos of their freshly groomed pets.

Gaining work experience is helpful in any industry because it gives you an insight into what it’s like to do that job before committing to a post, training course or apprenticeship. 

Therefore, it’s worth getting as much work experience as you can alongside a professional dog groomer. This will develop your skills and your understanding of the dog grooming industry. 

Some professional dog groomers employ dog grooming assistants. Becoming on is a good way of gaining work experience while also earning a wage.

Many dog groomers choose to work for themselves because self-employment offers the benefit of flexible hours and working from home. However, dog grooming salons also employ dog groomers at various levels, from part-time dog grooming assistants to full-time senior stylists or salon managers.