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Have you always been an animal lover? Can you see yourself working with dogs full time? Are you ready for a career change that will let you fulfill your passion for animals?
If you think your future career may be in the pet industry, read on to learn more about dog grooming professionally!
The Importance of Proper Grooming
Dog grooming has a long and complex history, with some form of the practice dating back thousands of years. Of course, it looks much different today, and it has been adapted for the domestic breeds that are now commonplace in many modern households.
Grooming is about more than just keeping the dog clean. It’s necessary for their health and wellbeing. Without regular grooming, dogs can develop matting, allergies, skin conditions, and other health issues. Keeping the dog’s ears clean is also important—without proper ear care, ear infections and other conditions can occur.
Overgrown nails, poor oral care, and impacted anal glands can lead to severe discomfort and even disease. Regular nail trimming, teeth brushing, and anal gland expression also keep the dog healthy, happy, and comfortable.
Excess shedding and a dull coat can be improved with a routine grooming schedule, making for cleaner homes and happy owners.
What Does Dog Grooming Include?
“Dog grooming” is a fairly broad umbrella term. A typical session at a grooming salon consists of a bath, a blow-dry, and a cut. Many pet owners may opt for more frequent baths than cuts, depending on the dog.
As mentioned above, other common pet grooming services include ear cleaning, ear trimming, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and anal gland expression. Some less common services are treatments with natural oils, doggy facials, and even aromatherapy.
Typically, dogs should be groomed every 4-6 weeks, and regular brushing in between is recommended to prevent matting and accumulation of dirt, pollen, and other undesirables. Certain breeds of dogs with longer hair should be brushed daily for optimal coat health.
While it’s tempting for many dog parents to save money by handling bathing and grooming themselves, it’s really best for everyone to leave the grooming routine to the trained professionals.
How to Become a Dog Groomer
Becoming a dog groomer can be an immensely rewarding career for animal lovers. It comes with its fair share of challenges but with the proper training, you can create a satisfying experience for you and for the dogs in your care.
It’s not necessary to hold a certification in order to groom dogs professionally, but it will certainly make you more desirable to employers and more confident in your skills. To become a certified dog groomer, you can seek accreditation through the International Professional Groomers, Inc., The International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC), or the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc (NDGAA). Each of these organizations offers different tiers of certification depending on your goals.
Other paths to becoming a professional groomer include trade schools, online courses, practical training courses, and internships or apprenticeships under knowledgeable and experienced groomers.
As a part of your training and education, you can expect to learn several grooming techniques to be used depending on the type and length of the dog’s hair. You will learn how to prevent and eliminate fur matting, as well as the causes and dangers associated with matted fur. Flea and tick prevention, skincare, and dog safety should also be a part of the curriculum. You may also learn about more specialized techniques, such as hand stripping and more decorative cuts.
Not every dog is going to be an angel. Unfortunately, a career in dog grooming is not all sunshine and rainbows. You will no doubt experience some four-legged clients that will resist just about everything you try to do—biting, barking, scratching, and doing everything they can to get away. There are effective techniques you can employ when dealing with unruly pets, and that should be a part of any new pet groomer’s training.
With enough study and practice, you will be able to handle any challenge that comes your way and make a successful career doing what you love!
Take Control of Your Future with a Pet Grooming Franchise!
Want to own your own pet grooming business instead? Check out some of our top pet franchise opportunities. You can operate your own grooming business even if doing the actual grooming is not your cup of tea. Or, learn about opening a dog daycare franchise instead!
