dog grooming school?

Question
My question isn't about how to groom a dog, but about a career in dog grooming. I've worked behind a desk for the last 10 years and despise it. I love dogs and am thinking of changing careers to dog grooming. I'm looking at a few different grooming schools versus trying to find a grooming shop that would train me on the job. Are grooming schools worth the cost, or would you recommend getting on the job training instead? Any advice/insights for someone thinking of entering the grooming field?
Thanks!

Answer
Congratulations on considering a career in dog grooming field.  It's an exciting and always changing field of work and can be very rewarding.  The best part to me,  is that I get to work with dogs, my passion in life!

There are several avenues to learn how to groom.  Let me explain the pro's and con's of each method.

SELF TAUGHT/CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS:
In many states licencing of Groomers is not required so anyone who buys tools and a book can throw out their shingle and begin grooming.  I am a self taught Groomer.  

Pro's:  It's a quick way to begin earning money.  If you have the aptitude this is a field you can pick up the techniques of the basics from a book.  

Con's:  You need to be able to learn on dogs.  You have to find animals to "practice" on.  While you can learn technique from a book, you can only learn how to handle a dog safely by actually working with a dog.  This sounds easy, but you are also liable for any type of injury that may occur.  Many dogs are difficult to control while you groom them at the same time.  Working with experienced Groomers will afford you access all kinds of tips and assistance in learning skills, safety, customer service and technique.  It's difficult to get this kind of training when you are entirely on your own.  Grooming is a job that requires feedback.  If someone is unhappy with your work and never comes back, then you have no idea how to improve.  Working with others allows an avenue of getting your work critiqued so you can improve.  Safety is learned.  I have never found a complete and comprehenisve guide to how to insure safety in a grooming shop.  Again, most of that is learned on the job by observing and talking to other Professionals.  If you teach yourself you are liable for all aspects of the grooming procedure.  Dogs will do the most unreasonable things when they are nevous and scared.  You must be prepared to pay if a dog is injured while in your care.  This can run the range from paying Veterinary bills to defending yourself in a law suit.

"BIG BOX" CORPORATE STORE TRAINING:
This is actually a popular option with many people.  It seems ideal to receive "free training" and being paid to learn.

Pro's:  Your equipment will be purchased  and repayment usually comes out of future wages.  You are guaranted a job.  Usually their salons are relatively busy.  You are given the option of benefits, including Health Insurance.You are taught by a working Groomer. You often receive discounts on pet store purchases and their Veterinary services.

Con's:  I've seen huge variations in training.  Most of the time you are sent to the Corporate "school".  The schools are general short in duration and then you are sent to a store to continue training.  Most students pick up the bare basics at school.  They "graduated" knowing how to shave down a dog.  Unfortunately, most of my "Big Box" groomers that I've hired never are taught beyond that point.  They have poor finishing skils and limited customer relation skills.  Stand and watch the Groomers behind the windows in the store.  Observe to see if most of them put patterns on dogs and finish with a thorough scissor finish versus how many shave down dogs with a little variation in head styles.  Sometimes the purchased equipment is only medium quality at best.  You must purchase your own equipment if you desire a better quality or more variation in your tools.

You will sign a "no compete" contract that specifies how long you are required to work for the Corporation, how far your next place of employment must be from a Corporate store. Most contracts I see require 5 years of employment, you may not work within 5 miles of a Corporate store (and I've seen several contracts specifying 10 miles!) and a financial penalty that will be accessed for violating the contract.  Corporate stores take these contracts seriously and have the Lawyers and resources to pursue litigation if you violate your contract.  In a large metropolitan area it is very hard to find employment that is not within a 5 mile radius of a "Big Box" store.  The training does have strings even if it appears to be "free".

You are also working in a Corporate setting and individuality may not be encouraged.  Be sure you can work between tightly defined peramaters.  You may be required to work long hours or odd hours (early mornings, evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays).  Your often have very little say in how you are scheduled.

PROFESSIONAL GROOMING SCHOOLS:
There are grooming schools springing up all over.  Some are run by individual Groomers looking to make a buck off of Trainees.  This is a win for them.  Employees who pay the Groomer to work.  I suggest to look for a school accrediated by a secondary education association.  This assures that there is a curriculum being followed and you have a guaranteed graduation date.  Your Instructors are accredited by th association which assures that they were taught how to teach and that they understand the methods by which adults learn.  This allows them to teach in a manner in which you are best equipped to learn.

Pro's:  Guaranteed curriculum.  You will follow a plan to learn.  Student Loans and Financial help may be available.  The School should be financially solvent.  You are treated in an equal manner to all the other students.  You will not be financially liable in the case of an injury or unhappy client.

Con's:  Quality of instruction wil be varied.  Some schools are better than others.  You may have to share practice dogs with other students if enough dogs can not be obtained.  Most schools will tell you that you are going to be capable of owning your own business when you graduate.  Usually you are not.  Most schools will tell you that you will be a polished groomer ready to compete with the most competant professional upon graduation.  There is no way that any school can keep you in school long enough to give you a 100% education.  Most students graduate with a good grasp of the basics.  They are experienced enough to begin work in a shop more as an "apprenticing" groomer.  The graduate will be learning more in the first year on the job.  You will usually be given a tool kit but often the tools are inexpensive and become ineffective.

Unfortunately most schools make money by getting students to graduate.  So the learning time frame may be rigid and you may be moved on in the learning process even if you don't become competant in a phase of the learning process.  Once you graduate, the job placement you were "guaranteed" may not materialize.

If you want a fast track in learning the basics and a very basic tool kit, then this option is worth the money.  You are not at someones "whim" as to how much you will be taught in any given time frame.  Just be prepared to continue and intensify your training once you are working in an actual job.

BEING TAUGHT INDIVIDUALLY BY A COMPETANT GROOMER:
This is the most difficult situation to obtain, but one that often affords the most complete and individualized training available.  I personally prefer to train my own employees.

Pro's:  The Groomer will work with you until you obtain a professional level of competency.  You are already working in a job and often are getting paid while you train.  You will have unlimited hands on training in safety, customer skills and technical skills.  I have formed close friendships with almost all of my trainees that have lasted for years.

Con's:  You are only going to be as good as the Groomer who trains you.  Be sure this is the type of Groomer your aspire to be before accepting employment.  You may have to do a lot of "grunt" work thru out the training process.  I always start my trainees out as paid bathers for 6 months to a year.  This is the proving grounds for learning animal control and learning patience event with the "tough" animals.  I see bathing, toenail trimming, brushing, etc. as the foundation for good grooming.  I tell my trainees that an artist is only as good as their canvas and it is their job to present me with a perfect canvas to work on.  I can observe their learning style, their personal and work ethics and decide if they can make a good go of working withing the Grooming Industry.  I can also decide not to train if they don't evolve into the Trainee I'm looking for.  Sometimes you may be treated as a "grooming shop slave" and not allowed to progress.  I have met "trainees" who've spent years working with a Groomer and never moved beyond learning the basics.  So you have to make sure that the person who is training you has a clear cut plan for training you and a idea of when you will be able to work independently.  You will need to purchase your own hand tools that may cost somewhere in the $1000-$1500 range.  I encourage my trainees to buy the best possible equipment that they can.  These hand tools are the means to earning a living and they shouldn't be skimped on.  Unfortunately financial assistance to purchase tools usually is not available.  So make a plan for purchasing your tools before you accept the position. Some Groomers will not begin training until you have made your tool purchase. Definitely decide how you can accomplish this before you switch jobs.

You may progress in your training and then find that you or your Trainer is unable to make this a workable situation.   You may have to start over again somewhere else.  This is usually a very lengthy process time wise.  It may be very hard to find a shop who is willing to train you.  I suggest that you look for an entry job as a bather, and if you find that you like the entire situation begin the discussion to try to obtain training.  Ask a prospective employer how they get their professional employees.  This may tell you how willing they are to train.

To find a prospective employer tell friends what you are looking for.  If they go to a Groomer, ask them to inquire if they are willing to train groomers.  See if there is a local Dog Grooming Association.  If so look at their list of members.  These people care enough about the quality of their industry to spend their money to join an association.  Go into these Groomer's shops and enqure about training opportunities.  Ask about jobs even if none are advertise.  The Grooming Industry has taken a huge hit with the Recession.  This is the worst I've seen in in almost 35 years of grooming.  So don't be discouraged.  Keep asking and applying.  I had one trainee apply for a job so many times I got sick of turning her down.  She turned out to be an awesome employee.  Her persistance was put to good use during her training. You may even consider offering to bathe for free in exchange for training if you can afford it.

The Grooming Industry is a terrific one that continually evolves.  You can make a decent living doing work you love.  You are able to be artistic in your work.  Plus you get to work with fur kids, the very best part.  You usually recieve daily positive feedback.  I love the ego stroking and missed it when I tried to be a stay at home Mom.  You usually can be flexible with your hours and it's fairly easy to work the job around taking care of a family.

But there are drawbacks too.  It is physically very demanding.  Many Groomers quit because of bad backs and chronic tendonitis.  You will be bit and scratched.  You will get  peed on and pooped on.  Some dogs hate what you do and make sure you know it.  Some dogs never learn to like any part of the job.  I used to think that all dogs loved me.  I learned in this job that a few dogs hate me with a passion.  You will see neglect that will make you cry.  You may have to do things to a neglected dog that are unpleasant. You will pobably be paid by commission and this can be a very seasonable job.  You will probably work on Saturdays.  Many people are attracted to Grooming because they are not "people persons".  They can be touchy and difficult to work with.  I think the very best Groomers are "People Persons".  The two legged persons  pay you and so you have to please them in order to have them come back time after time.  That is how you develope a clientel and are successful in the Industry over the long haul.  And one final con - Anal Glands!

This is a fun and facinating field.  If it appeals to you then do what it takes to become involved in it.  Good luck with you venture.  Let me know how it turns out!