So You Want to be a Groomer

Pet grooming can be a rewarding career. Your artistic abilities,
creativity and nurturing nature find an outlet. Many types of
grooming are available for you to explore- grooming instructor,
show dog groomer, elite stylist, mobile groomer and veterinary
or boarding kennel groomer to mention a few.   There are even
contests for those groomers with a competitive nature and the
skills to excel. As an example, GroomTeam U.S.A. sponsors
national competitions, sending their top point earners as a team
to compete abroad!

Make no mistake about it- grooming is hard work! You must learn
pet anatomy, well over 100 breed patterns, pet body language,
pesticides and complex product structures. Also the mechanics of
your equipment such as clippers and blades and the proper use of
the many types of shears. Pets are not always happy or easy to
deal with- you’ll clean up their mess and often come home tired
and sore at times. Yet the pride of accomplishing well done work
can make all these intricacies seem trivial.

Your income, just like any other job can depend on your skill,
location and the groom shops pay structure. I believe a person
must be crazy about pets or they may find that grooming is not
what they expected it to be. In my opinion this is a career, not
simply a job.

A person can become a groomer through different avenues.
Classroom schooling is not required but if you can afford it,
there are many good schools throughout the country. A local
groomer may take on an apprentice, starting you as a
receptionist or bather. Some larger pet supply businesses have
their own school and will trade time (1 or 2 years contracted
work). You can even take correspondence courses. No matter how
you learn, it’s how you apply this knowledge that will make you
stand out in this field.

Becoming proficient in this field takes time. There are many
things such as scissoring and developing an eye for balance that
can only be developed with time. Just like the pets you will
work on, everyone is an individual with different capabilities,
styles and personalities that will be expressed in their work.

I’ve had a wonderful time and met many wonderful pets and their
owners. Some of my favorites have been the difficult pets. I’ve
cried with the owners when their beloved pet passes away. I grab
the puppies to coo over on their first visit. I worry when a
client moves away, that their precious baby won’t be happy with
another groomer. I marvel at the things I still learn after all
these years. It may be silly, but that’s what grooming is to me.
Perhaps it will be for you too.