The pet grooming industry is currently on the rise. According to some sources, Americans spend around $6 billion each year so that their cats and dogs look trimmed and cute. Such services as aromatherapy treatment, pet tattoos, and high-fashion haircuts are not unheard of in pet groomer salons all over the United States. With many celebrities having their pets manicured and ear-cleaned, an increasing number of “mere mortals” follow suit. The bottom line: It’s a good time for trying to get on board the ship. Here is what you need to become a pet groomer.
1. Love of animals: Crucial for a pet groomer
You need to understand if you really love animals. Without that, all your efforts will be nothing but a waste of time. Also, professional pet groomers describe their work as fun, rewarding, and .. dangerous. If your “client” is not happy about something, they may show it by scratching or biting you. So, you should understand animals and know how to deal with all their breeds and “personalities.”
2. Good physical condition
It may sound strange, but the next important requirement for a successful pet groomer is to be physically fit and healthy. If you are allergic to pets, or have arthritis or asthma, choose another career. Pet groomers may face some of the following health issues:
- pains in the legs and varicose veins (due to standing all day)
- back problems (due to lifting heavy animals for bathing in tubs or cutting hair on grooming tables)
- overstressed ligaments and tendons
- carpal tunnel syndrome (due to repetitive scissoring or brushing)
You can try to avoid or minimize the risk of developing those ailments by training yourself to groom sitting on a stool, wearing a brace on a wrist, and keeping your body fit in general.
3. Education
One thing that makes pet grooming attractive is no need for any formal education and certification. Still, it’s highly advisable for a pet groomer who wants to become a real professional to find a good school, complete a training course, and obtain a certificate. That will enhance your self-confidence and give you an edge over competitors. You can choose from among the following options:
- online courses
- correspondence courses
- continuing education programs
- vocational schools
After finishing a training course you will have some or all of these skills under your belt:
- Drying
- Working with different kinds of pets based on their specific characteristics
- Combing
- Brushing
- Hair cutting
- Treating fleas, ticks, and other pests
- Bathing pets the right way
- Spotting pets’ health issues in order to bring them to a vet’s attention
- Safety procedures
- Eye-cleaning
- Ear-cleaning
- Trimming paw pads
- Nail clipping
- Teeth brushing
- Grooming assessment
4. Licensing
General licensing for pet grooming is not required. You should note, though, that some states will oblige you to get a license if you are going to treat pets for fleas or ticks. Also, if you intend to run your own business, you need to obtain a general business license.
5. Insurance
Insurance is obligatory. That is because even seasoned pet groomers may inadvertently injure their fluffy clients. Also, you never know how this or that animal will react to a shampoo or another product you use in your work.
5. Experience
While no formal training is necessary for a pet groomer, you still need to gain experience in order to feel comfortable working with animals. There are several ways to achieve that.
- Find a job with a local pet groomer, even if the pay is very low.
- Ask a local pet groomer to let you assist them for free in exchange for recommendations and training.
- Groom your friends’ pets without a fee.
6. Self-education and self-improvement
A pet groomer must constantly engage in self-education and self-improvement and follow all the latest trends in the industry. To that end, professionals recommend the following:
- attending seminars at specialized schools
- watching TV and Internet channels for tips and tricks
- reading professional publications
- communicating with other groomers via chat rooms and message boards
- participating in grooming workshops such as those organized by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA)
7. People skills
A pet groomer must be a good mixer and successfully deal with all kinds of people. That’s because every dog or cat has the owner, who wants them to look immaculate. You have to show to those demanding clients that their animals are in good hands. Sometimes, you will have to break bad news to them and expect their anger to fall hard on you. For example, you may have to tactfully say that their dog could do with a few obedience lessons or urgently needs a vet’s checkup.
Pet grooming is a lucrative profession that you can enter at a relatively low cost. All things apart, if your really love animals, this career is for you.
