How to Become an Animal Groomer

An animal groomer is no longer just for the rich and famous anymore. A whooping 70 percent of pet owners take their animals to a groomer at least occasionally. This translates to a profitable career and a booming business for those looking to work with animals.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what type of grooming you want to perform. General care, bathing and nail clipping will require little experience. On the other hand, if you want to work with show dogs or perform specialized hand scissoring work, you will need more time and dedication.

2. Become certified if you can afford it. While there are no current laws requiring you to attend school in order to become an animal groomer, it certainly won't hurt. Not only will you learn all the practical techniques needed to deal with different breeds, but you will also get a good handle on pet psychology and management.

3. Attend the National Dog Groomers Association of America to become certified (see Resources below). This is the only school for pet groomers recognized at a national level. Small local schools may be cheaper, though, and they can be all you need to get you started.

4. Get a job at an established grooming salon. This can be done immediately following your certification or even if you want to start learning from scratch. Nothing beats first-hand experience in this profession.

5. Consider whether you want to open your own salon or want to work for somebody else. Most beginner groomers start by working at a pet store or veterinarian clinic, splitting the profits with the owner of the place. This is especially good for beginners, because it means a smaller investment and a bigger chance to meet prospective clients.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you can start your career as a groomer, you need to decide whether you want to become a dog groomer or work on a variety of animals. As most pets brought to the groomer are usually dogs, many beginners focus exclusively on them. As your business grows, however, you may want to explore taking care of cats and other animals.
• The most common problem animal groomers meet is scared dogs and cats. Frightened animals may bite or scratch, so it's important that a groomer learns special techniques to deal with them.

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Resources

• National Dog Groomers Association of America to become certified