How to Start a Pet Grooming Business

If you love interacting with dogs, a dog grooming business could be a great opportunity to make a living at something you enjoy. However, there's a lot more to the dog grooming business than interacting with dogs. You must carefully plan the business, technical and legal aspects of grooming dogs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Consult with official resources at your county and state level about legal regulations of dog groomers. For instance, find out if you may operate a dog grooming business at home and if you'll need a certification to groom dogs.

2. Find a state-licensed dog grooming school in your area. Most dog grooming programs last between one to six months. Completing a training program can be a valuable marketing resource.

3. Visit the National Dog Groomers Association of America website. They offer written and skill tests, which, when passed, can lead to certifications. An application is available on the Association website.

4. Go to Dogwise.com and search for "Dog Grooming." They provide information on resources about the technical aspects of grooming individual dog breeds and guides to the business side of running a dog grooming business.

5. Get insurance. Any business requires insurance and for information on the specific insurance needs of dog groomers, go to PetGroomer.com, click on "Research" at the top menu an then select "Legal and Insurance" from the side menu.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with local veterinarians, kennels and pet stores to see if they would be interested in partnering with your new business.
• Consider operating a mobile dog grooming business for a more niche customer base. Visit the mobile grooming section PetGroomer.com website for more information.

Resources

• Visit the NDGA for certification information
• Go to DogWise.com for dog grooming resources
• Find insurance information for dog grooming