How to Find a Dog Grooming School

More and more people are changing their careers, trying to shape a new workday around a love of animals. Dog grooming is becoming a popular way to start your own business and make money doing something you love. If you are ready to take the first step towards a career in dog grooming, it is time to look for a dog grooming school.

Instructions

1. If you are not ready, financially or emotionally, to leave your current job, look for a dog grooming school that offers flexible class schedules, even on nights and weekend.

2. If you really want to complete a dog grooming course on your own time, look for an online correspondence course such as "Basics and Beyond." This program offers certificates that are honored nationwide and can be completed in around 300 hours (12-16 weeks on average). They provide texts and DVDs, and breed tests are done through pictures and explanations. Once you graduate, you will be qualified to work in a pet shop, clinic, or your own business. However, the downside is that you have to do all of the leg work and spend the money to find dogs to practice and test on. Furthermore, you do not get personalized, individual instruction.

3. If you want a hard-core dog grooming school that you can finish as soon as possible with a high quality experience, look for one that supplies pets, does not require you to share them with other students, does not require you to bath dogs for the duration of the program, and provides a great deal of professional practice and instruction. Some dog grooming schools even offer student housing and visas for international students.

4. If you are serious about finding work in the dog grooming business, ask potential dog grooming schools what kind of track record they have for job placement and if you can speak with recent graduates of the program. If you are interested in opening your own business, does the dog grooming school offer instruction on running a grooming business in addition to actual grooming?

5. Consider tuition involved for any possible dog grooming schools. Does the school include equipment or help you find it at reasonable prices? The school might be able to give you suggestions on how to get tuition help as a veteran or a loan through a bank.

6. Once you decide what qualifications you are looking for in a dog grooming school, consult a dog grooming school directory (see resources below) for possibilities near you. Narrow down your choices according to the options that are most important to you.

Resources

• Directory of Dog Grooming Schools