A Day in the Life of a Dog Groomer 

Dog grooming is no doubt a career choice that speaks to those who are fond of, if not slightly obsessed with, dogs of all shapes and sizes. It’s the perfect way to work up close and personal with these adorable companion animals and indulge your creative side. Not to mention get instant gratification as they leave your salon looking and feeling their best.  

Though, that doesn’t give much insight into what your local Dog Groomers actually do day in day out. The process of grooming a dog can be incredibly complex, as they all have different needs relating to their breed and individual state of health.  

Dog grooming is also physically demanding. Plus, if you run your own business, there is a lot to handle in terms of licensing, administration and making sure you have all the supplies you need to run your dog grooming business effectively.  

While there’s a lot involved, working as a Dog Groomer is highly rewarding, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Find out more about this career and if it’s the right one for you by exploring a day in the life of a professional Dog Groomer. 
 

Review Your Schedule

The first thing on your to-do list as a Dog Groomer would be to check your schedule for the upcoming day ahead. No two dogs will be the same, and depending on whether they are small or large, require specific treatments, complex styling or just a spruce up, or have behavioural issues, will dictate how long each session will be.  

In this instance, there’s no set day for a Dog Groomer. You won’t automatically see a certain number of dogs each day because some days may be filled with more complex clients, of which you will need to devote more of your time to. 

This is why it’s best to check your schedule to know what to expect and what supplies you will need. It’s also a wise idea to listen to your answering machine and check your emails in case any of your dog grooming clients have cancelled their appointment with you.  
 

Set Up Your Space

No matter if you work in a dog grooming salon, run a mobile dog grooming business, or operate out of your home, your salon space should be tidy from the clean down at the end of the previous working day. However, each day brings new clients, so you will need to get your supplies and your dog grooming kit organised, so you’re ready and raring to go.  

This can include a range of tasks like mixing shampoos to cater to the needs of each client, getting your dog grooming clippers and other tools positioned at your station, and getting your cleaning products to hand for a quick wipe down between clients.  

The last thing you want to be doing is rummaging around for the supplies you need during a treatment. This can cause you to feel flustered, which can make your dog grooming clients feel anxious. So, to avoid any negative vibes, get organised ahead of time and perhaps put on some calming music.   

The Meet and Greet 

When you’ve checked your schedule, set up your salon, organised your dog grooming table and all the other pre-treatment prep, you’re ready to open the door to your canine clients.  

Now again, don’t assume that this is the same process for every dog grooming client, and it’s not just a case of taking the lead from their owners and walking dogs through to the treatment area. Each dog grooming client will need to be assessed, any necessary paperwork will need to be filled out and you’ll need to run through the planned treatments with the owner ahead of getting started.  

For returning clients, this won’t take much time at all. You’ll have built up a relationship with the owner, know the dog’s temperament and how they need to be handled. Plus, they’re likely to be after the same grooming treatment they had last time they visited. Though, for new dog grooming clients, this all needs to be established before you can begin.  

This is something you need to factor in when you book appointments and check your schedule at the start of the day. Make sure you have ample time to meet each dog, help them get accustomed to you and the dog grooming salon itself. Then you can assess their state of health, their needs, explore any behavioural issues with their owner, verbally run through the treatment required and sign a grooming agreement.  

This is also the perfect time to collect vet details for your dog grooming clients, in the case of emergencies and if there is ever a need to raise health concerns. Once all the details have been confirmed, you’re ready to get started on the treatment!  
 

The Treatment

Now is the exciting part. This is your time to shine and transform your canine client from dishevelled to dapper through a number of tailored treatments. This is also the perfect time to snap a ‘before’ picture, to really show off the results once the process is complete. 

Prep 

First things first, you need to make sure your dog grooming clients are prepped for treatment. This requires you to complete a number of hygiene and comfort-related tasks, such as: 
 

• Clipping nails 
• Cleaning out ears 
• Trimming excess fur from footpads, around eyes etc 
• Brushing and detangling their coat 

Wash 

The next stage in the process is to thoroughly clean your clients through a dog grooming bath. This is where you will use the personalised dog shampoo mix you made up earlier, which can help dogs which specific issues relating to odour, mood, prevention of fleas and other pests.  

Dry 

Once the dog has been bathed, as a Dog Groomer, you will need to dry their coat ahead of styling it. This can be tricky as many dogs are fearful of the sound of hairdryers, so you will need to take your time and find the best approach that dogs are comfortable with.  

This part of the dog grooming process can also be rather messy, as fur really can get everywhere! Having your vacuum on hand is a great idea to keep your dog grooming space as clear as possible.  
 

Style

After you have comfortably and calmy dried your canine client, you can express your creativity through the styling stage. This is also typically the longest part of the dog grooming process. The type of breed you’re working with, and the styling preferences of the owner will dictate what needs to be done and how.  

Some dog breeds have hair or fur that grows rapidly and causes problems around their eyes, ears, nose, and bum, such as a Bichon Frise. Others, like the Puli, have unique corded coats that require specific care. In any case, your extensive knowledge of the requirements of all dog breeds will help you keep them in the best condition possible. 

This is also the ideal time to snap the ‘after’ picture. You can send this to the dog’s owner with the before picture, so they can not only see the results of your work but also share this on their social platforms – a great way to get free marketing! You can also ask permission to use these pictures on your own website and business-related social pages.  

Housekeeping

Once your canine client is looking their best, you need to quickly get prepared for the next one. Naturally, any dog grooming business owner or business manager will want to see the highest number of dogs possible per day, so you’ll need to be quick.  

The main things to focus on is sweeping and vacuuming around your station, rotating the towels, cleaning over your equipment, clearing out the brushes and oiling your dog grooming scissors.   

Onto the Next… 

Naturally, the break between clients is an ideal time to have a break yourself if this has been factored in. Once you and your dog grooming station are ready, it’s time to welcome the next client and start the process all over again. 
 

The Clean Down

Finally, it’s the end of the day and your last dog grooming client has walked out of the door. While you have been tidying up as you go, it’s time for the big clean down. This is vital to make sure your equipment is sterile, and everything is organised for the day ahead.

These tasks can include, but aren’t limited to: 
 

• Cleaning towels, drying them, and putting them away 
• Wiping down kennels and floors 
• Washing out and rinsing tubs 
• Emptying vacuums and checking filters 
• Washing and sterilising combs, brushes, and other equipment  
• Disinfecting your dog grooming station 

Another key thing to do at this point, while you are cleaning and organising your dog grooming supplies for the next day, is to check supply levels and order anything you are running low on.  

Admin

One final task for the end of your day as a Dog Groomer is to log your client details, update your books, make a record of client invoices and payments, and anything else that helps you organise your dog grooming business.  

Having an electronic system for this part of the process is an excellent way to ensure efficiency, keep your records safe and save you time. It can also make tasks like doing your own bookkeeping that much easier if you’re a self-employed Dog Groomer.  

This point in the day can also be a great time to update your social media accounts with images of the day’s activities if you didn’t get a chance to earlier on. A consistent approach to marketing your dog grooming business and a regular presence online is a great way to entice more clients to use your services. 

Finally, you’re ready to close up shop and head home, ready to do it all again tomorrow! 
 

How to be a Dog Groomer

If our account of a day in the life of a Dog Groomer has spurred you on to pursue this career, Animal Courses Direct can help you get started.  

There aren’t any specific requirements to start dog grooming jobs, as there are those that are offered without any experience required. This way, the dog grooming salon will teach you from the ground up, so you will shadow other professional Dog Groomers until you’re ready to take clients on your own. 

However, if you want to get started in dog grooming jobs or set up your own dog grooming business right away, you will need to gain the wealth of knowledge to care for dogs hygienically, safely.  

We offer a broad range of Ofqual regulated dog grooming courses that can help you get the specific skills and knowledge you need to get started. Not only will you be able to complete your studies online and work towards your new career on your terms, but you will also benefit from a set number of practical training days to get vital hands-on experience.  

With a recognised dog grooming qualification under your belt, employers and clients alike will know you are more than capable of grooming dogs professionally.  

Find out more about the courses we offer by speaking with our student support team on 01202 006 040 or by contacting us online. Otherwise, click below to view our dog grooming courses in more detail! 

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