What is the significance of pet grooming?
First of all, let’s look at why our pets need to be groomed in the first place. Grooming not only helps our pets to look (and smell!) their best but it also keeps them healthy. Grooming helps to ensure that our pets are clean and comfortable and also benefit from:
• Free from matted hair
• Free from painful, overgrown nails
• Detection of grass seeds (which can lead to abscess and infection)
• Detection of fleas, ticks and mites
• Reduced risk of eye, ear, skin, teeth and nail infection
• Easier vet check-ups (as your pet will be more familiar with being handled)
• Lower veterinary bills (as regular grooming can prevent disease and catch health concerns before they become an emergency)
Dog & Cat Grooming Services
We can take care of our pets basic grooming needs at home but most animals will benefit from receiving a full professional groom from time to time. For some breeds, it’s important to attend regular grooming appointments to keep them healthy. This is especially true for dogs.
What does dog grooming include?
Working in a dog grooming salon involves more than just playing with and grooming our four-legged friends – the work also involves:
• Customer care and dealing positively with any complaints• Working within health and safety requirements and legislation
• Working knowledge of canine anatomy, first aid, welfare, and health issues
• Equipment maintenance
• Assessing and planning styling requirements – including understanding breed standard styling techniques
• Confidence in canine handling techniques
• Understanding how dogs communicate
A day in the life of a Dog Groomer will start with meeting customers and discussing their wishes for their dog. Your knowledge of dog breeds will help you to advise them on the best finish for their pet pooch. You will be able to read the dog’s body language to assess how nervous or relaxed they feel. This will dictate how you work with them. You will bathe the dog and then style the dog appropriately before handing the pampered and groomed pet back to their owner. The owner (and pet) will hopefully leave with a smile! Then you will need to clean your equipment and take care of any waste from the session before moving on to your next customer. At the end of the day, you will no doubt feel tired but also satisfied at having taken good care of a number of our canine friends, helping them to feel happy and healthy and looking their best.
How much does a Dog Groomer make?
According to the National Careers Service, Dog Groomers usually earn around £13,000 as a starting salary. With experience this can increase to £20,000. You can either work in a salon or become self-employed. As a self-employed Dog Groomer, you can choose to set your own prices. In the UK, Dog Groomers charge around £20-30 on average for each treatment. At the higher end, prices can be up to £80. The amount you decide to charge for each treatment will usually depend on:
• the size of the dog• the condition of the dog’s coat
• the dog’s temperament
• where your business is based
What is the hardest part of dog grooming?
If you’re considering becoming a professional Dog Groomer it’s likely that you love being around dogs and would like to help them look their best. So, often the hardest parts of the job are the things that are not directly dog-related, but also need doing like cleaning up after a session and being aware of health and safety legislation.
Sometimes the hardest part can be getting the animal to stand still! But this is where your knowledge of dog behaviour and your relationship with the dog and owner comes in.
If you ask experienced Dog Groomers about the hardest parts of their job, they may well tell you how distressing it can be to see a dog in poor condition who is suffering. But this is where the importance of the job is really seen as you get a chance to make a real improvement to the health and wellbeing of these poor pets.
Do Dog Groomers go to dog grooming school?
Although, working as a Dog Groomer does not require specific qualifications, obtaining a recognised qualification will certainly give you the edge. Customers understandably prefer the confidence that a professionally trained Dog Groomer will give them, and reputable salons will require you to be qualified before offering you a position.
How long does it take to become a good Dog Groomer?
Qualifications can take weeks, months or even years to complete. It all depends on the level of detail included in the course and your capacity to fit studying around your schedule. Our online Level 3 Award Introduction to Dog Grooming can have you ready for entry-level dog grooming jobs quickly, whereas our Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming will get you qualified as a fully-fledged Dog Groomer, which the skills and knowledge to set up your own business, but it takes longer to complete as it's more detailed.
Where can I learn about dog grooming courses?
At Animal Courses Direct we pride ourselves in providing high-quality courses for those wanting to work with animals. Our qualifications are designed with employers in mind and are well respected within the industry. We have a range of qualifications that will help you on your way to your dream job in animal grooming.
No matter if you’re just starting out on your journey into dog grooming or whether you’d like to top up your skills or whether you’re thinking about managing your own salon – we have something to help you on your way. Pooches and their owners will feel happy with the professional service that you’ll be able to offer and you will feel pleased at the vital contribution you will make to the welfare of our beloved four-legged friends!
Also, if you adore animals, you can keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.
