A career in dog grooming?

Dog Grooming Career

Whether you are completely new to the industry and would like to find out about a career in dog grooming or are currently grooming and looking for a course to suit your experience, Smart pets have something for everyone.

Dog grooming is a rewarding career and a growing industry with more and more dog owners taking advantage of the services offered by grooming salons. There are approximately 3,000 grooming salons, the majority of which are individual premises, and increasing numbers are part of other pet-related establishments such as pet shops, garden centres, boarding and breeding kennels. Some are even branching into cat grooming and there are also mobile groomers who visit the animals in their own homes.

Dog grooming business options:

Home-based business: Dog grooming is very flexible. For example, you can start with a home-based business, working from your garage or spare room. That means lower costs - so it's a great way to start.

It's also good for your clients because many of them might come from your own neighbourhood. You're able to provide a much calmer atmosphere at home for their pets than you could in a commercial building.

But we also tell you about how to get permission from your local authority, so you stay on the right side of the law.

Mobile grooming: Alternatively, you can set up a mobile grooming business in a van. This is an excellent way to meet the needs of customers, at low cost. There are many senior citizens who can't get out of their homes, and whose pets desperately need grooming.

You can drive to their home, set up in the driveway and in just an hour have their pet looking its best. That way you provide a very convenient service. In addition, the dog is happier because he didn't have to go to a strange place and be placed in a cage all day waiting to be picked up. We provide training for the Mobiledogwash who can offer franchisees for those intrested in this type of business. see www.mobiledogwash.ie

Your own store: But if you've always dreamed of a store front , you can do that as well a high street salon or be part of a pet shop or vet clinic are other options.

WHATS INVOLVED?

With the many types of coat that each breed of dog has, so each breed will have different grooming requirements which all require specialist skills and techniques in their preparation. The work involves bathing, shampooing, drying and clipping, trimming and brushing a variety of long and short coated dogs.

Dog groomers need to be manually dextrous with good eye-to-hand co-ordination and a good eye for detail. An artistic flair also helps. A love of animals is essential, and a great deal of patience is required with a firm but gentle way of handling the dog.

Good customer service is an important part of the job, as are good communication skills to explain the work effectively to dog owners.

Despite all of the hard and physical work, there are great moments as well. It's kind of fun getting wet when the dog can't resist the urge to shake himself in the bath. And nothing is nicer than a happy dog giving you a sloppy kiss when you've finished grooming him.

If you set up your own business..........

As your own boss, you don't have to go clock in with a boss each day. Even if you choose to work in a business with other groomers, you're often free to come and go as you please because you're still in control of your own schedule. Other dog groomers know the type of flexibility that you're looking for in this type of job, and they respect that. Many people work part-time from home or as and when they want which suits may people with young families or other commitments.

You can take on as many pets as you want in a day, depending on how much money you want to make.

The dog grooming business is your business, so the more you choose to work the more you earn. You can work as many or as few hours as you wish, it's up to you. You can work 9-5 if you want, and you'll never have to worry about it being boring.

Either way, you're in control of your schedule and your salary, and there's nothing better than that.

And you definitely don't have to worry about meeting a boss's expectations, because you're in control of your destiny.

IS THERE MUCH COMPETITION?

When you drive around your local area you'll see a few people who are already in the dog grooming business. But have you ever called and tried to get a pet into one of these busy places?

It's often impossible without making an appointment weeks in advance! There are simply not enough dog groomers to go around. Most groomers who do a proper job can only groom from 5-8 dogs on there own a day. There is always a vacancy out there for good quality groomers.

How much will it cost to set up a business?

On average you will be require at least £2,000-£3,000 for equiptment and business set-up. + your training. We reccommend you have a reserve of £5-£8,000 for intial training, equiptment and business set-up. Depending on the size of business and breeds you are going to groom fo example if you are only going to groom part-time a few small-medium dogs you could get away with adapted household baths/static tables etc and this would cost you much less than someone who is going to groom all breeds that will need a walk in bath/ electric table etc.

We have developed special business start packages and negotiated discounts with suppliers and can advise you on set-up and design of your salon.

We can also help you with a name, logo and company website. Please see our grooming supplies website at www.k9smartgroom.co.uk

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS There are three main routes into training, either by a fee-paying course at a private Grooming Training Centre or Further Education College, or by learning the skills on-the-job working with an experienced qualified groomer. You should ensure that your training will be delivered by tutors who are qualified and hold the City and Guilds Dog Grooming Certificate 7750, and preferably have achieved or are working towards the British Dog Groomers’ Association Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming. *City & Guilds/NPTC Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants The qualification is aimed at people coming into the industry and can be achieved as a stand-alone qualification for students or staff wishing to gain an accredited certificate or as a progression route for students thinking of achieving the City and Guilds/NPTC Level 3 Certificate and Diploma and further progression to the British Dog Groomers’ Association Higher Diploma.