El Paso Requires Dog Groomer Certification as of January 1st

For dog lovers such as ourselves, thinking of the worst-case scenario can be a difficult thing to do. But all the same, it needs to be done. There are countless groomers out there who have never gotten professionally trained or earned their dog groomer certification. While most of the time, this doesn’t have catastrophic consequences – it also sometimes does.

This should be common sense. As a dog groomer, you’re working with potentially dangerous tools. Your client is quite literally putting their pet’s safety into your hands. Without a proper dog groomer certification – and the level of training that comes with it – mistakes can all too easily be made. When the wrong mistake is made, a trip to the groomer can quickly become fatal.

Such was the case this past August, when an ill-equipped dog groomer in El Paso, Texas, caused a 16-week-old Shi Poo puppy named Luccas to lose his life.

What Caused This Deadly Incident?

Leobardo Nava was a dog groomer for Happy Paws Dog Grooming. He also didn’t have a dog groomer certification or any specialized training. While handling his client’s puppy (known as Luccas), Nava allegedly grabbed Luccas by the neck in an aggressive manner. Afterwards, Luccas demonstrated signs of pain when he tried to walk. He was unable to eat or drink anything upon returning home. The poor pup died not long after.

Upon investigation, it was determined by police officials that Luccas’ lungs were “full of blood” and that he’d died of a “pulmonary edema, caused by the stress of the accident”.

The Aftermath

Nava was swiftly arrested and charged with one count of Cruelty to Animals under Texas law. Happy Paws Dog Grooming of El Paso – who had suspiciously demanded that Luccas’ owners pay for their appointment in cash, and ‘couldn’t print [them] a receipt’ – has since closed their doors and taken down their Facebook page.

The real aftermath, however, is the change in legislation that El Paso is now putting into place. Prior to this incident, people were not required to obtain special training or obtain a dog groomer certification in order to get licensed. However, this will no longer be the case come 2021.

Starting January 1^st, anyone in El Paso who wishes to be a dog groomer will be required to get reputable training. It will also become mandatory to obtain a dog groomer certification in order to become licensed and work professionally. Furthermore, this new legislation will require grooming shop owners to conduct thorough background checks on any potential hires.

Council also voted to “expand restrictions on the use of dog restraints” and implement a certain set of standards regarding animal care within grooming businesses.

We, for one, think it’s about time.

Why A Dog Groomer Certification Should Be Mandatory

In a perfect world, ALL aspiring groomers would need to obtain a reputable dog groomer certification before entering the industry. Calling yourself a dog groomer doesn’t automatically make you one. This is a profession that relies heavily on subject-matter expertise. It requires knowledge that can only be obtained through proper training and education.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t hand a self-proclaimed ‘Doctor’ a scalpel if you knew they’d never been to medical school, would you?

(We seriously hope the answer to this is “no”.)

As a groomer, your job involves dealing with another living, breathing life. It cannot be stressed enough that only those who know exactly what they’re doing should be allowed to have this level of responsibility. Otherwise, disaster can occur at any second, regardless of how prepared you think you are.

It’s probably safe to assume that you want to be a dog groomer because you love dogs. If so, then you owe it to them to be as prepared as possible!

10 Reasons You Should Earn Your Dog Groomer Certification Through QC Pet Studies

It’s difficult to narrow down all the reasons why you should pursue your professional training through QC, but we’ll do our best! Here are 10 of the best perks you’ll find when you enroll in our Dog Grooming Course:

1. The program is 100% self-paced and you get a full 2 years to complete your course!
2. Your classes are online, so you can train from anywhere in the world!
3. As part of your course, you’ll be provided with your very own set of professional grooming tools!
4. When you enroll in this course, we’ll give you our First Aid for Groomers Course – absolutely FREE!
5. Complete hands-on assignments that will give you ample field practice!
6. Learn everything there is to know about dog behavior, grooming techniques, breed requirements, products and tools, and so much more!
7. Receive extensive business training so you can launch your very own company after graduating!
8. Receive an International Dog Grooming Professional (IDGP) certification plus a First Aid for Groomers certificate upon completion of your courses!
9. QC’s tutors are Certified Master Groomers with decades of experience in the industry!
10. You’ll be training at a school that has been pioneering the e-learning experience since 1984 and holds an A+ ranking from the Better Business Bureau!

Do YOU agree that all groomers should need to have a dog groomer certification in order to legally work? Tell us why or why not in the comments below!

This Black Friday, get $200 OFF your tuition when you enroll in QC’s leading online Dog Grooming Course!