Is dog grooming hard? Understandably, when you find something you want to do for the rest of your life, you ask yourself a lot of questions. For instance, you may ask: Can I really do this? Will I be successful? How do I get to where I want to be? How long will it take to get there?
Furthermore, you may also ask yourself, “How hard will it be to become a success in my industry?”
This is especially true when you’re thinking of embarking on a journey to become a professional dog groomer. After all, there’s a LOT involved, such as:
- Finding new clients;
- Dealing with anxious or aggressive dogs;
- Learning the skills you’ll need to be the best groomer you can be;
- And more!
Suffice it to say, you’ll be faced with many challenges along the way.
Basically, are you wondering if you have what it takes to face those challenges? Well, we’ll break it down for you here and now! This way, you can make the right choice for you and your future career.
So, is dog grooming hard? Let’s find out!
Pro Tip: Interested in becoming a trained, certified, and working dog groomer in as little as 6 easy steps? Our Ultimate Guide will break down everything you need to know to successfully start your dream career!
Like anything, dog grooming comes with its own unique challenges. That being said, it isn’t hard once you fully understand the skills required. From Pet First Aid, to the specific grooming requirements for different breeds and fur types, there’s a lot to consider when you’re first starting out!
Moreover, dog grooming is also a career that relies on word of mouth marketing. Once you do a great job on one client’s furry friend, you may find that all of their (human) friends are calling you up for their own appointments. Therefore, you’ll need to have a “hustle” attitude if you’re starting your own business.
Meaning: be prepared to work hard for each and every client at the beginning of your career!
Of course, working for an existing groomer or in a salon has its own challenges, too. For instance, you’ll have less control over who your clients are. So, you may have to be prepared to work with many different types of dogs from the get-go.
Get Prepared
One way to make sure you’re fully prepared to handle your new career as a dog groomer is by taking a great dog grooming course! Understanding every aspect of the dog grooming industry won’t just make you better at your job – it’ll also make you much more confident as you begin your career. Plus, with the help of a reputable grooming school, you’ll acquire all of the tools you’ll need to work with a wide variety of dogs and dog owners!
Another thing we strongly recommend is making sure you have some level of First Aid training. After all, understanding canine First Aid is another great way to feel more secure and comfortable in your new working environment. If you’re worried that dog grooming will be a hard career, one of the best things you can do is prepare as much as you can BEFORE that first official client walks through the door!
Am I Suited to a Career in Dog Grooming?
While there are challenges that come with dog grooming, it’s also an exciting, rewarding, and fun career that many people dream of having. If your idea of a perfect day involves spending a lot of time with dogs of all shapes and sizes, you’re probably on the right track to becoming a good dog groomer.
However, there are a few things that make all the difference between being a good dog groomer and being a great one. If you know for a fact that you possess the following three traits, then you’re in the perfect spot to begin a career that suits you very well!
Trait #1: Communication
You don’t have to be a total extrovert to be successful as a dog groomer. However, knowing how to communicate with your clients (both human and canine) will make a BIG difference in customer satisfaction! Thus, understand what you do as a dog groomer and be prepared to explain it – in detail – to concerned dog-parents.
For example, you know what a “puppy cut” is on a particular breed… But does your client?
Trait #2: Organization
Next, whether you’re starting your own business or working for an existing one, keeping organized will make your days much less stressful. The last thing you want is to get ready for a busy day, only to realize that you’ve booked two clients for the same time slot! In order to avoid disappointing both your clients and yourself, you should make every effort to be extremely organized.
Trait #3: Confidence
Dogs know when you’re uneasy – and people do, too. Would you trust your dog with a groomer who didn’t act like she knew what she was doing?
Yes, it’s completely normal to feel some jitters as you begin a new job (or even as you take on new responsibilities at a job you’ve had for years). But trust yourself and your knowledge! You’re the expert for a reason!
Pro Tip: Enroll in QC Pet Studies’ self-paced, online Dog Grooming Course and become a working, globally-certified International Dog Grooming Professional™ (IDGP™) in less than a year!
Challenges of Dog Grooming
Like we’ve said, dog grooming can come with pretty specific challenges. How many other careers count “trampled by puppies” as an occupational hazard?
While there are so many rewards to becoming a dog groomer, you’ll also have to grapple with some of the less-great aspects of the job. This includes things like occupational health hazards. If you’re worried about what you’ll face as a dog groomer, here are 3 of the of the most common challenges you’ll likely encounter at some point in your career…
Challenge #1: Difficult Behavior
Even if all your clients insist that their dogs are beautiful, gentle creatures who would never hurt a fly, it’s hard to tell what a dog will actually do when faced with a new and scary situation. You’ll have to go into your career as a dog groomer prepared to deal with anxious, even aggressive dogs. More importantly, you’ll need to know how to protect yourself and them.
Challenge #2: Difficult Clients
In almost any client-facing career, you’ll find more than one person behaving much worse than any of dogs you might come across! For example, they might be insisting on heavy discounts. Alternately, perhaps they’re ignoring your shop rules and/or trying to convince you to fit them in last-minute.
Whatever the situation, always be prepared to professionally (and confidently) shut down any bad behavior from clients.
Challenge #3: Erratic Schedules
Sure, you can often set your own hours as a dog groomer. But you may find that the most profitable hours don’t fit into a standard Monday to Friday model. In reality, clients are usually busy. Therefore, they really appreciate being able to take their dog to you after work or on weekends.
Rewards of Dog Grooming
Now, about those rewards we were talking about! If you’ve read about all the challenges you’ll face as a dog groomer and you feel better than ever about your career choice, you can start dreaming about all the great things that come with it!
Reward #1: Career Growth
People love to spoil their dogs – that’s just a fact! And taking them to the groomer is one way they love to do it. Meaning, the dog grooming field is only continuing to grow. In fact, we guarantee that you’ll be able to see your hard work pay off when your career begins to take off!
Reward #2: Starting Your Own Business
If you decide to start your own dog grooming business, you’ll have achieved the dream of millions of people around the world! Being your own boss and setting your own hours gives you a great deal of freedom.
Reward #3: Working with Dogs
This is probably the BIGGEST and BEST reward of being a professional dog groomer! It comes as no surprise that most people interested in dog grooming as a career get into the field because they love dogs. Chances are, YOU fall into this very category!
So, thankfully, you will actually spend a great deal of your day getting to hang out with pups of all shapes and sizes! Talk about getting paid to do what you love!
Pro Tip: Here are EVEN MORE pros and cons of becoming a dog groomer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How hard is it to learn how to groom a dog?
A: As a complete beginner, learning how to groom a dog can be challenging – but it’s worth the effort! For starters, professional grooming requires an in-depth understanding of canine anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Additionally, it also requires knowledge of products and tools used in the grooming process.
You also need specialized skill-sets, such as clipping fur and trimming nails safely. If you have access to good teachers and resources, the learning process can be significantly smoother. This is why we recommend a good dog grooming certification course (such as the one offered at QC Pet Studies), so you can pursue to increase your knowledge in this industry.
All in all, the difficulty of learning how to groom a dog depends on the individual. Some may find it easy while others may need more guidance and practice.
Q2: What qualifications do you need to be a dog groomer?
A: To become a professional dog groomer, you’ll need to acquire certain qualifications. Depending on the country or state you live in, there may be laws or regulations that require you to obtain a professional dog groomer license.
Additionally, most states will require you to have certain certifications such as:
- Pet First Aid;
- Basic grooming skills;
- And a knowledge of animal behavior.
You may also need to have an understanding in business management so that you can effectively manage your own grooming business. Having an understanding of finances, marketing, and customer service will be incredibly helpful when running a successful business. Furthermore, having good interpersonal and communication skills will help you build better relationships with clients.
Q3: Is being a dog groomer stressful?
A3: That really depends on the person and what they define as “stressful”. Many dog groomers find their job to be rewarding and enjoyable. That said, it can be tiring and physically demanding work.
Working with animals requires a lot of patience and understanding. So, it can be stressful if your furry client is not cooperative. What’s more, you may experience stress from dealing with customers or running a business.
Ultimately, the amount of stress experienced will vary depend on you and what you do (and don’t) find stressful.
Pro Tip: How much does it cost to start a dog grooming business of your very own? Find out here!
Q4: How physically demanding is dog grooming?
A4: We won’t mince words – dog grooming is a physically demanding job. You’ll need to have stamina and strength just to get through each day. Plus, you’ll also need to be able to move around quickly, as you may have multiple dogs that require your attention.
It’s also worth knowing that you may need to lift or carry heavy animals or equipment during the grooming process. As such, it’s important to be aware of your physical limitations and take breaks when needed.
Q5: Is dog grooming profitable?
A5: The short answer is: yes, dog grooming is profitable – so long as you take the right steps.
Now, the longer answer is: the profitability of dog grooming depends on a few factors. Generally, you’ll make more money as you gain experience, establish your client base, and start offering premium services. You’ll also need to carefully manage your costs for supplies and overhead in order to maximize profits.
Ultimately, the amount of money you make from grooming will depend on the dedication and effort you put into your business.
Q6: What is the HARDEST part of dog grooming?
A6: In our opinion, the hardest part about dog grooming is the physicality of it. You’ll need to be able to stand, move around, and lift both animals and equipment for long periods of time.
Additionally, some breeds or temperaments may require more skill than others. Certain procedures such as nail clipping can also be difficult if you’re inexperienced. All in all, the hardest part about dog grooming is being able to do it safely and efficiently for an extended period of time.
Q7: How long does it take to learn how to groom dogs?
A7: Okay, here’s the thing – there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It really depends on the individual and their dedication to learning. Generally, if you have no previous experience, you’ll need anywhere from six months to a year of dedicated practice in order to become proficient at grooming dogs.
Additionally, you may want to consider taking classes or earning certifications to help improve your skills and knowledge base. Investing in education is a great way to accelerate the learning process and open more professional opportunities in the future!
Q8: What is the easiest dog to groom?
A8: Most groomers would probably agree that small dogs are usually the easiest to groom. This is because they typically require less time, effort, and equipment than larger breeds. Additionally, certain breeds (such as Poodles, Bichon Frises, or Shih Tzus) may have fur that’s easier to manage and style.
That said, personal preference and opinion plays a big part, too. Therefore, the easiest dog for YOU groom will depend on YOUR own experience and the individual pet’s temperament.
Q9: How do groomers keep dogs still?
A9: Keeping dogs still while they’re being groomed can be tricky. The key is to establish trust and create a calming atmosphere for the dog. Some tips that may help include positive reinforcement methods such as:
- Verbal reassurance;
- Gentle petting;
- Focused treats;
- And distractions such as toys or music.
Additionally, many professional groomers will use specialized grooming tables with loops or harnesses to help keep dogs in place.
Pro Tip: Discover why positive reinforcement is the most popular method for successful dog training!
Q10: Can you teach yourself to groom a dog?
A10: It’s certainly possible to teach yourself how to groom a dog. That said, though, we wouldn’t recommend it. After all, dog grooming can be challenging and requires specialized techniques!
If you don’t know what you’re doing, how can you be sure that you’re a) learning it correctly, and b) learning everything you need to know?
Therefore, the best way to learn is by taking classes or getting certified if you want to pursue professional work. This will provide you with practical experience and knowledge about the craft that you won’t be able to get anywhere else!
Conclusion
So, is dog grooming hard?
We won’t lie and say it’s a piece of cake. Rather, it requires a lot of patience, hard work, and dedication. But if this is something you’re passionate about, the rewards will FAR outweigh the challenges!
Remember: whenever you start something new, you’re bound to feel nervous. Heck, you might even feel like your new career is going to be too hard for you to handle. But if you’re prepared, and you know exactly what you’re getting into, you’ll be able to handle pretty much whatever the job throws at you!
So, what are some challenges you’ve faced as a dog groomer? What do you love about your job?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below – and thanks for reading!
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