I’ve only been a groomer for less than a year, but I have learned so much in that short amount of time!
Now, these are only based on my own opinions and experiences.
1. It is Physically Demanding
Ok, I’m not the fittest person in the world. Actually, I’m far FAR from it, but that still didn’t prepare me for all the new aches and pains I would feel being a groomer. Lifting heavy dogs into the bathing tubs, then leaning over the tubs and breaking your back, all while trying to wrestle an unruly dog to stay put.
When you have a difficult dog on the table, you’re bending your body in all sorts of ways to get the best angle that is the most comfortable for the dog.
I definitely need to put a massager on my next Christmas list. After a few more years of doing this, maybe I could apply to a haunted house as a contortionist.
2. Don’t Pay A Ton of Money For An Average School
Don’t get me wrong, school is important to show you the basics of grooming.
However, all your knowledge and expertise will come from being on the job.
You don’t need a certification to work as a groomer, but having a little experience will get you in the door.
I work with a girl who took online grooming classes, which I thought was bonkers, but she is one of the best groomers in the shop. You can also work as a bather (the one who washes, dries and prepares the dog for its haircut) and work your way up to a groomer.
If a grooming school is asking you to pay thousands of dollars, and they are only teaching you the bare basics, save your money and look into a less expensive option because you’ll learn everything you need to and more working on the job. I had to learn this lesson the hard way.
3. Dogs feel calm when you feel calm
It’s true that dogs pick up on our energy. Any exercise that helps you stay calm and zen will help you and the dog you’re working on.
It could be meditation, oils, a mantra that you say to yourself, or listening to music.
Definitely center yourself and check how you are in the moment before putting sharp and pointy things on a nervous dog.
Sometimes it takes a pup a few visits to gain their trust, but as long as you stay calm, you are guaranteed to over time.
4. Just like a hairstylist needs to understand hair texture, groomers need to understand the difference in dog’s coats
There are many different types of coats – long, like a Yorkie; short, like a pit bull, and everything in between.
For mutts, you can determine their coat type by looking and feeling it.
They regulate the dog’s temperature and protect the dog’s skin from the outside world, so it is very important to properly care for them. Each coat type requires different care and maintenance.
5. It Is Not Uncommon As a Beginner to Accidentally Clip a Dog, So Be Kind to Yourself
It was becoming a running joke in my shop that if I didn’t clip a dog, then something was off with me. I have had my fair share of cutting quicks, and paw pads and yes, once or twice I have caught a poor dog’s skin in my clippers.
I still cut a quick and pad on occasion, but thankfully the incidents have gotten few and far between. The important thing is to stay calm and immediately call a supervisor over, so they can assess and assist with the nic.
Thankfully, my boss is awesome and never made me feel bad about it.
I would get so down on myself that she had to actually yell at me to be kinder to myself. I finally got the memo, and I’m a better groomer for it.
Also, it is important to be up front and honest with the owner of the dog about what happened, than for them to discover it themselves.
They will appreciate the honesty, and it won’t come as a shock when they see it for themselves.
6. More Expensive Doesn’t Always Mean Better
It’s no secret that dog grooming equipment can be expensive.
However, just because it’s expensive, doesn’t mean it works better.
I found this to be the case in shears especially.
I’ve worked with fancy shears that run between $200-$400 and the shears that I’ve been working with every day that run about $40.
I can’t say that the pricier ones made the finished work look better than the cheaper ones. To be honest, it looked the same.
Maybe that has to do with where I am as a groomer at this moment, but I have heard similar statements from more experienced groomers as well.
I think how good a product is and works for you will lie in research and customer reviews, as well as trial and error.
This is just what I’ve observed so far.
Who knows if my opinion will change down the line.
Each brand is made differently, and I have only tried just a handful of them.
7. There is Always Something to Learn
This is something I just realized as a beginner groomer.
I used to think that one day I’d just “get it”, that everything would fall into place, and I’d be at the top of my game.
I don’t think I will ever get to that point because grooming is forever evolving.
There is always a new technique to try, new studies to focus on, and new ways to enrich your career!
8. Dog Baths are Nicer Than The Ones We Give Ourselves
At my shop, dogs get treated with a blueberry scented facial, we have a variety of soaps to choose from.
Which one we use depends on the dog’s coat and skin. They get a massage while we work the lather in.
If the customer opted for teeth gel, we’ll put that along their gum line to help their oral health and freshen their breath.
Finally, comes the blow-dry, fluff and style.
However, not all dogs appreciate this process as much as a human would, but if I come back to another life as a dog I will definitely look forward to my salon baths.
9. Dog Grooming is Harder than Human Hairstyling and Doesn’t Pay as Well
The average dog haircut is about $65.
Of course, this price varies if the dog is small or big, and how much extra work needs to be put into them.
Still, this isn’t much considering how much goes into grooming.
Groomers make less than hairstylists, and dog grooming takes twice as long.
Also, I don’t think hairstylists have to touch their client’s feet or butts.
10. Working with Cute Dogs is Just as Much Fun as You Think It Is
It is so cool that my job lets me hang out with four legged cutie pies all day.
Sometimes it can be a little distracting because they’re just so darn precious!
If I come into work upset about something, it doesn’t take long for these pups to brighten my day. It honestly doesn’t get any better than that.
It’s pretty rewarding to pamper the dogs and make the human client happy. They drop off their stinky dog and go home with a good smelling fluff ball.
