The career of a dog groomer entails commitment and lots of effort, but for those with a passion for animals, this can be one of the best professions. Caring for dogs is not an easy task because it takes time, effort, and a lot of practice to groom them well. Some groomers gain their experience through working directly with animals. However, many first undergo a training course or an apprenticeship. Well then, how many months/years will it take to become a qualified professional dog groomer?
Formal Dog Grooming Programs
For those looking for more comprehensive training upfront, there are several routes you can take:
Dog Grooming Certificates
– Duration: 3-6 months
– Courses offer a general idea about the handling of grooming tools as well as other grooming aspects concerning dogs. These courses will help you practice basic tasks such as bathing, hair washing, brushing, nail cutting, and grooming.
Dog Grooming Diplomas
– Duration: 6 months to one year
– Besides the practical skills in some certification programs, diplomas contain other areas such as anatomy, skin care, first aid, and business.
Associate’s Degrees
– Duration: 2 years
– Dog grooming combines specific course work with a general program of study, and an Associate’s degree program entails a specific curriculum to follow. It offers the best of both worlds.
Some established grooming programs also include an internship or externship that puts the graduate under professional groomers. This lets you gain practical experience before earning your qualification, which is essential now.
Apprenticeship Route
Another potential route to becoming a dog groomer is embarking on an apprenticeship, which might take one to two years before one may begin grooming independently. It best fits learners who prefer a more practical approach to their lessons. It also depends on your experience, whereby the time taken to complete the apprenticeship training can also depend on how long it will take you to graduate from performing raw tasks to being supervised as you apply more complicated techniques.
Key Advantages:
– Use the pay-while-you-learn system while at work
– Build relationships and establish ties with other businesses and organizations in the industry
– There are no direct school fees or costs of tuition that must be paid
Downsides:
– Not as rigid as compared to structured training regimens
– Quality of training can be highly unstandardized and depends on your mentor
Continuing Education
Even if one decides to follow a particular route to get their first qualification, education is a continuous process throughout one’s lifetime. There is always a new fashion and style for grooming, new methods, and tools and equipment. Continuing education empowers an individual to continue practicing his/her trade without getting rusty.
Many groomers take specialty workshops focused on areas like:
– Styling – find out new and more advanced scissor cuts and the proper grooming of dogs of different breeds
– Health & Wellness – Know the latest skin diseases, basic emergencies, etc.
– Business Skill Development – develop your advertising, communication with customers, pricing techniques, and other business abilities
Specialty workshops let you obtain certifications after having some experience in the career. For example, the National Dog Groomers Association of America has several advanced certifications for professional groomers.
Gaining Experience
While it is essential to get a quality education, the majority of grooming customers are more concerned with the experience of the groomer. Learning how to work with dogs is not easy for most people and requires practice and time to be expert and comfortable.
New groomers can take up to 3-5 years to develop their skills and establish professional contacts. During this time, you are expected to graduate from washing the breed’s coat and shaving to more advanced styling and manage a more significant number of clients regularly.
Through hard work and perseverance to attain further education and exposure to more dogs, proficient groomers can participate in regional or national competitions and set up their grooming services.
The Bottom Line
Dog grooming is a rewarding and fulfilling career because of the direct contact with dogs, and if you have a passion for working with your hands, then there are laid down career routes to follow to become a groomer. It is common for groomers to spend at least a year in a formal grooming program or an apprenticeship before they receive their first-level certification. Following this, concentrate on experience and training to build on the strengths with which you are innately endowed. In 3-5 years of practice and experience, you can become a professional dog groomer who is highly regarded in the field.
