How to become a dog groomer

What is a dog groomer?

A dog groomer is someone that works with dogs and carries out a range of tasks, including cleaning them and improving their hygiene and overall appearance.

Dog groomer jobs are ideal for anyone that is interested in dogs or animals in general, as it’s a fulfilling profession that involves spending time caring for dogs and maintaining their appearance, hygiene and cleanliness, and overall health and wellbeing.

Regular grooming is essential for keeping dogs healthy and is considered one of the most important parts of caring for a dog – and it’s something many owners outsource.

Dog groomers help with numerous aspects of this, like bathing and shampooing fur, cleaning ears, drying, trimming, styling fur, and clipping nails to make sure dogs are clean and presentable.

They will need to speak to clients and listen to their needs so they can groom dogs according to the breed of the dog and the customer’s preferences. They will also need to ask the right questions to find out about the dog’s medical history, temperament, and age.

Another key role performed by a dog groomer is to keep an eye out for any potential health concerns. They will often perform basic health checks and look for cuts, swelling, signs of parasites, or infections in the dog.

Dog groomers can work in a variety of places. Many will work in a small store, salon or boutique, with others choosing a larger chain. They can also be employed by a veterinary practice or work on a self-employed basis, which means visiting people’s homes.

This job is usually full-time, with most dog groomers working 35 to 40 hours per week. There is also the option to work part-time or flexibly, especially if working as a self-employed dog groomer, as some clients will require evening or weekend appointments.

Personal qualities of a dog groomer

Dog groomers need certain characteristics to be successful in the job. Some of these are:

• Strong communication skills to discuss a dog’s needs with its owner
• A keen interest in animals, and especially in dog
• Being patient and calm to make sure dogs are comfortable in the grooming process
• Physical stamina – this is a demanding job that involves standing for most of the day
• Strong attention to detail when cleaning dogs and carrying out checks
• Being flexible and open to change when necessary
• Having the ability to stay calm in stressful situations – this is essential with dogs that are nervous or have certain temperaments, as they need to be kept calm
• The ability to work well with their hands and complete grooming tasks to a high standard
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to accept criticism
• Basic knowledge of technology to carry out basic tasks on a computer or other device

What a dog groomer does

A dog groomer is responsible for making sure a dog is clean and tidy, with a lot of focus on their fur, ears, and nails – as well as performing basic health checks and other tasks.

It’s important that they communicate clearly with their client, to begin with, so they know exactly how they want the dog to be groomed. After this, they will inspect the dog and decide which tools and techniques would be most suitable to meet the client’s expectations.

They will then clean the dog and groom them as needed, always considering the dog’s temperament. Some dogs can become nervous or skittish, while others will be naturally calmer. It’s important for dog groomers to be aware of this and behave accordingly.

As dog grooming can be messy at times, groomers also need to take responsibility for cleaning their work area so it’s hygienic and tidy, and ready for the next client.

This is a job that can include a wide range of responsibilities. A dog groomer’s day-to-day schedule can include tasks like:

• Greeting clients and discussing how they want their dog to be groomed
• Understanding the grooming standards for different breeds and adhering to this
• Preparing dogs for bathing and managing the dog’s behaviour
• Shampooing and drying a dog’s coat
• Trimming a dog’s coat using scissors or other tools
• Shaping a dog’s coat with tools like electric clippers or a stripping knife
• Checking for parasites, signs of infection, sores, and other common disorders
• Speaking to clients and giving advice on how to groom dogs at home
• Basic admin tasks, updating records, and answering phone calls
• Cleaning and tidying work areas and sanitising equipment

Dog grooming can be a stressful profession at times. It can involve dealing with difficult or demanding clients, as well as dogs with a range of temperaments. It’s important that dog groomers are able to adapt to the client and their dog to provide a great service.

Despite being physically and emotionally demanding, dog grooming can be an incredibly fulfilling career that helps dogs stay clean, healthy, and happy.

How much does a dog groomer earn?

The amount of money dog groomers earn depends on their experience and where they work. Higher-end salons and luxury boutiques usually pay higher salaries than small businesses.

However, dog owners are becoming much more willing to spend more on their dogs. It’s predicted that the pet grooming market will grow by 4.7% by 2025, which means plenty of opportunities for anyone thinking of becoming a dog groomer in the coming years.

At the moment, according to Indeed.com, the average hourly wage for a dog groomer is £10.11 in the UK. This varies depending on experience and location. For example, in London, dog groomers earn approximately £12,75 per hour, and in Birmingham, it’s £9.61 per hour.

Figures from Glassdoor show a similar pattern. Their research shows that the average dog groomer salary in the UK is £22,930. The lowest reported salary was £13,000 a year, and the highest was £39,000 for more experienced dog groomers or those in senior positions.

Dog groomers that go down the apprenticeship route will receive £4.30 per hour if they are under 18. Anyone 19 or over will receive £4.30 per hour in their first year and the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age group after this.

Another option for dog groomers is to work on a self-employed basis. This can be more profitable than working as an employee, but it’s also higher risk and less stable.

In the UK, 33% of households have a pet dog, and many are willing to spend more money on them to ensure they are treated properly and are healthy, happy, and taken care of.

This means that a mobile grooming business can earn more money, in some cases, than working for a company. A lot of clients prefer to use mobile groomers, as they visit people’s homes and this stops dogs from becoming stressed from visiting a strange place.

Becoming a self-employed groomer is an opportunity for more independence and income. In the UK, most dog groomers charge £20 – £30 per treatment, with some charging as much as £80. The prices will also depend on the location, the type of dog, and the treatment that’s required.

One of the downsides of this is that it can be expensive to purchase equipment, such as a grooming table, clippers, scissors, brushes, clippers, a bath, dryer, shampoo and conditioner, towels, and other tools.

There are also other things to consider, like registering as self-employed with HMRC, arranging professional insurance like professional and employer liability, managing and tracking finances, completing self-assessments, and managing clients’ appointments.

However, most of these costs, including travel costs, equipment, and insurance, can be claimed as business expenses when completing a tax return with HMRC.

Qualifications needed for a dog groomer

There are no specific entry requirements for becoming a dog groomer. However, there are businesses that offer trainee programs and there are some qualifications that can help applicants to stand out when applying for positions or attending job interviews.

Here’s how to become a dog groomer:

Enrolling in a college course in dog grooming is one of the most popular routes into the industry, and these courses are available at colleges and private training centres in the UK.

Some of these courses include

• Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants
• Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming
• Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma in Dog Grooming

The entry requirements for these courses vary depending on the college, but students usually need at least 2 GCSEs or an equivalent level 2 course, or 5 GCSEs or a level 3 course to enroll on a level 4 diploma course.

Some students enrolling on these courses are entitled to additional support such as Learner Support, the Residential Support Scheme, an Advanced Learning Loan, or the 16-19 Bursary Fund.

These are available for those on lower incomes, the unemployed,  and young people who meet certain requirements from a Jobcentre or local college or training provider.

Alternatively, dog grooming positions are sometimes available on an apprenticeship scheme. There are no set entry requirements for this, but apprenticeships require GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study, and apprentices work as an employee, earning a wage and working alongside experienced staff. They gain job-specific skills as they work and take part in a training or study program alongside this.

A third option is to learn on the job by starting as an assistant with a You could start as an assistant with a qualified and experienced dog groomer. On the job training is one of the most popular routes, as it means gaining experience with dogs.

To stand out before applying for positions, some applicants choose to volunteer and gain experience with dogs in kennels or other facilities. Opportunities to volunteer can be found at the Dogs Trust or Do-IT.

Other ways to stand out include taking part in private training college through accredited organisations, or taking online courses to show a keen interest in the role.

On the job training

Dog grooming is a rapidly growing industry and there is increasing demand for services. This provides lots of opportunities for career progression.

There are plenty of exciting career paths and chances to build skills within the industry, depending on the person’s career goals, interests and strengths.

Many dog groomers continue to move their career forwards by progressing to a senior stylist or salon manager by learning on the job and continuing their professional development. There are also opportunities to pass on these skills by becoming a dog grooming teacher.

There are also opportunities for further study in areas like animal first aid, animal behaviour, dog health, or animal welfare, or to pursue more advanced study and training in dog grooming itself.

Learning about dog breeds can be hugely helpful for career progression, as different breeds have different needs, and this knowledge can help dog groomers in their careers.

Learning CPR and first aid is also an important part of training, and it’s recommended that dog groomers take part in animal CPR and first aid training. This teaches how to check for vital signs, what to do in emergency situations, and preventative care strategies.

Some dog groomers also progress their careers by moving to a veterinary practice or kennels to work with rescue dogs. This can be one of the most rewarding career paths, although it can be stressful.

Rescue dogs are often in need of professional care before being rehomed, and this is an opportunity for knowledgable dog groomers who can stay calm under pressure to develop their skills and gain experience in a more challenging field.

Dog groomers can also progress by turning their skillset into their own business. This could be a freelance mobile business or their own shop, depending on the stage they are at.

Doing this can help more experienced dog groomers build a higher income and develop their own client base. It can also mean more flexibility and the chance to learn the skills needed for running a business, like marketing, dealing with accounts, and managing a customer base.

Professional bodies

There are no official requirements for dog groomers to join a professional body. However, they can improve their skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends by joining the British Dog Groomers’ Association, which is part of the Pet Industry Federation.

This organisation represents members by providing education, training and support. More information on the benefits of joining can be found in the member benefits section.

Dog groomers who are self-employed aren’t required to gain a specific license, but they need to be aware of health and safety laws in the UK, as this is the business owner’s responsibility.

This includes the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which means dog groomers have a duty of care to dogs to protect against pain or injury. They also need to comply with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), which restricts the use of potentially harmful chemicals.