Thinking of becoming a Dog Groomer....any advice?

JShields · 02-17-2005, 06:16 PM

Hi everyone! I'm Jamelle Shields from Virginia..........really thinking of taking online classes to become a Dog Groomer. Any Groomers out there want to share any horror stories?? I grew up with lots of animals and have a heart for dogs especially. We have a Standard Poodle named Chloe and currently I am a stay at home mom of two. If you could do it again--would you still have become a Dog Groomer?

Any advice welcome!
JShields

Crossfire Bulldogs · 02-17-2005, 06:24 PM

Hello and welcome! I'm afraid I can't give you any advice on being a dog groomer but I'm sure that some of our full time and part time groomers here will be more than happy to answer your questions.

ChiChi · 02-17-2005, 07:03 PM

WELCOME!! i am a dog WALKER, so i can help you on this one... but WELCOME!! so nice to have you!

sunny98 · 02-17-2005, 10:13 PM

Hi and Welcome! I use to work in a grooming kennel and it was a lot of fun. I never completely learned the trade of grooming but I did do some. One thing I can tell you is that you will end up with dog hair in places you didn't think dog hair could get into! LOL Good luch and keep us posted.

linnie · 02-18-2005, 02:10 AM

Hi glad to have you aboard... know nothing about grooming though.

fireworksinjuly · 02-18-2005, 10:54 AM

welcome...glad to have you here

I am not a gromer, but as an owner of a dog that needs grooming a lot I have slowly learned a few things from him...

I have to say your idea for online classes might be good for a short while but the only ways you will truly learn is by experience.
(i.e. I can read online for hours on how to drive a space ship, but that doesn’t mean I could do it in real life or would be qualified to do it.)

Your best bet would be to find a groomer in your area that will let you shadow him/her and assist him/her...he/she will soon let you groom a dog.

Practicing on your poodle won’t get you enough variety experience, a poodle’s hair is very different then a Samoyeds and they require very different types of grooming.

elegy · 02-18-2005, 07:18 PM

i worked for a groomer for awhile. i only did baths/brush-outs but it was hard work. i don't think i could groom for a living. my back and hands couldn't take it. but i did very much enjoy grooming the mini poodle i had.

i agree with fireworksinjuly- your best bet is to find a working groomer who will allow you to learn from them. i really think grooming needs to be learned in a hands-on manner, not from an online course.

B.B.'s mom · 02-18-2005, 09:35 PM

i think its great that you want to be a dog groomer. and if you have the time, i know that dogs that are in bad need of grooming are often killed at shelters because they don't a groomer on staff( soo unfair) and that would be a great service you could do in your spare time. when i was a kid we had a mobile groomer that would come to the house and groom the dog in a camper-like vehicle, which was less stressful on the dog and a good business for the groomer..good luck to you jshields!

02-17-2005, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
JShields Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 67	Thinking of becoming a Dog Groomer....any advice? Hi everyone! I'm Jamelle Shields from Virginia..........really thinking of taking online classes to become a Dog Groomer. Any Groomers out there want to share any horror stories?? I grew up with lots of animals and have a heart for dogs especially. We have a Standard Poodle named Chloe and currently I am a stay at home mom of two. If you could do it again--would you still have become a Dog Groomer? Any advice welcome! JShields
JShields Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 67

02-17-2005, 06:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 282	Hello and welcome! I'm afraid I can't give you any advice on being a dog groomer but I'm sure that some of our full time and part time groomers here will be more than happy to answer your questions.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

02-17-2005, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChiChi Sheltie Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina YEEHAW! Posts: 1,439 Rep Power: 105	WELCOME!! i am a dog WALKER, so i can help you on this one... but WELCOME!! so nice to have you!
	__________________ Owned by Brody the sheltie "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." --Ben Williams

02-17-2005, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 96	Hi and Welcome! I use to work in a grooming kennel and it was a lot of fun. I never completely learned the trade of grooming but I did do some. One thing I can tell you is that you will end up with dog hair in places you didn't think dog hair could get into! LOL Good luch and keep us posted.
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

02-18-2005, 02:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 169	Hi glad to have you aboard... know nothing about grooming though.
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

02-18-2005, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
fireworksinjuly Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,585 Rep Power: 140	welcome...glad to have you here I am not a gromer, but as an owner of a dog that needs grooming a lot I have slowly learned a few things from him... I have to say your idea for online classes might be good for a short while but the only ways you will truly learn is by experience. (i.e. I can read online for hours on how to drive a space ship, but that doesn’t mean I could do it in real life or would be qualified to do it.) Your best bet would be to find a groomer in your area that will let you shadow him/her and assist him/her...he/she will soon let you groom a dog. Practicing on your poodle won’t get you enough variety experience, a poodle’s hair is very different then a Samoyeds and they require very different types of grooming.
	__________________ To See Our Story and Help See That All Babies Be Born Healthy- http://www.Walkamerica.org/SophiaFairchild

02-18-2005, 07:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
elegy American Pit Bull Terrier Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 107	i worked for a groomer for awhile. i only did baths/brush-outs but it was hard work. i don't think i could groom for a living. my back and hands couldn't take it. but i did very much enjoy grooming the mini poodle i had. i agree with fireworksinjuly- your best bet is to find a working groomer who will allow you to learn from them. i really think grooming needs to be learned in a hands-on manner, not from an online course.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

02-18-2005, 09:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
B.B.'s mom malti-poo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 112 Rep Power: 74	i think its great that you want to be a dog groomer. and if you have the time, i know that dogs that are in bad need of grooming are often killed at shelters because they don't a groomer on staff( soo unfair) and that would be a great service you could do in your spare time. when i was a kid we had a mobile groomer that would come to the house and groom the dog in a camper-like vehicle, which was less stressful on the dog and a good business for the groomer..good luck to you jshields!

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