Dog Grooming Career

People who specialize in grooming, or maintaining a dog’s appearance are called dog groomers. Some groomers work in kennels, veterinary clinics, animal shelters, or pet supply stores. Others operate their own grooming business.

Groomers answer telephones, schedule appointments, discuss with clients their dogs’ grooming needs, and collect information on the dog’s disposition and its veterinarian. Groomers are often the first to notice a medical problem, such as an ear or skin infection, that requires veterinary care.

Grooming the dog involves several steps: An initial brush-out is followed by a first clipping of hair or fur using electric clippers, combs, and grooming shears; the groomer then cuts the nails, cleans the ears, bathes, and blow-dries the animal, and ends with a final clipping and styling.

Most dog groomers learn their trade by completing an informal apprenticeship, usually lasting 6 to 10 weeks, under the guidance of an experienced groomer. Prospective groomers may also attend one of the 50 State-licensed grooming schools throughout the country, with programs varying in length from 4 to 18 weeks. The National Dog Groomers Association of America certifies groomers who pass a written examination, with a separate part testing practical skills. Beginning groomers often start by taking on one duty, such as bathing and drying the dog. They eventually assume responsibility for the entire grooming process, from the initial brush-out to the final clipping. Groomers who work in large retail establishments or kennels may, with experience, move into supervisory or managerial positions. Experienced groomers often choose to open their own shops.

To obtain a listing of State-licensed grooming schools, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

• National Dog Groomers Association of America, Box 101, Clark, PA 16113.

Do you know how to groom a dog? The basics are not that hard to learn. If you start on your own dog, you can take your time with a dog who knows and trusts you.

The first thing you need to do is comb and/or brush the dog to get rid of all the loose hair. You need to do this before you give him a bath, because once the hair is wet, it is really hard to comb out the loose stuff.

Depending on the kind of dog you have, you will have to experiment with various kinds of brushes and combs until you find the right one for your dog’s type of fur. Then, give the pup a thorough brushing and get rid of as much loose hair as you can.

Then, you can start trimming. You might just want to trim the hair that does not look good, such as behind the ears, the back of the legs, etc. Often there is hair on the underside of the paws and around the paws that needs to be trimmed away too. Also cut away any hair that could get messy when the dog goes to the bathroom.

In the spring, I like to cut away a lot of hair that hangs down from the stomach and legs, so that it does not drag in the mud and get all dirty. A lot of grooming your own dog is personal preference.

If you want a fancier cut, then consult a book or website devoted to your breed of dog for details on how to achieve the cut.

Next, cut the dog’s nails. Be careful not to cut too much, or they will bleed. Have some styptic powder on hand (available from the pet store) just in case.

Now it’s time for the bath. Make sure you use a shampoo made especially for dogs, and follow the directions. If the shampoo is supposed to be diluted, then be sure you do that. A small dog can probably be bathed in a sink. Otherwise, use the tub. Don’t put in too much water and make sure it is a good temperature before you put in the dog. Close the bathroom door so the dog doesn’t escape and run all over the house!

When rinsing out the shampoo, be sure to rinse a lot, and keep rinsing over and over until all traces of shampoo are gone. It is very bad for the dog’s skin to leave traces of shampoo, and the skin could get irritated. This is the most important thing to remember when giving the bath.

Don’t do the dog’s head until you are all done with everything else, and then do it carefully. You will see why. Once a dog gets his head wet, he wants to shake and will spray water all over!

Finally, let the dog out of the tub and towel him off as much as you can. You can also try a hair dryer, but some dogs will not tolerate the noise from the dryer, so you might need to let him air dry. If it is cold outside, make sure your dog is dry before you let him out, so he doesn’t catch cold.

Once the dog is dry, brush him out again to get rid of any more hair that might have loosened, and do a final trim of any stray hairs.

Now enjoy your beautiful and clean dog. See, grooming your dog was not too hard, was it?

Bonus: Here is a video about how to groom your dog:

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By Connie Limon

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