You would probably be really surprised at how little schooling someone actually needs in order to work as a pet groomer. In fact, there are no formal education requirements to meet in order to become a groomer. It is possible to become a groomer if you have a high school diploma and receive six to ten weeks of training through an employer’s apprenticeship program. Several states have recognized the need for licensure and are working on legislation to address this issue.
So, how do you specifically choose the right pet groomer for your pet? This decision must not be taken lightly if you want a qualified groomer taking care of your pet. Consider the following things when searching for the perfect groomer for your pet.
Are you able to visit the shop and watch the process?
Ask the pet groomer if they mind if you watch the process of them grooming a pet. Watching someone groom a pet will give you an idea of how qualified and how skilled they are. Pet grooming is not a field that demands privacy. Pets can be openly groomed. If the pet groomer denies you the ability to view their process then you can’t be fully sure of how a pet is being treated. Visiting the shop will give you a look at how the groomer works and an idea of how clean the establishment is. Another thing you can see when you visit a shop is how dogs are dried, meaning does the groomer uses drying cages, a hand dryer, or air dry. You’ll also be able to see the type of products are used on the animals.
How much experience do they have?
Experience is a big factor in choosing a pet groomer, because you want the pet to be able to be groomed properly. If you took your pet to a random person to be groomed, you do not know what that person will do to your pet physically. Plus, you don’t know what your pet will look like when it is returned.
When meeting with a potential pet groomer you may choose ask questions, such as;
- What credentials do you possess?
- How many years have you been grooming animals?
- Why did you choose to be a pet groomer?
- What type of animals or breeds have you worked with?
- What type of training do you have?
- How do you treat an anxious pet?
- What is the protocol if there is a medical emergency?
Are they a member of a professional association?
There are a number of professional associations for dog groomers. Membership in an association is not required but it offers a good number of benefits. Associations provide opportunities for networking, conferences, further education, professional shows, newsletters and more. Being a member of an association is a sign that the groomer is interested in keeping up with their industry and its issues.
Get Recommendations
Ask some of your family members and friends what pet groomer they use and what their experience has been. Close friends will be honest and tell you what they think, and will let you know if they have had a bad experience with a pet groomer.
Trust Your Gut Instinct
Choosing a pet groomer is a big decision. If you do not get a good feeling from talking to them, you don’t have to use them.
Only you truly know your pet and what is best for them. Finding the right professional to groom your pet might not seem like a big deal to some, but it is! Bathing a pet, trimming their nails, and trimming their fur requires someone that is patient, calm and skilled.
What are some of the things that you look for in a pet groomer?
I didn’t realise that pet groomers didn’t need proper credentials or training etc so that is a ig eye opener! Your right about trusting your gut, if it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t! Its also worth asking around for recommendations too!
I’m not a pet owner myself but this looks like a good guide for those that are.
These all seem like excellent tips, not least if they are members of one of the professional organisations and also how many years experience they have got. You wouldn’t want to risk something bad happening to your pet, so checking all these out must be sensible.
Fab guide, I think I’d always ask around first if I was seeking a groomer. Mich x
This is so handy. We don’t have any pets but even if we did, I wouldn’t know where to start looking when it comes to pet groomers.
I do think recommendations is so important as you’ll know if people have had positive experiences x
I just had this discussion with my neighbor. We took her to the vet for ear meds for her dog and she was telling me how great they were at pet grooming, and why.
So important to make sure you are selecting someone who knows what they are doing