There are many benefits to regular pet grooming, not least of which is helping the animal feel good.

For any pet owner, regular grooming can not only enhance the animal’s appearance but improve health and disposition.

Pets just look better when their fur is neatly cut and styled, especially certain breeds that tend to shed or grow hair rapidly. Healthy coats do not shed as much. Dogs and cats will also feel more comfortable during hot summer months when they’ve had a good trim. Nail clipping reduces damage to furniture and floors, but just as important it also reduces the risk of an animal developing bone deformities or bad posture.

Better hygiene and a nicer smell are additional benefits of pet grooming. A good scrubbing and shampoo gets rid of body odor, as well as dead skin, dirt and oils that can contribute to pet smells.

While groomers work on a pet they can be on the alert for the presence of ticks and fleas. Regular bathing and hair cutting will help prevent these annoying and potentially dangerous insects from harming a pet.

Because groomers are trained in working with different dog and cat breeds, they are also in a position to notice any unusual growths or skin changes on the animal. Early detection and treatment can prevent many illnesses.

All of these benefits that come with pet grooming can be easily adapted into your marketing efforts as a professional groomer. Help people understand that grooming is not a luxury but an essential part of pet care will ensure you have steady business for years to come.

If you love animals and enjoy helping them feel good while improving their overall health, a career as a pet groomer may just be your calling. Read on to discover what’s involved in becoming a professional pet groomer.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as a pet groomer
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for pet groomers
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

Pet groomers average $16 an hour, according to a recent survey of groomers by ZipRecruiter. Some pet groomers may set their fees for specific services, such as cutting and shaping fur, trimming nails, shampoos, brushing and more. A skilled groomer working steadily can care for 6-7 pets a day. At $16 an hour, a pet groomer can expect to earn an average salary of $30,720 a year.

Training and Certification

You could, if you wish, start a pet grooming business this week. All you absolutely need is a business license to operate a company in your state as well as any local permits governing animal care services. But to attract customers and impress potential employers, you’ll need professional certification as a pet groomer and that will involve training. A high school diploma or GED is also expected.

Training programs can run from as little as 2 weeks to 4 or 5 months, with costs starting at around $300. This is usually followed by an apprenticeship working under a professional pet groomer for 2-3 months.

Some of what you’ll learn in a training program for pet grooming:

• Haircutting techniques using both scissor and electric clippers
• Nail clipping
• Efficient bathing and shampooing
• Fur styling
• An overview of different breeds of dogs and cats to better understand their temperaments
• How to keep animals calm and comfortable while grooming them
• Basic business skills associated with running a pet grooming business

Look for a training program endorsed by either the National Dog Groomers Association of America or International Professional Groomers Inc. Both are widely recognized in the industry and a certification approved by either of these organizations can open many doors for you in pet grooming.

Here is an extensive listing of pet groomer schools and training programs for you to review. All contact information for each school or program is included.

Professional Groups to Join

Show your customers and potential employers you are dedicated to your career by joining a professional group. These affiliations look great on your resume and website. You can also frame and display membership certificates at your pet grooming facility. In addition to the promotional value, professional memberships enable you to network with others in your field, exchange ideas and share job leads.

The National Dog Groomers Association of America works with groomers to promote professionalism and education in order to upgrade the image of the pet grooming profession. Their goal is to unite groomers, encourage communication with colleagues, set grooming standards and to offer groomers seeking a higher level of professional recognition the opportunity to have their skills certified.

Annual membership is $40 and comes with many benefits, including access to liability insurance at group rates, your business listing on the association’s online directory (helps customers find you), continuing education programs, a newsletter and more.

International Professional Groomers Inc. educates, certifies and accredits professional pet groomers and caretakers. Groomers and pet care workers with membership who complete annual continuing education and follow the “IPG Code of Ethics” can maintain their certifications and educational endorsements. Annual membership is $97.

You can also consider joining any of dozens of informal networking groups where professional groomers meet online to discuss the industry, share styling tips and techniques, and enjoy being part of a group that shares their passion. You can review many of these groups in this comprehensive list.

Employment

You’ll find jobs for pet groomers at pet-care centers, both national chains and independently owned facilities, as well as large veterinary practices that offer grooming on-site. Make copies of your resume and professional credentials in advance so you’ll have them ready.

Also check online job-search services like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. You can set up notifications on these sites to receive email alerts about openings that match your location.

Finding Clients

To succeed as a pet groomer you need steady business. Grooming one or two animals a week is not going to cover your expenses, much less produce a profit.

In a perfect world, you’ll get repeat customers and new people making grooming appointments for their pets. This will help you stay busy.

To begin, you’ll need business cards and a website for marketing your boarding services. Your website should include pictures of your facility and staff working with different pets, a list of the services you provide, as well as your location and contact information, which must be clearly visible at the top of every page on your site. The upper right-hand corner is a good spot for your location, phone number and email, but wherever you display this information it must be in the same place on every page. Search engines scan this information to match your website geographically with people searching for pet boarding.

Other ways to grow your business:

Attend pet shows

This is where you will find the perfect gathering of potential customers – people showing off their pets. Many of these individuals may already be working with a groomer, but go to shows anyway. You can make friends, circulate your business cards and alert your target market to your availability.

Veterinarian Referrals

Contact local veterinarians and cultivate friendly business relationships with them. Dog owners routinely ask their vets about other pet needs, including grooming. A vet’s referral is gold.

Partner with Local Shelters or SPCA

This immediately gets your business in front of people who are adopting pets. Your partnership can be as simple as dropping off advertising flyers and business cards at the local shelter or SPCA. Volunteering for an hour or two each month can build goodwill.

Partner with Independent Pet Stores

Small business owners know that their success often depends on working cooperatively with other service providers in the community. Concentrate on pet stores that sell organic animal food, specialty chew toys and other pricey items that tend to attract more affluent customers. These are more often people with disposable income who lead busy lives and have the money to pay for professional pet grooming.

Good to know

Marketing a pet grooming business doesn’t need to take up all or even most of your time – even when you’re just getting started.

Follow the tips above to be proactive in attracting clients, but also set up your online presence right away. A professional website cross-linked with social media pages can be advertising for you around the clock, driving customers to your door. Consider these strategies for connecting with customers who need pet grooming:

Post photos on Instagram of your grooming facility and pets receiving beauty services. Instagram is the #1 online venue for small business owners to showcase their services. A dedicated business page on Instagram is always promoting your business.

Now create a Facebook business page. This is a proven technique for building a following. You can provide tips and helpful information about pet grooming, while running promotions for your business.

Next, set up a Google My Business page. You can list hours of operation, more photos of your grooming facility and a map of your location. There’s also a space for people to post reviews of your grooming services, so you should ask happy customers to write about you on your Google page.

Setting up a business presence on each of these sites will take no more than an hour. All of them are free and work 24/7 to promote your company. That frees up more of your time to focus on grooming pets.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a pet groomer. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

Start your career in pet grooming! Dogs’ Own Grooming School has been proudly training professional groomers since 2011. They love what they do, and trust you will as well. The school attracts students throughout the United States, and have even had international students who come to participate in the program.

Are you new to grooming? No experience is needed to enroll at Dog’s Own Grooming School. Class sizes are limited to four students per semester to maximize the individual attention and experience every student gets. Students are trained in a completely operational grooming facility, with every relevant tool and all training equipment to guarantee that upon graduation they are ready for any grooming situation.

Training Programs at Dogs’ Own Grooming School

• Professional Groomer Level 1
  
• Professional Groomer Level 2
• Price Range: $5,000 – $8,000 

Resources for Dogs’ Own Grooming School

• Phone: (970) 663-3647
• Website: https://dogsowngroomingschool.com/
• Email: info@dogsown.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dogsown

Need a new job? Become a groomer! Learn from Nationally Certified Grooming Instructors. Canine Country Club’s Canine Grooming School offers various classes for all levels of experience.

Training Programs at Canine Country Club Inc. – Grooming School

• Canine Grooming Training Classes
• Price Range: Check website for updated details.

Resources for Canine Country Club Inc. – Grooming School

• Phone: (601) 268-1999
• Website: http://caninecountryclub.yolasite.com/grooming-school.php
• Email: k9clubinc@att.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caninecountryclubinc.ms/

Getting trained in pet grooming and turning into a skilled pet groomer opens doors to many vocation opportunities. There is incredible demand for qualified pet grooming experts with veterinarians, animal hospitals, pet shops, pet boutiques, grooming salons, boarding kennels, pet supply stores, animal shelters, and much more. The goal at Wag My Tail is to give the training needed to prepare the student with the abilities required to effectively enter into an entry level position as a groomer in the pet grooming industry. 

Training Programs at Wag My Tail

• Become a Certified Pet Groomer Program (7-9 week course – 300 hours)
• Price Range: Check website for updated details.

Resources for Wag My Tail

• Phone: (818) 951-1506
• Website: https://www.wagmytail.com/
• Email: info@wagmytail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagmytailinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wagmytailgroomers/

The Classy Pet Grooming School has been training professional pet groomers for more than 23 years. Class sizes are limited to six students to maximize individual attention.

They have 3 educators affirmed by the State of Colorado Department of Higher Education to teach professional pet grooming. The groomers on staff are likewise available to help you. All groomers at the school are graduates of grooming schools and are experienced professionals.

Training Programs at Classy Pet Grooming School

• 9 Week Professional Groomer Course
• Price Range: Starting at $3,750

Resources for Classy Pet Grooming School

• Phone: (970) 217-1189
• Website: http://www.classypetgroomingschool.com/
• Email: classypet@outlook.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Classy-Pet-Grooming-School-368794533285744/

For more than 16 years Pets Playground has been training students to enter into the grooming field, by giving the best education and training available through individualized curriculums and hands on training that incorporate the most recent, best concepts in the industry.

Pets Playground offers small class sizes, highly personalized teaching, flexible scheduling for working students, and hands on training. They are devoted to improving the nature of pet grooming services available in the community. 

Training Programs at Pet’s Playground Grooming School

• Pro Groomer Program
  
• Professional Pet Stylist Program
• Price Range: $5,898.80 – $8,898.80 

Resources for Pet’s Playground Grooming School

• Phone: (954) 782-4994
• Website: https://www.petsplayground.careers/
• Email: michelle@petsplayground.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petsplayground/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petsplaygroundgroomingschool/

Just 4 Paws exists solely to assist individuals with helping their pets. This focus is front and center in everything they proudly teach at Just 4 Paws Pet Spa and Academy.

The focus is on respect, balance, and integrity. The outcome? Another wave of talented, loving pet guardians and professional pet stylists who will enhance and ultimately raise the bar for the grooming industry.

Training Programs at Just 4 Paws Pet Spa & Academy

• Pet Groomer Assistant
  
• Professional Cat / Small Pet Groomer
• Price Range: Starting at $1,500 

Resources for Just 4 Paws Pet Spa & Academy

• Phone: (201) 460-1900
• Website: https://just4pawspetspa.com/academy/
• Email: info@just4pawspetspa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just4pawspetspa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justfourpaws

Cleveland Grooming Academy is focused on high quality grooming lessons, while continually putting the health and safety of a cherished pet first. Their 300 hour, 10-week course offers the longest grooming curriculum around, to guarantee students walk out confident and with the skil set they need to succeed. All courses are registered and approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.

Training Programs at Cleveland Grooming Academy

• Complete Basic Grooming Course
• Price Range: Starting at $5,100 

Resources for Cleveland Grooming Academy

• Phone: (440) 382-1320
• Website: https://www.clevelandgroomingacademy.com/
• Email: ArielleScavnicky@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleveland_grooming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clevelandgroomingacademy/

The Pet Salon Academy is a grooming school with classes held at a full service pet salon with over 8,000 active customers. President and Lead Instructor Donna Williams has 25 years of grooming experience and trusts that all students must have a desire to seek after a high quality of grooming abilities, while maintaining the highest level of safety and care for every dog.

All students are trained and guided utilizing a hands-on training approach, which Williams believes is the most efficient way for every student to have the aptitude and confidence to immediately start a career as a professional groomer or business proprietor.

Training Programs at The Dog House Pet Salon

• The Groomer Program
  
• The Basic Program
• Price Range: $3,600 – $5,500

Resources for The Dog House Pet Salon

• Phone: (713) 820-6140
• Website: https://www.thedoghouseps.com/houston-grooming-school/
• Email: info@thedoghouseps.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedoghouseps/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedoghousepetsalon

There are no group classes. This program is set up for a more individualized training practice, which permits maximum attention to every student from every instructor. This additionally gives you the flexibility to schedule class days to your personal needs.

Training Programs at Virginia School of Pet Grooming

• All Breed Pet Grooming Program
  
• Poodle and/or Mixed Breed Grooming Program
• Price Range: $4,000 – $4,800 

Resources for Virginia School of Pet Grooming

• Phone: (703) 361-3868
• Website: http://www.virginiaschoolofpetgrooming.com/
• Email: VAgroomingschool@aol.com