Dog grooming is a fantastic way to earn a living, and it’s certainly a business worth starting. If you’re a dog lover and want to have a fulfilling career working with dogs, then becoming a dog groomer business owner is the ideal career.
Here at Savvy Pet Spa, we want to be by your side at whatever stage you’re at in your business. If you’re just starting out, we’ve got great advice on writing a business plan, or maybe you’re an established dog groomer looking to diversity.
In this article, we’re going to offer tips on how to groom a dog like a pro for our readers who are new to the trade, as well as advanced business advice. Reach for the sky and read our story on successful female entrepreneurs for other advice on becoming a female boss!
What does a dog groomer do?
If you’ve not yet entered the world of dog grooming, but you’re considering the move, it’s important to learn what a dog groomer actually does.
The main responsibilities of a dog groomer are:
- Clean and freshen pet hair by washing, shampooing and conditioning
- Shave, trim and style pet hair according to the breed’s authentic style
- Maintain overall pet hygiene, such as clipping nails, brushing teeth and cleaning ears
- Advice owners on pet care and best practices
Top Tips on grooming dogs
Before starting a career in dog grooming, you need to know how to do it to a professional standard so customers will pay you to neaten up their precious pups. Here are some top tips on how to groom a dog like a pro.
Be patient
Patience is vital when working with animals. Dog grooming isn’t a one-size fits all, as different dogs have different personalities and needs, much like people. Some dogs are easygoing and will allow you to groom them without a fuss, but others can be nervous around people who aren’t their owners and don’t like being touched.
You must take your time and build a relationship with anxious dogs. See them regularly, don’t rush and take things at the dog’s pace. In addition, dogs can sense when you’re stressed, which can equate to an uncomfortable situation for you and the animal.
Use appropriate equipment
Being a dog groomer takes specialist equipment. Investing in good quality dog grooming equipment can not only save you time, but it improves the quality of your work. Research the best equipment within your budget, speak to other dog groomers or visit a dog grooming specialist retailer to find out your options.
Additionally, be sure to choose the right bathing and shampooing products for your doggies. It is always best to choose natural or unscented products but get clued up on the best products for skin conditions and types of fur too.
Here is a list of some equipment you’ll need as a dog groomer.
- Cleaning and bathing products
- Brushing products
- Trimming products
- Nail and paw maintenance products
- Ear and dental care products
- Large grooming equipment like a table and a tub
- Other equipment, such as hairdryers and towels.
Choose a location
Decide on the best place to bathe, trim and brush your dog, whether it’s a bathtub, sink, shower or workbench. Location is important for your comfort as well as the dog’s. Choose a place that offers you a surface on which to work with your dog before and after his bath.
For a small breed, you can easily use any type of table or extra workspace in a laundry room or bathroom if you don’t have a grooming table. For larger breeds, working in a space with lots of elbow room is best.
Be knowledgeable
Whilst you don’t need to have a qualification in dog grooming to work as one, it’s a wise idea to get some training. You are unlikely to be employed as a dog groomer without qualification, and if you’re planning on working on a self-employed basis or starting your own business, getting the right training is paramount in telling your potential customers that you’re a reputable dog groomer.
Getting qualified to level 3 in dog grooming or even level 4 demonstrates that you have more experience in this sector. Choose an accredited dog grooming course that will allow you to develop the skills needed to become a superior dog groomer so you stand out from the crowd.
Furthermore, do your research on different breeds of dogs and the different coats, as the way in which dogs are groomed varies from breed to breed. By doing this, you can expand your client base and offer a broader range of services, thus making you more successful in this industry.
Choose a location
Decide on the best place to bathe your dog, whether it’s a bathtub, sink or shower. Location is important for your comfort as well as your dog’s. Choose a place that offers you a surface on which to work with your dog before and after his bath.
For a small breed, you can easily use any type of table or extra workspace in a laundry room or bathroom if you don’t have a grooming table. For larger breeds, working in a space with lots of elbow room is best.
How to run a profitable dog grooming business
Dog grooming can be a great side hustle, but why stop there when you can make it into a full-time profession? You may or may not know that dog grooming can be very profitable if you first know how to groom dogs to a professional standard, put together a strong business plan to grow your business and build your reputation and clientele.
Once you’re an established business and have regular customers coming through your door, you can diversify your business. Don’t be afraid to go beyond what you think is possible and expand on your services. For example, you could become a dog-sitting service or a dog-walking business, so you can be even more successful in offering multiple dog services.
A really simple way to grow a profitable dog grooming business is to invest in a dog grooming management software like Savvy Pet Spa that can completely transform how you do business.
Invest in a management system
Managing appointments and customer details is one of the most challenging parts of dog grooming when working for yourself or running a business. Investing in a management system like Savvy Pet Spa takes the stress away from dealing with information in several places and keeps it all in one manageable place.
Consider saving on costs elsewhere and invest money into a management system that will be worth it. Running a dog grooming business from home is one way to keep costs down when you’re just starting out.
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After investing in the management system for your dog grooming business, you can manage appointments and store customer and pet details. Gone are the days of filing because you can even create contracts and billing information.
It is easy to manage all the information you need professionally at your fingertips, and the system is fully customisable, so you can colour code your appointments to group similar services, making it easy to understand and organise.
To conclude, dog grooming is a fantastic way to earn a living. If you’re just starting out or considering the move, we urge you to take the plunge if you love working with dogs. If you’re an established dog groomer, we want to be the ones to tell you not to be afraid to branch out and diversify your business.
First things first, learn how to groom a dog like a pro by taking a course and doing lots of practice. Then learn business sense, like finding a location, insurance and so on and invest in dog grooming management software so you can start getting your customers booked in!
