Online Pet Grooming Degrees

Do You Love Animals? Try a New Career with Pet Grooming

If you’re a die-hard animal lover, a new career in pet grooming may be for you. You may find yourself working in a kennel, a veterinarian’s office, a shelter, or any one of the increasingly popular pet supply store chains. With experience, you may eventually choose to operate your own business from your home, or make house calls to clients’ homes. As a groomer, you will answer telephones, schedule appointments, discuss grooming needs, and collect information on the pet’s behavior. You’ll play a key role in a pet’s well-being, often times detecting medical problems like skin or ear infections that require medical care.

Training for a Pet Grooming Career

You can learn this new trade by completing a training apprenticeship, most of which last anywhere from six to ten weeks. There are also 50 state-licensed grooming school training programs in the U.S with programs ranging from two to 18 weeks. If you want to distinguish yourself from your competition, the National Dog Groomers Association of America offers a certification program pending successful completion of a 400-question examination. As a beginner, you may work with an experience groomer, and may take on one duty such as washing and drying the pet. Typically, you will be given more responsibilities from brushing and clipping. 

The Career Outlook for Pet Groomers

Given high turnover, job opportunities are expected to remain strong according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Beginning wages can be meager, with average hourly earnings at or below $10. However, with enough experience, you may choose to open your own salon, and assume a managerial role in the day-to-day grooming process.