JourneyCareersDog Groomer
Global Career Guide (EN)From Animal Care β†’

Dog Groomer

AI

A dog groomer washes, trims, clips and tidies up dogs to keep them clean, comfortable and looking their best. It suits patient animal lovers who are good with their hands and enjoy hands-on, caring work with pets and their owners.

The role

What a dog groomer actually does, day to day.

The work is bathing, drying, brushing, clipping and trimming dogs of all breeds and temperaments, checking for any health issues and keeping the salon clean and safe. Patience, a calm manner and a gentle but confident touch matter, since you handle nervous or wriggly dogs and need to keep both them and yourself safe.

You will be on your feet, getting wet and dealing with the physical side of holding and lifting dogs, working in salons, mobile units or your own setup, often including weekends. Pay starts modestly and grows with skill and reputation, and many groomers go self-employed and build their own client base.

Many people train through a college course or grooming qualification, or learn on the job alongside an experienced groomer or apprenticeship. You will need insurance if self-employed, and a good way with both dogs and their owners is essential.

A typical week

Day to day

1Bathe, dry and brush dogs
2Clip and trim coats to breed or owner's wishes
3Trim nails and clean ears
4Handle nervous or difficult dogs calmly
5Check for fleas, lumps or skin problems
6Keep the salon and tools clean and safe
7Advise owners on coat care