If you are interested in learning how to become a dog groomer in Washington, DC, the
chances are you love spending time with dogs. If you can see yourself spending your workdays with dogs, then you might have a future in the dog grooming industry. While the concept of breaking into this field might seem daunting, the overall process is actually quite simple. You can find all of the information that you need in this guide. Let’s get started!
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What You Will Do as a Groomer
The role of a dog groomer is very important in the health and well being of a dog. While you may think that it is all about cleaning and trimming the fur of a dog, the job is much more far reaching than that. In fact, a dog groomer is involved with the healthcare of the dog. The first thing a dog groomer does with a dog is ensure that it is in great health. A dog groomer can accomplish this by doing a visible check of the fur, skin, ears, and animals of the dog. Once this is done and the groomer is sure everything is in order the groomer will move on to cleaning the fur, ears and nails before trimming the fur and nails to the owner’s specification.
The way the dog’s fur is styled will change a lot in a region such as Washington, DC. To be a dog groomer in Washington DC you must be comfortable trimming a dog’s fur in a wide variety of style, since the way the fur is trimmed will be dependent on the weather. From humid summers to snowy winters, the needs of the dog will change throughout the year, in order to keep the pet comfortable.
What Does the Job Pay?
Your salary as a dog groomer will fluctuate depending on where you are located. In a smaller, yet more high density and more affluent area such as the District of Columbia, you will see a higher salary. When starting out as a dog groomer you will likely bring home something in the range of $25,000. Groomers on average will make $35,000 after gaining some experience. Groomers on the high end of the spectrum could end up getting a salary of $75,000!
Dog Grooming Schooling Requirements in D.C.
Becoming dog groomer is a relatively simple process. There is no required certification, but some formal schooling will most likely lead to you getting a higher salary. If you are not interested in formal school, then your best bet is to reach out to local, more experienced groomer, and inquire about shadowing someone. This will give you field experience which could prove to be invaluable down the line.
Certifications from an accredited school will allow you to perform procedures such as resuscitation should something bad befall the dog while it is in your care. Unfortunately, there are no region-specific schools in the DC area. Since this city is a unique location, you will need to attend a school in a nearby state such as Virginia. Luckily, these schools are definitely within driving distance, and you will have access to some very good options.
Schools will typically go through these steps: familiarizing you with the tools of the trade, dog breeds and special requirements, bathing and clipping/trimming techniques, and career building options.
Some Helpful Resources in Washington D.C.
Once you have completed your training and are ready to find somewhere to work, you should check out this link http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=groomer&find_loc=Washington%2C+DC. You will find that only the very best groomers are listed here. By trying to locate a job at a well reviewed groomer, you will see a higher salary and most likely have job security. If the business is getting good reviews, then chances are it will be sticking around for a while.
For resources connected to the Washington, DC humane society, check this link out: http://support.washhumane.org/site/PageServer.
If you follow these steps, learning how to become a dog groomer should be a breeze!