Dog Community

A Question for the Professionals--grooming schools

Posted : 4/5/2006 10:49:39 PM

My dream has always been to own a kennel, to show and breed Saint Bernards. To do that, though, I need financing.

Right now we're in a small apartment, and looking into getting a house in about a year. After that come the dogs. I am a stay at home mom and was looking into getting schooling for grooming. I was wondering if those study-at-home degree things are worth it. To pay someone to learn the theory and anatomy but not get all that much hands on. There is an actual grooming school about an hour and a half from our apartment, but the days are 12 hours, I can't afford day care, and don't want to be away from my daughter that much, anyway. She's only 13 months and we're still learning so much from each other!

Any suggestions? Is it worth it to study from home?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/5/2006 11:38:44 PM

Any suggestions? Is it worth it to study from home?

I'd have to say that's a big, fat, no

Of course, it won't hurt at all to study the different breeds and styles, especially common dogs like yorkies, poodles, cockers, lhasas, shih tzus, and bichons. You really have to handle dogs and practice to learn to groom, with any accuracy. Learning the styles is one thing. Doing them on a snarling, smelly, half coated dog is another.

Firestorm

Posted : 4/6/2006 6:41:16 AM

why not call a professional groomer and speak to them about how they got into grooming. Some of the online courses require that you apprentice with a proffessional for a certain amount of hours. I think you need to research more and speak to some professional groomers.[

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keedokes

Posted : 4/6/2006 9:16:44 PM

That's what I'm starting to try to do with this post. [sm=wink.gif]

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/6/2006 9:22:00 PM

Well, the chain pet stores that offer grooming have groomer's training programs. If you would like assembly line style grooming, then it's fine. I hated it. I'm apprenticing, now, in a small, much more natural shop. There are five of us, total, who work there. It's much quieter and less stressful. The prices are much higher, and much more care is taken with the dogs. I love it.

There are also grooming schools all over the nation varying in price from about $3000-12000.

Vivien Pace

Posted : 4/24/2006 4:41:50 PM

Research your breed. Hopefully you can apprentice with them for awhile.
That will be fine if all you want to do is Saints.
To learn to groom all breeds requires working one on one with a groomer or shop or going to grooing school. Personally, the schools are very hit and miss. The good ones are usually too far away. Fing a vet recommended grooming shop nearby and try to work for them. Start as a bather brusher and work up to grooming.
Good luck

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:55:45 PM

keedokes, there are some community colleges that offer grooming programs, and you can always talk to a professional groomer about working for them, starting out bathing and brushing dogs. Also, Petsmart and Petco, I think, will train you if you go to work for them after. If you go that route, it might be prudent to apprentice under a competent groomer, too, once your done there - if you find someone who can teach you the art of scissoring, and of blending your lines properly when you use the clipper, you will be way ahead of the average person just out of school.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 4/24/2006 8:33:20 PM

You really have to handle dogs and practice to learn to groom, with any accuracy. Learning the styles is one thing. Doing them on a snarling, smelly, half coated dog is another.

Boy, did you hit the nail on the head with that one!!!!

I started as a kennel tech, then started bathing/brushing, and now I'm learning grooming. It's definately hands-on training. Of course, I am in school for animal care, so I have had MANY classes on animal health, handling, etc, but as good as all the instruction is, nothing can substitute for actually doing it.