How to get started as a groomer

You may want to try to get hired on as a bather/brusher. While most groomers are very busy, they don't necessarily want to take on another "groomer" or groomer-in-training, but are almost ALWAYS looking for competent bathers. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and get some experience. Even with training (online or school), many places don't want to hire a straight up groomer with little to no actual on the job experience, especially when they are really busy. Another point to consider, why should they train you (for free) for you to go off and work for or become their competition? Grooming is a VERY competitive industry and in many areas, there is not love lost between groomers. Unfortunately, it does nothing to lend credibility to our profession and just makes us all look bad. I wish there were more harmony amongst PROFESSIONAL groomers.
 
Not knowing your work situation, bathing is a great way to get started.
 
Hope this helps []

i agree with kennelkeeper. while most of these places are too busy to train you, you can work there and watch the groomers while you arent busy. once you have been there awhile and the groomer sees that you really want to learn, then maybe they will take the time to give you some hands on training.

if you cant find a job at a private salon, you can always try to work for a petsomething as a bather. this is how i learned, and its better than nothing.

  Thank you both for the good advice
 
  I'm going to continue with my grooming course, but, for now, think I'm just going to focus on the pet items I make & take things from there. Though I'd love to work with dogs directly everyday too []

I know petsmart was doing a dog grooming training course.  You had to work for them for 2 years or you could pay for the course.  Hands on experience is the way to go.  I was fortunate in that my high school taught dog grooming, and from there I worked at Petsmart as a brusher bather, then as an almost full groomer (there were a few things I wasn't that good at due to lack of experience).  

There are some community colleges that offer grooming courses.  I don't know about your area, but you  could check it out.  You really do need first hand dog handling, clipper, and scissoring practice.  It's critical so that you learn to brush and clip without burning the dog, which is easier than you think.  And, it's important for your confidence and speed, too.
I think starting as a bather/brusher is a good idea because many groomers would rather train someone they trust than hire an unknown quantity if they need a second groomer.

Does any one have a grooming school to recommend? I am thinking about entering the field as a part time occupation, most of the schools I have looked at require 4-8 months and thousands of dollars. While the price is daunting, it's not undoable, but the time commitment is. I can't take that much time off my "real" job to invest in a part time adventure.
Any ideas or thoughts?
thanks for your help.
 

One thing to think of is possibly going to PetSmart. They will send you to grooming school free of charge as long as you sign a contract there, and you have a good job as a groomer. Its a good way to get your foot in the door. You start as a bather/brusher to make sure you like the environment. Otherwise, try starting as a bather/brusher at a small salon and build a rapport with the groomers so they will start training you.

come over here... i'd come to you even without the experience... chinese groomers are mean, man!! took moca to one, when i first got her.. now i do ALL my grooming myself... *sigh...

I've looked into the Pet Smart thing, but I live outside the continental US and signing a contract with them is not an option. The schools I've looked into range from 2 weeks to 8 months in duration and $700 - $7000 in tuition. Since I don't have a local groomer to talk to or work with I would have to take time off from my "real" job to go stateside and study. While the 2 weeks appeals to me on that front - can you learn enough to start from that?
Thanks for any and all thoughts on  this.
 

By the way, a trip anywhere to work on janetmichel3009's cuties would be worthwhile.  How adorable are they? CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!

be my private groomer?[]

ORIGINAL: island girl

I've looked into the Pet Smart thing, but I live outside the continental US and signing a contract with them is not an option. The schools I've looked into range from 2 weeks to 8 months in duration and $700 - $7000 in tuition. Since I don't have a local groomer to talk to or work with I would have to take time off from my "real" job to go stateside and study. While the 2 weeks appeals to me on that front - can you learn enough to start from that?
Thanks for any and all thoughts on  this.

 
Sorry to say, no. Grooming is not one of those things you can learn in that amount of time. It's an ongoing education process. Even going to school and getting professional training does not make you a groomer. It can take years of hands on experience and even then, your still learning everyday.
 
Frankly, I really don't feel that you could be totally committed doing grooming as a part time thing. I promise, you really have to love it, to do it! It's not the FUN job that many people think it is. It's HARD HARD work and not always in the most pleasent of circumstances. Dogs pee, poop, vomit, ejaculate (pardon the launguage) on you, they bark, whine, bite, growl, freak out, etc during grooming and it's some times unnerving. It's so much more than playing with dogs all day  [8|] Then there are the psycho people! No, offense, but some pet owners can be difficult []
 
I REALLY recommend anyone wanting to do grooming as a CAREER (notice the emphasis on the word), needs to get a job as a bather/brusher or groomers assistant first. Heck, even a receptionist in a grooming salon will give you quite an insight into what groomers go thru EVERYDAY!
 
Ya know, it's not that I am trying to berate grooming as a chosen profession, but just trying to create a realistic picture of what's involved (really). I absolutely LOVE my job, however, some days it can be trying. There is never a day that I dread going to work, but I left a management career to go into a career with animals. It's not just a sideline thing for me, it's a lifestyle now!

Then there are the psycho people! No, offense, but some pet owners can be difficult

Oh yeah[].  I have my share of wonderful clients, but some people...

The clients truly are more work sometimes!  They make the job trying!

Thanks for the advice. From what I have read on the sites for grooming schools, they agree that grooming is an ongoing learning experience. What I need are the basics. I live on a small island and the customer base will be limited. That's why I was thinking part-time. Not that I just wanna play with doggies. I have been a dog-pet sitter for 15 or more years and have met quite a spectrum of pets and owners and I understand the challenges on that front. Being in the tropics also makes dog grooming essential for the comfort of the pets. And, it's them that I am thinking of.
I thank you for your kind advice and appreciate the caveats - but, without a grooming salon in commuting distance, how do you think I should start?
Would training as a bather/brusher be a worthwhile start?