Pet grooming is a rewarding and fulfilling job, and it’s no wonder that more and more people are joining dog grooming schools every day. They want to interact with animals as their day job and make their lives a little bit more comfortable.
As a new groomer though, fresh out of school, where can you go to get your first job? You do have some options. Here are five companies that will hire entry level groomers.
1. Chain Pet Stores
Chain pet stores are popping up everywhere at the minute, and they’re popular with pet owners. You can go to a store and get everything you need for your pet, whether that’s food, vet care, or yes, even groom. If you’re just starting out, a chain pet store is a good option for gaining experience.
There are a couple of drawbacks you need to be aware of. In a chain store, you’ll have a lot less say over who you work with, and the hours you work. As a new groomer though, you can use this to your advantage. You can start earning money and racking up experience with all kinds of pets, that you can use elsewhere if you want to.
2. Animal Rescues Or Sanctuaries
Animal rescue shelters are always looking for groomers to work on their staff. They’re responsible for cleaning up any animal that comes through their door, and making them comfortable and happy.
If you want to take this route, you’ll need to be well versed in general pet healthcare, such as skin issues and things to look out for in rescue animals. If you’ve attended dog grooming classes, this shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll also need to be able to handle skittish animals, as many won’t be in a calm state when they come to you.
3. Private Pet Grooming Services
If you’re just starting out, then you can start reaching out to local pet grooming companies. Some may be looking for apprentices to work with them, so you can start a relationship with them. Apprentices are valuable, as they offer a second set of hands when a dog groomer is busy. The apprentice, in turn, can learn a lot from them and take that knowledge on into their own business.
4. Mobile Dog Grooming Services
If you’re happy traveling on the job, and like a change of scene, a mobile dog grooming service could be for you. This will work in a similar way to private pet grooming services. You can start looking for mobile services in your area and start picking up experience right away.
Like with animal sanctuaries, you’ll find that you’re working with pets who won’t tolerate regular grooming salons. This will give you invaluable experience, as calming and working on pets who don’t like being groomed is a skill that every pet groomer should have.
5. Freelance Dog Grooming
Finally, you can skip working for someone else in your first job, and actually just set up your own grooming salon. You can work from home, go mobile, or rent a salon in order to set up your own company. This will take some setting up and you may have to wait longer to start getting paid. You’ll also not have an experienced groomer to guide you, so you’re going to need to be confident in your skills.
On the positive side, setting up your own grooming service can be very freeing. You can start seeing and building up your own client base right away, rather than working for someone else. As well as this, you’ll be able to keep all of the money that you earn, without a portion going to the store or groomer that you’re working for.
Getting Your First Grooming Job
Just finished dog grooming school and on the hunt for your first job? No problem. If you’ve attended Merryfield School Of Pet Grooming, then we can help you get in touch with your first job. Having certification in the art of pet grooming is going to help you get ahead in your chosen career.
Get in touch with us, and we can get you on your career path today. It’s easier than you think!
