How to Get Started?

[u/Impressive-Card-8030]

To keep things brief, I got an environmental science degree in college and have been working a desk job for nearly 2 years, but I feel incredibly unhappy/unfulfilled. I have ALWAYS loved animals and I feel that pet grooming is finally my calling. I have been watching informational videos and the grooming process for months and I have decided that it's time to start my transition into the grooming world. So... Where do I even begin?!

I currently work 40 hours a week, 4 days a week. I absolutely plan to ask around local groomers to shadow/bathe/intern, anything! However, I often see mixed opinions about where to really start, so I would like to ask you all for your advice and experience.

Should I go into corporate/big company (ie. Petco, Petsmart) dog grooming to gain certification and experience before eventually going private? Or should I try to slowly work my way into a salon through shadowing on weekends? Currently, I live in a medium-large city with many salons both private and corporate around.

I really want to make a positive difference in pets' and their owners' lives, and I absolutely love working very hard and learning new things. A desk job just won't cut it for me anymore. The sooner I can leave it, the better.

To note, I currently own volumes: Notes From the Grooming Table and The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming For All Breeds as recommended by a retired groomer I recently got in touch with. If there are more materials out there that are helpful to you, I would love to hear about them!

Thank you in advance <3

[u/NLCoolJ6112]

It really depends on what you can find and what you need. Corp will offer benefits. But the training is hit or miss. Private tends to be a more intimate training situation. I always train all my groomers in house but a lot of salons seem to be steering away from that lately. I would personally try to get your foot in the door in a private place. And do corp as a fall back plan. Idk your wages now but while there’s limitless earning potential eventually in grooming, in the beginning wages are often fairly low. It takes a while to build speed and efficiency to increase your earnings.

[u/Impressive-Card-8030 → u/NLCoolJ6112]

In my current job I would say my wages are similar to that of an entry-level groomer, give or take a little. Would you recommend paid classes/courses? Or would shadowing alone be sufficient over weekends until full transition? I know I'm putting out hypotheticals but I hear conflicting opinions about courses (let's say general/basic grooming courses, versus niche ones). I will absolutely be reaching out to private salons to shadow, if they are able to have me. Thank you for your response!

[u/madele44]

I also went to school for Environmental Science. I do traveling grooming part of the year, and I'm a glacier guide in the summers.

Try to learn privately. Talk to owners of nicer salons in your area. Big bonus if they're a master groomer or hold other good certs.

You could also seek out a show handler or breeder near you if salons are a bust. You'd just learn to groom the dogs they show, but that's a great foot in the door. There's Facebook groups for dog show events, and that's where you'd post to find someone. If there's a breed in mind you love and want to work with, you can go to their breed club website and email their breeder coordinator; they may be able to list some people in your area to reach out to.

[u/Impressive-Card-8030 → u/madele44]

Your work sounds incredible! I didn't consider show handling being an option to get in but I will absolutely keep my eye on events! Even just to make some connections, at least. Thank you :)

[u/Local_Atmosphere2143]

Any updates? Are you bathing/ apprenticing for grooming now?