08/09/2024
Did you know that pet grooming is a completely unregulated industry? There is no requirement for formal education, no required continuing education, and no required testing or certification?
Anyone and everyone can just pick up a pair of clippers and start advertising themselves as a groomer and charge people for a service they aren’t trained to perform.
It’s completely up to you, the owner, to do your research and make sure the person you are trusting with the health and safety of your pet is qualified to care for them.
Every groomer should be trained, and that very basic training takes months.
It takes years to truly master the ins and outs of grooming and everything that goes along with it.
Pet grooming is so much more than just a hair style.
*It’s knowing dog behavior and how to safely handle all the different personalities and quirks.
*It’s recognizing health conditions that would be better suited seeing a vet such as skin or ear infections.
*It’s being prepared for any and all emergencies that can happen, from seizures to allergic reactions, to nicks and cuts and quicked toenails without panicking.
*It’s knowing how to best deal with a variety of coat types properly.
*It’s being able to know when to stop a service on a particular dog due to behavior or health.
*It’s having the knowledge and patience to handle a different species while holding razor sharp clippers or 8 inch long scissors.
At the very least, the groomer you use should seek out continuing education to make sure they are current on the changes in the industry, from upgrades in products to tools that make the process easier for the pet and them.
They should be current on their pet cpr/first aid certification which needs repeated every couple of years.
They should be able to answer your grooming related questions with knowledge and confidence and if they don’t know the answer they should know where to find it.
They should have an emergency plan in place with a local veterinarian in case anything happens, because when working with animals it’s not a matter of if something happens, but when.
They should come recommended by other pet owners and pet professionals.
And it’s worth noting that there is nothing wrong with using a groomer that is still in training, but they should be working alongside an experienced groomer and under their direct supervision.
Ask the questions, after all you are paying them for a service. A groomer who has spent time and money to be as educated as possible is excited to share their knowledge!
