Which skills do I need to be a dog groomer?
As a professional dog groomer, you require several skills to succeed in the industry. First, you should be passionate about keeping dogs and enjoying their company. Secondly, you need to be a good communicator since youll be dealing with clients daily.
As an excellent communicator, you should be calm and patient when talking to dog owners and employees for your business to run smoothly. Besides, you should be skilled and knowledgeable in handling unpredictable or aggressive dogs. Your choice of music and how you reward good behaviour will also come in handy when handling other peoples pets.
More importantly, you also have to learn how to sell your services to potential customers to build your clientele. The way you position your brand in the eyes of customers will impact your overall sales. Taking photos of the dogs in the salon or at home and posting them on social media can be the right way of promoting your pet grooming business.
The key is to articulate why your service is the best and tapping into the emotions of prospective customers. Besides marketing, youll also do well if you learn how to administer your dog grooming business correctly. Some of the administrative aspects of your business you need to master include;
How to set up your own dog grooming business
Deciding to start a business will likely raise questions that, when answered, will help you develop a strategy. Some questions to consider are:
If you’ve done some research and are aware of some grooming techniques, but you’re still unsure if it’s for you, why not test out your dog grooming abilities on some friends’ pets? This will not only help you gain some grooming experience (and reviews) but will show you if it’s something you actually want to do.
Now you’ve assessed the landscape and decided to take the leap, it’s time to get some training. While dog groomers in the UK aren’t required to get training, taking part in an accredited course will fill you and your customers with confidence and give your business credibility. It’s a good idea to do courses in grooming, care and first aid, just to cover all bases.
On top of an accredited course, there is tons of online content – from blogs to videos – that will give you grooming tips and advice from fellow dog grooming business owners.
Customers may also ask you about maintenance, coat care and diet, so it’s a good idea to get clued up on these as well.
Most dog groomers offer to bathe, dry, brush and clip their canine clients as standard. But you may like to bundle these up into basic and premium packages, such as:
Packages make it easy for customers to pick the level they want and makes pricing your services much easier.
You may also want to offer different packages for puppies and adults, smooth haired and long-haired dogs as well as small, medium and large dogs. Or you may just want to specialise in one type, such as small breeds, as this could set you apart from the competition.
Many people think that they need to write a business plan just for investors. But mapping out the objectives, timescales and milestones of your business can help to organise your thoughts and create a clear course of action.
This should include information about your competitors, customers, growth tactics, USPs and financial information, such as your startup costs, budgeting and projected sales growth.
Business insurance not only protects you, your equipment and the dogs in your care if something goes wrong, but also gives your business credibility when customers are deciding whether to opt for your services.
Business insurance for dog groomers includes the specific cover you need for this particular line of work, such as contents and equipment, public liability and employers’ liability.
What qualifications do I need to start a dog grooming business?
While qualifications aren’t strictly required to become a dog groomer in the UK, undergoing training will not only strengthen your understanding of pet care and grooming, but will also provide proof to your customers that their pets are in good care. Without it, you could end up hurting the dog or yourself, so getting professional training will be sure to minimise this risk.
The National Pet College offers a range of OfQual regulated courses in pet care and grooming from various training providers, including City & Guilds, which provides specific Level 2 and 3 dog grooming certifications for assistants and stylists.
You could also get a membership from the Pet Industry Federation, which represents people in the pet industry, including groomers, sitters, walkers, boarders and retailers. By joining PIF you’ll automatically become a member of the British Dog Groomers’ Association, which shows your commitment to upholding pet industry standards, including striving for animal welfare and customer satisfaction. Your membership will also give you discounts on courses; access to an HR, legal and health & safety helpline; and stickers to prove your membership to customers.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR GROOMING BUSINESS ON A BUDGET | Pet grooming | Small business
Your pet is part of your family and that means you want to do everything you can to make him happy, healthy, and well-groomed. But what will you do if you’re not a professional dog groomer or have no experience in this business? How can you start a grooming business at home? Learn what skills are needed on the job, how much to charge, where to find customers and more!