15 Pros and Cons of Being a Dog Groomer

If you love working with animals but don’t quite want to venture into the medical field, a career as a dog groomer may suit you well.

But, being a dog groomer isn’t just about providing grooming services to pets.

You must also possess the necessary knowledge to ensure that you provide a stress-free environment for the animals you are tending to.

To ensure that this is the right career choice for you, you must learn about the pros and cons associated with being a dog groomer.

Read on to learn about these advantages and disadvantages to help you make a wise decision.

Pros of Being a Dog Groomer

First, let’s begin with a list of pros of being a pet groomer.

1. Get to Work With Dogs

The most obvious advantage of being a dog groomer is that you will be able to work with animals every single day.

You get to work with all types of dog breeds.

If you love animals, this is a huge plus.

Your job is to encourage healthy habits and ensure they are well taken care of.

All in all, this job is both exciting and rewarding.

2. Flexible Career

Another benefit of being a dog groomer is that you will enjoy a lot of flexibility.

This means that everything from your work hours to the number of days out the week you want to work is entirely up to you.

That is, of course, if you start your own dog grooming business.

The role is versatile.

You also have the option of starting your very own mobile dog grooming business.

This enables you to travel and build a new network of clients.

3. High Demand

The demand for dog groomers is consistently increasing due to the increase in new dog owners.

People have begun to treat their pets as another child and a big part of their families.

This means that pet owners are spending much more money than ever before ensuring that they are well taken care of.

So, what does this mean for dog groomers?

This means that job openings for professional dog groomers will never be scarce.

4. Plenty of Diversity

Dog groomers can utilize their skills in a variety of areas.

Groomers will forever be taught new techniques which will enable them to provide a wide range of services.

There will never be a dull moment as a dog groomer.

Furthermore, groomers will work with different types of dog breeds.

Each one of them has their personality.

This means that you will be presented with new challenges and more excitement along the way.

5. Stay Physically Active

Being a dog groomer doesn’t mean you will be sitting down at a desk for 8 hours.

This job is physically demanding which means you will be moving around all day.

While running your own business means you will have to operate a computer, this will be extremely minimal.

For the majority of the day, you will be using your hands to work.

Since you will be on your feet for most of the day, it’s a great way to stay in shape.

6. Simple Training

Training is relatively simple to become a dog groomer.

No license is required.

Typically, all that is required is a high school diploma or GED.

Training is usually provided on-site.

However, there are also classes available to teach you how to properly groom dogs.

Overall, the costs associated with becoming a pet groomer are much cheaper compared to other careers.

Furthermore, you will need additional education and training if you plan on starting your own grooming business.

7. Interact With Different People

If you consider yourself a people-person, you’ll enjoy the fact that you’ll be able to interact with a variety of people as a dog groomer.

As clients return to you for services in the future, you’ll begin to develop relationships with them.

You will have the opportunity to discuss grooming services and make recommendations to clients.

As long as you make sure your clients are happy, they will refer new clients to you.

Cons of Being a Dog Groomer

Now let’s take a look at some of the cons of being a dog groomer.

1. Heavy Lifting Required

All dogs that you groom will not be small and lightweight.

This means that you will have to lift some heavy dogs too while you are grooming and bathing them.

You must lift them onto the table and into the tub.

If you have no limits on the types of dog breeds you groom, you may groom animals that weigh well over 100 pounds.

If you are unable to lift them on your own, you should have equipment to assist.

2. Some Dogs are Unfriendly

Another disadvantage of being a dog groomer is that you will come across some that are unfriendly.

The reason why many pet owners hire groomers to groom their dogs is because their behavior isn’t the best during the process.

You will have to deal with dogs that growl and may even attempt to bite you.

You must know how to adjust to dogs with varying temperaments.

3. Some Clients are Difficult

No matter what profession you are in, if you deal with clients, you will eventually come across some that are just plain demanding and difficult.

The same applies to dog groomers.

For example, your client’s dog may be a “show dog.”

This means that they may be picky and have a long list of things that you must follow.

In the process, you don’t want to lose clients.

So, you’ll want to ensure that your customer service skills are up to par.

4. Weekends are Required

The majority of dog groomers work during the week and on weekends.

Weekends are the busiest since many people work during the week.

Be prepared to work almost every weekend if you plan on preserving a certain number of clients.

If you fail to work weekends, it could directly impact your earnings.

If you’re starting your own dog grooming business, this is something to keep in mind.

5. Dog Grooming Can be Unpleasant

Dog grooming can get pretty dirty and smelly.

This means you’ll have many unpleasant experiences when grooming dogs.

Some dogs will require additional grooming.

All grooming needs will vary.

For example, you may have to perform sanitary trims or clean out a tail pocket.

And while you may dread these tasks, you’ll get to charge more for any additional services requested.

6. On Your Feet All Day

A job as a dog groomer is physically demanding.

While this can be a good thing, as you stay physically active, it could also be strenuous.

You will have to be on your feet all day, which means you need to be in good physical shape.

You need to wear comfortable-fitting shoes to ensure you can meet the physical demands of a dog groomer.

7. Exposure to Allergens

Being a dog groomer exposes you to various allergens and zoonotic diseases.

You will come in contact with a lot of pet dander.

You may even develop respiratory issues or allergies.

If you are an allergy sufferer or have current respiratory problems, it could worsen your condition.

Furthermore, you are at risk of catching zoonotic diseases.

However, with proper safety and hygiene agreements in place, these risks are minimal.

8. Certification/Licenses May be Required

On your path to retaining employment as a dog groomer, you will find that some employers will require certification or licenses.

This may be discouraging for some, unless, of course, you are starting your own grooming business.

Additionally, if you are starting your own business, you will need to check with the laws in your state to see what’s required to successfully run your practice.

The bottom line is some pet owners are more comfortable when they see that you are a certified groomer.

Should You Become a Dog Groomer?

If caring for dogs is your passion, then a career as a dog groomer is for you!

Dog lovers have a higher chance of being successful in this field of work despite the challenges that may come about.

A job as a dog groomer means flexibility within your schedule, the opportunity to handle different breeds, and providing the best care possible.

However, you must also be comfortable with the downsides of being a dog groomer such as spending a lot of time on your feet, exposure to allergens, working weekends, and dealing with difficult clients.

If you can get past these things and remain passionate about the work you do, a career as a dog groomer can turn into a successful, flourishing business in the future.

Pros and Cons of Being a Dog Groomer Summary Table