Question for the groomers:

[corgi_love]

I have a school nearby that I'm looking at. It's 10 grand for 6 weeks. I figure that "hands on" training would be better..

For all you groomers, how did you start?
Where did you learn?
What do you think of online classes versus going to actual classes?

Thanks, just curious

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

I did an apprenticiship, and ten grand sounds like a lot. I paid fifteen grand for my cosmetology education, and it lasted a year and four months.
I haven't heard of the online classes, but you REALLY need hands on experience, its not something you can get good at out of a book. Good luck!!!

 

[planet molosser]

My groom shop wont hire anyone out of School who does not have a resume which includes work in a shop.

Their is so much more to grooming than grooming if that makes sense.

How to read a dog.
How to control a dog.
Basic understanding of medical and any issue be it pre existing or grooming.
Be able to groom multi dogs and to multi task.
Being able to talk to the custumers
being able to get along with other groomers.

So both is a good start working as a bath and brusher in a salon while going to school is a good bet so u can get a ref from work for a new job or they may ungrade u to fulltime groomer from p/T bath brusher.

Good luck

 

[corgi_love]

Thanks to you both! Yeah I think it would be better if did the hands on course. I think I was wrong about 6 weeks(their site is down), but really the only other option I'd have would be to live in another state for 2 months.. And I'd have to go alone because my boyfriend has work.. So if I want to go to a school I'd have to pay $10,000 to go to the school.

There really aren't a whole lot of grooming shops around here. I think my best bet would be at a vet or something. Anyway, thanks for the advice so far

 

[SizzleDog]

I was taught on the side by the other groomers I worked with - they were sages of the dog grooming profession, so I probably learned more from them than what others have learned from formal courses.

If I were you, I'd get a bather job and apprentice from there. Be sure to find a groomer that really knows their stufff, has a "natural affinity" for the animals.

 

[Zoom]

Ten...grand....for six WEEKS? I paid that much for 2 YEARS of university! :yikes:

I agree with Sizzle...apprentice with an established groomer, work your way up. That way you really get to know the ropes.

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

I went and watched the lady I apprenticed with a few times before I got the courage to ask if she'd train me. The first few I looked in on just didn't do it for me, but the one I did my apprenticeship with - wow, just wow. She'd been grooming for forty two years when I started there as a bather, and she still loved it. I think its easier to learn from someone who loves what they're teaching you about.

 

[corgi_love]

Those are some good ideas.. Thanks guys. I think I'll be on the look out for a grooming place or vets office!

 

[bubbatd]

I sure would stay away from on line training . That would scare me if I saw that on someone's resume !

 

[Barb04]

When I lived in CT, anyone wanting to be a groomer at Petsmart was sent by Petsmart for training when hired. I'm wondering if they do the same thing by you.

 

[corgi_love]

When I lived in CT, anyone wanting to be a groomer at Petsmart was sent by Petsmart for training when hired. I'm wondering if they do the same thing by you.

Oh I had no idea they did that. Thanks, I'll check that out!

Grammy, yeah I know! I can't imagine that you'd really know what your doing by watching online videos.. But IDK if someone here did it and had success or not!

 

[planet molosser]

Be carefull when u allow a company to pay for your training sometimes they make u sign a contract forcing you to work for them for a certain time frame .
And prohibits u from working within a certain mile ratius of the store.

And believe you me not all groomers or managers are good to work with.
I left Petco as a MGR when the company allowed a groomer to go about giving infections to dogs with dirty clippers.

 

[eagerbeaver24]

It's true, there's no better way to learn than to do hands-on training. On the side, you can always learn more with a distance learning course online; there's not limit to education! Try this one: http://www.inst.org/dog-grooming-courses/index.htm it's a really good course, but of course you can always google more. Good luck with your studies!