How to be a dog groomer: 6 steps to get started

Updated February 2025

Dog grooming is the process of looking after a dog’s hygiene and appearance. It involves tasks like bathing, trimming hair and nails, brushing, teeth cleaning, and more — all with the goal of helping our furry friends look, smell, and feel their best. 

If you think working with a man’s best friend might just be your dream job, becoming a dog groomer could be the pathway for you. In this guide, we’ll detail everything you need to know to get involved in one of the world’s most sought-after professions, from training programs to equipment and more. 

Dog grooming vs veterinary grooming

Before we dive into the guide to becoming a dog groomer, let’s clear up some confusion.

Dog grooming focuses on maintaining a pet’s appearance and hygiene. Veterinary grooming, on the other hand, is about addressing medical concerns like skin infections and parasites. This is an entirely different profession performed by highly-trained veterinary teams.

In essence, dog groomers focus on wellbeing, while veterinary groomers prioritize health issues. A groomer might discover a problem during their bathing or brushing routine, but a veterinary team will provide the treatment.

Want to learn more about veterinary grooming and how to get involved? Browse our Veterinary Support Assistant Online Certificate to get started. 

How to become a dog groomer? 

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to becoming a dog groomer. 

Step 1. Understand the role

Take the time to understand what being a dog groomer entails, including common responsibilities:

• Bathing.

• Trimming.

• Styling.

• Brushing.

• Nail clipping.

Aside from that, you’ll also need to get familiar with the anatomy and nutritional needs of dogs so you know how to spot common health issues. If you have the opportunity, offer to volunteer at a local kennel or salon to gain some initial hands-on experience. 

Step 2. Decide if the career is right for you

With an understanding of the basics of dog grooming, it’s time to decide if this is the right pathway for you. Here are some things to consider.

• Dog grooming can be physically demanding. 

• It can also be mentally taxing if you need to handle difficult dogs.

• You’ll need to be a detail-oriented person to be successful.

• You’ll also need to be flexible, often traveling to homes. 

And, naturally, you’ll also need a love for dogs — though you likely already have that in the bag. 

Step 3. Choose your qualification

Education isn’t a requirement for dog grooming, nor is formal training. That said, a dog grooming qualification or course will give you the necessary skills to care for the well-being of animals. It’ll also prove to employers and clients that you’re qualified for the job. 

A good place to start is with an online dog grooming course at Courses for Success. This will give you all of the essential knowledge you need to get started. You can also supplement your learning with other nice-to-have qualifications, like dog nutrition, dog first aid, and animal behavior. 

Down below, we’ll dive deeper into relevant courses that will help your career get off the ground. 

Step 4. Select a niche

Once you’ve got your desired qualifications, you may want to decide on a niche to help yourself stand out. For instance, you might choose to use a special type of sustainable product, groom a specific breed of dog, or work with dogs that have particular behavioral problems.

Step 5: Network and start meeting people

There are plenty of opportunities to network. For example, you could go to dog shows, animal shelters, pet stores, and dog training clubs; all present possibilities for you to connect with dog owners and people within the industry.

Wherever you connect with dog owners, simply mention that you are looking to become a dog groomer. Make every effort to attend networking events and talk with as many people as possible is essential. But don’t stop there.

Many animal-focused businesses employ pet groomers casually or on a permanent basis. Connect with local business owners and inquire if their customers have a need for pet grooming services. You never know what this could lead to.

Step 6. Start your career

Once all is said and done, you’re ready to find relevant jobs in the field. You can apply to entry-level positions at local pet stores or, if you prefer, start your own dog grooming business. You can also join the National Dog Grooming Association of America (NDGAA) to connect with like-minded professional groomers.

What are the different types of dog grooming?

The core responsibilities of most dog groomers are the same. Almost all offer bathing and grooming services, for instance. That said, there are some different types of dog groomers you should know about:

1. Mobile grooming

Mobile groomers travel directly to the homes of pet parents and pups. They often have a fully-equipped van (think a mini mobile salon) that contains all of the tools needed for the job. Alternatively, they may bring equipment directly into the client's home.

Mobile grooming can be beneficial for everyone involved.

• Dogs get groomed in familiar surroundings, keeping them relaxed. 

• Clients can fit appointments around their busy schedules more easily. 

• Groomers have more flexibility, promoting work-life balance. 

That said, mobile grooming may not offer the same job security as working for a dedicated grooming salon. It’s crucial to gain hands-on experience and build your reputation, as you’ll essentially be doing your own business management. 

2. Local grooming salons 

These groomers work for local salons that serve cities, towns, and villages. In this environment, you’ll have the chance to work with dogs of all sizes and breeds.

Local dog grooming salons can be an excellent way to build your skills. You’ll likely get a more steady stream of initial clients — especially if the business is already well established. You’ll also benefit from a supportive work environment where you can learn from more experienced groomers. 

3. Corporate grooming

Corporate grooming involves working with a large corporation in a regular dog grooming role. Consider this the ‘9-5’ of the dog grooming world. It’s a lot less flexible than starting your own business, but it does offer stability and a consistent wage. 

Corporate grooming can also help you build your expertise before you start your own venture. A reliable job can be just what you need to get your foot in the door. 

Is it hard to become a dog groomer?

Dog grooming can be a tricky profession to learn because there are so many things to consider. You need to understand different disciplines and tools as well as the qualities of each breed. You also need to learn about dog behavior and well-being to keep every dog happy and healthy. 

That said, with enough practice and the right qualifications, anyone can learn how to become a great dog groomer with time. As long as you have an eye for detail and a love for animals, the role has low barriers to entry.

And once you’ve gained your qualifications, you’ll find that grooming for dogs is in demand more than ever. After all, an estimated 45.5% of all homes in America have a canine in the family. That’s roughly half of the country that needs qualified groomers to take care of their four-legged friends.

What dog grooming courses are available to study

The most exciting part about learning dog grooming fundamentals is that there are so many courses to help. 

Without a doubt, the best place to start is with a Dog Grooming Online Certificate Course from Courses For Success. This will teach you all the basic grooming techniques and advanced skills you need to get your dog grooming career started. 

Here’s what one of our clients, Rose C, had to say about the program:

“It teaches you techniques to groom your dog not only effectively, but also in a way that makes the dog happy.”

Once you’ve picked up the fundamentals, you can then dive into some of our more niche training programs, including:

• Dog Training: Learn the ins and outs of dog training and discover how they think, react, and behave. 

• Canine Nutrition: Discover best practices of dog nutrition and learn how to recognize common problems with diet.

• Canine Behavior Training: Dive into the how and why of dog behavior and learn tricks to manage aggression. 

• Canine First Aid: Learn everything there is to know about basic first aid for four-legged friends. 

• Canine Holistic Health and Therapy: Find out how to promote the physical and mental well-being of dogs. 

• Understanding Canine Anxiety: Discover the root causes of canine anxiety and learn different strategies to treat it. 

• Dog Walking and Pet Home Sitting: Want to diversify your dog grooming business? Start with this comprehensive course. 

• Canine Communication: Put yourself in the paws of dogs and learn exactly how they communicate and express emotion. 

Started to build up your expertise and are ready to launch your own dog grooming business? We also offer an exceptional Canine Business course. 

Pet grooming equipment

What basic tools and equipment will you require to be a successful pet groomer? Here’s everything you’ll need:

• A slicker brush for removing matted hair and tangles.

• A pin brush for long-haired dog breeds.

• A bristle brush for smooth-coated dogs.

• A rake brush for double-coated dog breeds.

• Pet-specific electric clippers for trimming fur.

• Clipper blades for different coat lengths. 

• Nail clippers and grinders for pup pedicures. 

• Dog shampoo and conditioner.

• Solutions for cleaning ears, plus eye wipes. 

Aside from these essentials, you’ll also need a grooming table with a non-slip surface. As you progress through your career, you’ll likely find different products that meet your needs, but these basics will get you started. 

Summing up

Dog grooming is one of the world’s most-loved professions, and for good reason. The chance to work alongside furry friends, set your own hours, and potentially start your own business is incredibly enticing. 

With Courses for Success, you can gain qualifications that start your career. Find your perfect pathway by browsing our collection of courses for dog groomers, dog trainers, and more. 

FAQs

What is a standard dog groomer salary?

Working full-time, dog groomers can expect to make around $40,000 to $60,000 a year. That said, this is just a baseline. If you start your own salon, specialize in a niche, or build up an incredible reputation with pet owners, this number can easily increase. 

Can I start my own business as a dog groomer? 

Absolutely. Anyone can start a dog grooming business with the right experience. The key is to start small and focus on providing exceptional service. This will help you grow your reputation over time. We have a complete guide to starting a canine business on our course page.

Which dog grooming qualification should I take first? 

We recommend starting with our Dog Grooming Online Certificate. This will teach you all of the fundamentals you need to get started. From there, you can branch into different areas, such as dog behavior, dog communication, and dog nutrition. 

Do I need to attend a dog grooming school to be qualified? 

No. Dog grooming schools are not 100% necessary to start your career. While they do provide you with additional training, there is no recognized licensing or certification specifically required for dog groomers.