niki schaef Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 i also am thinking of becoming a dog groomer- so this topic is just perfect timing for me :p i was just wondering what type of training you need to do to be a groomer? i know theres a course through tafe and tompson education. just wondering if the training is more on the job or are courses more preferable? also is it hard to get a job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Salon training is the only way to go IMO. I disagree with the comments that mobiles don't make money. I've worked in a salon, set up a mobile took a couple of years off and now have my own business at home. It is back breaking work, (but I don't have a good back anyway), the money is there if you want it but you need to be better than your local competition (which isn't hard these days with so many cowboys jumping on the band wagon). As ShowDog said, know your limitations so you don't have irate customers 0 but best of all is simply be trained properly so you don't have limitations. Put in a few years in a good salon to get the experience and test your commitment before the financial outlay, and stay away from the franchises IMO. They might have their upside, but it only takes one bad egg in the franchise to ruin the reputation for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Myschafis~ Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thanks very much for your reply Dru.....that really is helpful.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Wouldn't mind working in kennels either :p Would volunteer for someone in the local area too, to get more experience go out to salt ash, he always needs ppl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Make sure you budget for a good lift table. It really does help your back. They say the average grooming life is 3 years!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Average life LOL i have been doing it for 16 years. Im lucky that all the eequipment is needed for the showdogs so that expense is no big deal. The one thing though i would never be a groomer without Double K clippers,they may be expensive but they are the true workhorses of the grooming world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Hi mickatie I have been grooming for 12.5 years and have had my own business for the last 6. It is a very rewarding job if you have a lot of patience, I rent a space inside a vet clinic IMO is the best way to go (once you know what your doing). I pay a small percentage to the clinic to cover water, electricity, shampoo etc. and I don't have to do any advertising because the vet does it for me. I have a mobile phone and the clients call me direct to make bookings. Unlike the majority I love dealing with aggressive and/or timid dogs thats how I have ended up with such a great rep. I have so many dogs that no other groomers will touch and it is the most awsome feeling when they finally relax and trust you. My main advice would be to stay flexible with your grooming techniques, if an owner wants a different clip to what their particular breed would normally have do what they ask (if possible), most people that own pets do not want them looking like showdogs. Example: most of the westies I groom the owners don't like skirts on, poodles the owners don't like their feet shaved, cockers the owners like no feathering. For me the only downsides are it is physically very hard, due to grooming I have ruptured a disk in my neck, my knuckles ache constantly, I often have pain in my left hip and knee from standing to long, I suffer migraines and most days after work I am sore all over. Sometimes customers can be impossible, although I don't have that problem very often anymore because as soon as someone gets difficult I tell them to go elsewhere. I think the bad parts of the job are well worth it if you really love working with dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Myschafis~ Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thank you SOO much for the replies .... Lea - I am moving...up north I won't be down here NicoleL - Is it common to have a grooming space in a vet's for someone renting? Are most vets amiable to this and how did you approach them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Quite a few vets near where I live have this style set up. I ended up with this job because the clinic advertised for someone, I would start by working at a groomers bathing and get then to teach you how to clip, once you are confident buy your equiptment and start approaching vet clinics. If you need anymore help feel free to PM me, I don't want to put too much info about my situation on a public board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Average life LOL i have been doing it for 16 years. Makes you wonder doesn't it. Other people must only stay in business for a week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachie Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Definately go and try and get some work experience at a salon, see if you really like it enough to make it a career. As far as franchises, you get out what you put in. Sure, you have a formula to follow, but you also have the support when you run into difficulties. Do your research, find one that suits you best. I have a mobile franchise, have had it for almost 7 years now. I loved it at the beginning, and then went through a stage of 'i could do this myself and not have to pay royalties etc. I seriously considered going out on my own for a while there, and am now very glad i didnt. I have completely changed my way of thinking. The system is a good one, in my opinion. They have been around for about 20 years, and have a good reputation. The core business is washing dogs, but some operators can now offer basic grooming if they so choose. I dont have to worry about constantly marketing the business, the advertising program in place is a good one. Priority yellow pages listing is well worth my advertising levy. I love this job, my hours are flexible and would highly recommend it to anybody who is passionate about dogs. The franchise support is great, any problems you have day to day are resolved as soon as possible, the national advertising is very good, i get around 5-8 new enquiries each week. Over half of these go on to book a regular appointment. I often get calls from people who have used a different operator (of my franchise), and have moved into my area, and like the fact that the service is to the same standard, and that we use the same shampoos and solutions across the board. Yes, you do need to adhere to the franchise standards, but that only benefits the business and the brand name. My franchisors dont necessarily 'breathe down your neck', but are there if you need help. If i was starting out again, i would do it exactly the same way. Feel free to pm me if you would like more info on my particular franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vehs Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I have been grooming for about 4 years now and I agree with others that say getting a job at a salon is the way to go when starting out. Although there are a few grooming schools around nowadays working in a salon gives you a better feel for the job. The grooming schools give you the instructions and a whole day to do one dog. A salon environment is more realistic and will help you decide if this is a career you want to invest in - and if you aren't learning at the speed you would like you can then take a course. In a salon you get to deal with the customers (interpretation is a very good skill to have and a customer service background is good too), figure out what they want and then have to work to deadlines with the dogs. We've had a lot of people come through the shops I've worked at and not to scare them during the training, but to prepare them, I let them know all the awful things you have to see and the mess you have to deal with from places all over the dogs - skin ulcers, awful breath, revolting eyes, and of course the pee, poo and anal glands. As a newbie you will probably start with a lot of bathing and drying - key skills though, a lot of people I've worked with stopped before they could wash a dog properly ;) The neglect you deal with is just astounding and that part of it can be rewarding when you can make a dog more comfortable and actually educate the owners (til your blue in the face sometimes) - I love my regular clients! I reckon the months leading up to summer would be a good time to ask around salons for a few days work - that way you can suggest they train you up on the basics before the summer season comes and their shop in inundated with work - we are really busy this winter (for some reason) so I am dreading summer!! If you do a search you will come across another topic - I think focused on pay rates for people in the animal industry - pay is sh!t I think you should start as a newbie on an hourly wage and then negoiate to make 50% on each dog you do with the owner, if they don't like it try and find a shop that will work this way and then get some $ together to start up your own business and sell a bit of retail on the side. I was really looking forward to moving out of Canberra (with another job) and starting a little grooming business in Wollongong - still waiting to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Myschafis~ Posted July 23, 2007 Author Share Posted July 23, 2007 NicoleL - THanks for the reply, I will definitely PM you if I have any more questions Peachie - Thanks SO much for your reply, it is great hearing the flipside of the story...That is really fantastic ;) ... I have added you to my msn...Let me know if it worked Vehs - That was some great info thanks...I have a REALLY strong stomach and non of the above bothers me at all...What does get me is ignorant owners that pisses me off! BUT I do understand that already and expect it. I am from 100% customer service/management environment, so I am quite comfortable in dealing with the people. I also feel quite comfortable with dealing with the dogs also :rolleyes: Will just see how I go I am pretty comfy with washing and blowdrying, I don't know everything but having show dogs...you definitely get used to doing it a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I had a mobile grooming business for 12 months. I set it up from scratch. If I had to do it again then I would probably go for a salon or for a franchise. How are you at towing things?? I found it quite stressful going to a new place and wondering what the conditions were going to be like, but I live in a more country/hilly area. It wouldn't be such a problem in the suburbs. I remember times were I had to take the trialler off and physically turn it around because I got stuck! I thought that I would be mainly washing dogs but found I was clipping off white fluffy cross-breds all day long! Mainly unsocialised, feral, white fluffies! I did find it physically hard. Had a bit of trouble with my hands because of all the clipping. You think it will be be great because you don't have a boss but in reality your customers are your 'boss'. I found it hard to be polite to idiots that had their dogs in shocking conditions. You see some horrible things. Maybe a salon would get a better range of customers. People also phone at all times of the day and night! I would do it again. But in a salon with staff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Myschafis~ Posted July 23, 2007 Author Share Posted July 23, 2007 Thanks Jules Well....I can admit im not FANTASTIC at towing things Which is why I am comondered a side kick ;) I have been speaking to a lot of people that have been grooming so I am expecting to be doing mostly clipping of matted x-breeds...but hey I like to think of it this way...I would rather help the dog no matter the attitude of the owner...than leave it there all matted...I am helping the animal not doing a service for the owner :rolleyes: In saying that I am from a customer service/management background so know how to run a business and without customers I won't have a business....as long as the customer is always right...we should be fine I have also run more than one of my own business's before, so I understand both being an employee and being a business owner And would very much prefer being a business owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdogdog Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Anyone in Melbourne want to practice on a Bedlington terrier who is so overdue for a bath and clip. He does get brushed every second day and I cut out as many of the knots that I can find. He hates his nail being clipped and will scream bloody blue murder and his anal glands need doing. Any takers. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Amy Rose Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 dogsdot, you have no idea how much I LOVE beddies, and if I had the foggiest idea on how to clip them, I would take up your offer in a flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 dogsdot your welcome to send him my way :D but it's been years since i've done a beddie so he might come out looking like something else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachie Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Katie, i dont really use msn at all anymore. So i may not show up. Best way to get me is by pm, or can email. As far as the trailer, yes, it had it's moments in the beginning. But hazard lights are a wonderful invention. As long as you try your best not to hold up traffic for too long, and dont stress about it (it makes it worse), it does become second nature. Most people are polite enough to wait, and those who are rude and impatient, well, they can just wait. That is the hardest bit, worrying about other cars and holding them up - If you appear to be doing your best to get in as quickly and safely as you can, that is all that matters. I agree with what Jules said about being nervous about new clients the first time you go, not knowing what the area is like. Doesnt bother me at all anymore, i have a lot of sticky driveways, once you have done them a few times, they become a lot easier. I dont think i ever had to take the trailer off, but i do a lot of back and forthing sometimes. It's really not that bad. My best tip, if you think it is going to be difficult, reverse in the first time - if you can reverse in, you can certainly drive out. Same goes for the reverse, but only if you are confident - which of course, comes with time. It does become second nature (well, for me anyway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdogdog Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 dogsdot your welcome to send him my way but it's been years since i've done a beddie so he might come out looking like something else :D ;) Will probably be sending him to my sister in Frankston on Saturday although last time she did him he looked like a poodle. If I can find the time I'll do him myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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