Dog Grooming

[gina2201]

I'm thinking about taking on a course to learn the "art of dog grooming", and to ultimately set up on my own in time.

Anyone got any advice, I have looked into the courses near me but just wondered if anyone else out there was already qualified and had any tips etc?

Thankyou!

 

[GinaB]

Exactly what I wanted to do! Until I realised the costs involved

 

[CAYLA]

I groom and had my own parlour, I only work from home now, am am also a nurse and was wearing my self out trying to do both full time, I went to an agricultural college after school and learnt all the basics, then attented a grooming parlour for a year to learn all the practical skills cuts/styles e.t.c, I do most styles/breed but refuse to do some cos they are to bloody time consuming so i tend to pick and choose what i like, it can be back breaking at times but to be honest i have made respectable amount of money, I did have to fork out for the initial equiptment, but made alot more/still do.
If u need any more info just PM me if easier.

 

[mrgoop]

I looked into doing this, but it seems there are more and more people getting into it now. I have a friend that does it from home, and mobile, and she said that the trouble she found when she first set up, was that the dogs she was getting were tha ones that everyone else refused to do, for whatever reason.
She battled on regardless and has made a nice little business for herself. But it has been a struggle, i don't think she does it full time now because of family commitments.
It is still something i would love to do though.
Good luck if you decide to go for it

 

[CAYLA]

Yeah i know what u mean i get a lot a nasty little bleeders in cos no one else will do them.... I dont actually mind the agressive ones, I am used to this!! its the TOTTY/MATTED ones i hate.

 

[filly190]

I think you have a great idea and its well worth persuing. I know two people in the industry. The first is mobile and gets all her customers from local kennels (recommendations) and also spends a couple of days at the kennels doing up dogs for when the owners get back. She is doing very well and word of mouth is the best advertisment for her.

The other lady has a small shop where people drop off their dogs and collect them later. Again she is doing very well and has limited advertising. Having a shop front, she says makes her look professional and she charges a lot more than the first lady.

Both people are making a good living from this. I think it depends on the location of where you wish to set up, competition and marketing. If you consider the number of pet owners in the uk, I consider there is plenty of business to go around.

As for being bitten, aggressive dogs etc, if you are experienced and can tell the type, muzzels are wonderful things.

 

[Faithkat]

I did it for years and it is bloody hard work!!! Unless you are very fortunate (and it depends on where you live) it is very difficult to actually make a living from it (i.e. do nothing else) as people just will not/cannot pay enough to enable you to do so. I wanted to have a shop but it was quite impossible to make enough money to run a shop and live. It can take all day to do a standard poodle that is in a right state when it arrives but you'd be hard pushed to be able to charge a sensible amount of money. It used to really wind me up to have to pay £20 + for a cut and blow dry for myself (in and out in 45 minutes) but not be able to charge more than £30 for struggling with something like a manky poodle for 5 hours!!! It can take a long time to get established (it took me about 5 years) but I never needed to advertise as all my customers were word of mouth - which is the best advertising by far. I made some good friends out of though, that I still have although I gave up grooming about 5 years ago. It's also hard on your back!!!