Pet Grooming

Pet grooming is an interesting and rewarding career field for those who have fondness for animals. People who specialize in grooming or maintaining a pets appearance are called pet groomers. Pet groomers are the beauticians of the animal world. In other words, pet groomer is an individual who works with animals and enhances their hygiene and appearance using a variety of grooming techniques. Becoming a pet groomer allows you to work with animals, and provide valuable service to pet owners. Pet groomers usually groom dogs and cats, some may even groom other animals such as rabbits and horses. Like human beings pets too require caring. Well being of a pet is closely related to pet grooming. Pet groomers are in high demand as more and more pet owners look for professional care and maintenance of their pet's health and well-being. Especially in this busy & materialistic world, where people have no time for each other, they are bonding more with pets. Pets are the ones who greet you first when you come home, or who are your constant companions through thick or thin. Pet grooming is not an easy task, it is a challenging field, as you never know or can be sure how the pet will behave. Some pets are extremely nervous and uncooperative during grooming procedures. So you must know how to handle them. You need to be familiar with all breeds of dogs and cats, you need to be an expert on everything from nail clipping to brushing to shampooing to trimming. Pet groomers bathe, trim, style, shape, brush and comb animals coats to make them look good and help them stay healthy. They also clip nails, clean ears, and examine animals for fleas, ticks and other health problems. Pet groomers must be proficient with a variety of combs, brushes, electric clippers and grooming shears. Pet grooming could be a lot of fun too, when pets are dressed up for pet shows and birthdays. Some affluent pet lovers even go to the extent of dressing up their pets in pretty clothes, hair bands and tiaras, to make a fashion statement. One can say, Pet groomers are half way Veterinarians. Groomers are often the first to notice a medical problem, such as an ear or skin infection, that requires veterinary care. A good pet groomer should be able to alert the owner to any possible pet health care issues. They gaurantee that your pet is healthy and safe. More and more pet lovers think it is worth finding a good pet grooming professional for the safety, health and well-being of their pets. Some feel that the safety of the animal is more important than cost. This field is also gaining popularity as pets have become a part of the social status and pet shows, especially dog shows are common now. One could consider pet grooming as a full time business or you could make it a part time business while you continue on your regular job. Anyhow this is really a rewarding field for animal lovers. Eligibility No formal training or certification is required to become a pet groomer. One can learn the profession by undertaking training for a month or so, under the guidance of an experienced groomer. Depending on the country you belong, you can attend pet grooming schools. In countries like United States, Europe etc. there are pet grooming schools. If you live in a country where these schools are not available, consider taking a course online. Certification is not a necessity, but if available it will certainly add to your reputation and credibility and also help you learn the correct way of grooming, keeping close to the standards as possible for pet shows and competitions. Beginners in the field, often start by taking up the basics, such as bathing and drying the dog. They eventually assume responsibility for the entire grooming process, from the initial brush-out to the final clipping. Once they have gained experience, groomers move into supervisory or managerial positions. Experienced groomers often choose to open their own shops. Experienced pet groomers often host seminars or classes in metro cities, and attending these events can be a valuable first step for any prospective pet groomer. Working for a local groomer, joining a groomers association are options for prospective dog groomers or pet care professionals. It can provide training and education for a variety of disciplines and help build up the skill set needed for a successful career in the industry. Those in the field can also go for online pet grooming and training courses which will enhance an existing training program, or provide comprehensive training for certification or a diploma. Even if you are experienced in grooming your own dog, you will still need to learn the grooming styles of other breeds for which online course or training under an experienced groomer is a must. Personal attributes To become a successful pet groomer besides getting trained for the job one must have • Inherent and genuine liking and love for animals • Be able to handle nervous, aggressive, or fidgety animals • Good communication skills • Self motivation • Persistence and patience • A good eye for detail • An artistic eye to visualize and create a look for the pets, keeping close to the standards of pet shows.