If you've a passion for pets, a career as a pet groomer and trainer will allow you to earn a living while indulging in your love for animals at the same time. As a groomer, you clip and trim pets' coats into shape, care for nails and ears and may have to bathe pets beforehand. Trainers help pet owners teach their pets appropriate behaviors and stop inappropriate behaviors. However, according to "The Original Dog Bible," salaries for pet groomers and trainers can be low. In 2006, groomers, who are considered part of the group of nonfarm animal caretakers by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earned an average of $8.72 while trainers earned an average of $12.65. The salaries are offset by the expected demand for both careers and the fact that in both pet grooming and training, formal training and accreditation are voluntary and not yet the industry standard.
Instructions
Becoming a Pet Groomer
1. Seek out an experienced, respected groomer in your area and approach him about the possibility of completing an apprenticeship in the pet salon. An apprenticeship may last between six and 10 weeks.
2. Find a job as a bather and brusher for a local grooming salon and let the groomers who work there know that you are interested in the profession. After a while, they may start showing you the techniques.
3. Attend a grooming school licensed by your state government. These programs tend to last between four and 18 weeks, and will teach you about running your own business, grooming techniques, and the proper equipment, among other topics. As an example of costs, the American Academy of Pet Grooming charges $4, 600 to $5, 300 for its programs. The fee includes equipment, registration, as well as tuition.
4. Get certified voluntarily by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Certification can help your business stand out from other local grooming salons. This certification requires a physical demonstration of your skills on one dog from each breed group and includes written exams that test you on grooming procedures for specific breeds. Before you can get certified, you must complete one of the association's workshops.
Becoming a Trainer
5. Apprentice with a reputable pet trainer or dog training business. Some businesses with multiple trainers prefer to train their own people, but either options works if you want to be self-employed.
6. Teach yourself by reading books and magazines, observing training classes and attending seminars. This can work out well if you want to be self-employed.
Seminars can cost between $30 and $50 a day, and should cover topics such as puppy development, breed histories, obedience training, dog health and anatomy and dog sports.
7. Become certified through a national organization such as the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT). You will be tested on dog behavior, dog training theories, teaching, the use of proper equipment, among other things. The CCPDT uses a multiple-choice format.
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