How to Become a Dog Groomer in Alabama

Statistics found that close to 40% of American homes have at least 1 dog, and many households have more than one dog.

It’s no wonder that the demand for dog groomers is rather high.

If you want to work with dogs and you also like cutting hair, you might consider becoming a dog groomer.

Through this guide, you’ll learn what this job is all about, and what you have to do to enter this field in Alabama.

Job Description and Duties

Being a dog groomer does more than just cutting the dog’s overgrown fur or styling it.

These professionals are also expected to:

• Clip a dog’s nails
• Bath the animal
• Style its coat
• Clean its ears
• Know how to control the dog
• Stand a lot of the time

The individual is supposed to know:

• Which tools to use for which type of job
• How to use the tools
• What the animal is supposed to look like for its breed
• How to clean the ears of the dog
• Know how to talk the owners

Of course, pet groomers have to clean the area they worked in as well as the tools they used.

Maintaining a tidy environment between jobs is also very important and good business practice.

Requirements

There are some mandatory requirements of a person who wants to become a dog groomer, besides their love for dogs or animals in general.

These requirements include:

• Having patience,
• Having good communication skills
• Being able to socialize
• Being compassionate

Many dog groomers are also expected to work with cats as well.

In this case, knowing how cats act compared with dogs, is vital.

Additionally, these professionals will have to know how to perform all the grooming techniques on cats as well.

A cat may need:

• Her nails trimmed
• Bathing
• Brushing
• The fur shaved off
• Her ears cleaned

Education and Licensing

To become a dog groomer in Alabama, you’ll need to get trained but you don’t need a license.

Generally, certification is enough, but to obtain it, you’ll have to enroll in a program.

These programs will have to cover the following topics:

• Introduction to Pet Grooming
• Introduction to Dogs and Cats
• Pre-Grooming Procedures
• Dog Grooming
• Dog Personalities and Behavior
• Cat Grooming
• Business Practices

The dog grooming topic is split into three parts.

There are generally minimal requirements to enroll in these programs and they differ from program to program.

Even if you already know how to perform certain dog grooming procedures, it’s a good idea to get further training.

This way, you’ll only increase your chances of finding a job and even expand your clientele and revenue sources.

One of the best certifications to earn is the one offered by the National Dog Groomers Association of America.

Once the training is complete, you’ll have to pass an exam.

Salary Information

On average, in Alabama, dog groomers earn around $32,512 per year.

Of course, as you accumulate more experience, your salary will increase.

In some cities, the average salary is also higher.

Some of these cities include Birmingham and Madison.

Regional Salary in Alabama

Dog Grooming Schools in Alabama

Additional Information

Pet groomers are usually found within one of the next establishments:

• Kennels,
• Veterinary clinics,
• Humane societies
• Pet stores

It’s also possible for a certified dog groomer to freelance or run their own business.

They could even do this job part-time, along with another main job, either as a second job or as a paid hobby.

Dog Grooming by State