What to Remember When Becoming a Dog Groomer

Setting up a dog grooming business might be a long-term ambition of yours but there are some important things to keep in mind when starting a new business venture in dog grooming.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet care professionals and offering a variety of tailored products such as Dog Grooming Insurance.

 

Suitability

There are several parts of the job to consider when assessing if it is the right job for you. You need to consider that you will be working on your feet all day and so need to be sure that you are comfortable doing this.

You will also need a certain amount of confidence as you might need to deal with difficult or anxious dogs. Previous experience of handling dogs would be a distinct advantage, even if it is only as a dog owner.

Also consider that you are likely to be working alone most of the time, although you will of course have company in the form of your canine friends!

 

Qualifications

You don’t need any qualifications to become a dog groomer, however dog owners are always likely to look more favourably on you to provide a great service for their beloved pet if you are able to state that you have qualifications and of course, experience.

Get in touch with your local college who will be able to give you more information about qualifications that you can study for. Gaining a certificate in dog grooming can only be positive when you are trying to recruit new clients.

 

Locations

You can operate your business from a salon which has the benefit of space and a fixed site where you might get walk in enquiries. However, you also need to consider the overheads that you will need to pay to run the venue.

Costs include rent, electricity, water, gas, insurance, maintenance etc. Some dog groomers run their business from a room in their house. This has the advantage of providing a fixed premise without hefty overhead bills. But this isn’t always possible as you may not have this space available.

The alternative is that you can provide a mobile service offering dog grooming in a clients home. This has the benefit of significantly reducing the impact of the cost of overheads and enables you to provide treatments in an environment where the dog feels comfortable. You need to consider that you will need to be able to transport your equipment between clients.

 

Experience

The more experience you have, the better the service that you can provide for your client and their pet. Practice on your own dog or on a friend’s to gain experience in dealing with dogs of different breeds and sizes. Then, when you do a wonderful job ask your friends and family to recommend your services!

 

Insurance

Public Liability insurance is a minimum requirement when you run your own business and this will cover you for injury or damage to third parties or their property, which may be important if your grooming business travels to client’s houses.

Care, Custody and Control cover will offer protection against the accidental injury, illness or loss of an animal under your care. You should also take out a policy covering any specialist equipment that you use as part of your dog grooming business.

 

Equipment

There are some key items that you will need to purchase to be able to provide a dog grooming service. You need to ensure that all equipment is cleaned and sterilised between treatments. The key items to include in your kit list are:

1. Table – for grooming the dogs on. When making this investment, be sure to find something that suits your needs. Consider that it needs to be big enough for the dogs that you will be treating. It also needs to be the right height for you to be able to stand at to groom the dogs and easy to clean between pets. If you will be providing a mobile dog grooming service, then you need to ensure that the table you get is portable.

2. Clippers – these should be an essential part of your toolkit. It is worth making an investment to get the right clippers ensuring that they are comfortable to hold as well as being easy to maintain and clean.

3. Dryer – Essential for providing the perfect finishing touch, make sure that the dryer you choose is practical and appropriate for the task. For example, a tiny dryer with little output won’t be very useful for a large dog.

4. Brushes and combs – You should have these in a variety of sizes and for a range of hair types as you are likely to be handling many different dog breeds.

5. Nail clippers – these are another essential tool for keeping those nails trimmed and should be practical and easy to use and maintain.

6. Products – Such as shampoo and conditioner are essential. Make sure that you have a range of products available, taking into consideration that some of the dogs that you treat might have sensitive skin.

 

Pricing

Put a price structure in place considering the range of treatments and size of animal. You might want to offer a pricing structure based on small, medium and large dogs and could offer packages so that clients can treat their pets to a wash and nail clipping for a standard price.

Additional treatments such as teeth descaling and ear cleaning could be offered at an additional price.

So, keep these considerations in mind when setting up your dog grooming business to ensure that you have everything in place that you need.

Get Dog Grooming Insurance from Protectivity

 

 

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Recent Blogs

Opportunities for freelancers in corporate hospitality Image

Events

Opportunities for freelancers in corporate hospitality

Corporate hospitality is one of the most rewarding and lucrative areas of the events industry. From sporting fixt

Why your small business needs a niche Image

Business

Why your small business needs a niche

Why smaller can be smarter If you’ve ever tried to appeal to everyone, you’ll know it’s a bit like shout

How to set up a home hair salon Image

Business

How to set up a home hair salon

With the rising cost of renting salon space, more hair professionals are exploring creative alternatives and one

Holding a pop-up event: a useful guide Image

Events

Holding a pop-up event: a useful guide

Pop-up events  have become one of the most exciting trends in the UK event and retail scene. From temporary shop

Why mindfulness and meditation therapy is in demand Image

Therapists

Why mindfulness and meditation therapy is in demand

Across the UK, meditation and mindfulness are no longer fringe interests, they’ve become essential tools for ma

Sports therapy and massage careers: A guide to your future in the field Image

Therapists

Sports therapy and massage careers: A guide to your future in the field

In today’s health-conscious society, careers in sports therapy and massage are more relevant than ever. Whether

The rise of pop-up barber shops Image

Starting a business

The rise of pop-up barber shops

If you're a freelance barber in the UK looking to grow your business, reach new clients, and stand out in a compe

Why aromatherapy is a rising trend for holistic therapy Image

Therapists

Why aromatherapy is a rising trend for holistic therapy

In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in how people approach their wellbeing. Clients are no longer

Costly home and garden renovation and maintenance mistakes Image

Trades

Costly home and garden renovation and maintenance mistakes

Experts reveal some of the most ‘costly’ home and garden renovation and maintenance mistakes that homeowners

How much can you earn running an ice cream van? Image

Caterer

How much can you earn running an ice cream van?

Thinking about running an ice cream van? You might be wondering: Is it worth it? Can I actually make a decent liv

Simply find the insurance you need.