Are you an out-and out-dogs person? Do you have to pet every dog you see on the street? Is your next gift by your friends to you definitely going to be a puppy? Have you always dreamt of having a dog job? If your answer to all these questions is a resounding yes, dog grooming is just for you!
Just like the well-being of humans depends upon how well they take care of themselves, doggos are no different. The well-being of a dog is highly related to dog grooming. Dog grooming can simply be defined as the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog. It includes the process by which a dog’s physical appearance is enhanced. A dog groomer is a person who earns their living by grooming dogs. Dog grooming is not an easy task. It is a challenging field as you never know or can be sure how a dog will behave.
The CareerNinja team spoke to professional dog groomer, Ms. Niti Bavishi. Niti has a pet-grooming diploma from Chicago. She has her own pet grooming salon which goes by the name ‘The Woof Bond‘. It is located at Ghatkopar East in Mumbai.
If you are working in a completely unrelated field and you’re wondering how to make the switch to dog grooming, you’ve come to the right place! Niti was working in the media field when she heard of a course of a certified canine trainer. She was itching to do something different so she signed up for it. She hasn’t looked back since!
What is the scope of dog grooming in India?
Niti first started working as a behaviourist and a trainer. She says, “The pet industry is growing by the day. More and more people are getting pets and they want to train their pups the right way. They also want a good pet groomer. This field definitely has great opportunities. But, like every other field, this too takes a while to set up and grow. But at the end of the day, it’s a satisfying job.”
Talking about how one can become a professional dog groomer, Niti says, “To become a pet groomer, you need to love animals dearly. You also need to have good stamina as the work is physically demanding. Creativity, sensitivity and good communication are important skills you need to have. As easy or as happy-go-lucky this profession may seem to be, one cannot overlook the fact that it’s also a tough and emotional job. You can first start by volunteering at an NGO. If you find yourself ready to commit to this field, you can enroll in an institute in India or abroad that teaches pet grooming.”
How much do dog groomers earn?
Niti believes that the 4 most important things one needs to take this up as a career are passion, patience, good communication skills, and creativity. Talking about the pay-scale in this field, she says, “The pay is subjective. It depends on which area you are operating out of. It also depends on whether you have your own salon or are working under someone. You could either be salaried or on commission-basis per pet. Or you can run your own business where you can gauge the market price and quote accordingly. If you are salaried and a fresher, you will start anywhere between 10,000-20,000.”
She signs off saying, “Dog grooming tests your patience a lot of times. It is challenging as even dogs have different temperaments. But it is an extremely rewarding experience. Seeing their happy faces after you clean and groom them takes all your tiredness away.”
Found this article interesting? Click here to read why having a pet is better than having a boyfriend!
