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why do people think they can just pick up clippers and call themselves a groomer???!!
(Kind of a rant...)
Had a phone call today from a man wanting to know how to go about becoming a groomer. Says he's a barber and wants to do this bc he thinks there's "a lot of money to be made in grooming." Strike one. Then asks if it's an "easy thing to do." Strike two. I tell him that it is not always easy. We must deal with unruly dogs on a regular basis and there is SOOOO much more to grooming than just plopping it on the table and shaving it. I then go on to explain that many groomers start as bathers getting a few years under their belts learning the basics of what will help translate into a great groom. He tells me he wants to start doing this "now" and does not have the time to do that. "I will hire a helper who already knows that stuff." Strike three. I told him nicely that with that attitude, he won't go far in the grooming world. That if he is serious, he will seek out a job as a bather, find some willing to apprentice him, or go to school. And even then, he will still have so much to learn that you don't learn unless you continue education and get more hands on experience. I also tell him that being a barber is NOTHING like being a groomer. He then says "well, aren't most haircuts, other than poodles, just one length?" No. there are many breed standard clips and patterns he needs to know how to do, and a good groomer will not just do basic shave downs unless requested by the owner. That a haircut should accentuate the best features on a dog and also hide the not so great features--just like a good hair stylist would do. He then asks me if I will mentor him. HAHA. No. I've been doing this for 7 years--not nearly long enough for me to consider training someone other than to bathe, and certainly not someone who's just in it for the money. Then he says he talked to a girl fresh out of grooming school at the local box store, and that she said she would "teach" him. Wow. Just what this industry needs---more people thinking they can pick up clippers, watch a newbie, and call themselves a groomer.
Sorry for the rant, but these are the kind of people that really get to me, and IMHO, bring the grooming industry down. I just don't understand why people think this is such an easy thing to do and that anyone can do it. Sure, anyone CAN do it, but they must put forth the time, effort, and dedication to learn, just like any other profession. I was a bather for 3 years before I considered becoming a groomer. Then I apprenticed for 2 years with a groomer who had 30 years experience and I learned A LOT from her. To this day, I am grateful for the opportunity that was given to me. And I know I still have much to learn. And sure, there are people out there that this can come naturally to them, but even they must have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge of dog behavior/breeds/etc.
Sorry again for the rant...had to tell someone who understands. lol
Had a phone call today from a man wanting to know how to go about becoming a groomer. Says he's a barber and wants to do this bc he thinks there's "a lot of money to be made in grooming." Strike one. Then asks if it's an "easy thing to do." Strike two. I tell him that it is not always easy. We must deal with unruly dogs on a regular basis and there is SOOOO much more to grooming than just plopping it on the table and shaving it. I then go on to explain that many groomers start as bathers getting a few years under their belts learning the basics of what will help translate into a great groom. He tells me he wants to start doing this "now" and does not have the time to do that. "I will hire a helper who already knows that stuff." Strike three. I told him nicely that with that attitude, he won't go far in the grooming world. That if he is serious, he will seek out a job as a bather, find some willing to apprentice him, or go to school. And even then, he will still have so much to learn that you don't learn unless you continue education and get more hands on experience. I also tell him that being a barber is NOTHING like being a groomer. He then says "well, aren't most haircuts, other than poodles, just one length?" No. there are many breed standard clips and patterns he needs to know how to do, and a good groomer will not just do basic shave downs unless requested by the owner. That a haircut should accentuate the best features on a dog and also hide the not so great features--just like a good hair stylist would do. He then asks me if I will mentor him. HAHA. No. I've been doing this for 7 years--not nearly long enough for me to consider training someone other than to bathe, and certainly not someone who's just in it for the money. Then he says he talked to a girl fresh out of grooming school at the local box store, and that she said she would "teach" him. Wow. Just what this industry needs---more people thinking they can pick up clippers, watch a newbie, and call themselves a groomer.
Sorry for the rant, but these are the kind of people that really get to me, and IMHO, bring the grooming industry down. I just don't understand why people think this is such an easy thing to do and that anyone can do it. Sure, anyone CAN do it, but they must put forth the time, effort, and dedication to learn, just like any other profession. I was a bather for 3 years before I considered becoming a groomer. Then I apprenticed for 2 years with a groomer who had 30 years experience and I learned A LOT from her. To this day, I am grateful for the opportunity that was given to me. And I know I still have much to learn. And sure, there are people out there that this can come naturally to them, but even they must have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge of dog behavior/breeds/etc.
Sorry again for the rant...had to tell someone who understands. lol
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