Hey...Im not really a groomer but I want to be one!

[chelsichan]

Hi, my name is Chelsi. Im not a groomer but I really want to be one. I plan on owning my own buisness someday, so if anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. A bit about me...im in 10th grade and I own two adorable ferrets (I will post pics later) and two chubby cats and they are all my babies. =D

[lbboop99]

Hi Chelsi,
It sounds like you are animal lover which is the first thing about being a groomer. Do you do any volunteer work at any shelters? That is a good place to start learning about the care of animals. Or if you are old enough you could work at a boarding kennel. Sometimes people work there way up at these places, sometimes the groomers there will teach the kennel help. I'm not sure how old you are, but maybe you could start by being a bather at a grooming salon on the weekends? Or even cleaning the salon on weekends. I do get a lot of calls from highschool aged kids looking for that kind of work. And then you can learn more about the business from them. When you are out of high school maybe you could go to grooming school or try one of the online courses? Just some thoughts. Good luck to you.

[pamperedpups]

Welcome to the forum! I agree that volunteering at your local animal shelter is a great start. You're also probably old enough to get a part-time job at a pet shop, grooming parlour, etc. if you can do that and keep up with schoolwork. Walking dogs, pet sitting and offering pooper-scooper services is also a good way to work with animals while making some extra cash. I'm sure you already read everything about animals you can, so if you're serious about grooming, see if you can get your paws on Notes from the Grooming Table and Theory of Five. Good luck!

[milhasavilla]

Hi Chelsi - You sound just adorable! ibboop gave ya some great tips. I'll be hiring a highschooler to help me bathe this summer - so you might wanna check out the salons in your area for some bathing experience. And like said, shelters are always looking for volunteers. Good luck, we're rooting for ya!!

[chelsichan]

Thanks so much for the advice! Im going to start looking for places close to home. I have looked for grooming schools but the only one that I found is Penn foster. Is that a good school? I plan on taking that online course as soon as I graduate so I can get a job (hopefully at a good petstore with a good grooming salon along with the little doggy camp like in pet co. so I get the feel of being around animals all the time. I want my busness to be very diverse with animals! =D What other schools would people recomend? I also know that alot of groomers dont take animals like ferrets, just dogs and cats. Do you have to take a special course to work with animals besides cats and dogs? Thanks again for being so nice and supportive! Oh and I think its so cool that you are willing to higher highschoolers milhasavilla! =D I know alot of people that wont.

[Gracy Rose]

See, if you can find a local groomer who would allow you to come in a few days a week and watch, bathe or just help out. If you were in Orlando, I could help :-)

[poodle_Trouble]

Hi Chelsi:
I'm 19 in 12th Grade. I also plan to be a groomer. I hope you achieve your goals. I also have pets. One is a Border Collie x Sheltie named Heidi and I also have a Blue Cream Torteshell cat named Peaches And Cream. My goal is to own a Standard poodle and Compete in Grooming Competitions.

[newbie]

hello

i was just replying to your question about penn foster...i have been looking for schooling as well to go with the experience that i have and I have heard that penn foster is not a good school, just a waste of $$. I haven't been there so I can't say, but with that type of feedback, they won't be getting me! Check out the thread about schools and certification and home study. You can also check out the old forum (stephen explains how in the post) and see what people have said on the old forum. If you can, you should go to an actual grooming school instead of an online program. Or just find yourself a groomer that is willing to teach you. Those would be better than just taking an online course.

[ferret]

Hello friend to ferrets...

Hi, my name is Chelsi. Im not a groomer but I really want to be one. I plan on owning my own buisness someday, so if anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. A bit about me...im in 10th grade and I own two adorable ferrets (I will post pics later) and two chubby cats and they are all my babies. =D

Just wanted to say Hello to the fellow ferret lover.

[Pawsitively Purrfect]

Hi Chelsi:
I'm 19 in 12th Grade. I also plan to be a groomer. I hope you achieve your goals. I also have pets. One is a Border Collie x Sheltie named Heidi and I also have a Blue Cream Torteshell cat named Peaches And Cream. My goal is to own a Standard poodle and Compete in Grooming Competitions.

OOOOhhhh!!!
What color do you want? Start with a toy like I did and make sure you want all that work...somtimes I don't know what I was thinking getting the bigger version...I do love the poodles tho!!

[pamperedpups]

Instead of Penn Foster, look into the All About Dog Grooming, JKL and Groomadog home study programs advertised here. Many years ago, I went with All About Dog Grooming and it gave me a good start. I believe JKL offers a course on cat grooming, but I don't remember ever seeing any other courses for grooming critters other than dogs and cats. Hope this helps!

[bad_chihuahua]

When I was in 10th grade I got an after school job at the vets office. I always was facinated by the groomer. I loved to watch her groom. Having that experience really helped me when I decided to become a groomer years later.

[sheilabgroomer]

Same as bad chihuahua I was in the 10th grade when I started working for a vet after school. There was a grooming shop in the same plaza and the owner asked me if I wanted to work for her when I was done w/the vets and on Saturdays. I loved the grooming shop and eventually quit the vets (on good terms) and started working full time when I graduated H.S. I started grooming school the summer after I graduated. I went to the Merryfield School of Pet Technology in Ft. Lauderdale. At the time I went it really wasn't the best school, but from what I understand it is greatly improved. I learned the most at work, and from all the other groomers I came in contact with. I was very fortunate to have been able to work w/some very talented people who took me under their wings and taught me lots!!! 22 yrs later (wow I feel old....lol) and I have my own shop and have never regreted my career choice. I honestly don't think of it as my career though, this is my life!! My advice to you would be the same as others. Get a job at a kennel, grooming shop or vets or volunteer at a shelter. If your school offers any pet oriented classes take them and make good grades!! There are a lot of schools now and they should be fairley easy to research w/the internet. Good luck to you and ask us any questions. This is such a great board. Even as an "old timer" I have learned so very much since I joined almost a year ago.