Why Aren't Pet Groomers Licensed?

[winterroo]

The whole point in government regulation (ie licensing) is a last resort for individuals who disagree on the legality of a situation and cannot come to a decision without legal help. We can all skirt this by regulating ourselves ( ie certification) If we all require higher standards (hire certified groomers, help push certifications as our industry standard) then the norm for what a "groom" is would be easier to recognize. My personal oppinion is to do this through pricing, no reasonable pet parent is going to pay high prices for low quality. Put more pressure on clients to pay more ACROSS THE BOARD ( all groomers raise prices at the same increment at the same time) force people to pay prices only worth great quality, and all those "groomers" who cant cut it (haha, did you catch that pun will never be able to make enough money to stay in business, and poof, less quality work is slowly whittled away. When I get asked to reccomend a groomer, I never give names, I give prices. I tell them, for this breed and this cut I wouldnt pay less than $$$. Anyone asking less than that price couldnt possibly understand how complicated the work a groomer does is and more than likely are not doing work worth your money. I vote not to wait until we HAVE to be licensed and up the standards on our own, at least then we will more than be able to afford whatever they throw at us...

I don't believe it to be a good idea to get the government involved-I really don't want to be policed by a bunch of beaurocrats (like it or not, all you pro-licensing groomers, this is what WILL happen!). I personally am not certified and I think I am a pretty okay groomer-I never felt it to be a necessity for me in 20 years of grooming. My clients will dictate whether I am worthy or not. Like everything else, the market will take care of pretty much everything if it is allowed (I know there are exceptions, I am not a fool, but there aren't many)...

You said "Put more pressure on clients to pay more ACROSS THE BOARD ( all groomers raise prices at the same increment at the same time) force people to pay prices only worth great quality, and all those "groomers" who cant cut it (haha, did you catch that pun will never be able to make enough money to stay in business, and poof, less quality work is slowly whittled away."

Ummm, you can't price fix here in the US. Competition is the only way to get prices up. My local grooming friends and I discuss pricing on a regular basis, but obviously we all do what suits us and our area. I have the highest prices in my area, hands down, and I personally stay as busy as I want at pretty much any given time (on occasion I will have a lull, but when it is just me, it is an extremely rare occasion!). If your quality is better than the rest, and you truly believe you have THAT particular market cornered, then by all means, charge what you feel you are worth. My only issue with pricing is that my other groomers aren't as specialized as I am, so it is harder for them to get the higher pricing. They have been great above average groomers, but honestly (and I am NOT saying this because I am snobby, I am just by nature a very meticulous person-kinda to a fault), they aren't me- unfortunately (yes, I said it-and only because there is only one of me) I am the reason most clients come to my shop and pay my high prices. I am considering working alone now because of this and just raising my prices exponentially to weed out the cheaper clients and keep the really good ones that will pay whatever because I find it so hard to fill another groomer, especially right now. I am tired of dealing with people that don't give a damn about calling me to tell me they can't work for this reason or that.

[catgroomer]

We could design educational systems including grooming, career management, and even required business training in varying degrees. We could show hairstyling how it should be done.

Amen!

[Tat2DGroomer]

Well since at this time I'm planning on selling my mobile business and retiring from grooming at the end of 2011, I can say...... Yall have FUN with that!!!! LOL!!!!

[seasaidhmom]

I am a RN and continue to pay to keep my license current. I am grateful that nurses have a license. Having one set rules for professional conduct is one step in making a career something that can be called a profession. It would be great if grooming could truely identify itself as a profession and one way to do this would be having a self-governing body (not one that it regulated by the state per-say, but that is governed by a professional grooming association for the states).

[mtgroomer1]

There will

ALWAYS be unlicensed groomers no matter what. I think it will make even more go "underground" I just found out in the last two weeks their are three ladys in my town who groom out of home, cash non-reporting. No advertising, (I don't think they do alot but..) So us, the ones who have a store front, mobile, or even home groomers that are in the yellow pages will be required...Becasue we are "findable" BUT the shady groomers, still go on doing what they are doing. I know nothing of these three womens capabilities. They could be very good..But...the whole point of regulating the industry will be for nothing.

[winterroo]

I am a RN and continue to pay to keep my license current. I am grateful that nurses have a license. Having one set rules for professional conduct is one step in making a career something that can be called a profession. It would be great if grooming could truely identify itself as a profession and one way to do this would be having a self-governing body (not one that it regulated by the state per-say, but that is governed by a professional grooming association for the states).

Umm, nursing is a far cry from grooming. Hardly apples to apples.

[mikhess31]

I totally agree with this!! I find that if your good, safe, clean and have what it takes you will make a wonderful addition to a community..If you don't have what it takes the people will not go to you..although the dogs can not speak (well if you ask most of my customers the dogs let them know through their behavior if they like coming here or not) but the owners can speak and they do!! We need to stand together and not let the government control something more that they do not understand!

[TheDogDetailer]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[/QUOTE]Licensing will NOT stop all accidents/injuries from occuring. Even if the licensing examination required a big safety aspect, knowledge does NOT mean that every protocol will be followed every single minute of every single day. We're human beings (imperfect) working on other imperfect living beings. Accidents and injuries (and even fatalities) can happen to ANY one of us despite being highly skilled, loving animals, and taking every possible precaution. Every time I hear one of these over-hyped anti-groomer "News" stories, I think "For the Grace of God, that could just as easily be me." I refuse to jump on the bandwagon attacking any of my cohorts until I know all the facts. And I know the media is about as biased as can be![/QUOTE]

I constantly hear my coworkers and other groomers talking hearsay about one another to clients and it disgusts me. Not to mention when a potential customer comes in and says they couldn't keep taking fluffy to so and so salon because he would shake every time they brought him, then one of my coworkers saying oh that's a bad sign and bad mouth the other place, some pets really do hate grooming no matter what. What if fluffy leaves our salon shaking when we don't so much as breathe on him wrong.
People should always voice negative AND positive possibilities or NOTHING at all. Have respect for eachother at the very least when you don't know the facts.

[Emma123]

I don't see the harm in having a national or state "health and safety" licensing program which administers online tests for basic knowledge of grooming tools, salon hygiene, common diseases of dogs and parasites. The bar exam and nursing exam, etc., serve to make sure that people calling themselves lawyers and nurses have taken the time to learn the basics of their profession. This doesn't make a lawyer into a good lawyer, but it does make a lawyer into someone who has at least made a major commitment of time and energy to the legal profession.

[scullysmom]

I see not a whole lot of harm in National but again, for people like me (attached to the Military), State licensing will just be another hurdle. Right now we start over at the bottom of the commission scale every time we move (if we are lucky enough to find gainful employment in a sane atmosphere), we cannot really have a mobile because of insurance and licensing requirements (another State issue). And of course, if we open a salon we just suck wind for three years until we have to move or sell it (if we get that lucky). Just another perspective because I think this issue is mostly looked at from a State stationary perspective. State by State licensing will severely inhibit Military spouse groomers ability to making a living-sincerely!! I know many of you will say pay the fee, retest etc, but put yourselves in our shoes. I know of a certified groomer though IPG. Now her grooming skills are impeccable, she is the most reliable employee anyone could ever have, she is excellent with the clients four legged and two and because of her husbands MOS she moves almost every year. She almost always must spend time getting to know the area, finding employment (starting at 45-50% generally). Now if she stayed in one area she would rule the town. She would either own her own shop or make a high commission/hourly. This is not even bringing into the equation moving from high pricing (60+ for little dogs) areas to low pricing (25-35) areas of the country, the cost of relocating, and the equipment which is otherwise "misplaced or injured". Place licensing requirements in the mix (and the cost and few months it would take to navigate this state by state) and now you have made her reason to work pointless. Why in good conscience would we do this to another groomer? National licensing because of States rights may not be a legal option unless Military was exempt. I know most everyone will read past this and not care, but it is worth a mention at the least

[scullysmom]

One further point (because this always gets brought up), for those who think that Military spouse groomers always choose to be a groomer and follow their husband around, you are incorrect. I know of three of us, myself included, who left the grooming field to serve our country and ended up out because of various issues. Due to marriage, we remain tied to the Military invariably. I only mention it because usually people state that we picked this lifestyle "suck it up". I for one injured my hip in the Marines and basically have been forced to groom or nothing at every station-and there you have it. I love grooming, it is my calling however, sometimes people miss various aspects of the big picture which is why I bring this up in the first place. OK, off the venting soap box and on to different posts, just thought it was worth a mention.

[Emma123]

I moved around a lot too, though not as a groomer - and yes, there are extra financial, emotional and business expenses that go along with that. I wouldn't worry though - based on the passionate and angry responses to this issue, it's a long way off. Ha ha.

[absolutebichon]

I agree.

[kat05]

Dog Detailer I agree, I will not bad mouth a shop to anyone no matter what I think of that shop. I will listen to the customer and explain how i do things. I will win customers based on my merits not on bad mouthing another groomer. I do think we should be licensed and I think there could be a possibility of states having a reciprocal agreements with other states like many contractors do. And its not because I think it will stop accidents, accidents are called accidents because that's what they are. There are some accidents that can be avoided by proper techniques but having a license will not solve that problem. I just think it gives us a better professional appearance.

[fireislandmuffin]

I don't want licensing. I think it's just another way for the government to collect money. They'll get money for the license and more money for summonses for people who practice without a license - if they'll even try to enforce it, that is. I don't think it will improve anything.