Dog grooming business start up

Whisper87

Hi all,

Wonder if you can help me?

My partner recently completed fetac level 5 in animal welfare and introduction to dog grooming.. He wants to use this to build more knowledge but more importantly start a dog grooming business.

We have a huge back garden and the plan would be to build a shed and equip it with everything required in a dog grooming studio.

So my questions -

Do you need a license to groom dogs?
What equipment is the right equipment to get and where do we get it?
What else are we not thinking of?

There is hardly any info online so appreciate your help with this.

Thanks,
C

VonVix

He should really do work experience with a fully qualified groomer before jumping into being a self employed grooming business, and even then that should be at least 6 months if not a year or more, there is a LOT to learn when it comes to different coat types (for example, the requirements/do's/don'ts of dealing with double coated breeds), scissoring, thinning hair, hand stripping, etc.! You can't truly learn how to groom dogs if you have not done hands on work, no matter how much you have read and studied the subject.

Grooming dogs is not an easy task and most people will want to see what someone's ability is before giving their dog to be groomed, so before and after photos are a must on practice dogs, the dogs of friends and family at this stage! Then there's the whole understanding how to handle difficult dogs, realising that you pretty much will get bitten eventually. Understanding a dog's body language is very important.

Tetanus shot and insurance is something else you need to think of as well, if a dog gets injured you need to be able to cover yourself.

Whisper87

VonVix wrote: »

He should really do work experience with a fully qualified groomer before jumping into being a self employed grooming business, and even then that should be at least 6 months if not a year or more, there is a LOT to learn when it comes to different coat types (for example, the requirements/do's/don'ts of dealing with double coated breeds), scissoring, thinning hair, hand stripping, etc.! You can't truly learn how to groom dogs if you have not done hands on work, no matter how much you have read and studied the subject.

Grooming dogs is not an easy task and most people will want to see what someone's ability is before giving their dog to be groomed, so before and after photos are a must on practice dogs, the dogs of friends and family at this stage! Then there's the whole understanding how to handle difficult dogs, realising that you pretty much will get bitten eventually. Understanding a dog's body language is very important.

Tetanus shot and insurance is something else you need to think of as well, if a dog gets injured you need to be able to cover yourself.

Totally agree with what your saying, the plan is to eventually maybe possibly have his own grooming business... Everything this is up in the area as we are just trashing it out.

There is nowhere looking for assistant dog groomers or anything animal related in jobs.
He has no experience of working in a shop so that option might not work if it was available!

I've spent the last hour looking and have 2 jobs that are available and both are for professional dog groomers which I doubt he could really apply for.

VonVix

Whisper87 wrote: »

Totally agree with what your saying, the plan is to eventually maybe possibly have his own grooming business... Everything this is up in the area as we are just trashing it out.

There is nowhere looking for assistant dog groomers or anything animal related in jobs.
He has no experience of working in a shop so that option might not work if it was available!

I've spent the last hour looking and have 2 jobs that are available and both are for professional dog groomers which I doubt he could really apply for.

Well, it's pretty necessary to get the experience from assisting, even to find out if it's a job he really wants to do. It was something I was considering for a while until I actually helped out someone for a bit with washing a few dogs, now I'm happy I just have to look after the coat of my own two!


Where abouts are you located?

Whisper87

VonVix wrote: »

Well, it's pretty necessary to get the experience from assisting, even to find out if it's a job he really wants to do. It was something I was considering for a while until I actually helped out someone for a bit with washing a few dogs, now I'm happy I just have to look after the coat of my own two!


Where abouts are you located?

We're in Dublin, I would've thought there would be more info out there in this area!

VonVix

Whisper87 wrote: »

We're in Dublin, I would've thought there would be more info out there in this area!

I'm gonna drop you a PM.

ABajaninCork

If your partner's completed a level 5, that's only the first year. He'd need to do up to Level 7 AFAIK in order to qualify. As part of that course, he'd have to have a portfolio of about 25-30 dogs AND work experience with a groomer. I can't remember if you do animal First Aid on the FETAC course, but in any case it'd be a good idea to take a course.

When starting out, I agree with Voxvix - you need to have a portfolio and a couple of recommendations to get the ball rolling.

As for equipment?

Cages to keep the animals contained whilst you work on others - You'll find it'll probably be a condition of any insurance you get.
Obviously proper dog baths and dryers - And they ain't cheap here! Christies is the best bet.
Tables - adjustable hydraulic ones to save your backs
Selection of slickers, knot breakers, brushes, coat kings, stripping knives and chalk blocks.
Clippers, selection of blades (probably at least two of each), selection of scissors.
Restraints - bath and table ones. A good supply of both in case you need to cut the restraint for any reason.
Shampoos
Ear powders
Nail clippers

And that's all I can think of for now. Doubtless someone else will be along with more/better suggestions than I! :pac:

Whisper87

ABajaninCork wrote: »

If your partner's completed a level 5, that's only the first year. He'd need to do up to Level 7 AFAIK in order to qualify. As part of that course, he'd have to have a portfolio of about 25-30 dogs AND work experience with a groomer. I can't remember if you do animal First Aid on the FETAC course, but in any case it'd be a good idea to take a course.

When starting out, I agree with Voxvix - you need to have a portfolio and a couple of recommendations to get the ball rolling.

As for equipment?

Cages to keep the animals contained whilst you work on others - You'll find it'll probably be a condition of any insurance you get.
Obviously proper dog baths and dryers - And they ain't cheap here! Christies is the best bet.
Tables - adjustable hydraulic ones to save your backs
Selection of slickers, knot breakers, brushes, coat kings, stripping knives and chalk blocks.
Clippers, selection of blades (probably at least two of each), selection of scissors.
Restraints - bath and table ones. A good supply of both in case you need to cut the restraint for any reason.
Shampoos
Ear powders
Nail clippers

And that's all I can think of for now. Doubtless someone else will be along with more/better suggestions than I! :pac:

You sound like you have experience in this area! Cheers for the info!

ABajaninCork

I have...Qualified as a groomer, but don't work as one. No money in it!!

PoppysPerfectPaws

@ABajaninCork I know this is 12 years later but I'm wondering what Level 7 AFAIK means? I've completed my level 5 in animal care with dog grooming as well as around 80 hours along side a professional groomer and I'm trying to figure out my next step as doing more specialised dog grooming courses hands on can cost anything upwards of €3,500, which I definitely do not have. I'm planning on doing a start your own business course to get an insight on that.

Am I right in saying there's no courses or apprenticeships which can cater to people trying to get the right qualifications with a low income?

the beer revolu

AFAIK just means, "as far as I know".

mary 2021

The hardest part of dog grooming is not the dogs but the owners be prepared for that, they know everything, but in actually they know fcuk all about the dogs they own . The want every thing clipped for their convenience and lots of dogs should never be clipped & it desteroys their coats be prepared for that, i refuse to clip dogs that should not be clipped but its very frustrating. Their dog ownership is not about loving dogs just having one that looks clean on IG.

eviem

Hope ye don't mind me butting in, I am also thinking of doing a course in dog grooming but have no clue where to start can someone please send me on any information they have, I'm based in mullingar too. Thanks in advance

Ashtown_biz

Hi all,

Reviving an old post but really interested to hear from anyone who has subsequently set up their own business / the qualifications they have?

thanks,

Jx