Dog Gone Doggies

A challenging but very rewarding profession, dog grooming requires special training or education. The first and most popular choice is that of attending a dog grooming school, but there is always the possibility of taking Internet courses. In-person practicals are probably the most important part of the training process. Working on a live pet, learning about the various needs of the animals that are met by grooming represent essential stages for the creation of skills. A dog grooming school could also provide courses for placement assistance, vet technician training and several other specializations that can become the basis for a solid career.

Home study programs represent an alternative to a classic dog grooming school. The majority of programs are structured so as to take no more than six or eight weeks to complete. The program should be accredited by an official institution, and it is a good idea to check for the accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. There are colleges, trade schools or community colleges that take into consideration the education achieved in a dog grooming school or the certification obtained in a home study program. If you have such options available and you take interest in such a career, then, it's worth giving it a try.

Between the home or Internet study options and the real in-person instruction at a dog grooming school, the latter variant is definitely the most convenient. If you don't find satisfactory information on the Internet, you can ask the local groomers about the school that they attended. You have all the advantages imaginable if you go to a local institution because this means that you'll be able to practice directly on animals and thus develop the skills properly. Then, there comes the issue of tools, because Internet courses and home programs do not supply the necessary tools.

Tools are available with the dog grooming school supplies and you will not have to invest at this stage; you can wait until later when you have the money or you want to open your own business. After you graduate the program of a dog grooming school you will be a certified groomer with the possibility to go for an independent business career or to get a job in a pet salon, vet or rescue center. Last but not least, if you have several school options to choose from, it is important to compare their programs as well as the costs of your education.