Dog grooming is truly a fantastic, 100% practical profession, which no computer or robot can replace. It is an art, a form of expression and creativity that requires great skill and passion. Do you want to be successful as a student and in your job as a groomer later? Then acquiring knowledge and making sure you are well prepared are the basics. In one of our previous posts, we talked about how best to prepare yourself for your practical exams. Today, we wish to give you overall tips that will help you through your education, the beginning of your career.
Gaining a lot of professional knowledge and experience will increase your chances of success. It may all seem a bit overwhelming at first. There are many things to consider, such as marketing, business management, customer loyalty, providing an excellent service and experience, standing out from your competitors and so on. Our grooming experts were not always experts, they had to build their experience with a lot of patience and perseverance. Once, they also stood in your shoes. We would like to give you a head start, which is why we are happy to give you the following 5 useful tips:
1. Great internship
An internship is an important part of training to become a passionate and driven dog groomer. Finding a good internship is therefore crucial. It has to be a place where you can brush up on your basics. We know that it is not always easy to find the right internship. An important tip: don't choose the first one you see! It’s okay to be picky in your search for the right internship and mentors. Determine what is important to you and try to find the perfect match. After all, it is one of your building blocks for a successful career.
2. To be the best, learn from the best
The dog grooming industry is full of interesting, inspiring people. Connect with them. Today, this is easier than ever thanks to social media. Make a vision board where you can keep nice pictures of beautifully groomed dogs that you found online. Like and share pictures and keep in contact with the groomers. See where they have seminars. Save up to go and do seminars and keep your vision board in your daily sight.
The internet in general and inspiring people are one of the best sources of knowledge. By gaining knowledge through various channels and different people, you will grow and improve. Seek the advice of experts. After all, they have your best interests at heart and will certainly be willing to pass on their knowledge to ensure quality in the next generation of groomers. Be sure to get in touch with us. We have several channels where we are sharing our passion and tips & tricks with you. Each year, we also organise our very own international grooming competition, Groomania.
Don’t forget to plan some me-time in your agenda and go to at least a few dog shows a year. There you will be able to see all dogs groomed according to the standard. Take as many pictures as possible, then study them at home to see all the details. Later, you can also use them in your grooming shop as samples to make your customers’ dogs look their best.
3. Finding dogs
Finding dogs to groom during your education can be quite a struggle. It takes a lot of time and energy to find the right dogs to bring to your practical classes. However, searching for dogs to practice on and finding the right ones is where it all begins. In fact, it also means the first step in preparing for your own business and learning how to build a customer base. The day when all customers just came knocking at your door is over. The market continues to grow at a furious pace and the pieces of the pie are getting smaller. Therefore, it is important to fight for your piece. Making contact with dog owners and looking for suitable dogs for your practical lessons is the first step in building a fully-fledged customer base. It is important to make a good impression and to show where you can make a difference. See the search as a beautiful challenge, connect with people and trust in your own added value.
Are you rather shy or not really a social person? Then aim to polish your communication techniques. It will definitely come in handy later on! Overcome your fear and go for it! Address and talk to people in various places, for example at the dog school or at an animal shelter, or even in a store or at the market... Be active in different areas to connect with different people. After all, having several options equals more possibilities.
4. The right tools for the job
During your training as a dog groomer, it is important to invest in the right equipment so you can practise and learn your trade optimally. The current offer is so large that you sometimes can't see the wood for the trees. At Transgroom, we realise this all too well. Therefore, our aim is to help and guide you in your search for the right equipment and the right products, the ones that will help you get the most out of them and the ones that will suit you best.
The dog grooming industry has grown exponentially in recent years. This does not only mean a much wider range of options and even choice overload, but also a lot more top-quality, professional products. It goes without saying that the quality of the chosen material determines the quality of your work. Many products and tools have been specially developed to make your grooming work as easy and comfortable as possible. And not only that! Many products and materials are timesaving and indispensable to make the most of your available time. Making the right choice in this regard as a student is therefore essential. We offer student packages with special, very advantageous prices. Would you like to find out more? Then be sure to send us an e-mail and visit our service page.
5. You can do it!
Finally, we would like to give you the most important tip of all: motivation. On the road to success, you will undoubtedly also experience setbacks. Think of those as a challenge, as a necessary step before your final destination. As a groomer, no matter whether you are still learning, starting or more advanced, it is important to be able to try new things, be willing to learn and gain more experience by doing. Passion and motivation are the most important. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Dream and fantasise about your future professional environment, think about the groomer you want to become. In all this, confidence, conviction and perseverance are key. If you can dream it, you can achieve it!
Get started with the above tips and all the tips in our other blogs, and you will see that you are well on your way. They may seem small steps, but they can make a big change. Would you like more tips and tricks for your professional journey? Feel free to ask them in our comment section below, visit our YouTube channel, Transgroom TV or our student page and discover all the help and advice we offer. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
