Hairdressers for your furry friends
What does it take to become a professional dog-groomer?
Maybe you have always dreamed of earning your salary by working with what you love most – dogs – but are unsure of where to start.
Should you become a veterinarian, a professional dog-walker or maybe a professional dog-groomer? There are quite a few options to consider, so the Record spoke to a dog-groomer in Witpoortjie to find out exactly what this career entails.
Many people will ask if there is a real demand for dog-groomers – and the answer is “Yes!” A dog-groomer is one of a select few and requires a real skill – and the knowledge of a variety of other tricks and secrets of the trade.
Heila van der Walt has been a professional dog-groomer in Witpoortjie for almost seven years and says she is still enjoying every moment of her career. When asked if it was easy to start a dog-grooming business, she replied with a resounding, “No!”. According to her it is not easy at all. “It is the same as starting any new business. It is a big challenge, but as soon as clients notice your work quality and your passion for animals, it gets easier,” Heila said.
Before deciding on dog-grooming as a career choice you definitely need to have a passion and understanding for animals as well as people – something you cannot pretend to have as the dog will detect it immediately and not be comfortable with you. There are quite a few training options available. You can either do a course at a grooming school (which is quite expensive), an online course or you can receive training while working at a salon – and earn a salary at the same time. “Doing on-the-job training is, in my opinion, the best way to learn. You gain so much more hands-on experience,” said Heila.
Dog-grooming is hard work and the hours are long. You need a lot of patience, a sense of humour and to know how to read the animal in order to handle an aggressive, uncomfortable or scared dog. However, the most important thing you need to be successful, is respect for animals. “This job is one you do because of your love for animals – not to get rich!” she said laughingly.
One of the perks of dog-grooming is being able to do what you love every day, but there is a downside too –you develop a new smell – wet dog!
The big question is, with our current economic state, are people still taking their dogs to groomers? “Yes, they do. They might do so a little less than before, but there are people who feel that grooming is not really a luxury, as it has a lot of benefits for their dogs,” Heila concluded.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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