Grooming Supplies Question Just Read

Petsmart Grooming Academy?

Many programs have you sign a contract like that. That part is fine. As for petsmart grooming, I wouldnt step foot in there. There are breed specific cuts for dogs. You only learn a few cuts at pet smart. So, you are only learning to trim or shave the fur. You are not learning the specific cuts for the specific breeds. Maybe many of the clients dont care either though. Also, all pet smart requires is rabies vaccine which protects the employees. When dogs are grouped together like that (like in there doggie day care) they dont even require distemper or bordetella vaccine. We get dogs at my vet that end up sick from being unprotected after being there. Or they have badly cut toe nails or razor burn. Im sure as a trainee you are treated fine, it just depends on what type of people the supervisors are. You have to give it your all and stick with it so you dont have to pay them back if you quit. But if you want to be a real groomer, you should get a job with a real groomer.

Is there such thing as a short haired Yorkie? Or is it just haircuts?

I want to get a Yorkie. I have seen many pictures of them, read about them online, and visited them at the pet store (don't worry, I'm not getting one from a pet store!)

I have seen pictures of them with really really long hair that practically drags along the ground and other pictures where they have choppy-looking medium length hair.

Do all yorkies naturally have really long hair that owners just get clipped at the groomer or are some naturally shorter haired?

How do you become a dog groomer?

I’ve been a groomer for over 20 years and I run my own grooming salon and a mobile grooming business. You’re right about the information for this job being all over the place. I’m asked at least a few times a week about becoming a dog groomer and the best way to do it.

Most people go to Petsmart or Petco to become a groomer, but that’s not the best option in my opinion. I don’t like the grooming schools those companies run because they are rushed and I’ve hired many groomers that got trained at Petsmart or Petco and I always either have to train them all over or let them go. Usually I just fire them because it’s too much hassle to have to teach them everything.

The best way to get your schooling is to train under an experienced groomer. This way you’ll get good training while working in the groomer’s salon for free. Some groomers will let you pay them a small fee to train you. The problem is finding a good groomer to train with.

Before you even think about your training though, you need to make sure being a dog groomer is something you’d like to do. You said you really like dogs and animals but it takes much more than that to be a groomer. In my opinion, the best thing you can do is read these 2 books: “Going to the Dogs” by Jan Nieman (can find on Amazon), and “The Pet Groomer” by Shelly White (can find on her website thepetgroomer.net).

I always tell people that ask me about becoming groomers to read these 2 books, especially “The Pet Groomer” because it’s the most detailed book I’ve ever read about this job. You should buy both books though because they have all the information you’ve been trying to find and you don’t have to wander from website to website searching for answers.

I hope this info helps you. You can also send me an email at StephanieMarsdon@yahoo.com if you have any other questions. Good luck!

What are some cat shampoo substitutes?

Original Dawn dishsoap is a good alternative. I'm unsure about the Ajax.

Ok why do so many people hate pet stores?

The pet stores in my area.. Pet Co and Pet Smart, are awful. The animals in pet co rarely have water (and I mention this to the workers EVERY time I go in, and have written letters to the company on it). They are kept in cages that are dirty. The Pet Smart animals are kept in nicer conditions, but they are clearly not treated properly.

Also, no, the employees DON'T help me with getting the right products. I asked a Pet Co employee what the best cage would be for two guinea pigs. She showed me a HAMSTER cage (thankfully I knew better). I asked a Pet Smart Employee what would be the best cat food to feed -- she showed me a cheap brand that is full of fillers. And, as for training the dog, or grooming. My boyfriend brought his dog in to get grooming... Awful job. And awful treatment. I was walking by the window and looked in and could clearly see the woman being overly rough with the dog. Absolutely awful.

And no, they don't sell the right things for my animals.
Pet Co near me is poorly stocked.
Pet Smart near me sells nothing that is appropriate for my sugar gliders, and they don't sell the brand of cat food that I feed -- that I order from the internet.

So why do I hate pet stores?
Well, mainly because the way they treat their animals. But also because they don't sell the products I use, and because the employees give out poor advice.


Also another pet store story.
I was in the store one day talking to a friend of mine that worked there. I asked her how old the chinchilla was, she told me "well, she was a baby when she came, but she's been here a year. So she's about a year old now."
Not even 10 minutes later I hear another employee telling another customer that the one and only chinchilla in the shop (the one I asked about) was only a baby. I asked my friend about this later and was told, "well, no one wants them if you say they're older. So..you have to lie sometimes." So you see, with pet stores, you never know what you're really getting.