Here’s the thing—people absolutely adore their pets. And who can blame them? Your furry friend deserves to look amazing and feel even better. If you’ve ever thought about turning that love for dogs into a career, becoming a dog groomer might just be your calling. It’s rewarding work that lets you help pups look and feel their absolute best every single day.
Getting started as a dog groomer in Texas isn’t rocket science, but you’ll need the right mix of people skills, technical know-how, and a solid dose of patience (trust me, you’ll need it when dealing with a squirmy Golden Retriever who’s convinced bath time equals torture time).
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about becoming a dog groomer here in Plano and throughout Texas. We’ll cover the skills you’ll need, how to get certified, what kind of money you can expect to make, and—here’s the best part—how our comprehensive dog grooming school at Hound Therapy can set you up for success.
Job Description and Duties of Dog Groomers
Pet groomers are the unsung heroes of the animal care world. Sure, they make dogs look fantastic, but there’s so much more happening behind those adorable before-and-after photos. A groomer’s job is part artist, part health inspector, part dog whisperer.
Did you know that regular grooming can actually extend a dog’s lifespan? It’s true—maintaining proper hygiene helps prevent skin infections, ear problems, and even dental issues that could lead to more serious health complications down the road.
Your typical day as a groomer involves way more than just making dogs look pretty (though that’s definitely a perk). You’re also:
The Spa Treatment Essentials:
- Bathing, shampooing, and conditioning those coats until they’re silky smooth
- Brushing and combing through tangles (even the ones that seem impossible)
- Trimming and styling hair exactly how the pet parent wants it—whether that’s a simple trim or a full poodle cut
- Nail clipping (which some dogs treat like you’re performing surgery)
The Health Detective Work:
- Cleaning ears and checking for infections or mites
- Brushing teeth and maintaining oral hygiene
- Spotting potential skin issues, lumps, or injuries before they become serious problems
- Giving basic health checks like monitoring heart rate and temperature
- Detecting fleas, ticks, or parasites that owners might miss
The Behind-the-Scenes Stuff:
- Moving dogs safely between kennels and grooming stations
- Keeping all your tools clean and sanitized (because nobody wants a dirty clipper situation)
- Educating pet parents on proper at-home care
- Booking appointments and keeping detailed records
- Providing flea and tick treatments when needed
We had one client bring in a rescue pup who hadn’t been groomed in months. Under all that matted fur, we discovered a small cut that needed attention. The owner had no idea it was there—but catching it early prevented what could have been a nasty infection.
Skills and Experience Needed
Becoming a great dog groomer isn’t just about loving animals (though that definitely helps). You’ll need to develop a specific set of skills that blend technical expertise with serious people—and pup—skills.
On the Technical Side: You’ve got to be comfortable with all sorts of grooming tools and equipment. Different breeds need completely different approaches—a Pomeranian’s grooming routine looks nothing like a Labrador’s. You’ll need a keen eye for detail, especially when it comes to breed-specific cuts and styling.
But a lot of people don’t know this: you also study animal behavior. About 70% of dogs get stressed out when they’re being groomed, so it’s very important to know how dogs act and what their body language means. You’ll work with dogs that are scared, angry, and everything in between.
People skills are just as important: This business is all about customer service. You’re not just dealing with the dogs—you’re managing relationships with pet parents who can be incredibly particular about how their “baby” looks. Some clients will have very specific requests, others might not know what they want until they see it.
Building trust with pets and their owners takes time, but it’s worth it. We have seen groomers work with the same families for years, taking care of puppies as they grow up and making sure older dogs are comfortable in their old age.
Technical Skills:
- This is more important than you think: knowing how dogs’ bodies work and how they act.
- Using clippers, scissors, dryers, and other tools to groom
- Knowing the different kinds of coats and breed standards
- Basic skills for checking on an animal’s health and giving first aid
- Able to lift and safely handle dogs that weigh more than 50 pounds. Skills in using a computer to make reservations and keep records.
Skills with People:
- Being patient with animals that are stressed out or hard to handle
- Good at talking to people who own pets
- Being able to stay calm under stress, even when dealing with a dramatic Husky
- The ability to stand for long periods of time
- Your customers expect you to be dependable and self-sufficient.
- how to become a groomer for pets
What You Need to Do to Be a Dog Groomer
You don’t need a state license to work as a dog groomer in Texas. But don’t get too excited; that doesn’t mean you can just jump in without the right training. You need to get professional certification and hands-on experience if you want to have a successful career and make pets and their owners happy.
Real Training Choices:
This is the start of your professional dog grooming classes. A good course will teach you everything you need to know about grooming dogs, from how to give them a bath to how to cut their hair. You’ll learn about the anatomy of dogs, how to keep them safe, and even how to run a grooming business. It’s the difference between doing something by accident and knowing exactly what you’re doing.
Hands-On Apprenticeships: You can’t learn anything better than doing it yourself. Working with experienced groomers will teach you tricks that no book can teach you, show you how different dogs react, and show you how to save time. You will also start to feel more at ease around dogs of all kinds and personalities.
Professional Certification: You don’t have to have certification from groups like the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) or the American Kennel Club (AKC) by law, but it shows clients that you care about your work. That extra trust can help you charge more and get new customers to trust you.
Hound Therapy, our dog grooming school in Plano, has everything you need, from certification classes to real-life apprenticeships. You’ll work with real clients and their pets and learn everything from how to run a business to how to groom them. This kind of training will help you do well in the long run.
Job Prospects and Typical Working Hours
One of the best things about becoming a dog groomer is the flexibility in how and where you work. You can go the traditional route, get creative with mobile grooming, or even build something completely your own.
Flying Solo: Starting your own grooming business gives you complete control. You set your hours, choose your clients, and decide what services to offer. Some groomers convert their garage or a backyard shed into a grooming space—we’ve seen some absolutely incredible home setups that rival high-end salons.
The freedom is amazing, but it also means you’re handling everything: marketing, booking, supplies, taxes, insurance. If you want to start your own business and make something that’s truly yours, this could be the right thing for you.
Working for Established Businesses: Joining a chain of salons or pet stores gives you job security and the chance to learn from other groomers. You will have a steady paycheck, set hours, and sometimes benefits like health insurance. You won’t even have to look for clients; they’re already there, waiting for you.
The bad thing? Not as flexible and maybe not as much money to be made as having your own business.
Mobile grooming is becoming more and more popular, especially since 2020 when pet owners started to like services that come to them. You will need to buy a van that is set up correctly, but many groomers like going to different neighborhoods and how easy it is for busy families to get their pets groomed.
New data from the industry shows that mobile grooming services have grown by more than 40% in the last three years, and pet owners are willing to pay more for the convenience.
Pay and Possible Pay
In 2023, the average dog groomer in Plano makes about $38,374 a year, or about $18.45 an hour. But here’s where it gets interesting: the way you work and the services you offer have a big impact on how much money you can make.
Things That Can Affect Your Income:
- Types of services (like a basic bath and brush or full-service grooming with special cuts)
- How many clients can you see in a day?
- Your prices and where you stand in the market
- Tips from satisfied customers, which are usually 15–20% of the service cost
- Extra services like cleaning teeth, painting nails, or getting rid of hair that falls out
A lot of people don’t realize that tips can add $20 to $30 to your daily income, and even more if you give great service. Because groomers have such good relationships with their clients, we’ve seen them get holiday bonuses and gifts for bringing in new clients all year long.
If you’re thinking about going the business owner route, successful independent groomers often earn significantly more than the average salary—sometimes double or triple, depending on their client base and service offerings.
Options for Dog Grooming Classes
There are a lot of training courses that people who want to become dog groomers can take to learn the skills they need. Some of these are online courses, video courses, grooming school academies, or regular hands-on programs.
Online/Video Courses:
Video and online courses are a great way to start and learn the basics. They are cheap and can be changed, which is great if you have family or work to do right now. A lot of them give out certificates that can help you get a job when you apply for jobs that don’t require much experience.
What is the limit? You won’t get to work with real dogs, which is where you learn the most.
School Academy
This is where people who really want to be groomers should put their time and energy. A good academy program teaches you everything you need to know, from how dogs think and act to how to groom different breeds and run a business. You will also get help from people who know what they’re doing and have the chance to do internships.
Training on the job or in person
Many pet stores, pet salons, and veterinary clinics train new employees. It’s always nice to get paid to learn. You can’t put a price on the experience you’ll get by working with a professional grooming business every day.
Finding companies that will fully train you instead of just having you do simple tasks is the hard part.
Things that could help you
National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA):
This group wants to make the business of grooming more professional. They offer chances to meet other groomers, keep learning, and get certified. You can read magazines about your field, learn new things, and get better at your job as a member.
You have to finish their training program and pass a big test to get certified. It costs $95 to sign up, but a lot of groomers think it’s worth it to get more business.
American Kennel Club (AKC):
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the best place to look up grooming standards for certain breeds. They keep detailed records of how to groom different breeds, offer certification programs, and hold educational events all year long.
Their yearly Groom Expo has workshops, seminars, and demonstrations of the newest ways to groom pets. It’s also a great place to meet other professionals and find out about new tools and products.
International Professional Groomers, Inc. (IPG):
IPG cares a lot about safety, the quality of their work, and making their customers happy. They offer classes for groomers of all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced professionals who want to learn more about certain breeds or techniques.
You get the best of both worlds with their programs, which include both online learning and intensive hands-on training sessions.