Should Dog Groomers Require a Grooming License?
 

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone felt as I do regarding dog groomers. There are only a handful of "dog grooming schools" out there that give certification(s) upon completion.

It seems to me, with all the so-called "accidents" (including death) at groomers that there should be stricter laws regarding who can and cannot groom dogs professionally.

There should also be some sort of registry for dog groomers and once they go beyond a certain number of serious injuries to the dogs - they are shut down.

Maybe I'm nuts - but that is why I'm posting (to see if I'm nuts or if other people are nuts too). =/

Thus far - the only license or certification required to professionally groom dogs is a business license. Anyone can open up a shop and call themselves a dog groomer. This is wrong imo and something needs to change.

I agree with you...there needs to be some accountability for groomers and more laws in place to protect the animals that are entrusted into their car. IMO

i agree!

That last word should read...care not car:p

I tend to agree with certification. ONe way is not to support non certified folks. I would also like to see a requirement for emergency first aid for dogs/cats.

How-ever having said this, many Russian groomers I'm pretty sure don't have licenses; and I have had Magic groomed by 2 of the best groomers in Russia. It is quite funny really because they don't speak much English. So there is a lot of hand waving, and lots of Russian words to explain what they want to do or not to do. Usually this happens at National Specialties. And what is amazing to me, is the speed of their scissoring; holy fun fun, those scissors fly! I tried videoing it once, and with all the background noise, and my camera angles it was a mess of a video. Magic who can be a bit of a bully to scared groomers, got no quarter from them. They would say some Russian words to him, and he would settle down like a baby for them! In Russia, they have dog grooming competitions for many of the breeds including BRT's.

You bring your dog to them, freshly washed and blow dried. Fully and I mean fully combed out. Nails trimmed, ears plucked, paw pads done, and I have seen one little woman - she had to be 70 yrs old - take a really over grown coat on a big male, and had him show ready in 1.5 hrs! Not a hair out of place! Beautifully done. The clippers came out for a brief 10 minutes to do the rear, and the chest area.
One lady translated for me, what the groomer answered to the question; how do you know when it is done? The Russian said, until every place on the dog "gleams" like crushed velvet....and NO Scissor lines.

It is a matter of professional pride for them. They come out ringside to watch all the dogs, but particularly "their" dogs that they groomed. And according to some translators, they have a great time with each other critquing the other's work! Then you take the dog back to them after the competition, so they can refine if necessary their work. There should be no or little "movement" of the coat at the trot. When the dog comes to a stack after the trot, every hair should fall back into place!. Exception is facial furnishings. I remember sending hubby out at 7pm to get some vodka, and some food. She was still going over Magic. She wanted to take out more undercoat. Then finally she pronounced him finished! This 70 yr old woman proceeded to eat like a trooper, drank herself 1/2 bottle of vodka, and must have smoked a whole pack of cigarettes!

They evidence great interest in the grooming products we have here. They now come over from Russia, with their special slicker brushes, we LOVE them; they are a finishing slicker brush.

Gosh I haven't thought about those early times in years; thanks for listening.

we have at least one groomer on my area thats wants you to sign a waiver
now this is not my groomer, so iam not sure as to whats all involved in that.
iam lucky enough to have a very good groomer i trust but i do agree with what your all saying. have seen way to many bad cuts & babies hurt :(

Groomers
 

I agree that groomers should be certified somehow. Most of us have probably had a bad experience with a bad groomer, and tend to have to try a few before we find a totally suitable one. Then they leave, LOL!
Another improvement would be to have evidence of shots and flea preventives.
I always worry about transmission of disease and fleas by unprotected dogs. I know I went to a groomer once (and once only!!) who had a cat in the room. She proudly said after I picked my dog up after groom that she had the cat as it attracted all the fleas???!
Ugh!

Grooming schools I am afraid are not all they are cracked up to be. Many churn out groomers that could never walk into a salon take it over for the day and do a good days work grooming dogs. They often have to be trained when shop does hire them.
I was trained by a groomer who had groomed for years, had his own grooming shop.He trained other groomers and was known. When anyone learned to groom from him, they had no trouble getting a job as groomers with shops as they knew he was a good trainer because he knew what he is doing.
Unfortunately that is not always the case with grooming schools At the time I wanted to go to a grooming school they were lousy unless I went perhaps way back east or to the US.
I learned from this guy I mentioned and have had my own business for 21 years now.

I totally agree

Also think about any other profession, human Dr's, Vets, etc. Some are very good, some are absolutely hopeless and in some professions such as Drs, Vets etc their mistake can cost a life as well. they are schooled, certified licensed but that doesn't mean they are any good. You still have to use your head when conferring with any professional whatever that you are looking for their service.

I agree....I can not help but think it is incumbent on the INDIVIDUAL to get referrences and thoroughly check out ANY professional they "hire" to provide a service to themselves, their families, and their pets. I have used an unliscensed groomer that had been grooming dogs since she was 16 years old....she could have done it blindffoded, with one hand, and using a weedeater and nail clippers! She was NOT licensed. She had NOT been to a grooming school, because she could not afford to go to a trade school.....she made a smashing success of a grooming business for herself....all without a license. You must place the correct amount of caution and concern when you hire anyone to do anything for your pet...just as you do for your family. I have seen first hand, licensed people, from dieticians, RN's, Physical Therapists, up thru docs and anesthesiologists, pump techs, vets, groomers, etc that all have licenses....but they would NOT be MY "go-to" guys if I was looking for their services. Licenses do not guarantee an acceptable level of perfection we expect for our loved ones....they may be a starting line, but they dont represent the level of expertise we place on "having a license".

Cosmetogists we see require a license, dog groomers actually do more invasive 'grooming' I think they should.

My groomer is a retired vet tech, she's a stickler on sterilization and treatment I love it.

She's overly competant and trains every staff member to work her way weather they have previous experience or not, I asked her about this and she told me she'd be the first to support this abd currently only a health depart optional compliance is required. She recommended our new small dog specialty vet and shared her veterinary experience with caring for dogs with infections and injuries from groomers.

My groomer also thinks breeders should require licensing to ensure proof of education and ensure health abd genetic testing on breeding stock let alone care.

I wanted to say I doubt this will happen though we dont require anything other than health departmebt compliance currently for tattoo artists and peircing/branders. This complience is strictly exclusive to sterilization only.

As I have too YorkieMom. But surely it is a starting point. A place to begin.

I guess for me, when health and well being are concerned be it human or animal, I want to see education, certification, and CEU's. Now I'm not saying this will guarantee you a talented individual. You know what I am talking about here. But at least the modicum of good care. And if not, you have a legal case against them.

My earlier post indicated I have used "uncertified" groomers, with gawd help me no English from them. But I have of course watched them groom other dogs, and have heard of their reputation. Even still if they had treated my boy roughly, no matter their reputation, I would have stopped the grooming!.

Only once with Magic when he went down to the States for his US ch, did he get groomed out of my sight. And unfortunately something must have happened then. He now has a phobia of any scissoring on his chest! Not the sound of the clippers as we do the tuxedo clippering, but the scissors!
I have no idea what happened, but that handler will never have another dog of mine, and she knows it!

I am very very protective now of who will groom my dogs. Since that incident the only person who has groomed Razzle out of my sight, is his breeder Ilona, and his US handler. Even then she will call me and say I want to do this or that, okay? Razzle has no fear of anything from the two times he has been groomed by her out of my sight.

I know that I am a show breeder, and groomers for show breeders understand, especially with the big breeds, they will be watched, until the owner trusts them enough to do what is right by their dog.

I dont see why certification can hurt it can only help

I agree with a license or a certificate or a degree....something to indicate a level of knowledge has been earned. I am just wanting to be very cautious with how much of the camel we accept slipping under the tent......I am concerned about the over enthusiastic involvement of the government into every aspect of our lives......do pet sitters require a license? You are entrusting your pet to the care of this person....are they licensed? What about boarding facilities....do the employees need to be licensed, or certified or something? These are all areas where someone would benefit from some kind of registration or certification....I sometimes think of annual licenses as a method of generating revenue by the governing body.....I want to see certificates and validation of CEU's that have been taken during the year...