Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dog Groomer

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a professional Dog Groomer experienced in full-service pet grooming including bathing, drying, de-shedding, nail trims, ear care, skin and coat assessments, breed-specific haircuts, hand scissoring and clipper work. The ideal candidate balances technical grooming expertise with strong animal handling, client-facing communication, salon sanitation, and retail sales skills. This role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and a commitment to animal welfare and customer satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Kennel Attendant / Kennel Technician
Salon Assistant / Grooming Assistant
Veterinary Assistant or Pet Care Associate

Advancement To:

Senior or Master Groomer
Salon Manager / Grooming Manager
Mobile Grooming Owner / Franchisee
Grooming Instructor or Evaluator (certification trainer)

Lateral Moves:

Pet Stylist / Creative Grooming Specialist
Customer Service or Retail Manager for pet products
Veterinary Technician (with additional training)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform full-service grooming appointments from pre-groom consultations through finishing touches, including bathing, conditioning, dematting, coat trimming, hand scissoring, and breed-standard styling while ensuring the comfort and safety of each dog.
Conduct thorough pre-groom assessments to document skin and coat condition, identify mats, parasites, wounds or behavioral concerns, and recommend appropriate treatments or referral to veterinary care when necessary.
Execute breed-specific haircuts and creative grooming styles using clippers, blades, scissors, thinning shears and finishing tools while maintaining consistent quality and adherence to client requests and breed standards.
Bathe and condition dogs using appropriate shampoos, conditioners, medicated treatments and de-shedding products, adjusting techniques for coat type, skin sensitivity and medical conditions.
Safely and humanely handle, restrain and calm dogs of all sizes and temperaments using low-stress handling techniques; escalate to alternative handling methods or veterinary referral when a dog is aggressive or highly anxious.
Trim and file nails, apply styptic treatment as needed, and record any issues with nail beds or paw pads for client notification and follow-up.
Clean and inspect ears for wax, infection, parasites or foreign bodies; perform ear cleaning and apply topical treatments per salon protocols or veterinary instructions.
Express anal glands when indicated and trained to do so, documenting the procedure and alerting clients to any irregularities or signs of infection.
Provide basic dental care such as tooth brushing and application of dental rinses, and advise clients on at-home oral hygiene and referral options for advanced dental needs.
Dry dogs effectively and safely using high-velocity dryers, stand dryers and towel drying, while monitoring for heat sensitivity, respiratory issues, or stress signs.
De-mat and de-shed coats using specialized tools (e.g., slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, stripping knives) and appropriate techniques to avoid skin injury and reduce stress for the animal.
Maintain accurate grooming records in salon management software, detailing services performed, behavioral notes, medical observations, product usage and client preferences to support continuity of care.
Provide professional consultation and clear pricing/estimates, including communicating anticipated time, cost, and any necessary medical or corrective grooming interventions.
Advise clients on home care routines, appropriate grooming schedules, recommended products, seasonal coat management, and preventative measures to maintain skin and coat health.
Identify and appropriately manage common skin and coat issues (allergies, hotspots, fungal infections, parasites), following salon protocols and coordinating with veterinary professionals when medical attention is required.
Monitor and report adverse reactions to products or procedures, administer first aid for minor injuries, and follow emergency protocols for significant incidents; ensure a safe environment for both animals and staff.
Promote and sell retail grooming products and accessories based on client needs, including shampoos, conditioners, brushes, flea/tick treatments and specialty tools to increase revenue and support at-home care.
Adhere to strict sanitation and disinfection protocols for grooming tools, bathing stations, cages and work areas to minimize cross-contamination and maintain OSHA and local health code compliance.
Maintain grooming equipment—sharpening blades, oiling clippers, replacing blades and smoothing scissors—to ensure professional finish quality and prolong tool life.
Manage appointment flow and time effectively, balancing walk-ins and scheduled clients, communicating wait times or delays to clients in a professional and customer-centric manner.
Mentor and train junior groomers and assistants on safe handling techniques, grooming standards, sanitation procedures and customer service best practices to build a consistent team capability.
Execute salon opening and closing procedures, including sanitizing equipment, restocking supplies, checking inventory and ensuring the facility is ready for safe operations.
Participate in adoption or lost-and-found protocols when working with shelters or rescue partners, coordinating with staff to ensure animal safety and proper documentation.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of grooming trends, breed standards, safety protocols and product innovations through ongoing training, certifications and professional development.

Secondary Functions

Assist with client intake and check-out processes, collect payment, schedule follow-up appointments, and update client profiles with notes about preferences, allergies and prior reactions.
Support marketing and client retention efforts by contributing to social media content, before-and-after galleries, promotions, and loyalty program communications.
Help manage inventory levels by tracking product usage, placing supply orders, receiving shipments and ensuring proper storage of chemical and grooming products.
Participate in employee safety meetings and contribute observations to improve workplace ergonomics and animal handling procedures.
Provide occasional in-house or mobile grooming support for special events, shows, or community outreach programs to expand salon visibility and client base.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Breed-specific haircutting and finishing: proficiency in breed standards and modern pet styling for common breeds (e.g., Poodle, Terrier, Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Golden Retriever) and mixed-breed adaptations.
Advanced scissor work and hand-stripping techniques for wire-haired breeds; precise blending and texturizing with thinning shears.
Professional clipper handling and blade selection, including maintenance, sharpening and blade changes for different coat types.
Bathing and conditioning expertise, including selection and application of medicated shampoos, oatmeal, hypoallergenic and anti-itch treatments.
De-shedding and dematting skills using combs, rakes and professional de-matting tools without causing skin trauma.
Nail trimming and basic paw care, including safe use of grinders and knowledge of styptic agents for minor bleeding control.
Ear cleaning and basic otic inspection, with the ability to identify signs of infection or severe issues requiring veterinary attention.
Knowledge of animal first aid and canine CPR; ability to respond to grooming-related emergencies and coordinate veterinary care.
Competency with salon management and grooming software (e.g., Gingr, Booker, ShedBoss or equivalent) for scheduling, invoicing and record-keeping.
Sanitation, sterilization and chemical safety knowledge (MSDS awareness), including correct dilution and storage of grooming products and disinfectants.
Basic retail sales techniques for recommending and upselling pet care products and add-on services.
Comfortable operating professional drying equipment, hydraulic grooming tables and lift systems safely.

Soft Skills

Exceptional client communication and interpersonal skills to explain services, manage expectations, and deliver high-quality customer service.
Patience and empathy when working with anxious, elderly or reactive dogs to minimize stress and ensure a positive grooming experience.
Strong time management and organizational skills to handle multiple appointments and prioritize tasks during busy shifts.
High attention to detail for achieving consistent, high-quality grooming outcomes and spotting small health or behavioral issues.
Problem-solving and adaptability to modify grooming plans on the spot based on coat condition, medical issues or unexpected animal behavior.
Teamwork and mentorship capability to train junior staff, delegate tasks and maintain a cooperative salon environment.
Physical stamina and safe body mechanics for standing for extended periods, lifting animals up to salon limits and performing repetitive motions.
Professionalism and integrity in handling payments, client records and any sensitive information.
Sales orientation with the ability to identify client needs and recommend appropriate services and retail items without high-pressure tactics.
Calmness under pressure to manage difficult animals, scheduling conflicts and emergency situations effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma from an accredited pet grooming school, vocational program, or apprenticeship program.
Certifications such as Certified Professional Groomer (IPG, National Dog Groomers Association of America - NDGAA) or equivalent are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science / Pet Grooming Technology
Veterinary Technician coursework or animal behavior courses
Professional salon management and small business operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 5 years of hands-on grooming experience, depending on salon level and clientele (entry-level roles may accept 6–12 months with strong mentorship).

Preferred:

3+ years of professional salon grooming with evidence of breed-specific styling, client-facing experience, and independent appointment management.
Experience working with a wide range of breeds, ages, medical conditions and temperaments, as well as experience in busy, high-throughput salons or mobile grooming operations.