How to Become a Dog Groomer in Iowa

Raise your hand if you’re a dog lover who’s stuck choosing a future career.

Okay, now raise your hand if you want the path between schooling and practicing to be a short one.

Good, now I have a suggestion for you guys.

How about picking dog grooming as your career?

It’s a rewarding job in so many different aspects.

Good money, a great work environment, and even better customers.

What else do you want from a job?

Hurry up because Iowa needs good dog groomers!

Dog Groomer: What It Entails

There’s a phrase we’d like to always say:

A well-groomed dog is a healthy one.

Being a dog groomer is an important job that’s more than just making a dog look good.

Neglecting a dog’s outer state reflects the state of its health.

That’s why it’s highly important to find a groomer who’ll take excellent care of their furry clients.

You can be that groomer if you complete tasks successfully.

There are all kinds of duties a groomer does daily.

Some of them are more complex than you think.

On your way to becoming a professional groomer, you’ll learn many things such as:

• Cutting techniques
• Clipping
• Hand scissoring

For instance, hand scissoring provides more style to a dog’s coat.

What you need to understand is that grooming styles depend on different dog breeds.

Clipping a husky’s coat and styling a poodle requires breed-specific grooming techniques.

Besides trimming hair, you’ll also trim nails so they don’t overgrow.

Cleaning ears and eye tear stains are also standard parts of the grooming process.

Further, you’ll also be able to work with dogs of different temperaments.

Various approaches to this problem exist because of those multiple behavior patterns.

But no worries.

The grooming school will teach you how to handle different dog personalities well.

A Dog Groomer’s Duties

Have you ever wondered what a dog groomer’s day looks like?

It’s not a piece of cake like you might think.

Grooming is a complex job that consists of many tasks.

Before you lay hands on a dog, there are certain responsibilities you have to address.

To start, a groomer needs to make a schedule and create appointments.

This is where good communication skills and a bit of charm come in handy.

If you don’t make a good first impression, don’t expect customers to come running back to you.

Speaking of first impressions, keeping your workstation and tools clean and tidy speaks a lot about you.

Not only is it easier to work in a well-organized and clean space, but it’s also a step towards good hygiene habits.

Next, here’s a quick insight into the different grooming tasks you’ll be doing.

The first thing a groomer does when a client walks in is to inspect the dog’s coat and skin.

If by any means there are any infections or problematic conditions, you must inform the owner at once.

This is how you prevent the development of serious health problems.

Once you’re sure everything’s fine, it’s time to perform the following tasks:

• Brush the dog to get rid of mats and tangles
• Bathe, rinse, and dry
• Clean ears and eye-tear stains
• Trim nails
• Brush teeth
• Style and clip hair

See, it’s not that hard.

There are a bunch of steps, but you’ll master every single one thanks to the grooming program.

Education: Becoming a Dog Groomer in Iowa

Potential dog groomers in Iowa should consider themselves lucky.

There are no educational requirements prior to enrolling in a dog grooming program.

Possessing a high-school diploma or a GED equivalency isn’t a must, but it’s recommended.

Every grooming program expects you to behave professionally and complete your duties on time.

This means completing the coursework on time and the hours of internships.

Only then will you graduate successfully.

Popular Programs

Work Opportunities in Iowa

After graduating from a grooming program, the next logical step is to start finding a job.

But where exactly can you work as a groomer in Iowa?

You should consider applying at the following places:

• Pet or vet clinics
• Pet stores
• Animal shelters
• Grooming salons

Of course, where you choose to work depends on your preferences.

You may even choose to work as a freelance groomer if you want.

In fact, some groomers believe it’s their mission to help neglected dogs in shelters and clinics.

Others prefer a different environment like pet stores.

The job location doesn’t diminish the importance of what you’re doing as a groomer.

Potential Salary in Iowa

As of January 2022, dog groomers in Iowa can earn an average of $34,101 per year (Salary.com).

How much you earn will depend on several factors like:

• Education
• Place of work
• Skills and experience

However, typically, an average dog groomer’s salary ranges between $27,901 and $42,601.

Below, you’ll see how much you can earn if you belong to a certain percentile.

Usually, groomers in big cities earn better than those in smaller towns.

The table below shows you the average annual salary in different cities of Iowa.

Average Annual Salary By City

Regional Salary in Iowa

Helpful Grooming Resources for Iowa Groomers

It means a lot to know that there are organizations able to help you with furthering your knowledge.

Pay attention to these two national associations:

• American Kennel Club for information about dog breeds and the grooming industry
• National Dog Groomers Association of America for training workshops and latest trends

As for the organizations that regard Iowa groomers, pay a visit to:

• Animal Rescue League of Iowa
• Dog Groomers – Iowa Community
• BringFido – Iowa Dog Grooming Directory

These three will give you information about the available jobs in the state.

Final Words

Dog grooming is a job where you give your heart and get lots of puppy love in return.

This is a job like all the rest.

You work hard, get serious cash, and make a career out of it.

Grooming is the job of the present and the future.

Be a part of it, and you’ll see how wonderful a career path it is!

How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State