How to Become a Dog Groomer in Louisiana

Not all animal lovers are born to work as veterinarians.

There are other jobs where you can express your love for these adorable pets.

One of them is dog grooming.

Do you know what that is?

It’s a job where you do multiple tasks to maintain a dog’s health and make it look beautiful.

If you’re wondering how to become one of the best dog groomers in Louisiana, we’ve got you covered.

This page will tell you all you need to know about becoming a dog groomer and working as one.

Let’s get your future as a dog groomer started!

Education Requirements in Louisiana

Potential dog groomers of Louisiana should have a high-school diploma or a similar certification.

Having one is a major plus point for you when you start to enroll in a program or directly to this career.

So make sure you’ve got that piece of paper in hand!

How to Become a Dog Groomer in Louisiana

We have good news for those who don’t like spending hours and hours in stuffy classrooms.

The state of Louisiana offers online grooming programs.

However, there are still traditional schooling options.

They can be found in:

• Lafayette
• Hammond
• Shreveport
• New Orleans

In order to receive a quality education, a student must choose an accredited school.

Also, don’t forget to pick a type of career training these schools offer.

Don’t think that studying for a groomer is about books and theoretical knowledge only.

Dog grooming schools find practical experience a crucial value.

The practical work will teach you different techniques to make a dog appear simply fabulous.

The whole course is divided into several topics and covers:

• Bathing
• Dog welfare
• Dental hygiene
• Dog health issues
• Clinical techniques
• Kennel management

The topics this program is covering don’t end here.

There are also helpful lessons on the:

• Safe ways of handling problematic behavior
• Sanitation techniques for grooming tools and workstations

No doubt that you’ll learn a lot.

What’s important for you to know is that all the studying will pay off.

Some classes will give you an opportunity to work with dogs to get those practical skills sharp.

So be a good student and all the assessments you need to pass won’t be difficult at all.

Popular Programs

Getting a Dog Groomer’s Certification

You can get a certificate through the National Dog Groomers Association of America.

In fact, we suggest that you make it a priority after graduation.

Or if you’ve gotten an informal education through direct apprenticeship, once you’ve gotten approval from your mentor.

To qualify, you must attend at least one training workshop.

Only then can you take the exam where you’ll display your knowledge and skills.

This document gets reactivated yearly by attending official NDGAA workshops and seminars.

What’s more, this certificate allows you to socialize with other groomers, enabling you to:

• Build a network
• Connect with fellow groomers locally and nationwide
• Learn new industry trends

Dog Grooming Internship

Getting an internship after graduating is a great kickstart.

It benefits you in a lot of fields and will get you familiar with the job faster.

Nothing beats getting the much-needed practical experience while working with experienced groomers.

If you’re not sure how to get this internship, ask your grooming school to step in.

A lot of grooming schools are already connected with different businesses to help students with building that hands-on knowledge.

A Dog Groomer’s Duties

Now that you know how to become a dog groomer, let’s see what a groomer’s day looks like.

First, you must make sure that all schedules and appointments are in order.

Second, the way you communicate with dog owners is highly important.

You need to establish a trusting relationship with them.

Otherwise, you’ll ruin your reputation, resulting in fewer clients hiring you.

Later on, when a dog is finally on your workstation, you will:

• Examine their skin and hair for potential problems
• Bathe and dry them
• Comb and detangle fur
• Clip nails and hair
• Hairstyling
• Clean ears, eye-tear stains, if any, and teeth

Now all that’s left to do is to hand over a pretty pup to its owner, clean your tools, and get ready for the next furry friend.

Business Licensing in Louisiana

Louisiana doesn’t allow you to take shortcuts.

To work as a dog groomer, you’ll need to have a relevant business license.

The best way to achieve it is to contact the Louisiana Secretary of State for licensing info and business permits.

We know paperwork and formalities are boring.

But once you’ve completely handled it, you’ll be ready to work in the grooming industry independently.

Potential Salary in Louisiana

According to Salary.com, the average annual salary a Louisiana groomer gets is $34,101 as of December 2021.

Depending on the city and your qualifications, the salary can go from as low as about $22,000 to as high as $50,000.

It’s still a great way of income considering how lovely the job is.

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

We also provided you with the average salary per year of each city in Louisiana.

Average Salary By City

Regional Salary in Louisiana

Helpful Grooming Resources

Louisiana has a lot of organizations that could provide you with all the needed job info, as well as:

• Different dog breeds and personalities
• Latest grooming tips, techniques, and tricks

Here are just some of them:

• Humane Society of Louisiana
• Louisiana Animal Control Association
• Animal Rescue Foundation of Louisiana
• Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association
• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• The Delta Humane Society of Louisiana
• NDGAA
• National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas, Inc.

Organizations like NDGAA offer workshops and seminars for your improvement as a dog groomer.

You might find a job or even a volunteering option among them.

So don’t forget to check out these websites—whether you’re a newbie or seeking a new career opportunity.

Final Words

It takes a lot of hard work to become a dog groomer in Louisiana.

Not only will you take care of dogs and owners, but you also have to connect and share knowledge with fellow groomers.

So if you’re not serious or passionate about it, we suggest that you don’t pursue it.

Louisiana dogs need groomers who’ll show love and compassion to them.

Someone with great skills to make them look pretty inside and out.

And with the helpful resources we’ve provided, you’ll definitely find an employer you’ll like from this one big job-hunting base.

Now ask yourself this: Do I have what it takes to pursue this loveable career path?

How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer by State