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AI Can’t Replace Dog Groomers

Why Become a Dog Groomer in the Age of AI

Choosing a career path today comes with big questions, especially as automation and artificial intelligence change almost every industry. Many people are searching for careers that are meaningful, hands-on, and secure in the long-term.

Summary
TL;DR: Dog grooming is a future-proof, hands-on career that AI can’t replace. It combines creativity, animal handling skills, and real health benefits for pets, making groomers essential and in demand nationwide. With multiple career paths, strong job security, and growing industry demand, becoming a certified groomer is a smart, meaningful career choice for anyone who loves animals and wants a secure career in an AI-driven world.

For animal lovers, pet professionals, and anyone considering a career change, professional dog grooming stands out as one of the best future-proof careers available. Not only is dog grooming in high demand nationwide, it’s a career AI simply cannot replace. Learn why becoming a dog groomer is such a strategic, rewarding, and secure choice.

A fluffy tan dog with a round teddy-bear style haircut stands on a grooming table with a blue grooming loop attached. On the left side of the image, a chat-style screen shows a message asking, “Can you groom my dog?” and an AI response saying, “Sorry, I am unable to do that.”

While AI can automate office tasks and online systems, grooming requires physical skill, animal handling, and emotional connection; qualities no technology can duplicate. Dog groomers must understand behavior, safely handle dogs of all sizes, identify coat and skin issues, style and trim with precision, and comfort nervous or anxious pets. These abilities are rooted in human intuition and hands-on training, making grooming a career AI simply cannot replace.

A well-groomed gray poodle sits against a blue background with text that says, “AI can’t keep my coat looking like this.” Paragon Pet Grooming School logo appears in the corner.For those searching for creative careers with animals, professional grooming is exactly that.

The pet grooming industry is also growing rapidly. Search trends for “dog grooming jobs,” “professional grooming career,” and “pet grooming training near me” continue to rise as pet ownership increases. With pet spending at an all-time high, grooming considered an essential service, and a nationwide shortage of trained professionals, demand for groomers is higher than ever. Those entering the field are stepping into a career where skilled workers are needed across the country.

Beyond aesthetics, groomers make a meaningful impact on pet health. Grooming prevents matting, detects early skin issues, reduces discomfort, and supports long-term wellness. Pet parents are actively seeking certified groomers, gentle grooming services, and safe handling for anxious dogs, making proper training more important than ever. To begin your traning, visit here.

One of the most appealing aspects of grooming is the flexibility it offers. Students entering the industry discover multiple career paths, from salon or mobile grooming to at-home businesses, shop ownership, and even grooming education. Whether you’re looking for full-time work or a career that fits around your lifestyle, grooming offers options that grow with you. And with Paragon’s programs designed to build and advance your skills, you’re supported every step of the way.

Training and certification open these doors. Many new groomers begin by enrolling in a professional grooming program, gaining real-world skills under expert guidance. Paragon provides online grooming education, hands-on skill development, industry-recognized certification, mentorship from experienced groomers, and job placement support, preparing students for both employment and entrepreneurship.

While AI can support scheduling, communication, and learning, it will never replace the physical and human expertise required to safely and compassionately groom a dog. If you’re searching for how to become a dog groomer, dog grooming schools, or professional grooming certification, you’re in the right place. A secure future, creative career working with animals is not only possible, it begins with the right training.

Melissa’s Top 4 Tips for Getting Through Your Holidays with Ease

Most of you with any experience under your belt in the United States have just completed Phase 1 of the Holiday Rush grooming marathon – Thanksgiving. Getting all those pooches ready for family and friends.

How did it go? Smooth as silk? Or would you like to make improvements as you move into Phase #2 – Christmas and Hanukkah?

Most of us are involved with the pet industry are here because the passion. We simply love working with the pets. However, even the most passionate groomer can feel the pressures of the holiday demands.

If you are one of those professionals who felt the pressures of the Thanksgiving crunch, take heart. It’s time to review what you did right — and areas that could use some improvement in the areas of time management in the grooming salon.

Here are My Top 10 Tips for Getting Through Your Day with Easy
#1. Mental Control
Stay focused. Pay close attention to what you are doing at all times. You’re working with live animals and sharp instruments. Chatter between your coworkers and pets breaks your focus. You lose time and you make mistakes when you don’t stay focused on the pet.

Always practice the three C’s; stay calm, stay cool, and stay collected. When you’re working with a pet you want to be friendly but aloof. You want to correct any undesirable action before it becomes a major problem. Frustration and anger have no place in a professional salon setting. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a break. Breath. Step back to the grooming table when you have regained your composure.

Work methodically with all pets. Don’t get flustered. Set an even and steady pace when it comes to handling, bathing, drying, brushing, clipping, and scissoring. Set time goals for every step of the grooming process and strive to achieve them.

#2. Invest in Yourself and Your Equipment
What is the condition of your equipment? Are you working with top-quality equipment?

It’s amazing how much time you can save when your equipment is in top condition. Or when you splurge on that new pair of blenders that cut like butter. Or you have a high velocity dryer that has plenty of punch. Oh, and all of your shears and blades have sharp edges on them — correct? There’s nothing more frustrating than working with dull and ineffective equipment when crunch time is on. Right now you’re in crunch time.

#3. Organization in the Salon
Do you have a smooth process for client check-in and checkout? If you’re computerized, is it easy to pull up client records in a flash? If you’re still working with a card file, are all the records pulled the pets that are scheduled for that day?

Most stylists in a salon setting find working in a minimum of three or four hour blocks of time can be highly advantageous to time management. The more you have to stop to check-in or checkout clients the more you lose your focus on the pet that is on the table. By working in blocks of time, you can check multiple pets in and out in tight windows of time when it comes to dealing with customers.

 

Do you have a method to track all the collars and leads that accompany the pets? This is no time to be looking for that lost collar or lead! Do you have a bright assortment of those pre-made? Do you have festive bandannas cut and ready to go on the dog?

#4 Mental & Nutritional Stamina
When the rush is on, you need to be at your peak — mentally, physically and nutritionally.

You’re not going to be at your peak if you’re not getting enough sleep. I know … I know. With all the demands between work, family and holiday festivities, slumber can be hard to come by. Normally, a professional groomer is so physically exhausted that when your head does hit the pillow — sleep comes easily. Just make sure you’re getting enough hours each night so you can perform at high levels the next day.

With the holidays upon us, most salons find themselves overrun with holiday treats from their clients. Be careful with this one. Personally I learned the hard way you are not good to feel your best if you consume all those goodies all day long!

I learned in my early 20s to pack healthy food options to keep me nourished all day long. I was mobile so in between every client by reward was to eat. If I had healthy options at my fingertips, it was easy to keep my energy level in high gear. In a salon setting, this might be a little bit more challenging. Still, eating healthy small amounts on a regular basis is the best way to keep you both mentally and physically content.

Pack a nutritional lunch plus snacks. (You know your days are to be long!) Or do a potluck between staff members. We’ve done this for years at the Paragon School of Pet Grooming with great success. The rule is: Healthy, quick food options only. No sweets. No desserts. Our clients do a great job with that. The potluck is set up so everybody can grab a quick bite in between dogs quickly and easily.

If you’re not a cook – have a stack of local takeout menus available. If they deliver – BONUS!

The holidays are a great time to really test your skills. We’ll find out quickly just how successful you are. If you have a full book and struggling to fit into just one more pet each day, you know you have arrived. Be thankful for creating a service that your customers desire. If you take care of them well — they’ll take care of you. That’s what successful customer service is all about!

Happy trimming!

~Melissa

 

Boosting Boarding & Daycare Revenue with “Spa” Bath & Brush Services

Pet boarding and daycare facilities are trusted havens for pet parents who want the best care while they’re away. But many operators overlook a powerful way to increase revenue and client satisfaction: offering professional-level “spa style” bath & brush services.
Adding or elevating your bath & brush services can transform your business model. It creates new profit streams, strengthens customer loyalty, and gives your staff opportunities to grow. Here’s how to plan, staff, and promote spa services that make both pets and their owners happy.

 

Why Spa-Style Bath & Brush Services Belong in Your Facility

  1. Upsell Potential
Spa Bath & brush is a natural add-on when pets are already on site. Owners love the convenience of picking up a clean, fresh-smelling dog after a stay or day of play.
  2. High Margins
Consumables are inexpensive, and once your tubs and dryers are in place, bath & brush services yield attractive profit margins.
  3. Customer Loyalty
When clients can get boarding, daycare, and grooming in one place, they have fewer reasons to look elsewhere.
  4. Differentiation
Not every facility offers spa services. Promoting your integrated boarding-bath-brush services can set you apart in a competitive market.
  5. Staff Development
Bath & brush roles create career paths for team members. Entry-level employees can grow into certified Groom Techs (professional bath and brush specialists with ears and nails capability) with the right training.

 

Laying the Foundation: Facility Setup

Launching bath & brush requires thoughtful planning. Key considerations include:
  • Plumbing & Drainage: Ensure hot water access, proper drainage, and fur traps to keep pipes clear.
  • Equipment: Hydraulic tubs, adjustable tables, and high-velocity dryers support safe, efficient handling.
  • Ventilation: Adequate airflow keeps the grooming area comfortable for both staff and pets.
  • Workflow Design: Arrange spaces in a logical sequence — wet zone → drying zone → finishing area — to maximize efficiency.
  • Sanitation: Create routines for cleaning tubs, tools, and holding areas to maintain safety and professionalism.

 

Building the Team’s Skill

Your spa bath and brush services are only as strong as the people behind them. What skills do your team members need to develop in order to perform a professional spa-style bath and brush session?
  • Bathing techniques and product knowledge:  Handle proper washing and ensure product selection that matches coat type and skin problems.
  • Drying techniques: Trained in use of high velocity drying techniques to produce healthy, fluffy finish on coat.
  • Nails & Ears: Offer nail trimming, ear cleaning, and light tidying of paws to keep pets clean and healthy.
  • Dematting Services: Dematting can be a lucrative add-on service performed by employees who are already trained in proper line brushing and coat management. Employees should also be trained how to avoid promoting matts through improper or incomplete drying.
  • Shed Control Services: A trained, professional dog bather can perform a specialty bath-brush-dry session that reduces shedding and helps maintain both the coat and home cleanliness.

 

Hiring & Training

  • Recruit individuals who love animals and thrive in hands-on work.
  • Use Paragon’s Employer Resources to access sample job descriptions, interview questions, and recruiting tools.
  • Enroll staff in Paragon’s Groom Tech program to build skills in bathing, brushing, drying, handling and customer service.
  • Encourage continuing education and celebrate staff certifications to boost retention and showcase expertise to clients.
  • Offer competitive pay and incentives for upselling add-on services.
  • Build a positive team culture where employees want to stay.

 

Service Menu & Pricing

Start with a focused bath & brush menu and scale up as demand grows. Consider:
  • Tiered Pricing by Size/Coat: Small, medium, large, and extra-large categories.
  • Packages: Boarding + bath, daycare + brush, or “spa day” bundles.
  • Add-Ons: Nail trims, ear cleaning, de-shedding treatments, premium shampoos, and dental hygiene are popular services that can build out your exit-bath profits when you staff for spa-services.
Be transparent with pricing, and don’t undervalue your services. Remember: you’re selling convenience, care, and professional expertise.

 

Marketing & Client Communication

Launching a new service requires a clear message and consistent promotion:
  • Introduce to Current Clients: Announce grooming as a new add-on at pickup, in emails, and with in-facility signage.
  • Visuals Matter: Share before-and-after photos and happy client testimonials on social media.
  • Bundle Deals: Promote “pick up clean” packages around holidays or peak boarding times.
  • Front Desk Training: Equip your reception staff with scripts to suggest spa services at checkout. Ask every time!
  • Credentials as Proof: Highlight your staff’s spa-level certifications (such as Professional Groom Tech) in marketing materials and conversations.

 

Financial Benefits & ROI

Here’s how grooming can move the needle:
  • Revenue Growth: Even 10 dogs per day at an average of $62.50 equals $625 daily, or ~$15,000 per month.
  • Profit Margins: Consumables average $2.50–4 per pet, leaving plenty of room for labor and overhead.
  • Payback Timeline: Many facilities recoup initial equipment investments in less than a year.
  • Scalability: Once bath & brush succeeds, you may opt to expand into full grooming or grooming-only drop-off clients.
Tracking KPIs — throughput, average ticket, re-groom rate, customer satisfaction — ensures long-term profitability and will help you decide what level of “spa” is most profitable for you.

 

Overcoming Common Challenges

Challenge Solution
Staff turnover Invest in training, mentorship, and recognition.
Scheduling conflicts Integrate grooming with your boarding/daycare software.
Quality inconsistency Use a final inspection checklist and feedback system.
Marketing inertia Dedicate budget and treat grooming like a new business line.

 

Next Steps

Spa Bath & Brush isn’t just a service — it’s a business growth engine. With the right planning, staffing, and marketing, your boarding or daycare operation can:
  • Increase revenue with high-margin add-ons
  • Delight customers with convenience and quality
  • Create career opportunities for staff
  • Differentiate your brand in a crowded market

 

Ready to build a grooming program that pays dividends? Explore Paragon’s Employer Resource Center, or schedule a strategy call with our team to map out your next steps.

Improve Your Speed for the Holiday Rush

Clocking speed is an excellent exercise to help you and your team during the holiday rush – and beyond. Practice makes perfect. Check out Melissa Verplank’s advice on how to get up to speed!

How To Improve Your Speed

We once asked a salon owner about her biggest challenge. The answer was simple – speed.

Most of her staff struggled to get even the simplest trims done in under an hour. That included bath, blow dry, and haircut. Even a basic #7F all trim on a smaller drop coated breed was daunting to some of them.

We walked in and saw a well-organized salon. It was bright. It was clean. The layout allowed for efficiency. The equipment was all top-notch.  Hmmm, we wondered. Why was turning a small to mid-sized dog such a challenge for them?

Then it hit us. There were hardly any clocks around. We only spotted one clock in the main room. It was a smaller digital wall clock set on military time. The owner of the salon was a career military gal who is now retired. I understand why she opted for that style of timekeeper, I’m just not so sure that style of timekeeping is the right one for a staff of non-military groomers.  Plus, when I was across the room, I could barely read it clearly. The clock was just too small!

If you want to be a successful groomer who can pay your bills while bringing customers back again and again – you need to embrace time.

  • Watch the time.
  • Track the time.
  • Race against the time.

Everything we do with professional pet grooming involves time. You need to be highly aware of every hour, minute, and second. Ideally, a professional groomer should be able to turn a small- to medium-sized simple trim in an hour or less. That includes the bath, the dry, and the trim.

Time Chart for Improving Speed in Dog Grooming

Click on the image to Download a FREE Time Chart

The first thing we suggested to this team was: GET CLOCKS! Nothing fancy, they just needed to be large enough to be easily seen from across the room. The simpler, the better. Every room in the salon needed one hung on the wall. By having a clock in every room, it makes it easy for the groomers to track their own time with just a quick glance. But clocks aren’t enough. Every person working on the pets needs to have a watch on, too.

For those individuals that are really looking to increase their speed, having a timer at their stations can be really beneficial. Before you can start timing yourself, it’s helpful to know what your starting point is.

Break the groom down into sections:

Bathing. Drying. Clipping the body. Trimming the feet. Rounding the feet. Scissoring the legs. Styling the head. If you don’t know how long it takes you to do each one of these items, you’ll never be able to improve upon your “best time.”

And it’s far easier to break it down into segments than to look at the dog as a whole. After all, who doesn’t want the opportunity to win at even one or two smaller segments than to get frustrated when they don’t hit the time goal with the overall trim?

Click Image to Download Speed and Efficiency Guide

Set Time Goals

Once you know how long it takes you to do each segment, you can set goals and objectives to beat your “best time.” Push yourself. Make a game out of it. The clock will be your score-keeper. Each time you gain even a few seconds, you’ve won a mini victory!  But you’ll never be able to do that unless you can easily watch the clock. Even with all the clock watching, always remember, speed and efficiency can never come at the sacrifice of quality or safety.

What are your time saving tricks? Jump over to the GroominarNetwork.com Facebook page and tell us.  You can even click here for a quick lesson in how to use the site.

FREE TIME SAVING LECTURE HANDOUT
FREE SPEED & EFFICIENCY GUIDE

Happy trimming,
~Melissa

Put a Bow On It! – One of Your Best Marketing Tactics

There’s a secret to marketing your salon.  Do you want to know what it is?

~ Bows ~

That’s right, bows.  Well-made, brightly colored, and altogether wonderful, bows.  The bow is your secret weapon and one of your best marketing tools.

“Seriously?!  I thought bows were just for decoration?”

Bows are a genius marketing tool.  They bring attention to your business.  In a nutshell, that little splash of color is doing your promotion work for you.

How?

The best part about this tip is that you already know the answer.  Look at this page.  What grabbed your attention first?  Was it the pictures?  The colorful text?  If so, that’s no accident.  The eye is naturally attracted to bright colors.

Beautifully groomed pets attract even more attention when they have a bright splash of color.  Applying bows as a finishing touch on a marvelous groom is a sure way to generate interest.

Getting attention is the #1 goal of any marketing campaign.  Beautiful bows do that in a fun and attractive way.

Accessorizing a freshly groomed dog can be a highly successful marketing opportunity.  Adding colorful bows to a pet can be the perfect way to get owners talking about your styling services any time others see them.

I learned this trick when I was very young, with our family’s first dog.

When we traveled, we’d send our Golden Retriever to a local kennel before we left.  When we picked her up, she’d always be freshly bathed and sporting a simple, felt fabric bow on her collar.  The bow color would change with the seasons, but this simple bow was there every time.

In our small community you could always tell when a neighbor had been traveling, because his dog would be wearing the same type of bow.  As we stopped and chatted, mixed in with the conversation would be the name of the kennel and how wonderful they were.

If that basic little bow had not been there, the kennel name would never have been mentioned, and a marketing opportunity would have been missed.

I carried these lessons of my childhood over into my grooming business.  Every dog that stepped out of my salon or mobile van had this bright finishing touch – unless the client requested otherwise – which wasn’t very often.

The bows were always subtle and stylish.  I used the seasons and holidays to dictate the color and themes of the bows.

Christmas and springtime bows were always popular.  At Christmas, we pulled out all the stops to add a festive sparkle and shine to the bows.  In the Spring, we made basic bows adorned with small silk flowers.  After a long Michigan Winter, this fun little bow lifted everyone’s spirits.

Successful people know that the difference between good and great is in the details.  Bows and finishing touches are part of the entire service package you offer to your clients.

Making attractive bows does require finesse.  It takes a bit of time to learn.  But once you figure out a method that works well for you, you will be limited only by your own creative spirit and time.

Watch this Quick Tip on How to Make Bows Stay

Many professional groomers and stylists use down time to create bows, in the same way that many people use knitting or crocheting to relax.

However, if basic bow tying just isn’t for you, there are many companies that specialize in wonderful, ready-to-use bows.  We encourage you to use them!

There are thousands of ways to market yourself as a professional pet groomer.  Choosing to accessorize a freshly groomed dog can generate lots of word-of-mouth advertising.  Adding colorful bows to a pet gets people talking about – and remembering – your styling services.

Isn’t it time you took advantage of the best sales tool for your business?

Happy Trimming!

~ Melissa

P.S.

Did this idea help? Go online and tell us what you think on the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page.

To see videos on this topic, click here!

Make Your List and Check It Twice for the Holiday Rush

If you have a reasonably busy salon and have been at this for a few years, you know the holidays mean crunch time. You’ll be grooming most of your regular clients in days instead of weeks. Do you have control of your schedule?

You may find yourself racing to juggle the demands of your business and your family. Keeping your customers happy is crucial to the health of your salon, but not at the expense of those you love. Don’t let the insanity of the holiday season put a damper on your festive mood.

I learned the hard way. Grooming super long hours up to 14 days straight before Christmas left me totally exhausted and spent. I was definitely a Scrooge throughout the entire holiday season. I knew I had to make a change when one Christmas I literally slept through the entire day.

Here are a few ideas from myself and my team of seasoned grooming pros to help you make the most of the holiday rush.

Be Prepared with Dispensable Products

Make sure all your supplies are stocked up and organized. The last thing you want is to run out of anything! Here is a shopping list to help you.

List of holiday items for a grooming salon DOWNLOAD Holiday Rush List

Walk around your salon well ahead of the rush. Open doors, look in cabinets, and check drawers. You want to have everything stocked up and at your fingertips. There’s nothing better than doing a thorough walk-through and making a list of supplies you need.

Stick to Your Schedule

Plan out your days. Just prior to a major holiday, the demands on your schedule can quickly spiral out of control. Do you want to work your normal schedule or add on a few hours here or there? Some professionals add work days to their week to accommodate clients. The choice is yours. Whatever you decide, make sure your best clients are pre-scheduled in premier slots in your appointment book. Ideally, it’s best to do this well before the holiday season hits.

Know your limitations. Know what your obligations are to your clients and family. Create a schedule that works for you – and then stick to it. It’s okay to say no.

Food Is Your Fuel

As tempting as it may be, surviving the holiday rush on the wonderful food gifts your clients bring is not the best option! Early in my career, I learned the hard way that cookies, candies, nuts, and other holiday treats can’t help you operate at peak performance.

Eat. Real. Food. If it comes from a window at a drive-through, it does not qualify as real food, in my book. Equally important, attempt to bypass any processed foods.

Prepare. Shop the perimeter of your grocery store. Focus on fresh foods. Take a day to prepare large batches of healthy food. Then pre-package it in individual servings. Freeze anything you can.

Cook ahead of time. Never tried batch cooking before? There are plenty of ideas on Pinterest and YouTube. Or simply double or triple your favorite recipes. Personally, my attitude is if I’m going to cook, I’m going to fill the grill, load up the oven or pull out my largest pot. It doesn’t take much more time to double or triple a recipe once you get started.

Make good choices. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fast and easy to eat. Juices and smoothies are great on-the-go items. Hard-boiled eggs are economical and easy. Sliced fruits, veggies, and lean proteins keep energy levels high. Drink plenty of water.

Know your options. If you don’t want to do the cooking yourself, stock up on menus from your favorite restaurants and choose healthier items that help you maintain a consistent energy flow throughout the day.

Train Your Clients

Some days you have time to visit with your clients. However, the holiday season is not one of them. Train them to respect your time – even if you are mobile. It’s your responsibility to make sure every pet gets your full attention and it’ll be hard to do that if you’re running behind all day.

There are ways to tactfully and politely remind them you have an extremely busy schedule. A big smile and a genuine thank you can go a long way when you need to keep moving.

Take Time to Breathe

The holidays are a special time. Not just for your family, friends, and your clients – but also for yourself. It’s important to reserve quality time for every part of your life.

Having grooming systems firmly in place allows you to be highly efficient. The more seasoned you are, the more likely you have mastered this technique. It comes in handy when your time is limited.

Essential oils can use helpful to energize yourself or slow yourself down. Some brands come up with blends or you can make your own. They can be diffused in the air, inhaled directly from their bottles, or added to bath water. Many oils can be applied directly to the skin.

Common oils for relaxation would be lavender, lemon, ylang-ylang, geranium, and frankincense. A few essential oils used to increase energy are peppermint, white fur, lemon, and basil. Many of the citrus based oils have the ability to uplift and de-stress.

Carve out a little special time for yourself. Maybe it’s a soothing bubble bath at the end of a long day. Some people love massages or manicures. Others enjoy sitting down for a few quiet minutes to decompress with a beverage of choice.

The holiday season can be magical – even if it is one of your busiest times. The best way to ward off being a Scrooge is to do some planning. Think about the upcoming weeks leading to the new year. Take control. Put pen to paper and plan your schedule. Know where the crunch times are and when you have a window of space.

A little bit of thought and planning can go a long way to make the holiday season both financially rewarding, personally enjoyable, and filled with blessings and gratitude.

Happy trimming!
Melissa

What do you do to get through the holidays? Jump on our Facebook page and share your best holiday survival tips with your Paragon family.

Q&A with Melissa Verplank on Dog Groomer Education

image of paragon pet school founder melissa verplank, cmg, who discusses dog groomer education

  • Why is a formal education so important in the professional grooming industry?
    Formal education gives an individual a major head start in their new career. Jobs are plentiful in the field. Thriving salons and exceptional pet stylist know there is more to grooming a dog than just giving them a bath and a haircut. To become skilled, and proficient, takes dedication to mastering the craft. There is so much to learn – many people struggle with where to even start. Can groomers teach themselves? Sure. But it generally takes longer. My mission has always been to help people accelerate their careers as rapidly as possible. The hands-on, structured training program facilitates the most rapid training opportunity.
  • How far has education come in the grooming industry over the years?
    We have seen strides in the education field for professional grooming. When I entered the field in the late 70s, there were very few schools, only a handful of books and a handful of trade shows around the country. That’s it. Since then, we have seen voluntary certification organizations form promoting education, skill enhancing workshops and testing. Tradeshows are flourishing. Successful stylists host private clinics around the country. GroomTeam USA has a system in place tracking our country’s leading competitive stylists. Videos created by industry leaders allow access to a wealth of information regardless of where someone lives. The Internet has had a huge impact on our industry like so many others. With just a few keystrokes you can find almost anything you might be looking for. One of the exciting things about professional grooming, there is always something new to learn.
  • Are you satisfied with the overall level of education among professional groomers or is there room for improvement?
    There is always room for improvement. Unfortunately, I don’t believe education or continued education is valued as highly as it could be in our field. It always shocks me when I meet a groomer who’s been doing this for years but is attending some type of educational event for the very first time.
  • What is the ideal way for a novice to gain a foundational education in pet grooming?
    Entering the grooming industry is easy. There are virtually no barriers to overcome since the industry is not regulated. Today, individuals have access to all wide variety of quality educational materials. Someone just needs the motivation, dedication and drive. The key is to look for quality educational material being produced by respected leaders in our field.
  • How important is ongoing education for grooming professionals?
    Continued education is at the heart of all thriving individuals and businesses. Continuing education not only increases your skill set but it also builds confidence. Experience combined with education demonstrates you are motivated and driven to succeed. Focused on going education opens up to new possibilities, new knowledge and new skill areas. It’s fun. It’s exciting. In many cases, it allows you to network with others in your field.
  • What are some of the most effective ways for groomers to continue their education?
    Start at where you are and build your skills up slowly. Build begin with a solid foundation starting with; canine (and feline) psychology, pet handling, basic anatomy, breed identification, combined with safety and sanitation. Next move into what I would consider core skills. Core skills that would include; learning about common grooming products, trimming nails, cleaning ears, bathing and drying, brushing, combing and dematting skills, and safe and effective equipment handling. Once the foundation in the core skills have been mastered, then branch out to easy haircuts moving into more advanced all trim styles and unusual breeds.
  • What are some common misconceptions about groomer education? How would you dispel them?
    As the saying goes, you will only be as good as the instruction that you receive. Be careful. Do your research before you blindly jump in to any type of learning endeavor. Do Google searches on individuals to find out what their qualifications are. Check credentials, references and reviews before you invest time or money into any type learning.
  • What is Paragon School of Grooming’s approach to groomer education?
    I am a self-taught groomer. But I understood the importance of education and mastering my trade. When I open Paragon, my goal was to shorten the learning curve for new individuals entering the field. Today, we teach the skills that took me years to master – and teach them in just a few months We focus on foundation in core skills in a structured setting. We simplify the task of grooming pets. By reducing the complex methods and techniques into easy to understand terms, we help individuals quickly master the skills necessary to groom any breed.
  • How can Paragon’s GroominarNetwork  be a valuable resource for professional groomers?
    For less than the cost of one groom a month, members have access to our exclusive learning library. Currently we have over 1200 ‘how-to’ lessons from top pet stylists and leading industry experts. Our library is made up of a wide variety of topics related to the grooming industry. Whether our members are just starting out or are seasoned veterans, we have videos in our vast library that will inspire them and help them grow their careers These lessons are streamed on demand to any computer or mobile device with a high speed Internet connection.
  • What does the future hold for Paragon, GroominarNetwork, and professional grooming education overall?
    The pet industry is an amazing field to get into. The opportunities for well-trained groomers and pet stylist is limitless. Helping people care for their pets is extremely rewarding. Being successful in this career is not a matter of luck. It is based on commitment and dedication. Education, skill enhancement and effective communication are the keys to a successful career. One of my greatest inspirations is to help others in their careers and to inspire them to greater heights. I am always looking for new opportunities to make learning easy and accessible to anybody who wants to apply themselves.

 

5 Ways Professional Grooming Is Preventive Health Care for Pets

Dog grooming as pet health care depicted by young groomer with an australian shepherd on a grooming table
As professional dog grooming educators, we teach a simple truth: dog grooming is health care you can see. Beyond the pretty finish, consistent, professional grooming supports a pet’s skin, coat, comfort, and overall well-being. When pet parents make grooming part of their routine—just like balanced nutrition, vaccinations, and exercise—they’re practicing responsible pet ownership. You can build your grooming business by educating your customers on the value of professional grooming for preventative health care.

1) Skin & Coat: The First Line of Defense

A pet’s skin and coat protect the body from heat, cold, moisture, allergens, and parasites. Professional groomers:
  • Use species-appropriate products and correct dilution to protect the skin barrier.
  • Remove loose undercoat to improve air flow and reduce hotspots.
  • Eliminate tangles and prevent matting, which can trap moisture, pull at the skin, and hide sores.
  • Dry correctly for coat type, creating a clean, lifted coat that stays healthy longer.

2) Early Detection: A Second Set of Trained Eyes

Regular grooms give your pet a full “hands-on” check. Pros often spot changes early, including:
  • Lumps, bumps, or skin lesions
  • Fleas, ticks, or evidence of mites
  • Ear redness or odor, excessive discharge, or wax buildup
  • Overgrown nails, cracked pads, or interdigital irritation
  • Dental red flags (odor, tartar, gum inflammation)
  • Groomers don’t diagnose—but they do refer. Catching concerns early can lead to faster veterinary care and better outcomes.

3) Ears, Nails, and Paws: Small Details, Big Comfort

  • Nails: Overgrown nails alter posture and gait, stressing joints and ligaments. Regular trims restore natural alignment and comfort.
  • Ears: Proper cleaning (and, where appropriate, trimming around the canal) improves air flow and helps reduce irritation.
  • Paws/Pads: Trimming excess hair improves traction and hygiene; checking pads prevents cracks from going unnoticed.

4) Comfort, Behavior & Bonding

Mats pull at the skin and make movement uncomfortable. Clean, trimmed coats reduce friction and overheating. Routine, low-stress appointments desensitize pets to handling and tools, so visits stay calm and positive. A comfortable dog is a happier family member—and easier to handle for vets and caregivers.

5) How Often Should A Pet Be Groomed?

Frequency depends on coat type, lifestyle, and health:
  • Short/smooth coats: Bath/brush every 6–12 weeks; nails and ear care as needed
  • Double coats (shedding breeds): Every 4–8 weeks, or more – especially during seasonal sheds or in a deshedding program
  • Curly/wool & doodle-type coats: Every 4–6 weeks to prevent matting
  • Silky/drop coats: Every 4–6 weeks to maintain hygiene and shape
Between appointments, pet parents should practice line brushing (share this video Quick Tip!), keep nails trimmed, and perform quick at-home checks.

Share This Line Brushing Video:

Choosing—and Partnering With—a Pro

Pet Parents should look for a certified professional dog groomer (like those who graduate Paragon’s dog groomer training programs) who follows safe handling, uses appropriate products for skin/coat type, and can explain why each step matters. They should share their pet’s history (allergies, sensitivities, mobility issues), and set a regular schedule. Consistency builds trust, maintains the coat, and keeps costs predictable.

Responsible Pet Owner Checklist

✅ Put grooming on the calendar at an interval suited to your pet
✅ Brush at home between visits (tools and technique matter—ask a pro)
✅ Monitor ears, nails, teeth, skin, and weight
✅ Communicate changes to your grooming and veterinary teams
✅ Reward calm behavior to make future appointments easier
At ParagonPetSchool.com, we’ve trained thousands of professionals to groom with health, safety, and efficiency in mind—because great grooming is more than a pretty picture. It’s a proactive investment in a pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Feel free to SHARE this with your customers!

Holiday Magic: How Rebooking Builds Your Grooming Business

Rebooking dog grooming appointment shown by customer with poodle and dog groomer in front of computerBy Melissa Verplank, CMG

It’s hard to think about “Next Year” when your grooming operation is preparing to go into Holiday Rush mode. However, it’s a great time to remember what you might leaving on the proverbial table besides fur. You can take steps to boost your business during the slow times by promoting add-ons, rebooking, and incentivizing repeat business through loyalty and referral programs. Prepare now and you can beat the January business blahs!

ADD-ON Service Menu

 If you went to a restaurant and the server did not hand you a menu, how would you know what to order? Pet grooming is very similar. Pet Parents know they’re coming to you to get their dog cleaned up, but they probably don’t know all the Add-On services that you offer. Add-Ons that could help them keep their pet looking and feeling great.

A well-organized Add-Ons menu makes it easy for the client to select a service. As a bonus, it also makes it very easy for you discuss optional Add-Ons such as de-shedding treatments, shampoo upgrades, skin conditioning treatments, tooth brushing, nail filing, or other add-ons.

Rebooking on the Spot

Offering to schedule an appointment at checkout is the best way to get a client to rebook and pre-book. Develop a couple different scripts and use the one that best fits the needs of that client. For best results, use the tips below.

  • Ask every time. Think of fast-food chains. They ask you every time if you would like something else with your order – every time. When the client checks out, offer to rebook their next appointment to ensure their pet continues to look amazing.
  • For the busy or in demand pet stylist, reschedule a number of appointments at once or book the entire year. This will guarantee the client will get the premiere dates they are looking for.
  • In areas that are price sensitive, offer incentives. Maybe it’s a small discount off their next grooming if they book within six weeks or less. Or maybe you offer them free add-ons like tooth brushing or a spa package upgrade.  Better yet, offer something special for their pet such as a bag of cookies!  After all, they probably care more about what you are going to do to reward their pet, not necessarily the few bucks they will save.

 

Consider Creating a Loyalty Program

The Holiday visit is a great time to offer clients a “loyalty program” incentive for pre-booking future visits and/or referring their friends. If you haven’t developed a program, you can use the post-holiday lull to create a package for 2024 and then reach out to your customers to generate winter traffic.

 

  • Connect with a Customer Experience Message

Whether you contact a recent client via phone, e-mail, text message, or through groomer software automation, you can take this opportunity to check on their satisfaction at the same time as offering a loyalty program incentive.

 

  • Connect through Wake-Up Calls/Contacts

Actively call (or email, or message) clients that have not returned to the salon in 8-12 weeks. In this case, you may wish to offer them an incentive to schedule the next few grooms.

 

  • E-mail Blasts and Social Media Posts

This is a great way to market incentive details to existing clients. If you are going into a slow day or week, offer an incentive to get clients in the door for those days. The key is to stay top-of-mind early in the year and schedule out as far as you are able.

 

Partner with Pet Professionals

Have you created a referral network to generate new clients for your business? If you have, the year-end is a great time to offer a thoughtful thank you note or gift.

If you need to expand your network, look for ways to connect with the following professionals in your area:

  • vets
  • pet supply businesses
  • rescue organizations
  • trainers
  • pet sitters

Create or update a welcome package that your referral partners can hand out to potential clients. Participate in, support and cross-promote their events. They are more likely to refer and support you in return.

Put these strategies to work now for a thriving grooming operation in the New Year!

 

Need to add Groom Techs to your team through industry-leading guided groomer training? Start here. Want continuing education so you or your team can keep your skills sharp? Join Paragon’s Groominar Network™ and unlock a stream more than 1,200 video Groominars™ designed for every level of groomer.

Why Should I Schedule Holiday Appointments in September?

dog groomer scheduling client for holiday rush depicted by young dog groomer with woman holding dogIt’s hard to think about scheduling for the holidays with apples still growing bright on the trees and pumpkins still turning orange in the fields. Warm weather makes it hard to start thinking about holiday plans. What if I told you that this is the perfect time to avoid holiday stress?

The secret to avoiding holiday madness is to put your festive season pre-booking plans into gear before the chill hits the air. Are you surprised? It’s true! Here is an added perk to pre-booking holiday appointments. ‘Tis the season to guarantee the typically quiet months of January and February are lively and robust. This is the perfect time to ensure you have a holly, jolly, and profitable grooming season.

When you count it out, we are not that far out from many prime holidays. In just six short weeks it will be Halloween. In 10 weeks we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. In about 15 weeks we will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. All of these holidays revolve around friends and family.

holiday-stress-600x300pxOne of the biggest ways to eliminate being frazzled by all the holiday pressures is to get organized, now. The last thing your clients want to worry about is having their four-legged fur baby looking unkempt and bedraggled as friends and family enter their homes to celebrate the season.

Years ago we discovered that pre-booking was a great way to get control of our salon schedule. It offered a great benefit to our customers, as well. We even found a few hidden bonuses. One of those bonuses was shortening the time frame between appointments on our five and six-week clients. Our customers often opted to shave off a week or two from their regular schedule just to make sure their dog was looking fresh and festive. By doing so, the added revenue dropped directly to our bottom line. Another bonus was the generosity of tips around the holiday season. The third bonus was our ability to pre-book into the typically slower January and February appointment time frames here in Michigan. When done correctly, our January and February can be some of our more profitable months.

So how do you kick this off?

Start by going through your client list. Identify your premiere clients. You know who they are – the clients that book regular appointments every one, two, three, four, five, and six weeks. You will start pre-booking appointments based on the frequency your clients typically come into the salon.

Once you have them identified, it’s time to pick up the phone and get them scheduled. I consider it a courtesy call to our most important and regular clients.

Your weekly and bi-weekly clients should have automatic standing appointments throughout the entire year. Those clients are your most valued premier customers. Confirm all of their appointments. They should be dropped into the schedule first, getting premium appointment choices. Once all your one and two-week clients are booked, move to your three-week clients. If they do not already have pre-scheduled appointments through the holiday season, pick up the phone to get them scheduled. Continue to move down the list to the four-week clients. Finish up with your five- and six-week clients.

By the time you are done, you will have very few appointments left. Why? Because you’ve done such a good job taking care of your most valuable clients. If you do have any appointments left, you can be selective about what you take. You will have the control and confidence to know what can be done or what needs to go on to a cancellation list or when you simply need to say, “I’m sorry, but we are full.”

Once the schedule is set – stick to your guns. Sure, the holiday season can be extremely profitable for grooming establishments, but do you really need to push yourself beyond your limits?

No. Not if you value your mental and physical health.

istock_83916991_mediumOnce you get into the final countdown in November and December, looking forward six weeks will be January and February. Before those clients leave, they should have their January and February appointments pre-booked. If you struggle to get clients to pre-book during the colder months, think about incentives to help encourage pre-booking. Maybe it’s a discount off their next grooming. Maybe it’s a free add-on, upsell, or spa treatment. Get creative – but make sure you’re ready to offer the incentive at checkout to get those deep winter appointments booked.

Don’t forget, the holiday season is about friends and family. You have a right to enjoy them, too. How can you fully enjoy family time when you’re totally drained? Some of you may miss festivities altogether! I can’t tell you how many Christmas Eve’s and even Christmas days I totally missed because I was simply exhausted. Most successful groomers have to learn this lesson the hard way – including myself!

When you have a pre-booking priority system, you are in control. You’ll be able to recapture your holiday spirit and sanity – and so will your team!

Remember, as the holidays draw closer, the dogs get easier. Typically, these are the one- to three-week regularly scheduled pets. Simple spruce-ups are usually all that’s needed to make them look amazing for their families.

This system works best when you start pre-booking in September. Don’t wait. You’ll thank me later when you have time to enjoy loved ones and some holiday cheer.

What steps do YOU take? Jump over to the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page and tell us about it!

Happy trimming!

~ Melissa