Dog Grooming Schools in Louisiana

A dog groomer in Louisiana can choose to specialize in several areas, including bathing, brushing, grooming, and styling. Generally, however, these professionals can carry out all forms of grooming services for several breeds of dogs.

This is because regardless of specialization, the path to becoming a dog groomer in Louisiana is typically the same. We have provided the comprehensive guide below to help interested individuals become familiar with all the requirements they must meet to start their careers.

By the time they are done reading, candidates will have discovered the basic prerequisites, education requirements, licensing and certification requirements, and some notable programs in the state where they can receive comprehensive training and start their careers on a solid foundation.

How to Become a Dog Groomer in Louisiana

Prospective dog groomers are advised to follow the trajectory below to start their careers correctly.

Step 1: Prepare for the Journey

Even though it is not an actual state law, it is common to find dog grooming programs that ask that candidates have a high school diploma or GED before they apply. For this reason, candidates are advised to prepare these documents beforehand.

They may also prepare for their dog grooming careers by working with pets as early as possible, even without formal training.

Step 2: Apply for a Dog Grooming Course

Applying for a dog grooming course is typically the most common way for candidates to receive the relevant training needed to secure employment as dog groomers. While candidates can be self-trained, enrolling in a training program ensures that they learn in a structured environment that typically would have produced several successful dog groomers over the years.

Students may also have access to resources that make certification and professional opportunities much easier.

Step 3: Work with Actual Dogs

As important as it is to receive strong fundamental training in theoretical concepts, all aspiring dog groomers must work with actual dogs to have the confidence to perform their job in a real-world environment. Some online programs already boast partnerships with salons and grooming parlors, leading to straightforward placement for the program graduates.

Step 4: Secure Employment

After receiving all the foundational training they need, candidates may go on to secure employment. They may work at existing salons or even start their businesses at a brick-and-mortar location or using a mobile grooming station.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a veterinary assistant in Louisiana

Top Dog Grooming Schools in Louisiana

The following are some of Louisiana’s best training programs for future dog groomers.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog Grooming Schools in Arkansas

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Louisiana dog groomers are only legally required to acquire a license after starting their careers. Even though they are not required to be certified either, many choose to earn professional certification anyway because it opens doors to career growth.

Several notable organizations are offering respected professional credentials for dog groomers in Louisiana. Some of the most notable are the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), offering a Certified Master Groomer (CMG) credential; and the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC), offering a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) credential.

Professional credentials typically involve completing training modules and passing practical and written exams.

Salary & Career Outlook

In Louisiana, dog groomers fortunate enough to make it among the top 10% earn an average salary of around $88,736 at the end of each year. Those among the bottom 10% still manage an annual average salary of $15,691, while those in the middle of the two extremes take home an annual average salary of $36,846.

Some factors influencing how much a dog groomer makes at the end of each year include experience, location, credentials, and specialty.

By location, the city with the highest pay to work as a dog groomer in Louisiana is Baton Rouge, where these professionals take home an annual average salary of $56,258. This is followed by Mandeville, with an annual average salary of $54,984, and Metairie, with an annual average salary of $47,952.