Dog Grooming Schools in Montana

Dog grooming is an art that requires an in-depth understanding of dog breeds, behavior, and dispositions. Before candidates can become successful dog groomers in Montana, they must follow some important steps established by the convention.

Those who know what these steps entail tend to have an edge over their competition and will most likely enjoy a long-lasting career. The guide on this page facilitates this high level of preparation.

We do so by breaking down everything an interested candidate needs to know, from basic requirements and educational pathways to specific programs and an analysis of salary potentials, among other things.

How to Become a Dog Groomer in Montana

The outline below shows how to become a dog groomer in Montana.

Receive Proper Training

Naturally, the first and most important step to becoming a dog groomer in Montana is to receive a proper education. In this case, there are two major areas to focus on, and they include the following:

Theoretical Foundation

Candidates must first learn the theoretical principles of dog grooming, usually in a classroom-like environment, before they can carry out their duties properly in a work environment.

Because the majority of learning in this space will be theoretical, candidates are free to participate in an online program.

Practical Training

Candidates build confidence and work experience through practical training or hands-on training. Many achieve this by attending programs organized by dog grooming salons. This way, they can receive theoretical and hands-on training in the same place.

Candidates who have studied online or through a hybrid program can receive hands-on training by pairing with a dog grooming salon or an experienced dog groomer. They may work as apprentices until they can branch out on their own.

Employment & Business Strategy

Properly trained dog groomers can secure employment at a dog grooming salon or simply start their own business. They could start small by operating a mobile grooming station from a truck or a residential vehicle.

They could also leverage the power of social media and online promotions to build a solid customer base.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• How to become a dog obedience trainer in Montana

Top Dog Grooming Schools in Montana

Residents of Montana may attend the following program to learn about dog grooming.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog groomer schools in North Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Montana, anyone wanting to work as a dog groomer can do so after acquiring training. They don’t have to register with a state body or receive a license before they can start working in a professional capacity.

They can also launch their careers without certification, which is not advisable. If they do so, they will always be behind certified dog groomers, usually considered more credible thanks to their credentials.

Thankfully, becoming certified as a dog groomer in Montana is quite straightforward. Candidates have to choose a certifying organization, such as the National Dog Grooming Association of America (NDGAA), and proceed to meet the qualification requirements.

Salary & Career Outlook

As with any profession, the annual average salary that a dog groomer makes in Montana will depend on many factors, including their specific location and experience level. However, other factors like their professional credentials, specialty area, and business strategy will also have huge impacts.

Examining location first, we find that Belgrade is where dog groomers earn the most in Montana, followed by Billings. Those based in these places manage annual average salaries of $58,503 and $43,742, respectively.

Without looking at a specific location, dog groomers in Montana earn an annual average salary of $64,285 if they are among the top 10%, an annual average salary of $28,447 if they are among the bottom 10%, and an annual average salary of $42,763 if they are among the median earners.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dog groomers’ demand for and employment rate will continue to increase over the next 10 years as pet-related spending increases.