As with all professions, a career as a dog groomer in Rhode Island can be highly rewarding for those with the passion and required skills. Affinity towards dogs is the essential prerequisite; candidates may feel free to follow the steps below to begin their careers appropriately.
Aspiring dog groomers in Rhode Island who have questions regarding certification, licensure, and salary projections will also find the answers to their concerns in the upcoming sections below.
To ensure that candidates receive training from the best destinations, we have also included a concise list containing some of the most notable dog grooming schools in Rhode Island.
Steps to Become a Dog Groomer in Rhode Island
The following are the predominant steps and considerations in kick-starting a dog grooming career in Rhode Island.
Step 1: Prepare Yourself
Dog groomers enjoy very satisfactory careers but often have to meet the job’s physical demands. For this reason, future dog groomers must prepare themselves through the following:
- Being in strong physical shape,
- Having a calm attitude towards erratic behaviors,
- Having a passion for dogs,
- Being comfortable and having a good rapport with pets,
- Having a sound knowledge of dog breeds, characteristics, and features.
Step 2: Enroll in a Dog Grooming School
Rhode Island is home to several licensed dog grooming schools. Usually, it is only possible to start a career in the field by acquiring the necessary skills from such training programs.
One of the characteristics of a good dog grooming school is the ability to strike a balance between theoretical instructions and hands-on training.
Real-world experience and hands-on training often coincide, particularly for those who attend training programs belonging to actual pet salons.
In such an arrangement, candidates would have experienced what it feels like to work in an actual dog grooming station before they graduate and possibly branch out independently.
Step 3: Get Ready for Employment
To prepare for employment, graduates of dog grooming schools may put together an excellent resume, network with professionals in the field, and pursue certification.
Regarding the work environment, dog groomers in Rhode Island often work in dog grooming parlors, pet stores, and mobile pet grooming stations.
Of course, it is also possible for a potential dog groomer to go straight to starting their own business.
Consider exploring trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
Rhode Island is one of the many states where dog groomers don’t have to worry about obtaining a license before they can start working professionally.
Even though dog groomers in Rhode Island don’t have to become certified either, many professionals in the state are certified anyway. The reasons for these include the opportunities afforded by certification and the verification that candidates have the skills necessary to perform their duties at a very high level.
Fresh dog groomers in the state looking for the top certification alternatives are advised to consider the National Certified Master Groomer credential offered by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA). They may also consider the credentials the International Professional Groomers, Inc. provided.
Both offer workshops, networking possibilities, and the opportunity for continuing education.
Top Dog Grooming Schools in Rhode Island
Aspiring dog groomers in Rhode Island may consider the options below for comprehensive training.
Bark n Park - Warwick
Bark n Park is a pet grooming salon in Warwick, Rhode Island, where future dog groomers can receive a high-quality education in various essential dog grooming topics. The school also offers rigorous hands-on training, with possible job placement assistance.
Animal Behavior College
Animal Behavior College is a famous institution offering accredited courses in various fields, including veterinary assistant, veterinary technology, and dog grooming.
While a great deal of the program takes place online, the school also makes provision with professional dog groomers to allow students to receive real-world experience and hands-on training through externships.
Consider exploring dog groomer schools in neighboring states:
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary for a pet groomer in Rhode Island is $40,601. This figure reflects the general average. However, when narrowed down to the state’s top 10% of dog groomers, the annual average becomes $50,824.
When narrowed down to the bottom 10% of earners, the annual average salary for dog groomers in Rhode Island is $32,428. Fresh professionals may have to optimize a few factors before finding themselves among the top 10%.
One of the optimizable factors in question is location. For instance, in Rhode Island, the highest paying city to be a dog groomer is Providence and Warwick, with annual average salaries of $58,431 and $56,921, respectively.
Dog groomers in Barrington earn an annual average salary of $50,299.
Related Articles
Related Careers
Top Schools Near Me
