Powerful and influential groups are lobbying in many state capitals for licensing of dog groomers. If they are successful, it will no longer be possible for individuals to learn grooming from a book and then open up a business. They would first be required to pass a written test administered by the state.
There has been considerable dissatisfaction and uneasiness within the ranks of professional dog groomers for the past few years. This is due in part to the growing number of self-styled groomers – those who read a few books and declare themselves qualified.
There also appears to be a growing number of “grooming schools”. Established professional groomers are unanimous in their assertion that many grooming schools are not adequately staffed, nor do they provide adequate curriculum to turn out fully qualified, competent, dog groomers.
In too many cases, it is alleged that these schools are not state-approved and in business solely to make money from unsuspecting students.
Representatives of grooming schools counter with the claim of “professional jealousy”, and add that established groomers are finally feeling the pinch of competition, and that eventually such competition will force grooming prices down.
This is due to the cut-rate fees charged from grooming at schools. The work is done by students, and the prices are not in competition with the professional. In any case, where factions square off at each other, someone need only to shake a few trees and all sorts of interesting things begin to fall out for public scrutiny.
Garage Groomers
Another faction infiltrating the industry are the “garage groomers”. These are people who cannot afford to pay rent on a grooming parlor. They set up business in their home as a hobby, charging but a fraction of what their professional counterparts would charge, and are not trained in the proper handling of an animal with emphasis on the welfare of the pet.
Without the need to pay employees, rent utilities – and in many cases, the Internal Revenue Service – the garage groomer can cut his prices considerably.
Regardless of what motivates the various factions to make the accusations they do, one fact has surfaced which warrants the attention of the public: There are many unscrupulous, unqualified; inept and incompetent dog groomers in this country. The real issue, it seems, is dog abuse through ignorance and lack of proper training.
According to legal resources, there is no recourse for the dog owner – or law enforcement agencies – in cases of animal abuse or injury caused by drunkenness or ignorance of a self-appointed groomer. If licensing procedures were enacted, there would be.
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Dog Grooming