73junebugz

Think of it this way. I get my hair cut and colored, it's $70 and takes 2 hours. Deduct supply costs and salon commission, it's about $55-ish. That ends up being about $23 per hour. I tip about $5- $7. Now, take your $65 grooming of Zebra. I would say that without a bath, it would take nearly as much time as if there HAD been a bath (to do all the brush-work), so let's say about 3 hours of total working time. Generally, groomers in a shop make about 50% commission, so their income to groom Zebra would be about $32.50...and about $10.80 per hour. That doesn't not take into account the cost of their own supplies, insurance and taxes. So, yes! Tip, tip, tip!

Since this thread came back up, I just thought I'd add something. I was talking to a guy I'm working with now who attended this school and was mentioning some of the questions that've been brought up. He says that the instructor he worked with is one of the best competition groomers around, with multiple wins to her credit. Also, when I mentioned that the cost seemed high, he enlightened me by figuring out the end-result....meaning that his schooling would've been paid for within 3 months based on his current pay (which is a couple years of graduating...it takes a while to build to that.) Not bad, considering. I asked him if he could recommend this school, and he said without a doubt. So, there ya have it.

Yes, you do have a valid point. I had to give this some thought before I replied because I agree with you. But the one saving grace in it is that it is still an 'adoption', so I would think that the groups would still require the normal screening processes, like interviews, home visits and the like. That's one thing you don't get when you buy a puppy in a pet store. I think as far as the implusivity goes, if people have to wait (i.e. can't take the dog with them TODAY,) they may have more time to think things over and make a good decision.

Yes, AAP....I am familiar with this school. It's the closest one to me, and I've worked with (and hired) several people who went there. I know of at least a couple excellent instructors there who are even currently involved in competition grooming and (IMO) are capable of teaching you well. As for the price...I can't comment much except to say that around here (Chicago area), any trade school is very high. As for the people who I've worked with who attended, it's like anything else. Some of them became excellent groomers with time and extra on-the-job training. And some didn't. There was one who thought she knew everything there was to know about grooming and had no need for more training. And of course there were a couple who graduated and soon became discouraged. I got the impression that they didn't understand the need to be flexible (for example, learning new methods in different shops, etc.) or also maybe because they were so slow and not making enough money upon completion of schooling. I'm not sure if the instructors were brutally honest about the amount of on-the-job training that would be necessary after graduating. This doesn't necessarily reflect on the school (or even help you maybe,) but I'm just relating my experiences. I think if you really want to be a groomer, have a good eye for detailed work, are good with your hands, and WANT to be the best groomer you can be, no matter how long it takes.....then this school would be a great place to start. I agree with what horse said, definitely...but it's also good to remember that every shop will have different methods, and it doesn't always necessarily mean that they are bad places to work (unless of course the obvious safety, health or abuse issues are occuring), so the same goes for schools. Just go with an open mind, and remember that things you learn in school are never set in stone. And if you DO go to this school and wish to stay in the Chicagoland area...contact me for a job when you're done. I have some contacts.

I'm also a professional groomer and used to have my own business. First, congrats on "seeing the light" on this career choice. I think that so many people want to do it, but don't seem to have the "eye" for balance or the "flair" for style (not to mention an unconditional love for dogs and a lack of fear for dirt, hair, sore backs, etc.). I would first recommend that you get on the phone and call vet clinics, other dog people you know and ask for local groomer recommendations. Find out which ones in your area are the best of the best and have great reputations. Then give them a call and ask if they'd be willing to hire you on as an apprentice or a bather. Some of the very best groomers I know never went to a real grooming school, but instead they apprenticed to learn the trade. It's a lot cheaper and I think you get more practical knowledge in the process. Grooming schools are good for basics, but even after you spend thousands of dollars, you still need on-the-job training for upwards of a year or two. Why not just start at the bottom from the get-go? One thing I'd mention to you...after having owned my own business, I found that I didn't have the time to "train" a new groomer from the ground up, so unfortunately I turned some people away. However, if they had just come to work for me as a bather first and shown a true "gift" for learning to groom, it would have been only natural for me to move them forward. You might keep this in mind when you call groomers. You just might scare them away if you talk too heavily about apprenticeships. Starting as a bather has alot of advantages. You get hands-on experience working in the grooming atmosphere on a daily basis, you learn the basics that schools will charge you to learn, and you also save alot of money and time if you decide it's not for you. I know this is long, but I enjoy offering some insight on the topic. You should check out petgroomer.com, the site has a long list of schools. And one more thing...currently licensing of groomers is only optional and not law. Good luck.

No, there wasn't a Schirmer's test, because it isn't dry eye. She has no trouble with tearing properly. She has a spot on her cornea that was mildly irritating her, so that's why we took her in. The drops are a neomycin base, and from what I understood, they're for reducing irritation and preventing infection if she happens to rub or scratch at it. Of course I could be wrong on that...the vets talk to fast, it's sometimes hard to understand all the jumble. I did indeed try to research this on line, and found afghans listed as a predisposed breed. The only thing I really found, though was that the "spots" are more or less fatty deposits and would come right back if removed. :-?

Jen, thanks. We didn't get any info on a specific type, but she was tested with the fluorescein (sp?) and there were no ulcers present. The vet said basically there's nothing to do, but did give me drops to use this week, since the eye seems to be bothering Bolero. She's been rubbing at it, so the vet just thought it might be best to take precautions against secondary scratches on the cornea. On my initial net search, Afghans were indeed listed as predisposed to this problem, so I'm not surprised. But only one eye is affected at this point. My concern, of course, is that it is irritating her (that, and the possibility of this reducing her vision later.)

I'm going to try to do a net search, but one of my babies was diagnosed with this and just wondering if anyone has heard of it or has any info. Thanks.

Ew, don't blame you for being freaked out...or worried about the poison. I won't have any of that in my house, because if it's there, it seems to be too much of a risk. What about those box type bait traps? The ones where no paws or muzzles can get in?

Oh they are just precious! Love Diego...he's gorgeous. And the girls are adorable...I just want to reach out and hug 'em. Thanks for the pix!

Oh, sizzle...that's such a shame. There are those "kinds" in every group, I've found, and it's so unfortunate. Can't we all just get along?! :roll: I just love dobies. Hubby actually mentioned the other day that we should get a couple someday. He's a papillon lover, so that was a strange comment. Aroura...I take it that Diego is a whippet? You have a pic of him somewhere? That's so cool. We also have a whippet, and I'd considered taking him today, but he's 13 and beginning to get some arthritis. I just didn't think he should have that kind of vigorous activity. But I know he would have loved it. The course we did today was just a practice, but for AKC events, they should be a year old. Diego will love it!

At first I was nervous that Bolero wouldn't know what to do, or would be too scared to run. She WAS nervous around the other dogs (that afghan snob thing going on.) But after the first dog went and did the course, she was ALL up on that fence just wanting her turn. It was a small course, and she flew through it twice in a row without stopping. Although the field was fenced in, we were also afraid we'd have to chase her and catch her when it was done. Not a chance of that...she was on that lure at the end, not noticing anything else going on around her. What a great time!! She's sacked out on the couch now, but we're looking forward to doing another one sometime. She absolutely LOVED it! Anybody else do lure coursing?

Yeah, I watched it. Most of it anyway. Sorry, I missed the Shiba, but the Akita was really nice. Of course, the Afghan was gorgeous too, but I'm not partial or anything.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! I'm already feeling right at home here with all this doggie chat. Yes, like I said we have 5 dogs, and it really is nearly more than I can handle. Bolero is our Afghan. I posted her pic in the Picture forum. She's 5 years old and has a unique story. I have groomed her since she was a puppy and could always tell that she was a nice dog. Her owners were transplanted to the U.S. from Lithuania and had NEVER owned a dog before. (GASP**) Bolero had been a gift to them from some friends. I told the people early on that if they ever got to a point that they couldn't take care of her anymore I would take her. After a year, she began coming in matted, of course, and she needed to be shaved down. Major bummer, because they never came back again. Then a year ago (when Bo was 4), they showed up at the shop one last time and asked if I would take her. When I visited their house, I discovered that she had been living in a laundry room hallway during bad weather days and outside tethered on their deck on nice days. I can't begin to imagine how awful it must have been for an Afghan to be able to look at an expansive yard (which WAS fenced in) and not be allowed to run. Bo was not allowed in the rest of the house with the family, and whenever they ran out of dog food, they'd switch brands. She was shaved when she came home with us (which was SUPPOSED to only be temporary, since I already had 4 dogs.) Now, a year later, her coat is grown out nearly all the way except for her ears. She has adjusted incredibly well, seems very happy with us, and gets to run in the yard with the other dogs. She also sleeps on the furniture and now knows that blankets are not toilets. It's been a long road in some ways, but in others she's just a part of the family now. So, that's the story of Bolero. :D