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Dog owners in Louisiana are increasing and they need pet grooming services.
This means that animal grooming is a lucrative and rewarding industry.
Becoming a dog groomer is relatively easy, and this guide will spill all the secrets on how to enter this field.
Article Table of Contents
Ideal Candidate
Dog lovers and those who like to style hair, in general, make really good candidates for this position.
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
Of course, these individuals also need:
- Patience
- Communication skills
- Compassion
- Able to stand for longer periods
- Calm attitude
- Able to work with different types of animals
Willingness to improve skills is also a characteristic you should possess for this position.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Even though the job of a dog groomer is relatively easy, there still are plenty of duties and responsibilities you need to complete.
The most common duties are:
- Bathing, styling, and cutting the fur
- Calming down the animal
- Keeping the animal calm and under control
- Clipping nails
- Cleaning the ears and eyes
- Maintaining the workplace tidy and clean
During all these procedures, you might notice small issues that can turn into severe health problems.
It is your responsibility as a groomer to inform the animal’s owner or caretaker, of these aspects.
Some dogs have black-colored nails and you’re expected to know how much to cut as not to hurt it.
Training and Certification
Louisiana is one of the few states that regulate the pet grooming industry to some degree.
This means that those who need to enter this field in this state will need:
- A dog grooming certificate
- A business license
- Active NDGAA membership status
In Louisiana, the pet groomer certificate is issued by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA).
Those passing the skills and knowledge exam will be called National Certified Master Groomers.
However, to take the exam you’ll first have to complete a certified and accredited training program.
These programs cover topics such as:
- Bathing techniques,
- Trimming and shaping dog fur
- Dental care,
- Clinical techniques,
- Dog welfare and health issues,
- Kennel management
- Tools sanitization techniques
- Clipping nails,
- Cleaning dog ears
Depending on the school, classes can be offered online as well.
Most courses are catered to dog grooming, and cat grooming has a shorter coverage.
To run a business as a pet groomer, you’ll need to obtain the proper licenses and permits from the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Employment and Salary Information
Individuals who are National Certified Master Groomers and active members of the NDGAA have better prospects when it comes to employment, salary, and career options.
The main employers include:
- Kennels
- Pet stores
- Vet clinics
- Pet grooming salons
In cities like New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner, the median salaries are higher than the state’s average.
The current average salary at the state level is $33,241 per year.
You could earn more if you cater your services to only one breed of dog or cat.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $34,446 |
| Baton Rouge | $32,262 |
| Shreveport | $31,901 |
| Metairie | $34,446 |
| Lafayette | $31,879 |
| Lake Charles | $31,443 |
| Bossier City | $31,901 |
| Kenner | $34,427 |
| Monroe | $31,735 |
| Alexandria | $30,742 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 90 | $29,200 | $14.04 | $43,380 | $20,580 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 630 | $29,130 | $14.01 | $38,590 | $20,360 |
| Hammond, LA | 80 | $29,080 | $13.98 | $40,770 | $20,870 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 70 | $27,190 | $13.07 | $36,350 | $20,350 |
| Lafayette, LA | 380 | $27,630 | $13.28 | $37,610 | $20,320 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 130 | $28,300 | $13.61 | $37,420 | $20,770 |
| Monroe, LA | 160 | $25,800 | $12.41 | $34,090 | $17,430 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,350 | $29,640 | $14.25 | $38,880 | $21,360 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 330 | $28,080 | $13.5 | $36,320 | $20,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Dog Grooming Schools In Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| PETS GROOMING ACADEMY OF LOUISIANA, LLC | 43300 E Pleasant Ridge Rd, Hammond, LA 70403 |
Earn your accredited, affordable Pet and Dog Grooming Certificate online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
Additional Information
To maintain NDGAA membership, you’ll have to partake in the workshop and other types of events the Association organizes.
The Secretary of State of Louisiana can offer in-depth details about all the documents you need to run a pet grooming business legally in this state.
The training courses give better details regarding how to be successful at what you do.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dog / Pet Groomer
Dog Grooming by State
Do you have classes on Friday and sat.
Hi! I live in New Orleans and I’d like to be accredited in the state of Louisiana- is it possible to do this online?