How to Become a Dog Groomer in North Dakota

There are many occupations that allow you to work with both animals and people at the same time.

One of the easiest of them, both to enter and as what you’re expected to do, is that of a groomer.

In this guide, you’ll learn what it takes to become a dog groomer in North Dakota.

Requirements to Become a Dog Groomer in North Dakota

In North Dakota, like in most of the country, there are no requirements or regulations when it comes to education, training, or certifications for pet groomers.

Most of the requirements are related to your ability to complete the task of grooming the animal.

This generally includes a few personality traits as well.

All of those include:

• Being compassionate
• Being patient
• Able to socialize
• Able to control the animals
• Ability to stand for periods of time
• Comfortable with working with both cats and dogs

Dog Grooming Job Duties and Responsibilities

A dog groomer plays an important part in the overall wellbeing of the animals they work with.

Simply by inspecting their client upon arrival, the professional can discover a variety of potential health problems they need to inform the owner about.

Other tasks, such as cleaning the ears or clipping the nails, prevent infections or injuries from happening.

These are the most common duties of a dog groomer:

• Cleaning the pet and styling its coat
• Knowing the order of the procedures
• Maintain a clean and tidy workplace
• Ensure all the tools are in good working condition, and clean
• Ensuring the animal stays calm
• Avoid injuring the animal during the grooming process

You are also expected to continue improving your skills or to participate in workshops.

Training and Certification in North Dakota

As already mentioned, there are no laws in North Dakota mandating you earn a certificate.

If you train and get a certification you have better employment options since those hiring prefer the candidates to have some credentials.

Certifications can be obtained only after completing a training program and passing an exam.

The training programs are generally short as duration, but none lasts for less than 60 hours.

One of the most popular ways of entering this field is by enrolling in an apprenticeship program, where individuals learn the basic skills they need for the position.

One of the best certifications to earn is the one issued by the National Dog Grooming Association of America (NDGAA).

Employment and Salary Information for North Dakota

Finding employment is rather easy for pet groomers, especially when seeking for a job while still in training.

Some possible employers are:

• Humane societies
• Pet stores
• Vet clinics

Pet groomers can even start a personal business.

If you have a difficult time finding a job, you can volunteer at first, and this could turn into a paid position.

The average salary in North Dakota is around $32,627 per year.

In cities like Fargo, Bismarck, West Fargo, and Mandan,  the median salary is higher than in the rest of the state.

Regional Salary in North Dakota

Additional Information

The Central Dakota Humane Society can offer more training resources.

Those who want to run a dog grooming business need to also obtain the appropriate business licenses.

Selling items require an additional license, so contact your local authorities for more details, as each county might have different regulations.

Dog Grooming by State