Dog groomer

Wouldn't it be amazing to work with dogs all day, every day? As a dog groomer, that's exactly what you'll do!

In this role, you'll help dog owners keep their pet's coat healthy and attractive. You'll advise people about coat care, grooming and diet.

Dog groomers must be confident working with animals and know how to handle them firmly but gently. You'll need to be patient with nervous dogs so you can control them and help them stay calm.

You'll follow standards for how different breeds should look. For example, poodles are usually clipped to a particular shape. This is particularly important when dogs are being prepared for a show.

Once you have experience under your belt, you could go self-employed. This means you'll work from your own premises or become a mobile dog groomer. You could also teach dog grooming classes.

Your tasks might include:

• talking to a dog's owner about the grooming they'd like and establishing the best way to handle their animal

• checking for, and telling the owner about, any sore areas or lumps on the dog's skin

• carefully shaping the dog's coat with electric clippers or a stripping knife

• shampooing and drying the dog's coat

• giving the dog's coat a final trim with scissors

• clipping the dog's claws then cleaning its teeth and ears

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