I Work With Animals! Mobile Dog Groomer

What animal lover hasn't daydreamed about ditching their desk job and applying for a job at the zoo? Or at a doggy daycare? Or tracking gorillas in Africa? We sure have, but since most of us may never actually get to work with the animals we love, we thought we'd introduce you to a few people who do.

Name: Michele Zinser
Age: 53
Job Title: Owner and operator of Sudz 'n Style Mobile Grooming

What kind of training do you need to enter the pet grooming business?
There are two ways to enter the profession. You can start out at the bottom as a bather and learn the trade over time. Or the second way, which is what I did, is to go to a grooming school. I was a full time student at Canine Clippers in Dumfries, Va. for fifteen weeks.

What made you open your own business when you moved to Arizona?
After I graduated, I worked for three years at Annandale Pet Spa in Virginia. That experience and the support of many people made me confident in my knowledge of the grooming business. I liked the idea of working for myself, and working as a mobile groomer gives me a huge amount of flexibility. I like that I get the chance to go into homes and really get to know my clients. Starting my own business was the perfect way to jump into a new environment here in Arizona.

What's your typical workday like?
When I arrive at my first appointment, I turn on the generator, lights, air conditioner, fill the tub with tepid water and get the dog from the owner. I usually groom between four and six dogs a day. Depending on their size, it can take up to two hours per appointment.

What is the grooming process like?
If the dog is small, I place him or her directly into the tub. If the dog is large though, I have to first put the dog on the grooming table to raise the dog up to tub height. My grooming appointments are all-inclusive, so the animal gets at least two sudzings, a coat-conditioning treatment, and an aromatic blueberry facial. Every dog also gets his teeth brushed, ears plucked and/or cleaned, nails trimmed, and more. The last step is the blow out of the undercoat to stimulate the skin and straighten the hair.

What are some of the mistakes owners make?
One of the biggest problems I see is a matted coat. You can avoid this by using small strokes and checking your work with a comb once you're finished brushing. The teeth of the comb should be able to touch the skin and stroke through the hair. If it stops, you've probably found a section that is still matted, so go back and brush the coat again. Coats mat very easily after getting wet, so if you plan on bathing your dog at home, brush before the bath and then again after. Remember to use less pressure when the coat is wet because you might scratch the skin.

How has the business fared so far?
Sudz 'n Dudz just opened a little over a month ago and I am thrilled with how it has done so far. There has been great feedback, and I'm already starting to get repeat clients. As for getting the word out about my new business, the van's adorable graphics are my best advertisement. I am constantly getting calls from people who have seen my van and called to make an appointment.

Tags: dog groomers, dog grooming, i work with animals, IWorkWithAnimals, mobile dog grooming, pet groomers, pet grooming