Podcast Summary:

How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real People. Real Money.
Episode Title: Dog Groomer: Career Insights and Making Money in the Pet Industry
Host: Mirav Ozeri
Guest: Sarah Gildesleeve, Professional Dog Groomer
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Mirav Ozeri interviews Sarah Gildesleeve, a seasoned dog groomer with 20 years of experience. The conversation offers a transparent, sometimes humorous, and always practical look at what it’s really like to make a living pampering pups. They discuss how to enter the field of dog grooming, day-to-day realities, required skills, financial outlook, and the personal rewards and challenges of the job.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Getting Started as a Dog Groomer

• Sarah’s Inspiration & Path

  • Sarah always wanted to work with animals and initially considered being a vet or marine biologist. A suggestion led her to explore grooming, shifting her career path. (00:48)
  • “I went and visited a groomer and then I realized the steps that I had to take in order to become a groomer and it kind of just changed my path a little bit.” – Sarah (00:54)

• Training & Certification

  • No official certification or license is currently required in New York State, but Sarah is involved in efforts to introduce such standards due to safety concerns. (01:20)
  • She advises beginners to find a mentor and start as a bather, learning the essentials of the trade. (01:45)

• Learning Process

  • Sarah’s early experience included a six-month online program followed by a hands-on internship:
    • “She threw me right in there and said, ‘here’s a poodle. Do some poodle feet.’ …I had no idea how to do poodle feet, but I, I do now, you know.” – Sarah (03:17)

2. A Day in the Life of a Groomer

• Routine and Services

  • “A typical day starts at 8, 8:30... First client comes in at 8:30 and then the next one at 9…” – Sarah (02:03)
  • Main services: baths, nails, and haircuts, as well as occasional maintenance (e.g., eye trims). (02:28)

• Tools and Setup

  • Groomers use electric sinks and adjustable tables to accommodate dogs of different sizes. (13:10)

• Handling Aggressive or Special Dogs

  • Reading dog behavior and maintaining calm and confidence are essential skills. (02:47)
  • Sarah learned behavior management both on the job and through mentorship. (03:12, 04:58)

3. Specialization & Trend Awareness

• Breed Specialization

  • “I’m known as the terrier lady. People come to me with their terriers from Canada and from the bottom of New Jersey...” – Sarah (10:20)
  • Specialization can attract clients willing to travel long distances for expert care. (10:30)

• Current Grooming Trends

  • Doodle mixes are in high demand: “Right now with all these doodles...everybody’s got the same quest of like this, I want this doodle looking dog.” – Sarah (06:35)

• Show Dogs vs. Pets

  • Grooming show dogs is more time consuming:
    • “It takes me about 10 hours to get her into a show coat a week...” – Sarah (04:24)
    • Show grooming involves hand-stripping for coat quality, as opposed to clipping for pets. (04:44)
  • Compensation is similar, but regularity and familiarity make show grooming easier. (07:59)

4. Workplace Challenges

• Physical and Emotional Demands

  • Grooming is physically taxing and can result in repetitive strain injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel, torn biceps). (11:47, 11:57)
  • Exposure to messes and the risk of bites is part of the job:
    • “It’s one of the dirtiest jobs… you just gotta laugh it off.” – Sarah (10:52)
    • “Oh, yes, I have [been bitten]. I… got bit on my finger and it was all black and blue. It finally just peeled off.” – Sarah (11:30)
  • Some dogs are too large or combative for Sarah to handle, especially due to her past injuries. (15:45)

• Client Expectations & Funny Moments

  • Clients often bring photos or have quirky requests; Sarah adapts but sets realistic boundaries:
    • “Doodle people will come and say, don’t poodle my doodle. And poodle people will say, don’t doodle my poodle.” – Sarah (00:03, 05:55)
  • Some clients are impossible to please, and Sarah shares a story about an overly demanding client who moved her scissors during the haircut. (09:10)

• Misconceptions

  • Contrary to popular belief, grooming is not just “playing with puppies,” but a dirty and demanding job. (10:48)

5. Financial Realities

• Entry Level and Earning Potential

  • Bathers start at $15-$20/hour. New groomers earn little initially but can grow their income through skill and business development. (06:57, 08:36)
  • “You could grow your business as much as you want… five tables in and hire groomers and just manage your salon.” – Sarah (08:36)
  • Standard grooming charges:
    • Small dog: $75-$80
    • Large doodle: up to $200
    • “If you break that into hourly…you have to pay your bather, then you have to pay taxes, then...electric bill... You have to know your worth.” – Sarah (07:23)

• Business Upscaling

  • Those who open/own salons can earn more by hiring other groomers, expanding services, or specializing. (08:36)

• Frequency of Visits

  • Most clients bring their dogs every 4-6 weeks. (08:29)

6. Job Security and AI

• Recession-Proof Work
  • Grooming is considered recession-proof as people care for pets even in tough times:
    • “People will stop getting their hair done as much, but…they’re not gonna not come.” – Sarah (13:52)
  • Unlikely for AI or robots to replace hands-on grooming, particularly with challenging older dogs. (13:48)

7. Rewarding Aspects & Personal Meaning

• Emotional Rewards

  • Seeing transformed dogs and grateful owners is fulfilling:
    • “Watching them walk out like they’re all that in a bag of chips.” – Sarah (12:15)
    • Owners can become emotional over their pet’s transformation—sometimes even crying. (12:26)
    • Notes and gratitude from clients, especially after a pet passes, are deeply meaningful. (12:26)

• Long-Term Love for the Profession

  • Even after 20 years, Sarah’s passion remains strong:
    • “I still love it. I do. I still love it… I love every single dog that comes in here.” – Sarah (15:31)
  • She recognizes dogs she's groomed on the street, often before their owners. (12:58)

8. Advice for Aspiring Groomers

• Mentorship is Key: Start as a bather, seek guidance from experienced groomers, and be patient with yourself as you learn. (01:45, 04:58)
• Insurance: Liability insurance is essential, though who pays may depend on employment status. (10:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Breed Owners’ Pet Peeves:
  “Doodle people will come and say, don’t poodle my doodle. And poodle people will say, don’t doodle my poodle. And I’m like, I don’t know what that, you know… You just tell me what you want and I will do it.” – Sarah (00:03, 05:55)

• On Groomers’ Specialties:
  “People travel from New York City with their terriers up here… it’s like their kids. It really is.” – Sarah (10:29)

• On the Realities of Grooming:
  “People, they think like you sit there and you play with puppies…they don’t realize like the dog next to you just puked in its crate and the other one had explosive diarrhea and you’ve been peed on today. It can be really gross.” – Sarah (10:52)

• On the Emotional Reward:
  “When a dog passes and they send you… a little email or a note just saying thanks for taking care of buddy for the last…15 years or whatever. It’s, you know, it’s moments like that that really make it.” – Sarah (12:26)

• On Job Security:
  “I would love to see a robot, a robot groom my 18 year old cockapoo…” – Sarah (13:52)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction to Guest & Inspiring Story: (00:48–01:20)
• How to Get Started / Mentoring: (01:45–03:17)
• Day-to-Day Life and Services: (02:03–02:44)
• Specialization (Terriers, Show Dogs): (03:46–04:44, 10:19–10:48)
• Clients and Trends (Doodles, Unusual Requests): (05:55–06:52)
• Earnings and Career Growth: (06:57–08:36)
• Challenges – Difficult Clients & Mishaps: (09:08–09:44, 14:11–14:54)
• Dirty and Demanding Side: (10:48–11:45)
• Physical Demands: (11:47–11:57)
• Emotional Rewards and Gratitude: (12:15–12:54)
• Frequency and Scope of Work: (13:10–13:40, 16:28–16:38)
• Job Security Against Automation: (13:52)
• Still Loving the Job after 20 Years: (15:28–15:31)

Summary

This episode offers an authentic, detailed glimpse into the dog grooming business. Sarah’s story and advice demystify the profession—she covers entry basics, financial realities, career growth paths, and the social and physical challenges elaborated with both candor and warmth. Whether you’re contemplating a hands-on role with animals or considering entrepreneurship in the pet industry, Sarah’s practical wisdom and passion make this a must-listen for animal lovers.