Dog Groomer job description.
A dog groomer bathes, clips, and styles dogs to maintain coat health, hygiene, and appearance according to breed standards or owner preference. Working in a pet salon, veterinary clinic, or mobile grooming van, they handle animals safely, spot skin or health issues, and build trusting relationships with pets and their owners. The role blends technical grooming skill with animal handling, customer service, and basic first-aid awareness in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
The Dog Groomer job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Dog Groomer Reports to: Salon Manager
A dog groomer bathes, clips, and styles dogs to maintain coat health, hygiene, and appearance according to breed standards or owner preference. Working in a pet salon, veterinary clinic, or mobile grooming van, they handle animals safely, spot skin or health issues, and build trusting relationships with pets and their owners. The role blends technical grooming skill with animal handling, customer service, and basic first-aid awareness in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
- Bathe, brush, clip, and style dogs according to breed standards or client requests
- Trim nails, clean ears, and perform sanitary trims safely
- Inspect coat and skin for fleas, ticks, matting, or signs of irritation
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Salon Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Bathe, brush, clip, and style dogs according to breed standards or client requests
- Trim nails, clean ears, and perform sanitary trims safely
- Inspect coat and skin for fleas, ticks, matting, or signs of irritation
- Restrain and calm anxious or aggressive dogs using safe handling techniques
- Sanitize grooming tools, tables, and kennel areas between appointments
- Advise pet owners on at-home coat care and grooming schedules
- Maintain grooming records and flag health concerns to management or a veterinarian
- Manage appointment scheduling and greet clients and pets professionally
- Restock and maintain grooming supplies and equipment
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Completion of a professional dog grooming program or equivalent hands-on experience
- Comfort handling dogs of varying sizes, temperaments, and breeds
- Physical stamina to stand, bend, and lift up to 40 lb / 18 kg throughout shifts
- Basic understanding of canine skin, coat, and health conditions
- Strong customer service and communication skills
- Certification from a recognized pet grooming academy (e.g., National Dog Groomers Association)
- Experience with specialty breeds or show-cut styling
- Pet first-aid/CPR certification
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Dog Groomer job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Dog Groomer job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Salon Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a dog groomer need a formal license?
- Most U.S. states do not require a specific grooming license, though some require business licensing; many employers prefer completion of a grooming program or certification.
- Is prior experience required?
- Entry-level groomers often start as bathers or assistants and are trained on cutting techniques on the job; prior pet-handling experience is a plus but not always mandatory.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Veterinary Technician
A veterinary technician assists veterinarians with animal patient care, including diagnostic testing, treatment administration, and surgical support.
Kennel Technician
A Kennel Technician cares for animals housed in a boarding, shelter, or veterinary kennel, handling feeding, cleaning, exercise, and basic health monitoring.
Veterinary Assistant
A Veterinary Assistant supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing care to animal patients.
This Dog Groomer job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.