Experienced Dog Bather – Groomer Training

Experienced Dog Bather – Groomer Training Available

Location:

Pet Care Plus – West Loop, Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, Hourly
Pay:
Starting at $18.50 per hour, based on experience and demonstrated skills, plus tips

Pet Care Plus is seeking an experienced, dependable, and compassionate Dog Bather who is ready to expand their technical skills and work toward becoming a professional Groomer.

This position is designed for someone who already has professional dog-bathing experience and can independently perform bathing, drying, brushing, de-shedding, nail care, and other essential grooming-support services.

In addition to core bathing responsibilities, this team member will have opportunities to develop foundational grooming skills such as safe clipper use, paw-pad trimming, sanitary trims, face and feet tidying, basic shave-downs, and uniform guard-comb trims.

This is not an entry-level bathing position. Candidates should have professional bathing experience and an interest in continued training and career advancement.

• Select appropriate shampoos and conditioners based on each dog’s coat and skin needs.
• Professionally bathe, condition, and thoroughly rinse dogs.
• Safely operate high-velocity dryers and complete fluff drying when appropriate.
• Brush and comb dogs according to their coat type.
• Perform de-shedding treatments and remove loose undercoat.
• Safely remove minor tangles and light matting when appropriate.
• Perform nail trims and nail grinding.
• Clean ears and provide basic teeth brushing using approved products.
• Perform approved external anal gland expression when trained and authorized.
• Complete basic paw and coat maintenance.
• Follow service instructions and accurately document completed services.
• Communicate any health, skin, coat, nail, ear, dental, or behavioral concerns to a Groomer or manager.

After demonstrating competency and receiving approval, you may perform:

• Paw-pad trimming
• Sanitary trims
• Face, eye-area, visor, beard, and head tidying
• Feet and paw trimming
• Tail trimming and shaping
• Basic shave-downs on appropriate dogs
• Simple, uniform-length guard-comb trims
• Basic puppy-style trims within your approved skill level
• Other approved add-on grooming services

Advanced breed-specific cuts, pattern grooming, corrective grooming, advanced hand scissoring, and advanced styling are not required for this position. These services may only be performed after completing the appropriate training and receiving approval.

Qualified candidates should have:

• Previous professional dog-bathing experience
• Proficiency in bathing, drying, brushing, de-shedding, nail trimming, and nail grinding
• Experience safely handling professional grooming clippers
• Basic knowledge of blade lengths and guard combs
• Experience trimming paw pads and sanitary areas
• Ability to complete basic face, feet, and tail tidying
• Knowledge of canine body language and safe restraint practices
• Safe, patient, and compassionate animal-handling skills
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
• The ability to work independently and remain on schedule
• Consistent attendance, punctuality, and reliability
• Professional communication skills
• A willingness to assist and support other members of the Grooming team
• An interest in continued training and advancement toward becoming a Groomer
• The judgment to recognize when a service is beyond your current training or skill level

Candidates may be asked to complete practical skill demonstrations before being approved to independently perform certain grooming services.

Pet Care Plus provides a structured career path for experienced Bathers who want to become professional Groomers:

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