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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 2, 2015 18:25:38 GMT -5
Hi, I know many of you are local...from NJ, so I have a question. I am on a path to find steady income. Most of the retail jobs around here...heck most jobs in any field around here are part time. If they want to give you 8 hours one week and 20 the next they can. You're merely a number on a spreadsheet filling in hours. I got the idea of dog grooming. I know the downsides of cranky dogs and owners, being damp and fur covered much of the day. But I'm good with dogs and humans, even the cranky ones, I'm strong enough to lift a Mastiff almost my own size, don't mind physical discomfort. I've also noticed there is a call for experienced groomers around here...full time too, very inviting indeed. So where do I begin? There are training courses, but there are probably a bunch of fly by nights there too. I'd consider apprenticing for free at this point if it will get me somewhere. Open to any suggestions. Thanks!
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Post by maryellen on Feb 3, 2015 6:38:52 GMT -5
Up here pet sitters are more in demand. Groomers now are mobile and come to your house in their vans and groom the dogs in their vans.. A pet sitter is needed more so.
My pet sitter is unreliable so i am screwed if i want to go away.
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Post by maryellen on Feb 3, 2015 6:40:51 GMT -5
Doggy day care is huge here. Whether you do it in your home or if you have a building that is the biggest thing up here
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2015 9:03:10 GMT -5
Dog grooming can be a great income BUT it is very physically demanding work. I used to work as a groomer, and I LOVED it but I will tell you it's one of the things that really messed my back up. You can be self taught but you really at least need a good mentor to work under when you first start. I don't know much about grooming school or if that is the better/best option. I've been out of that field for a while.
Pet sitting/dog walking is a good thing to look into, too. Even when I was working for someone else, I was making I think close to $20/hour. You will make way more working for yourself. A friend of mine does it, in fact she is so overloaded I'm probably going to be working with her to pick up some of the slack as well as be her "in house" dog trainer.
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 4, 2015 0:06:32 GMT -5
Thanks, actually there's a dog walker company I got in touch with plus I sent an inquiry to a local doggy day care. The dog walker place responded right away...hum, oh yay maybe I can resign from big box land in the near future...see what happens. I am so tired of big corporate knowwhutahmsayin'?
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 4, 2015 8:10:11 GMT -5
Oh believe me, I hear ya on that. Big time. Good luck, keep us posted! Here's hoping to a doggy day job for you soon!
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 9, 2015 23:57:53 GMT -5
I interviewed today with one place...store manager wuz mighty nice. I do good with older gentlemen. Then this younger guy appeared. I know he was seeing petite senior citizen..."You know dog food bags are heavy and we unload trucks"...ya know son, I lifted mulch bags for customers all summer and I can get a 60lb dog in and out of the bathtub...come over here and I bet I kin pick you up too. Think the older guy might actually give me a call, paws crossed folks.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 10, 2015 8:26:16 GMT -5
Cool this was at a pet store? Silly whipper-snappers!
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 10, 2015 21:30:24 GMT -5
Yup, well perhaps a step out of Big Hardware and I can head a different direction ya know? Still have to chuckle about that guy though...sheesh I'm only 52, not ready for the ice floe just yet. Hey that's it! As a condition of employment...if I can lift him off the ground and HE can lift Callie the same distance I have the job, works for me Second interview with that young man and yayy I have the job. Oh joy, we came to the conclusion that I will be the oldest person working there, awww jus' call me Mom. Oh and he asked if I was interested in going the dog training route. Hell yes, any experience is more experience. Besides...ten years ago I would have had no idea how to get a dog to follow simple commands. After Callie and especially Sophie I know better. Plus it's about educating the owners and giving them more confidence to handle their pups. As for Mr. Fluffykins...one technique for dog training. In reality I am the most soft spoken soul...but you look a dog in the eyes and give them the face that says " Don't make me go all Joe Pesci on you" and it's amazing the difference. I'll post updates.
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