So, You’ve decided to take the plunge and become a dog groomer, you’ve signed up for your grooming course, but what’s next?
Our customer care team have answered some common FAQs from student groomers so that you can continue your grooming education with all of the right tools.
Do I need to buy my own equipment?
Good question! When going to a grooming school, you will need to find out if the school has a grooming kit or whether you need to purchase one yourself. If not, your school will usually give you an equipment list and then you can give us a call or go online to place your order. Plus, when you sign up to be a pupstar in our Pawsh Perks Loyalty Programme, you get 10% off every. single. order. Therefore, It’s vital that you sign up for our student discount before your 1st purchase. Do this so you can make sure that you can get this discount from your very first purchase, as well as your free gift and paw points too!
What clippers should I get?
When it comes to clippers you get two kinds; cordless and corded. It often seems like a no-brainer to go for cordless as it seems easier to handle, however, one of the biggest pitfalls of cordless clippers is their price. We’d always recommend that students use a reliable pair of corded clippers, to begin with, such as the Andis AGC Clippers.
The first reason for this is that they're cheaper than cordless, yet very durable. This means that if you decide grooming isn’t for you, it’s less money down the drain, but on the other hand, if you do continue with grooming, you still have a great pair of clippers that’ll last you a long time in your salon.
The second reason we’d recommend corded clippers is the fact that you don’t have to charge them. When you’re learning to groom, you want to be able to focus on the grooming itself and not be let down by a low battery. Therefore, with corded clippers, you can plug them in and go, without sweating it because you’re running on your last 10%. After you’ve been grooming for a few months, you can then upgrade to the cordless and invest in your tools a little bit more.
When it comes to looking after your clippers, your college should show you clipper maintenance and what to do when your clippers stop working. If you still need some assistance, our customer care team are always on hand to help you with any issues! You also get a 1-year warranty on all clippers, however, there are wear and tear items that you will need to replace during this time.
I’ve passed my training course, what do I need now?
Congratulations! If you decide to open your own salon, you may be wondering – what do I need? Whilst your student kit is great to get you going for your studies, you will have to look at buying larger items and bulking up on consumable products such as shampoos, conditioners and colognes. Our team often says, it’s better to have it and not use it, than need it and not have it.
A great way to buy all of this kit is to begin buying it bit by bit over the course of your year as a pupstar. This way, you can use your 10% discount and get free gifts along the way. Also, by buying it throughout the year, it won’t seem as daunting as buying it in one order. We also have different finance options for students to help spread the costs. You can pay through Klarna which offers you the option to pay in 3 instalments to help ease the fear of buying at once. We also accept PayPal, which similarly offers a 3-instalment system.
What scissors are right for me?
Scissors are a highly personal piece of kit, what works for another groomer may not work for you and vice versa. This is due to different hand sizes, strengths and how heavy-handed you may be. If you have smaller hands and are light-handed, then a smaller pair of scissors may work best for you although if you have larger hands and tend to be more heavy-handed, then a longer and heavier pair of scissors may be your go-to. This is because the perfect pair of scissors should feel balanced and not put too much strain on your hands. If your college or tutor has a range of scissors, make sure you try these out!
With more options comes more understanding of how your scissors can fit and feel in your hands. Going to shows is another way of getting a taste of what different scissors feel like and often you’ll have your Cinderella moment, with scissors that fit and feel just right. We’d also recommend adding different brands to build up your kit.
A Luminosa straight scissor may work for you, but the thinners may not so shop around until you have a collection that matches how you groom. You will need both German-grade Steel scissors and Japanese-grade Steel scissors in your kit. The German scissors are a great hardworking pair that you can use every day in your salon to remove bulk, however, you will want a pair of Japanese scissors to gloss over the groom, creating a show-stopping finish. You can also get Chinese V10 Steel, such as the Luminosa’s or Aureus scissors, which retain sharpness for longer, whilst also leaving a smooth finish.
How do I become a Pupstar and what does this entail?
Becoming a Pupstar is very simple. Make sure you have an online account already set up with us and then CLICK HERE.
Fill in the online form, you will need a valid college card, confirmation letter or an email confirming your course admittance. Once you submit this form, you’ll need to wait for 2-7 days to receive confirmation of your Pupstar status. Once you’re approved, you can then start getting all of the amazing benefits such as 10% discount on every order, a free gift every month and you can earn paw points with every order, which can be used to purchase products at a later date.
Your Pupstar status lasts for 1 year, so make the most of it! If you need any further help or guidance, our customer care team is always on hand to answer your queries either by telephone, email or live chat on our website!
Find out more HERE