DOG GROOMER

The Dog Stop® | Cumming – Midway

Department: Grooming
Reports To: General Manager / Grooming Leadership / Owner
Classification: Commission-Based Position
Location: Cumming, Georgia

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dog Groomer is responsible for providing safe, professional, and high-quality grooming services while delivering an exceptional experience for both dogs and their owners.

This position requires strong technical grooming skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, excellent customer service, and the ability to safely work with dogs of varying breeds, sizes, coat conditions, ages, and temperaments.

The ideal candidate is an experienced professional groomer with an established local clientele or customer following who is interested in continuing to grow their business within The Dog Stop®. Groomers are expected to take an active role in building customer relationships, generating repeat business, maintaining strong rebooking rates, and developing a productive grooming schedule.

The Dog Stop® provides the facility, front-desk and scheduling support, marketing, an established customer base, and cross-service opportunities from our daycare and boarding customers to help our groomers build and maintain successful books of business.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Dog Stop® | Cumming – Midway offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to reward talented groomers while providing the advantages and stability of being part of an established pet-care facility.

Compensation

• Competitive commission-based compensation

• Groomers retain customer tips in accordance with Company policy

• Opportunity to increase earnings by building and maintaining a strong repeat clientele

• Opportunities to provide approved specialty, add-on, and creative grooming services

• Established customer traffic from our daycare, boarding, and other pet-care services

• Front-desk scheduling and customer-service support

• Company-supported grooming marketing and promotions

Benefits & Team Member Perks

Eligible Team Members may receive:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) in accordance with Company policy

• Paid Holidays in accordance with Company policy

• 401(k) Retirement Plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements

• Bring Your Dog to Work at no charge, subject to Company policies, vaccination and temperament requirements, space availability, and operational needs

• 50% Off Boarding & Daycare when the Team Member is not working, subject to availability and Company policy

• 20% Off Grooming & Spa Services when performed by another Team Member

• 20% Off Eligible Retail Purchases

• Company-supported marketing and promotional opportunities

• Professional grooming environment and operational support

• Opportunities for professional growth, specialty services, creative grooming, and potential leadership responsibilities

Benefits, discounts, PTO, paid holidays, retirement-plan participation, and other perks are subject to applicable eligibility requirements and the terms of the Employee Handbook, applicable benefit plans, and current Company policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Grooming & Pet Care

• Perform professional grooming services based on customer requests, breed standards, coat condition, and the individual needs of each dog.

• Perform haircuts, clipping, scissoring, brushing, bathing, drying, de-shedding, nail trimming, ear cleaning, sanitary trims, and other approved grooming services.

• Review grooming instructions, customer preferences, and previous grooming notes before beginning each service.

• Evaluate each dog's coat, skin, physical condition, and temperament before and throughout the grooming process.

• Discuss matting, coat condition, behavioral concerns, or other circumstances that may affect the requested groom with the customer and/or management when appropriate.

• Modify, delay, or discontinue a service when necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the dog.

• Use appropriate handling and restraint techniques and never use excessive force or unsafe grooming practices.

• Immediately report injuries, illness concerns, unusual behavior, skin conditions, parasites, or other concerns to management.

• Follow all Company procedures regarding grooming incidents, injuries, customer notifications, and documentation.

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT & RETENTION

The Dog Stop® provides groomers with the infrastructure and support necessary to develop a successful grooming clientele. Groomers are expected to actively participate in building and maintaining their individual customer base.

• An established clientele, local customer following, or demonstrated history of repeat clients is strongly preferred.

• Build professional relationships with new and existing grooming customers.

• Deliver consistent grooming quality and customer service that encourages repeat business.

• Encourage appropriate rebooking and future appointments.

• Maintain accurate grooming notes, customer preferences, service history, and relevant behavioral information.

• Develop repeat customers through professionalism, reliability, communication, and consistent service quality.

• Participate in reasonable Company grooming promotions, events, social-media content, and marketing initiatives.

• Help introduce appropriate daycare and boarding customers to The Dog Stop® grooming services.

• Identify opportunities to increase grooming frequency or recommend appropriate services based on the dog's individual needs.

• Work collaboratively with management and the front desk to develop and maintain a productive grooming schedule.

Groomers are expected to comply with all applicable obligations concerning confidential information, customer information, and lawful agreements with current or former employers. The Dog Stop® does not require or encourage the improper use or disclosure of another business's confidential or proprietary customer information.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Conduct professional consultations with customers regarding desired grooming services.

• Establish realistic expectations regarding grooming style, coat condition, matting, behavior, timing, and expected results.

• Communicate professionally and respectfully with customers before, during, and after grooming appointments as appropriate.

• Clearly communicate concerns discovered during the grooming process.

• Recommend appropriate grooming frequency and at-home coat maintenance.

• Maintain accurate customer and grooming notes to provide consistency between appointments.

• Help resolve customer concerns professionally and involve management when necessary.

• Build long-term relationships with customers and their dogs.

SAFETY & ANIMAL HANDLING

• Treat every dog with patience, compassion, and respect.

• Maintain appropriate control of dogs while moving them into, out of, and throughout the grooming area.

• Follow Company policies regarding slip leads, restraints, grooming loops, tables, tubs, dryers, kennels, and other animal-handling equipment.

• Monitor dogs appropriately during bathing, drying, and grooming procedures.

• Never leave a dog unattended when doing so could create a safety risk.

• Recognize signs of fear, stress, aggression, overheating, illness, or physical distress and respond appropriately.

• Follow all vaccination, sanitation, bite-prevention, emergency, and animal-handling procedures.

• Immediately notify management of bites, injuries, escapes, equipment failures, or other safety incidents.

GROOMING AREA & EQUIPMENT

• Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized, and professional grooming station throughout the workday.

• Clean and disinfect grooming tables, tubs, kennels, tools, and work areas according to Company procedures.

• Properly clean, maintain, and store clippers, blades, shears, brushes, dryers, grooming loops, and other equipment.

• Inspect equipment before use and immediately report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.

• Properly dispose of hair, waste, and used cleaning materials.

• Assist with maintaining the overall cleanliness and appearance of the grooming department.

• Follow Company procedures regarding laundry, towels, cleaning supplies, shampoos, conditioners, and grooming products.

SCHEDULING, PRODUCTIVITY & TEAMWORK

• Arrive prepared and on time for scheduled shifts and appointments.

• Maintain an efficient and productive grooming schedule while prioritizing animal safety and grooming quality.

• Communicate promptly with management and the front desk when appointments are running behind schedule or when scheduling adjustments are necessary.

• Work cooperatively with bathers, other groomers, reception, management, and other Team Members.

• Provide clear instructions when another Team Member assists with bathing, drying, brushing, or preparation of a grooming dog.

• Assist in maintaining accurate appointment and customer records.

• Support a positive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment.

• Assist with reasonable grooming-department and facility responsibilities as business needs require.

SERVICE & RETAIL RECOMMENDATIONS

Groomers are expected to identify appropriate opportunities to enhance the dog's care and customer experience without using high-pressure sales tactics.

Recommendations may include:

• Appropriate grooming frequency

• De-shedding services

• Nail grinding

• Teeth brushing and other approved add-on services

• Coat-conditioning treatments

• Specialty shampoos or treatments

• Appropriate retail grooming and coat-care products

• Creative grooming services when available and appropriate

All recommendations should be based on the individual dog's needs and provide genuine value to the customer.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Dog Groomers are expected to:

• Maintain high standards of animal care and grooming quality.

• Treat customers and coworkers professionally and respectfully.

• Follow Company attendance, dress, appearance, conduct, and safety policies.

• Protect confidential customer and Company information.

• Maintain accurate grooming and customer records.

• Follow established operating procedures and management direction.

• Maintain a clean and professional work environment.

• Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and sound judgment.

• Contribute positively to the overall success of the grooming department and facility.

• Represent The Dog Stop® professionally at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional dog grooming experience.

• Established local grooming clientele or customer following.

• Demonstrated history of developing repeat grooming customers.

• Demonstrated ability to perform breed-standard and customer-requested grooming styles.

• Experience working with dogs of different breeds, sizes, coat types, ages, and temperaments.

• Knowledge of professional grooming tools, equipment, products, and safe handling practices.

• Professional grooming education, certification, apprenticeship, or equivalent practical experience.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong professional grooming and animal-handling skills.

• Ability to safely operate professional grooming equipment.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Excellent customer-service and communication skills.

• Ability to effectively manage appointments and workflow.

• Ability to recognize behavioral and physical warning signs in dogs.

• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a team.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Dependability, professionalism, and sound judgment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The position requires the ability to:

• Stand for extended periods.

• Bend, kneel, reach, twist, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.

• Safely handle dogs of varying sizes and temperaments.

• Lift and/or assist with lifting dogs and grooming equipment as necessary.

• Work around water, pet hair, cleaning products, shampoos, dryers, and grooming equipment.

• Work in an environment where barking, animal odors, wet floors, and physically active dogs are common.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided in accordance with applicable law.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Performance may be evaluated based on factors including:

• Grooming quality and consistency

• Animal safety and handling

• Customer satisfaction

• Customer retention

• Rebooking performance

• Growth and maintenance of an individual grooming clientele

• Productivity and utilization of available grooming appointments

• Appropriate service and retail recommendations

• Accuracy and completeness of grooming notes

• Cleanliness and sanitation

• Equipment care

• Attendance and reliability

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Professionalism

• Compliance with Company policies and procedures