Junior Pet Stylist: Grooming Training & Career Growth

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.; New Milford (CT); On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Medical, dental, vision

401k and more

Paid Time Off

Petco Discounts

Grooming supplies & equipment provided

State-of-the-art grooming facilities

Job summary

Petco is hiring a Junior Pet Stylist in Grooming in a hands-on, ten-week training program designed to develop essential grooming skills such as bathing, drying, and nail trimming. You will learn from seasoned groomers, with guidance and ongoing career growth within Petco Grooming.

The role offers competitive base pay, ongoing training, and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO, and employee discounts. This entry-level path is ideal for animal enthusiasts seeking a grooming career.

Qualifications

• Verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team.
• Basic understanding of dog breeds, behavior, and common grooming practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic grooming services under supervision: bathing, drying, nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of every animal in the salon.
• Interact professionally with pet parents; provide excellent customer service and address inquiries.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Dog breed knowledge

Education

High-school diploma or GED (preferred)

0-1 year animal-related experience (preferred)

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.

Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

Your Petco Grooming Career:

Begin your Petco journey as a Junior Pet Stylist in Grooming!

During this ten-week training period as a Junior Pet Stylist, you will learn fundamental grooming tasks such as brushing, bathing, drying, cutting nails, and more! Gaining hands-on experience with guidance from seasoned groomers, our industry leading program is designed to develop essential grooming skills and set the foundation for your future career with Petco Grooming.

In addition to our commitment to continuous training, development, and career growth, we also offer:

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision and more
• 401k and more
• Paid Time Off
• Petco Discounts
• All the supplies & equipment you need, including, brushes, nail trimmers, clippers, blades, shampoo, sprays, tools, etc.
• State of the art equipment, including bathing system, kennels, tables, and dryers

Purpose:

The Junior Pet Stylist's primary purpose is to learn how to perform the following services: bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning, alongside seasoned groomers. In addition to bathing and drying services, the Junior Pet Stylist will assist in the grooming process, prioritizing the comfort, safety, and well-being of the pets in our care and delivering optimal customer services to pet parents. This is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about animals and grooming to start their career in the pet care industry.

Essential Job Functions:

The incumbent must be able to consistently perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Under close supervision of experienced groomers, perform limited grooming services including bathing, drying, nail trimming, brushing, ear cleaning, and gland cleaning according to the pet parents’ instructions and in adherence to company policies and procedures
• Ensure the well-being and safety of every animal in the salon at all times
• Interact professionally and effectively with pet parents, provide optimal customer service, address grooming related inquiries and provide timely resolution
• Maintain a clean and safe grooming area and salon, disinfect and sanitize grooming tools and equipment, perform daily and weekly cleaning duties in the salon and in adherence to Petco hygiene and sanitation policies, other cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned, including but not limited to cleaning air filters, vents, and drains
• Schedule grooming appointments, manage paperwork, and maintain accurate grooming records
• Learn and adhere to Petco's grooming policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in all activities and areas of the grooming business

Training Program Outline:

• Weeks 1-3: Learning and On-the-Job Training
  • Learn dog behavior, pet and self-safety, proper check-in/out procedures, customer service, grooming policies, and begin on-the-job training in bathing and drying techniques
• Weeks 3-10: Performing and Achieving Productivity
  • Perform bathing and walk-in services while achieving weekly productivity goals

Education/Experience:

• 0-1 year of animal related experience, including shelter volunteering or pet sitting, prior grooming salon assistance is preferred
• High-school diploma or GED is preferred, though not required
• Genuine passion for animals and a desire to pursue a career in pet grooming
• Basic understanding of dog breeds, behavior, and common grooming practices
• Capable of handling pets of all sizes and temperaments with care and empathy
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interactions with pet parents and grooming team members
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, as required by the Pet Care Center’s grooming schedule

Work Environment:

The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in the grooming salon. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. Position may require exposure to heights using a two-step ladder or other support tools, such as vacuums, to perform assigned cleaning and maintenance duties. A large amount of this partner’s time will be spent in direct contact with our pet parents and their dogs, and the remaining time will be with the other salon partners. The work environment can be noisy and wet.

For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO - see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

About Petco:

We’re proud to be 'where the pets go' to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years – from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood – the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

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