Pet Groomer jobs in St. Catharines, ON

About Us

We are a locally owned and operated full line pet store with an in store, one on one grooming salon. Our groomers are focused on providing quality grooming services in a safe, comfortable, and personalized environment. We believe every dog deserves patience, proper care, and a positive grooming experience.

We are looking for an experienced, dependable, and passionate groomer to join our team!

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled groomer who is confident working independently and can manage the grooming process from start to finish. The ideal candidate has hands on grooming experience, strong knowledge of different coat types and breed specific cuts, and the ability to handle dogs with a variety of temperaments safely and professionally.

This position is best suited for someone who takes pride in their craftsmanship, communicates well with pet owners, and understands the importance of animal welfare, cleanliness, and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Perform full service dog grooming, including bathing, drying, brushing, de-shedding, haircutting, clipping, scissoring, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and other services within your training and the salon's service offerings.
• Assess each pet's coat condition, skin, temperament, and grooming needs before beginning the service.
• Confidently perform breed specific cuts, pet trims, and owner requested styles while setting realistic expectations based on your own experience.
• Handle dogs of different sizes, breeds, coat types, and temperaments with patience and care.
• Recognize signs of stress, discomfort, or potential health concerns and respond appropriately.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary grooming workspace and properly maintain grooming tools and equipment.
• Manage appointments and grooming times efficiently without compromising the quality of care.
• Communicate professionally with customers regarding grooming preferences, coat maintenance, matting, behavior concerns, and recommended follow-up services.
• Follow safe handling practices and established salon procedures, including protocols for difficult or medically concerning situations.
• Contribute to a welcoming, professional environment that reflects positively on our pet store and the services we provide.

Qualifications

• Previous professional dog grooming experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to complete full grooms independently, from bathing through finishing.
• Strong understanding of coat types, grooming techniques, breed standards, and pet trim styles.
• Confidence handling dogs of various breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to safe, humane animal handling.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Reliable, organized, and capable of working independently.
• Comfortable working in a one on one salon environment with responsibility for the quality and safety of each appointment.

Formal grooming certification is an asset. Demonstrated hands on experience, technical ability, and a strong commitment to animal welfare are especially important to us.

What We Offer

• A calm, one on one grooming environment focused on individualized care.
• A professional setting within an established pet store with a deeply loyal customer base.
• Full scheduling and reception support. (No answering phones/scheduling clients while grooming!)
• Flexible scheduling.
• Competitive compensation and commission structure. Guaranteed hourly rate plus commission to ensure steady pay during seasonal lulls.
• Employee discounts, discounted and/or free staff pet feeding programs, treat/toy samples.

Who We're Looking For

We want someone who genuinely enjoys working with pets and takes pride in delivering high quality grooms. You should be comfortable making grooming decisions independently, communicating honestly with customers, and recognizing when a dog's safety or comfort needs to take priority over completing a service.

If you're an experienced groomer looking for a salon where quality, individual attention, and professional standards matter, we'd love to hear from you!

Pay: $18.00-$50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• Do you have a portfolio of previous grooming services you have provided?

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (preferred)
• Pet grooming: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person