What's the Difference Between a Dog Groomer and a Pet Stylist?
If you’ve been researching a career in dog grooming, you’ve probably come across a few different terms — dog groomer, pet stylist, even master groomer. It can get confusing fast!
One question we hear a lot is: What’s the difference between a dog groomer and a pet stylist?
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Pet Stylist?
A pet stylist is trained to transform furry family members into the cutest, happiest versions of themselves — safely, efficiently, and with plenty of care. It’s sort of like a junior dog groomer!
Pet stylists focus on providing clean, stylish, and practical grooms that suit a dog’s coat type, lifestyle, and owner’s preferences. They can also work with breed-standard styles if requested, offering a nod to traditional trims while keeping things manageable for family life.
Pet stylists play an incredibly important role in the grooming industry. They create positive experiences for dogs, promote skin and coat health, and help pets look and feel their best.
At igroomschool, completing Blocks 1 to 3 of the Industry Certification Pathway gets you to this level — giving you the foundation to work confidently, professionally, and safely as a pet stylist.
What Is a Professional Dog Groomer?
A professional dog groomer has stretched themselves beyond the basics. They have often completed years of study, practical experience, and ongoing professional development including attending seminars, conferences, webinars and even (sometimes) entering dog grooming competitions.
Professional groomers are skilled in applying the correct breed standard trims as recognised by official bodies like Dogs Australia (ANKC). They understand the fine details of breed-specific grooms — everything from structure and coat texture to styling and presentation — and can recreate these standards precisely.
It’s a level of skill and expertise that takes time, dedication, and a passion for learning.
At igroomschool, Blocks 4 and 5 of the Industry Certification Pathway are designed to support this next step — guiding stylists as they refine their skills, learn advanced techniques like hand stripping and scissoring, and deepen their understanding of breed-specific grooming.
Where Should You Start?
Whether your goal is to become a skilled pet stylist or a professional dog groomer (or both!), the most important thing is to start strong.
At igroomschool, our pathway is designed to grow with you:
Blocks 1–3: Master the foundations and become a confident, capable pet stylist.
Blocks 4–5: Advance your skills, develop professional expertise, and work towards in depth, technical breed-standard knowledge and skills.
You don’t have to decide everything right now. Start your journey — and trust that with time, experience, and the right training, you’ll have the opportunity to grow into whatever kind of groomer you want to be.
Ready to learn more? Explore the Industry Certification Pathway and find a training school near you, here ➔
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