Groomer Has It Returns!

After an exciting inaugural season, Animal Planet's Groomer Has It is back for round two beginning Saturday (9 p.m. ET). Pitting 12 of the nation's top groomers against one another, the new season of this pup-themed reality show promises more drama — and crazier challenges — than ever. Host Jai Rodriguez took some time to talk to PEOPLE Pets about what's ahead on Groomer, as well as life with his own pups, Nemo and Dory.

Tell us about the new season!
The second season of any show tends to get a lot fuller and richer, and Groomer Has It pops more this year. The characters are equally as colorful as last year. In season one, there were a lot of enemies, and we definitely have that again this year. We also have out-of-the box challenges; they don't mirror last year. We kept the groomers on their toes! The show just kind of feels different this year. It's bigger and grander, but still with the same heart.

What makes the show addictive?
Grooming is one of those fields where people don't necessarily have to have credentials to practice, so we have people who have gone to schools, some who have competed, and some who haven't. It was really intimidating for some people. Yet some amateurs found they were ahead of the pack because of their natural instinct, and some professionals found themselves at the bottom because they made one little mistake.

This year, we shot in the heart of Hollywood (contestants live together in a swank loft called "The Doghouse"). The first challenge is very Hollywood. It's a pet casting call situation that the groomers have to get these dogs ready for. [Other challenges include creating signature looks for a doggie wedding and a grooming session on potbelly pigs.]

Where do you get the dogs used in the show?
They're all people's pets that would normally make their way into a grooming shop. Most of the time, we let the owners know to grow their pet's hair out so we have a lot to work with for the show.

What's your favorite part of hosting?
I love seeing in person the human-animal interaction. It's something that's really remarkable to see. Also just learning so much about how grooming is relevant for a dog's health and well-being, and not just aesthetically, is really interesting. I learn things I wouldn't know otherwise, like how to keep water out of my dogs' ears when I bathe them. There are little things no one ever tells you about.

Speaking of your dogs, what are they like? Are they involved in season two?
My dogs Nemo and Dory are basically partners in crime. They're really fun dogs. I've had them for about five years. I got Nemo first, and he helped me through the time I was hosting Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, when I was all over the place. I needed something grounding, something to be responsible for. I thought I was getting him to help him, and he helped me so much more. He's big for his size — he's a Yorkie — and has an under bite, so he was considered "undesirable" by a breeder because he couldn't show ... I didn't want a show dog, just a pet. Nemo's a big superstar now, appearing on every episode of Groomer as a messenger dog. And Dory will make a special guest appearance this season.

Do you have to be an animal lover to enjoy the show?
It's one of those shows that no matter what, if you're a pet owner or not, it's just really fun to watch. I have a lot of friends who caught a sneak preview of the first episode with me, and while I was thinking that it was for pet owners only, they really got addicted to it – pet owner or not. It's a great guilty pleasure!

Tune in to see who will win the title of "Groomer of the Year" — plus $50,000, a mobile grooming salon and a Subaru Forester — Saturdays (9 p.m. ET) on Animal Planet.

Kate Hogan