Pet Grooming Courses

The Pet Grooming certificate program teaches students how to care for the grooming needs of their own dogs.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Describe the duties of a pet groomer and how to establish a grooming business
• Discuss the historical background of the dog and cat and identify the anatomy of the dog and cat
• Identify grooming hand tools and describe their uses as well as know how to prepare a dog for grooming and bath and dry the dog
• Describe how to groom dogs from the Terrier group, non-sporting group, and toy group
• Describe how to groom dogs from the sporting group, herding group, hound group, and working group
• Describe how to groom poodles, mixed breeds and drop-coat styles, and puppies
• Recognize this basic personalities of different dogs and describe how to groom dogs who have behavior problems
• Identify the characteristics common to cats' personality types and describe how to properly handle each type of cat
• Discuss the basics of bookkeeping, advertising customer service as well as pricing and fees to start a pet grooming business

The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

Read about career opportunities in pet grooming.

Objectives:

• Identify basic equipment you’ll be using.
• Understand the professionalism and communication skills you’ll need to be successful.

Objectives:

• Identify the types and personalities of dogs.
• Describe the general handling of dogs.

Objectives:

• Identify the types and personalities of cats.
• Describe the general handling of cats.

Objectives:

• Identify the structures of dogs and cats in relation to body parts and purposes.
• Understand basic health care of dogs and cats.
• Inform the pet owner of problems noticed while grooming.

Learning Aid: Universal Comb

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the use and proper care of equipment and grooming tools.
• Understand maintenance and care of kennels and crates.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate combing and brushing techniques.
• Clean ears and pluck ear hair.
• Clip nails.
• Take care of eyes, stomach, and rectal area.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the procedures for using shampoos, conditioners, and flea products.
• Explain basic bathing and drying techniques.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the procedures to treat mats.
• Demonstrate shaving down a dog and choosing the proper cut.

Learning Aids:

• Dog nail trimmers
• Dog slicker brush

Objectives:

• Describe the various types of terriers and the particular cuts for each type.
• Understand the terminology related to terriers.

Objectives:

• Describe the types of non-sporting dogs, the various breeds, and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Define non-sporting breed cuts.
• Describe the Bichon Frise.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of toy breeds and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Understand the terminology and cut procedures.
• Describe the Shih Tzu.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of sporting dogs, the various breeds, and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Define sporting breed cuts.
• Describe the Cocker Spaniel.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of dogs in the herding group, the various breeds, and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Define herding breed cuts.
• Describe the Old English Sheepdog and the Bouvier des Flandres.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of hounds, the various breeds, and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Understand the types and terminology of various cuts and procedures.
• Describe the Norwegian Elkhound.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of working dogs, the various breeds, and the original purpose of these dogs.
• Understand the working group breed cuts, the terminology, and the procedures.
• Describe the Giant Schnauzer.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of poodle cuts and the terminology.
• Describe the lamb cut.

Objectives:

• Explain the types of cuts for mixed breeds and drop-coat styles.
• Understand the terminology, procedures, and choosing the mixed-breed cut.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the proper handling of puppies.
• Describe the types of grooming problems associated with puppies.
• Understand grooming in stages, recognizing signs of stress, introducing the puppy to clippers, bathing and drying puppies, and the positive grooming experience.

Objectives:

• Describe the various personality types of dogs.
• Understand groomer responsibilities, hazards, and the various procedures/techniques for working with each type of dog.

Objectives:

• Explain owner notification of problems with dogs.
• Understand the protection of yourself and others.
• Demonstrate the proper use of muzzles.
• Explain how to instruct owners to curb grooming behavior problems.

Objectives:

• Describe the different types of cat personalities.
• Understand the problems faced by groomers with each type and the hazards involved.
• Explain kitten personalities and problems.

Objectives:

• Understand proper handling procedures of cats.
• Demonstrate combing and brushing procedures, dematting and shaving down, bathing and drying procedures, and grooming kittens.

Objectives:

• Describe the job descriptions in a typical grooming business.
• Understand setting prices, phone procedures, customer service, record keeping, advertising, accounting and payroll, and zoning regulations.

Objectives:

• Review grooming techniques and procedures, including the use of equipment and the grooming styles for specific dog breeds.
• Recognize dog behavior, such as aggressiveness and stress.