Learn about dog grooming schools and courses, as well as how to pick the right one for you. Here you will find information on curricula and course subjects.
What You Need to Know
Start your career as a professional dog groomer through traditional classroom study or online training programs. As a dog grooming student, you’ll learn brush-out techniques, cutting skills, bathing, ear cleaning and nail trimming.
| Programs | Diploma from state-licensed schools or private businesses. Online study may be available. |
| Courses | Basic combing, brushing, cutting and grooming; sanitation and sterilization; shop and business operations |
| Schools | Some schools are official testing centers for the National Dog Groomers Association of America |
What Types of Dog Grooming Programs Are Available to Me?
Dog grooming training is available from private grooming businesses, professional organizations, community colleges or state-licensed schools. Training typically takes the form of a diploma program, which may take 2-18 weeks to complete, though some might be a single course that takes 24 hours to complete. Grooming programs consist of academic instruction and hands-on opportunities that simulate working conditions.
What Are Dog Grooming Programs Like?
Dog grooming studies typically combine classroom studies with hands-on experiences at on-site grooming salons. Some programs offer different levels of training for you to choose from, including grooming assistant, groomer or professional groomer. Professional groomer training may offer you an expanded curriculum if you want to own your own business; this includes emergency care for ill or injured pets and basic business classes.
Dog grooming training is also available in distance learning format. Coursework and tests are all completed via the Internet. A distance learning program may help you set up a work experience.
Free Dog Grooming Courses
Some schools and organizations offering dog grooming courses or programs include:
- American Academy of Pet Grooming
- Nash Academy of Animal Arts
- Central College of Animal Studies
- Cape Fear Community College
- Surry Community College
- The College of Davidson and Davie Counties
- Kirkwood Community College
Dog Grooming Class Overview
- Dog grooming overview
- Equipment use and dog handling
- Health assessments, common health issues and dog nutrition.
- Basic grooming and style grooming according to specific breeds
- Set-up and running of their own dog grooming salon
Dog Grooming Course Content
MODULE 1
Diploma in Dog Grooming
FREE
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- So, You Like Dogs?”In your first lesson you need to understand why it is important to have a dog groomed by a professional and we will have a look at the pros and cons of being a dog groomer. The educator will introduce you to the different dog breeds from around the world and add some fun fact throughout the lesson. We will discuss different dog breeds and their health issues. You will also learn the basics of a dog’s anatomy with some freaky facts which I am sure you have never heard of.”
- Let’s Dig Into It”During this lesson we will discover the 7 different canine groups that breeds are divided into and assist in determining which type of dog breed will suite your personality best. We will also cover and discuss the most common of illnesses and diseases that you may be faced with at times . The subject of dog nutrition and how to ensure that your dog gets the proper nutrition it needs, forms a very important part of this lecture. “
- Equip Yourself”In this lesson, you will learn the important facts when it comes to caring for a dog, and one of those factors is dog grooming. We will discuss how to create a safe working/grooming environment and because you are working with a live animal it is important to take measures to protect yourself as a groomer. You will be introduced to the variety of equipment needed to groom as well as the maintenance thereof. “
- Doggy Body LanguageYou will be able to identify behavioural signs of aggression, fear, anxiety, as well as the correct method of approach. This lesson will enable you to read a dog’s body language and my videos will be informative on how to handle and groom temperamental and disabled (blind and deaf) dogs.
- Let Me Take a Look at That”In lesson 5 “Let me take a look at that” you will learn how to conduct a full pre-grooming inspection by checking the dog’s appearance, body language, coat condition and overall health. I will teach you various techniques for example on how to remove certain matters from a dog’s coat. We shall discuss wide-ranging factors that affect the coat condition and the grooming process. “
- Hair, Hair, EVERYWHEREYou will learn about the different types of dog coats from curly to smooth, wire to silky and everything in between as well as the difference between a hair coat and fur coat. I will demonstrate how to deshed a dog and how to remove the undercoat from a double coated dog. Even dogs get tangled hair, but not too worry I will teach you a method to de-tangle the knots easily and painlessly.
- Rub-a-dub-dub in the Tub”During this lesson, you will be educated on the correct methods and techniques on how to brush and bath your dog to maintain your dog’s skin and coat as well as for best hygiene practices. Demonstration videos will be used in this lesson to guide and inform you on what exactly to do. You will be taught how to brush the teeth, which takes place during the bathing process and discover tools and products needed for these processes.”
- Blowing You Away”You will be educated in various drying methods and techniques to turn your fur baby into a little fluff ball and which equipment to use to achieve that. Accidents do happen and that is why you should always be prepared for any situation. During this lesson, we will discuss how to react in emergency conditions and what steps to follow. “
best online dog grooming course
Are you considering getting into the dog grooming business, or maybe just want to learn how to style your own canine companion on a professional level?
The best dog grooming courses online are a great place to start, especially if you don’t have the time to study full-time, or there is no grooming school available where you live.
In today’s guide, we cover everything you need to know about choosing an online course to suit your needs.
Do I Need a Grooming Course to Clip My Own Dog’s Coat?
Getting a full-length grooming course is definitely not necessary for grooming your own dog. If you attend a quality dog grooming course, you’ll get to learn about styling different breeds and different types of coats.
There is really a lot to learn there, but, while this is valuable knowledge, you don’t really need it to style your own dog. In that case, you only need to know about one breed. Luckily, some pet grooming schools do offer short courses where you get to learn about washing, drying, and clipping your own pet’s coat.
That being said, dog grooming courses do give you a lot of valuable knowledge. With a dog grooming education, you get to know all the basics about dogs and their anatomy as well as coat and skin health.
You learn how to handle temperamental dogs, how to care properly for each breed’s coat, and how to create amazing styles. If you like to take your dog/dogs to shows, for example, learning how to do the grooming yourself is a great skill to have. You get to enjoy styling your pooch just the way you want it, plus it saves money in the long run.
How to Choose a Dog Grooming Course Online?
When it comes to picking a course to attend online, you will inevitably be faced with a lot of options. A quick search for a dog grooming course will yield lots of results. But how do you know which ones are worth the money?
A good place to start is to check who designed the course. If the course was written by experienced groomers it is definitely a good sign. In addition to this, you probably don’t want to just read through materials. If that’s all you need, you might as well get a book.
A quality online course will have experienced mentors that can answer your questions and provide feedback and that’s one of the main benefits of enrolling in a course online. Additionally, it’s definitely a good idea to look for courses that have lots of quality video tutorials. That’s the closest thing to hands-on experience with dogs you can get online.
Finally, before choosing a course, you should know why you are enrolling. If you just want to style your and your friend’s dogs, and maybe make it into a career one day, there is no need to get a course that lasts half a year and overwhelms you with information. A short introductory course will suffice for a start. However, if you are serious about opening a business, many online courses also offer modules covering the basics of setting up a business, working with clients, and marketing yourself properly.
How to Get Hands-On Experience?
Practice is key if you want to become a successful dog groomer. Online courses will not force you to do this, but if you want to get confidence, you’ll need to find a way to hone your skills. Without experience, you will most likely need to start doing unpaid work – but not for long!
Your own dog is always a good place to start, but to learn about grooming different breeds you’ll need to cast a wider net. Contacting local animal shelters or rescue centres is a nice way to do some good while improving your skills.
Dogs at shelters are often in need of care and human contact, and volunteering at such facilities is something that will always look good on your CV. Finally, you could also advertise on social media or otherwise and offer free services. Most likely, you’ll quickly find models to practice on, and if it all works out well they might turn into paying customers in the future.
Dog Grooming Courses Online Australia 2023: Our Top Picks
We’ve done the research and checked all the ways you can learn about dog grooming online. These are our top picks:
#1: Editor’s Pick: Vibe Learning Dog Grooming Diploma Course
What sets this course apart from the rest?
- The curriculum gets you ready to start your own business
- Permanent access to course materials and tutorials
- Enrol any time you want
- Affordable
Vibe Learning is one of the most popular distance learning providers in Australia, and that’s because they tend to make really good online courses. Their Dog Grooming Diploma Course is one of the best dog grooming courses we have found online.
You can complete this course entirely online which also means you can enrol any time you like and complete the curriculum at your own pace. The lessons are easy to follow and rich with video instructions and tutorials. Plus, you get a personal mentor who will guide you through the process and give you feedback and answers whenever you need them. Additionally, there is also a students-only Facebook group so you won’t lose out on the community experience.
The thing we liked most about this course is how thorough it is. It consists of 12 modules during which you’ll really get to know all the basics and specifics of dog care and grooming. The course starts by introducing a standard dog grooming kit and the moves on to canine health, basic care, and anatomy. By the time you finish the first third of this course, you’ll be ready to interact with dogs and work as a bather/brusher.
After this, you start learning about clipping starting from the basics down to the specific ways of styling each breed. In the final modules, you’ll also get to learn about setting up and running your own business. As you can see, this is not just a basic introductory course – it is designed to get you ready to start grooming dogs professionally.
One thing that often worries prospective students of online courses is the fact that dog grooming is a practical skill, so you really need hands-on experience to gain confidence. This course from Vibe Learning includes 12 practical tasks, which you are not required to complete but definitely recommended. You will need to find your own dog models, but the course will guide you through the process, so there is no need to worry.
Finally, this dog grooming course has 6 to 8 month worth of learning included. You can complete it faster if you want, but that’s how long it would take with a standard workload. Considering this, the course is much more affordable than in-person courses, plus the offer flexible payment plans and sometimes have sales where you can enrol for half the standard price.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The curriculum gets you ready to start your own business | Not a nationally recognized certification |
| Permanent access to course materials and tutorials | |
| Enrol any time you want | |
| Affordable |
#2: Best All-Round Dog Education Course: Vibe Learning Dog Grooming Diploma Course Bundle
- Tutor support available at all times
- Over 500 hours of learning materials in one bundle
- Great value for money
The Vibe Learning Dog Grooming Diploma Course Bundle is a great opportunity for those who are serious about starting a dog-related business. When you get this bundle, you will get three of the most popular courses from Vibe Learning related to dogs. The first one is the Dog Grooming Diploma, which is a great dog grooming course to begin with, but you also get to attend the Dog Behaviour and Training Certificate course and the Dog Grooming First Aid Course.
Between those three courses, there is really a lot of material to cover so it’s really helpful that you can study at your own pace – enrol anytime and finish as fast or as slow as you’d like. Additionally, you also get to keep all of the course materials forever in order you want to refer back to them later. During this course, you’ll cover 30 illustrated online modules, get to watch hours of helpful videos and get to participate in various activities, assessments & quizzes to keep you motivated.
We recommend you get this bundle if you want to learn everything you need in order to become a successful dog groomer. The course covers all of the specifics of grooming and styling. However, in order to achieve success as a professional groomer, you need to be comfortable with dogs, know how to keep them calm and provide first aid if needed – these are all topics that will be covered during the courses included in this bundle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tutor support available at all times | Takes a long time to complete |
| Over 500 hours of learning materials in one bundle | |
| Great value for money |
#3: Best Lesson Design: Learning Online Advanced Dog Grooming Certificate
- Cover everything from the basics to advanced skills in grooming
- A digital marketing module included
- Easy to follow and understand
- Flexible hours
This course from online learning is another valuable and thorough introduction to dog grooming that you can do completely online. What we liked the most about this course is the clear structure of the lessons, and the ease with which you can find exactly the information you need (and information you didn’t know you will need!).
Different types of coats? It’s there? What about different skull types in dogs? Beginners usually don’t know how important this is for styling a dog, but you can learn it here! Encountered a term the meaning of which you don’t know? Just consult the glossary. You get the gist – everything is easy to find.
The Advanced Dog Grooming course on the Learning Online platform consists of 4 modules. These are Beginner Dog Grooming, Professional Dog Grooming, Advanced Dog Grooming, and Digital Business Marketing (really helpful for getting your business up and running, by the way). However, if this seems like too much and you just want an introductory course to start with, it is also possible to take only the Beginner Dog Grooming Module.
The Advanced Dog Grooming Certificate Course at Learning Online is accredited by IARC. IARC stands for International Approval & Registration Centre, and it’s a global organization that sets standards for online courses. This accreditation will not really grant you a job or anything like that, but it does certify that this is a quality program with responsible and reliable tutors.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cover everything from the basics to advanced skills in grooming | No hands-on experience |
| A digital marketing module included | |
| Easy to follow and understand | |
| Flexible hours |
#4: Best Entry-Level Grooming Course: New Skills Academy Dog Grooming Certification
- Great as an introduction to dog grooming
- Clear and concise
- Lifetime access to Course Materials
- Easy to access from different devices
The Dog Grooming course from the New Skills Academy is a short course that will get you up to speed on everything you need to know about dog grooming and running a grooming business in a record amount of time. If you want, that is, since you are absolutely encouraged to study at your own pace.
This course includes 15 lessons, and it will guide you effortlessly through everything you need to know. Getting to know a groomer’s kit, preparing the working area, performing basic health checks on a dog, what to do in an emergency… These are all things you will learn in addition to a detailed guide on basic dog grooming practices. Helpful and easy to follow instructional videos are also included. What you will not learn in this course are advanced and breed-specific styling techniques.
However, this is not what this course is about. This course will teach you the basics and you will be able to try out grooming to see if it is your true calling. However, if you want to become a real professional and a styling artist, you will need more training on top of this course. Nevertheless, this course from New Skill Academy is a good place to start.
Once you complete the course you will be offered a chance to do a multiple-choice test. If you finish the test successfully, you will get a printable certificate. Again, this is not a nationally recognized certificate, but it does certify that you have learned the basics of dog grooming and can help convince your future clients that you are competent.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great as an introduction to dog grooming | Rather short |
| Clear and concise | Does not teach advanced styling techniques |
| Lifetime access to Course Materials | |
| Easy to access from different devices |
#5: Best Blended Learning Course: Dentos Pet Stylist Academy Bather/Brusher Course
- Online learning combined with hands-on experience
- Gets you started on working with dogs
- Thorough theoretical introduction
- Competent tutors
The main downside of online dog grooming courses is the fact that they just don’t give you hands-on practice. And without practice, it is very hard to get confident in your grooming skills. Plus, practice makes it easier to learn. This is why, if you live in Australia, you might also want to consider this course from Dentos Pet Stylist Academy.
This is a “blended learning course” so you might be wondering what exactly does that mean. Here is how it works: all of their courses are comprised of an online part and a practical part. You get to learn all of the theory online at the comfort of your own home, on your own schedule, and at your own pace. Then, you get to come to the academy at the Gold Coast and get some hands-on experience.
When you enrol in any of their courses, you also get free accommodation at the academy for the practical part, which makes organizing everything a lot easier. If you want to do the Bather/Brusher course, you’ll need to do 1 week of practical learning, so even if you have a full-time job or are otherwise busy, it might be feasible.
There are more advanced courses too, so you could also get a full grooming course. This one requires 4 weeks of practical training, though, but in the end you get a nationally recognized certification – Certificate III in Pet Grooming. If you don’t have that much time though, the Bather/Brusher course will get you up to speed on the basics and let you start working on your own and advance your skills over time.
During the Bather/Brusher course, you will learn about all the essentials that any good grooming course requires you to learn: the basics of dog skin health, understanding dog anatomy and behaviour as well as the principles of caring for different coat types in dogs. In the end, you will be ready to provide hydro-bathing services on your own or get a job as a bather/brusher at an established grooming business.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Online learning combined with hands-on experience | Not fully online |
| Gets you started on working with dogs | |
| Thorough theoretical introduction | |
| Competent tutors |
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