Pet Grooming Course

Lesson 1 • Grooming Salon Safety and Sanitation

Establishes hygiene, disinfection, and hazard-prevention practices required in a professional salon. Meets health and safety standards for animal care facilities.

Lesson 2 • Anatomy Relevant to Grooming

Introduces skin, coat, ear, eye, and nail anatomy for dogs and cats. Provides the biological foundation needed to perform grooming tasks correctly.

Lesson 3 • Animal Behaviour and Body Language

Covers reading stress signals, fear responses, and calm indicators in dogs and cats. Enables safe, low-stress handling throughout all grooming procedures.

Lesson 4 • The Pet Grooming Industry Overview

Introduces the scope, career paths, and professional standards of pet grooming. Establishes context for all subsequent technical and business skills.

Lesson 1 • Brushes, Combs, and Dematting Tools

Identifies the function of slicker brushes, pin brushes, combs, and dematting rakes. Connects tool selection to coat type for effective pre-bath preparation.

Lesson 2 • Clippers and Blade Selection

Covers clipper anatomy, blade numbering systems, and speed settings for various coat textures. Proper blade selection prevents skin irritation and achieves clean cuts.

Lesson 3 • Bathing and Drying Equipment

Introduces tubs, high-velocity dryers, stand dryers, and cage dryers with safe operating procedures. Correct equipment use reduces drying time and coat damage.

Lesson 4 • Scissors and Shears

Teaches straight, curved, and thinning shear selection and safe handling techniques. Scissor work is essential for finishing and breed-specific styling.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Bath Ear and Nail Check

Establishes the pre-bath inspection routine for ears, nails, and skin condition. Early detection of issues prevents complications during grooming.

Lesson 2 • Preparing the Animal for Bathing

Covers pre-bath manual expression of anal glands, eye protection, and ear plugging procedures. Proper preparation protects sensitive areas and improves bath efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Classifying Dog Coat Types

Defines smooth, double, wire, curly, silky, and combination coats with breed examples. Accurate classification drives every subsequent grooming decision.

Lesson 4 • Classifying Cat Coat Types

Covers short, medium, long, and hairless cat coat categories with breed-specific considerations. Feline coat knowledge prevents over-grooming and skin irritation.

Lesson 1 • Rinsing and Residue Removal

Focuses on complete shampoo and conditioner removal to prevent skin irritation and dull coats. Thorough rinsing is one of the most commonly overlooked grooming steps.

Lesson 2 • Shampoo and Conditioner Selection

Covers shampoo formulations for sensitive skin, medicated, whitening, and volumizing needs. Matching product to coat and skin condition is critical for animal health.

Lesson 3 • Bathing Procedure and Lathering

Teaches water temperature control, systematic lathering, and sensitive-area handling during bathing. Correct technique ensures thorough cleaning without stressing the animal.

Lesson 4 • Towel Drying and Fluff Drying

Covers towel absorption techniques and high-velocity and stand dryer use for different coat types. Proper drying prevents hot spots, mold, and coat damage.

Lesson 1 • Recognising Health Concerns

Trains groomers to identify ear infections, nail disorders, and oral health issues requiring veterinary attention. Referral skills protect animals and build client trust.

Lesson 2 • Nail Filing and Grinding

Covers rotary grinder use for smoothing nail edges and reducing quick length gradually. Grinding is preferred for animals sensitive to clipping pressure.

Lesson 3 • Ear Cleaning Procedures

Teaches safe ear cleaning with appropriate solutions and cotton for dogs and cats. Recognising abnormal discharge or odor prevents groomer liability.

Lesson 4 • Dental Hygiene for Pets

Introduces toothbrushing technique, pet-safe toothpaste, and dental wipe use as grooming add-on services. Regular dental care reduces periodontal disease risk.

Lesson 1 • Clipper Handling and Body Mechanics

Covers correct clipper grip, wrist movement, and ergonomic posture to reduce fatigue and improve cut quality. Good body mechanics prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Lesson 2 • Finishing and Quality Control

Establishes a systematic finishing inspection for symmetry, evenness, and stray hairs before client handoff. Consistent finishing standards define professional grooming quality.

Lesson 3 • Clipping with the Grain and Against

Explains the effect of clipping direction on coat length and finish for different coat textures. Direction choice is fundamental to achieving breed-standard or custom looks.

Lesson 4 • Scissoring Fundamentals

Teaches straight-line scissoring, beveling, and blending techniques for body, legs, and head. Scissor control determines the quality of all finishing work.

Lesson 1 • Grooming Terrier Breeds

Teaches hand-stripping and clipper alternatives for wire-coated terriers and scissored trims for soft-coated breeds. Terrier grooming demands precise head and body shaping.

Lesson 2 • Cat Grooming Styles and Lion Cuts

Teaches sanitary trims, lion cuts, and maintenance grooming for long-haired and matted cats. Cat grooming requires adapted restraint and specialised blade use.

Lesson 3 • Grooming Toy and Non-Sporting Breeds

Covers Poodle, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu, and Maltese trims requiring precise scissoring and pattern work. These breeds are among the most requested in professional salons.

Lesson 4 • Grooming Herding and Working Breeds

Addresses double-coat maintenance, deshedding, and light trimming for Border Collies, Huskies, and similar breeds. Preserving coat function is the priority for these breeds.

Lesson 1 • Creative and Fantasy Grooming

Introduces pet-safe dyes, stenciling, and sculptural styling for creative grooming competitions and client requests. Creative grooming requires advanced scissoring and colour application skills.

Lesson 2 • Hand-Stripping Techniques

Teaches finger and stripping knife methods for maintaining correct wire coat texture on terriers and spaniels. Hand-stripping preserves coat colour and texture that clipping destroys.

Lesson 3 • Show Grooming Standards and Preparation

Covers breed standard interpretation, show ring presentation, and pre-show grooming timelines. Show grooming demands the highest level of precision and breed knowledge.

Lesson 4 • Building a Signature Grooming Style

Guides students in developing a consistent aesthetic, portfolio, and personal brand as a groomer. A recognisable style attracts loyal clients and competitive opportunities.