Week One

Introduction Orientation
An introduction to the pet care industry, grooming, and breed
identification by coat type will be conducted. There will be a description of the school environment including school policies, procedures regulations and safety procedures.

Selection and Care of Equipment
A presentation of the equipment used in the grooming profession will be presented. The student will be taught how to select the proper tool for each grooming operation. The maintenance and proper sanitation of grooming equipment will be discussed in detail. Including the importance of sanitizing in-between grooming clients

Pet First Aid and CPR
You will receive training in Pet First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. This is a valuable skill to have during the course of your pet-grooming career!

Safety and Sanitation
Safety precautions to be followed in the grooming salon and the importance of proper sanitation will be discussed in detail. Using available tools to the fullest.

Animal Anatomy
The basic anatomy of dogs will be described.  You will also learn the 5 basic Body Parts,  Body, Head, Ears, Feet and Tail.

 Prepping

You will be taught the proper procedures on the prepping steps in order to prepare the pet for the bath. Clipping of nails, sanitary clip, cleaning and plucking ear hair, trimming pads.

Poodle Prepping

Week 2

Animal Psychology and Temperament
The behavior, socialization and the methods of dealing with dogs in the grooming environment will be presented. You will be taught how to become the Alpha Dog. How to groom the difficult dog.

Proper Handling and Restraining Techniques
Demonstrations of the utilization of correct restraining techniques will be demonstrated. Procedures for instilling basic pet obedience will be shown. The importance of maintaining patience will be emphasized.

Skin Disorders and Parasites
The student will be taught to recognize common skin problems and the causes of these ailments.

Bathing and Drying

The student will be taught the proper bathing and drying procedures to achieve a good grooming. The proper mixing, handling and usage of the shampoos and conditioners will be taught. Students will also be taught which shampoos to use for different skin types and conditions.  The student will learn how to determine which type of dryer is used to achieve certain looks. Students will also learn the importance of expressing the anal gland.

Week 3

The Shave Down

Students will learn how to shave down a dog.  This procedure is used for severely matted dogs and also by owner request.  This procedure is common during the summer months.

The Puppy Cut

Also know as the Teddy Bear clip.  This is the most popular haircut in most salons. This clip can be adapted to just about all breeds. Students will learn the tricks to achieve this cute fluffy haircut.

The Snap on Guide Combs.

Students will be introduced to the use of snap on guide combs.  The use of guide combs leaves the coat in a more natural layered state. Proper use and when to use the guide combs will be discussed.

Learning to use your Shears

In this segment students will learn the skills of using shears.  Students will use straight, curved and thinning shears and how to determine when to use which type.  Students will be taught the proper way to hold the shears and how to achieve a steady hand while scissoring a dog.

Week 4

Straight Coats

Straight coats can be a challenge.  Students will learn how to blend lines and to make a coat look even and not choppy.

Curly Coats

Students learn the most common as well as the AKC Standard for Curly coated dogs ie, Poodle, Bischon, etc.

Wire Haired Coats

Students learn how to work with a wire coat using clippers and hand stripping. ie Terriers

Naturally Long Haired Coats

Drying and clipping techniques and the importance of both are the key to your naturally long haired breeds ie, Shih Tzu, Lhasa etc.

What’s Left

Soft coated, double coated, smooth coated, silky coated, combination coats.  This section will focus on how to handle these coat types.

Practical Experience
There will be many hours of hands on practical grooming experience practicing that was taught in class. Periodic written and practical tests will be conducted to determine the progress of each student and to assure that the required educational objectives are being met.

Week 5

Pre-grooming health check

Students will learn how to determine if there are problems to make the owners aware of for vet referrals. Coat condition, ear problems, skin problems etc.

Creative Grooming
Grooming patterns will be shown for all popular breeds of dogs and cats. The entire grooming process including, prepping, bathing, drying, and finishing will be demonstrated and practiced. Creative grooming for mixed breeds, poodles, longhaired and purebred patterns, including poodle, etc., will be taught.

Week 6

The Fun Stuff

Grooming is not all about the bath and haircut.  New trends have emerged with a bang in the grooming industry. In this segment we will touch base on color, fancy nails and spa treatments.

More Creative Grooming

Students will start fine tuning scissoring, blending and all around grooming.  You will be expected to be grooming a full dog and start refining your skills

Week 7

Heading towards perfection

This week will be a total grooming week, refining skills and patterns

Week 8

More skill refining

What happens now.

Graduation is approaching and you need to find a job.  Students will learn about presenting their portfolio, applying for work, negotiating commissions, employee versus independent contractor, liability insurance and marketing yourself to the outside grooming world.

Shop Operation and Management
The dynamics of running a successful pet grooming business will be taught. This will include, shop operation, pricing, record keeping, client relations, and professional business etiquette as well as ordering supplies and most important making your clients happy.  For those interested in opening their own business after graduation.

GRADUATION !!