Course Description

Grooming Man’s Best Friend is an advanced online course designed for working professionals and students progressing from foundational bathing studies into the full art and science of canine grooming. Delivered through instructor-guided video demonstrations, lectures, readings, and interactive assignments, this course integrates theory with guided practice using the Five Phases of Grooming: Prepping, Bathing, Drying, Brushing, and Finishing.

Students explore advanced topics in coat science, anatomy, and breed-specific application, including canine coat colors and markings, anatomy markers by the 20 Nash System coat types, and advanced finishing techniques such as hand stripping, clipping, scissoring, and thinning.

Graduates will demonstrate professional readiness for grooming careers, applying precise, humane, and breed-appropriate methods that meet or exceed industry standards.

Course Objective

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the final phase of grooming — Finishing — in an online training environment with guided practice.

• Identify and classify all 20 Nash System coat types, coat growth patterns, and shedding systems.

• Recognize anatomy markers and coat colors and markings as they relate to breed standards and trim planning.

• Demonstrate theoretical proficiency in clipping, scissoring, thinning, and hand stripping for all coat types.

• Integrate the Five Phases of Grooming (Prepping, Bathing, Drying, Brushing, Finishing) into professional workflow.

• Apply sanitation, safety, and humane handling standards in all aspects of grooming practice.

• Present finished pets to professional standards through online assessments and photo/video submissions.