About the Classes

HANDS-ON Championship Training 

8 Hours of Certification or Competition Training

You can also participate in our onsite championship training event, similar to a mock trim style certification or competition that can take you to the next level by working with our elite training team.

 

Bring a dog you want to compete or certify with and let the team guide you throughout the day. Before-and-after photos are taken to document the changes and create grooming guidelines for you to follow to achieve a specialist level and rank for the breed and trim style. If you do not have a dog, join the class as an observer and learn all about the different breeds, best technical skills, and products for the coat types from our elite team. 

 

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch and 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks. 

 

Registration Fee to Participate $299

Registration Fee to Observe $99

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HANDS-ON Creative

Asian Styles on Live Dogs Demonstrations

The exchange offers all forms of creative styling with our elite training team members worldwide. You can learn all about:

 

• Braiding and Beading Longer Coat Types

• Clipping and Carving Shorter Coat Types

• Scissoring and Sculpting Drop Coats, Nordic Coats, Rough Coats and Curly Coat Types

 

Bring your creative dog to hands-on training and learn how to design and implement your trim with your world-famous creative elite training team. You can also join the class to observe and participate in discussions with the elite training team and classmates.

 

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch and 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks. 

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HANDS-ON Canine Behavior in the Salon Training 

Want to learn more about handling dogs in a salon environment? Join Amy and her team at the Nash Pet Salon, Nash Academy's central on-site training location. 

 

“This is what we do daily,” says Amy Thomas, Director of Practical Skills Training at Nash Academy. Join us in working on pets and learning how to train and teach salon pets all the procedures required in the salon.

 

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch and 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks. 

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Online Theory Course

Take the online theory courses to prepare for your on-site practical skills to help you during class. Complete the online tests to achieve your Nash System Certifications. 

 

They will help you understand why dogs behave as they do and teach you the best techniques for dealing with typical salon behavior issues.

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HANDS-ON Technical Skill Training

Determined Hair Growth

Brushing - Carding - Deshedding - Hand Stripping - Hand Plucking Coat with Determined Hair Growth 

 

This class is about the proper techniques for removing determined hair growth using brushing, carding, deshedding, hand stripping, and hand plucking techniques and application. 

• Design of tools to remove coat naturally. 

• The material and tools are needed to make the right choice. 

• Techniques and application of tools. 

 

You will also discover: 

• Right Tool for the Coat Type and Texture

• Right Tool for the Size Dog

• Right Tool for the Trim Style

 

ON-SITE THEORY Canine Structure

Variations & Creations

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HANDS-ON Technical Skill Training

Determined and Undetermined Hair Growth

SCISSORS - THINNERS - CHUNKERS

This class is all about the proper techniques for scissors, thinners, and chunkers and what tool works best for what coat types.   

 

• Best designs for prepping and finishing different coat types.

• The best material for scissors, thinners, and chunkers.

• Techniques for scissors, thinners, and chunkers! 

• Right Tool for the Coat Type and Texture

• Right Tool for the Size Dog

• Right Tool for the Trim Style

 

Geib Buttercut Shears will supply over 50 styles and different sizes of shears, thinners, and chunkers to try out on different coat types to see what you like best before purchasing!

 

Model dogs are available for scissoring classes and to discover your favorite styling tools. 

 

Scissors, chunkers, and thinners of all shapes and sizes will be available!

 

Join the elite team for this one-of-a-kind seminar. Try various styles, shapes, sizes, and price ranges for scissors, thinners, and chunkers!  

 

Bio Groom supplies an array of coat conditioners, shampoos, and finishing sprays for undetermined coat types to condition to bring out their coat color and shine.

 

Products are available for purchase onsite or online.

 

HANDS-ON Model Dog Training for All Levels

The exchange offers model dog training for all levels. Participate in classes to learn breed profiles or creative styling! 

 

Prepare for model dog competitions or learn how to judge competitions! We offer it all at our education exchange.

Competitions with Trim Style by Coat Type Certifications

The education exchange offers IJA-sanctioned competitions with the Nash System Trim Style Certifications. 

 

Competitions are conducted in a condensed format to train new and experienced competitors and judges using the Nash System to perform on the big stage.

 

Competitors receive a trim style certification score and rank for each entry, and judges receive their certifications to judge the various coat types. You can learn to compete or judge—the choice is yours!  More about trim style certifications. 

 

Competition Classes for Live Dogs 

 

Free Style, Pure Breed, and Poodle Live Dog Challenges offer you the choice to compete in the morning or afternoon. You can also compete in both! More about Challenges.

 

The Triple Dog Challenge requires morning, afternoon, and evening participation. Find out more about the Triple Dog Challenge.

 

The Double Ring Live Dog Challenge is an all-day event—more about the Double Ring Challenge. 

 

Competition Classes for Model Dogs 

• For the Free Style, Pure Breed, and Poodle Model Dog Challenges, you can compete in the morning or afternoon class or participate in both. 

• The Triple Dog Challenge requires morning, afternoon, and evening classes. 

 

Morning Challenge

Check-in

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

 

Competition

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

Afternoon Challenge

Check-in

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

Competition

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

Time Frames by Breed and Height

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Competition Awards and Placement Points

All entries receive placement points and certification scores that place you, the competitor, at a level based on your expertise: placement points and scoring system.

 

• Level 4 Specialist

• Level 3 Expert

• Level 2 Master

• Level 1 Novice

 

Snacks and Lunch

Snacks are included in the morning and afternoon competition classes during the Johnnie Break. Lunch and snacks are also included for competitors who compete in the morning and afternoon competition challenges.

 

Sign up as an IJA or Nash member to receive free online references and classes, plus your first competition for free. 

 

Nash/IJA Membership

Register to Compete

Register to Learn How to Judge