Program Description

The Professional Dog Grooming & Styling Program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to gain employment as professional bathers, groomers, and stylists. The program combines online theory-based coursework with onsite practical application, preparing students for entry into the grooming industry with confidence and professional competence.

Students first complete ten online courses covering canine foundations, health, coat science, safety, styling, and salon practices. Each course is structured for flexible pacing (approx. 1–4 weeks each). After completing the theory, students transition into three onsite practical application courses, where they master technical grooming and styling procedures under professional supervision.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate safe and compassionate handling of pets during all grooming procedures.

• Apply knowledge of canine history, behavior, temperament, and training methods in a salon environment.

• Identify and explain external anatomy and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive, reproductive, urinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems of the dog.

• Recognize canine body types, skull types, head types, feet types, tail types, coat types, and color types.

• Understand nutrition, vaccinations, common medical conditions, inherited disorders, and internal/external parasites.

• Recognize AKC breeds, their origins, breed-specific traits, and styling standards.

• Apply first aid and CPR for dogs in emergency situations.

• Demonstrate salon organization, sanitation, client relations, and professional image.

• Execute technical grooming skills including nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, anal gland expression, bathing, drying, brushing, combing, carding, hand stripping, clipping, scissoring, and thinning.

• Apply advanced styling procedures including creating shapes, balance, symmetry, breed profiles, pattern lines, blending, and finishing techniques.