Professional Pet Grooming
600 Clock Hour Hybrid Program
Our diploma program prepares our students in becoming a Professional Pet Groomer. We prepare our students with the necessary skills to professionally groom dogs in a salon, mobile grooming, house call grooming or in a Veterinary practice.
In mastering the art of pet grooming, the program consists of working with grooming equipment, customer relations, bathing, hair drying, ear cleaning, combing, brushing, dematting, breed recognition, first aid, styling, diseases of the skin, perfection of scissor work which is covered in the 550 hours of classroom, lab work in the school and online. The last 50 hours is an externship outside of the school.
The student is placed in a veterinary practice, mobile grooming van, salon or in a house call grooming environment.
This program can be completed in as less than 8 months as a full-time student and as less than 9 months as a part-time student.
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Every student, prior to externship, is tested for competency in four areas. There are different techniques used in the learning process. It is subjective and the school utilizes certain parameters. There are many different shapes and sizes to the purebred and mixed breed dogs.
Program will include learning:
- Customer Relations
- Ear Cleaning
- Nail Cutting
- Pad cleaning
- Private Area Cleaning
- Rough Clip Training
- Brushing and Combing
- Pet Bathing
- Pet Drying & Fluff Drying
- Re-clipping
- Blending & Thinning (Finishing touch)
- Mixed Breeds
- Terrier Breeds
- Drop Coat/Miscellaneous Breeds
Pet Grooming Program Course Descriptions
Professional Pet Grooming Program – 600 Clock Hours, Hybrid Delivery
Online delivery
In this course, students will understand the fundamentals of bone structure, bathing, products, prep process and dematting of pets. Students will also understand and be able to identify different breeds as well as identifying and using tools and equipment used for grooming. Students will also understand proper procedures on handling of pet for grooming which includes canines and felines. Students will also understand the numerous avenues graduates can aspire in the grooming profession to include mobile grooming, house call grooming, salon grooming, super stores and subleasing spaces for independent grooming.
Residential delivery
In this course, students will have numerous opportunities to practice on live dogs as well as model dogs to gain experience in properly handling of pets, performing grooming services and interaction with customers. Students will learn to perform all aspects of grooming including; customer relations, ear cleaning, nail cutting, pad cleaning, private area cleaning, clippering and scissoring.
Residential delivery
In this course, students will be assigned on an off-site business location to gain on-the-job experience, whereby students can apply the grooming skills learned.
Professional Pet Grooming Program – 600 Clock Hours (VA Students), Campus
Residential delivery
In this course, students will have numerous opportunities to practice on live dogs as well as model dogs to gain experience in properly handling of pets, performing grooming services and interaction with customers. Students will learn to perform all aspects of grooming including; customer relations, ear cleaning, nail cutting, pad cleaning, private area cleaning, clippering and scissoring.
Residential delivery
In this course, students will be assigned on an off-site business location to gain on-the-job experience, whereby students can apply the grooming skills learned.
Pet Grooming Externship
The student is placed in an actual grooming “job-like” environment for the last 50 hours. The externship, which is a part of the teaching program, is a non-paid placement. This offers an on-the-job experience, whereby the student can perform the grooming skills learned; including customer relations, time management, sales techniques, etc. A proficiency report is submitted by the salon/supervisor and grade sheets are still a part of this module, including a site evaluation by the Campus director. Upon completion of 600 hours, a diploma is then awarded to the graduate.
Final Test and Completion of Course:
In order to graduate, students must be able to complete a hands-on, practical test on the specifc breeds, according to breed standards set forth by the N.D.G.A.A. (National Dog Groomer’s Association of America)
Open Door Policy for Past Students
If a student attended Merryfield Academy, graduated and/or received a “Completion Certificate” and has decided that they are not fully confident in any area, they may return to school for additional instruction at no additional charge. To learn more about our program, get access to our full catalog here.
