Curriculum

Pet Grooming Curriculum

The Pet Grooming Certificate Program at Penn Foster includes an introduction to dogs and cats, basic health care of cats and dogs, dog breeds, preparation for grooming, equipment selection, bathing and drying, and more.

Pet Grooming

Certificate

2 months

As low as $50/mo

Full Program Overview

1-800-275-4410 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

Pet and Dog Grooming Program Curriculum

10 courses
25 exams
27.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 2 months
Average time = 5 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

In this course, you’ll develop the necessary skills to ensure your success in the program. Starting Your Program is designed to help you make a smooth transition to Penn Foster, including learning how to use all the tools and resources that are available to you, get help when you need it, understand the Code of Conduct, and improve your study skills and time management. The goal is to help you become a confident, independent learner.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
In this course, you'll explore opportunities in the field of pet grooming. Your studies also discuss the basic equipment that's needed, proper communication skills with clients, and how professional pet groomers conduct themselves in a professional manner. This course also identifies the basic vocabulary commonly used in the pet grooming field.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the duties of a pet groomer and how to establish a grooming business
In this course, you’ll study the background of the domestic dog including different breeds, personalities, coat types, and how to properly handle dogs. Your studies also discuss the history and mythology of cats including the type of breeds, personalities, and how to properly handle a cat.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the historical background and different characteristics of the domestic dog
- Identify the historical background and different characteristics of cats
- Explain the distinct anatomy and appropriate handling methods for dogs and cats
This course will get you started on the grooming basics by introducing you to the broad range of equipment and tools used to groom pets. You’ll learn about the variety of hand tools and large equipment available, as well as their characteristics, features, and uses. You’ll also learn about the necessary steps to prepare dogs for grooming, and you’ll be introduced to proper bathing and drying techniques. Finally, you’ll learn about some of the basic patterns used for grooming dogs.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Explain the process of selecting, using, and maintaining grooming equipment
- Describe the preparation steps for grooming dogs
- Identify the steps for bathing and drying a dog in the grooming process
- Describe the basic cutting patterns and grooming procedures for dogs
In this course, you’ll begin learning about different groups of dogs and their specific grooming needs. The first lesson in this course details the history and grooming standards for the breeds in the terrier group. You’ll also learn the detailed grooming procedures for a specific breed—the West Highland white terrier. In the next lesson, you’ll learn the history and grooming standards for the nonsporting group. You’ll also learn the detailed grooming procedures for the bichon frise, including the precut, bath, and finish work. In the final lesson, you’ll learn about the toy group, which includes the miniature, bred-down lapdogs that have the sole purpose of companionship. You’ll also review the specific grooming procedures for each breed in the toy group, including the detailed grooming procedures for the shih tzu.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the different breeds and grooming procedures in the terrier group
- Identify the different breeds and grooming procedures in the nonsporting group
- Identify the different breeds and grooming procedures in the toy group
In this course, you’ll review the sporting, herding, hound, and working dog groups. You’ll read about the different types of breeds, as well as their physical characteristics. Additionally, you’ll review best grooming practices for the dog groups and list some of the equipment and steps involved in grooming.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the sporting group and their grooming needs
- Identify the herding group and their grooming needs
- Identify the hound group and their grooming needs
- Identify the working group and their grooming needs
In your this course, you'll read about poodles and the various types of poodle cuts. You’ll study grooming procedures for poodles, head to tail. You’ll explore the lamb clip, and how to combine your clipper technique with your scissors technique. Mixed breeds are different from pure breeds. A mixed-breed dog may resemble a particular AKC breed, and the owner may want the dog groomed like that breed. For example, if a dog is a spaniel mix with a dominant spaniel, the owner may want it groomed like a spaniel. You'll explore grooming procedures for mixed breed dogs. Your studies also discuss how to properly handle and groom puppies. You don’t have to perform every grooming procedure on a puppy to complete the grooming. Your primary concern is that the puppy receives a positive grooming experience. Grooming puppies is more about introducing the puppy to the sights, sounds, and smells of the grooming salon.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the different size poodles and grooming procedures for poodles
- Identify the different grooming procedures for mixed breeds
- Identify proper handling and grooming procedures for puppies
In this course, you’ll study the basic personalities of dogs and how to recognize them. You’ll see that being able to handle dogs with different types of personalities will aid in giving all dogs positive grooming experiences. Next, you’ll learn about how to deal with people who own dogs with behavior problems and to handle the business side of grooming dogs with behavior problems. Finally, you’ll learn to properly use safety tools and a muzzle.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Summarize the different personalities found in dogs and how each personality could handle the grooming process
- Examine the specific steps to groom a dog with behavior problems and describe the safety tools used when grooming these dogs
In this course, you’ll learn more about cats and their personalities. You’ll study petting and controlling cats and the importance of recognizing cats’ personalities and understanding their moods before handling them. Finally, you will learn the specifics of grooming cats and kittens.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Identify the different personality traits and characteristics of cats
- Explain the specific grooming procedures for cats
In this course, you’ll explore the areas necessary to start your own business, such as job descriptions, pricing, and fees. Professionalism and interaction with customers are important skills to develop. You'll identify how to deal with customer complaints and questions. Your studies also discuss record keeping, bookkeeping, and advertising. The information you'll read about is more of a general overview. A professional accountant can help you set up your bookkeeping system according to the laws in your state or province. Even as an employee, studying the business side will help you understand the inner workings of your employer’s business. You'll also review the important techniques of grooming, grooming procedures, and safety considerations.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:
- Explain the elements involved from the business side of pet grooming
- Analyze the basic methods and techniques of pet grooming

Note: We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.