Introduction
Thinking of becoming a dog groomer? You’ll need the right tools, dog grooming products and technical know how before starting.
Have no fear – Doggy Planet have listed everything you’ll need to complete your dog grooming course. We have also outlined what a typical 5 day, 10 day and 20 day dog grooming course may potentially provide you with.
What dog grooming tools do I need to become a successful groomer?
Becoming a dog groomer is now very possible whether or not you want to simply know how to groom your own pets, to work as a professional groomer in a salon or boutique to owning your own business.
Here’s what you need:
A Pair of dog clippers
A good pair of dog clippers will always be required when grooming your dog. What type of dog clippers you will need, will depend on your breed, size and the personality of your dog.
Below is the a fantastic set of dog clippers that are suitable for beginners right through to professional and are suitable for any dog:
Andis Agc Super 2-Speed Professional Animal Clippers
The Andis Agc Super 2 speed Professional dog clipper is ultra quiet, ergonomic (which reduces your hand fatigue), has excellent power and takes all a5 type blades. It comes with a number 10 blade which leaves 1.6mm of hair.
It has the option of two speeds – 4000 and 330 strokes per minute and they’re available in a range of colours!
They truly are a fantastic set of clippers and well worth the investment. They’re ultra quiet, ergonomic and come in a wonderful array of colours to choose from.
Last update on 2025-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A dog grooming table
You will need a good sturdy table to properly groom your dog. We have chosen a table that is available in 3 different sizes, meaning you can choose a table that is suitable in size for:
- Your breed and weight of dog
- The amount of space that you have available
Adjustable Portable Stainless steel Dog Grooming Table with Arm Noose+ + Accessories Tray
This excellent dog grooming table is available in 3 sizes and is portable, meaning when you’ve finished using it, you can neatly fold it and place it out of the way.
It has a high quality adjustable height platform that features a rubber grip surface to keep your dog safe from slipping and falling off.
The Small sized grooming table is suitable for dogs up-to 50kg, the medium and large versions are suitable for up-to a WHOPPING maximum weight capacity of 150kg!!!
It’s premium build and great value-for-money price points make this dog grooming table suitable for both the professional and beginner dog groomer.
With over 600 reviews on Amazon – you know you’re onto a winner!
- 【Solid and Durable Dog Grooming Table】The Dog Grooming Table is made of stainless steel frame, MDF board and PVC feet pad. Size: W90*D60*H76(cm) / 36*23.6*30(inch). Come with 2 strong nylon clamps to prevent rust.
- 【Folding Dog Grooming Table】Collapsible Dog Drying table for easy storage and space-saving when it is out of use.
- 【Height Adjustment Trimming Table】Height adjustable H-frame with two nooses for varied needs.The maximum weight capacity of the dog grooming table is 150kg.
- 【Non-Slip Dog Drying Table】Thoughtful rounded table edges avoid undesired damage or injury.Anti-slip rubber in the feet adds stability and durability of the table.
- 【Easy Storage】The Pet Grooming Table is lightweight, portable and folds flat in seconds for easy storage or transport.
Last update on 2025-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A pair of dog nail clippers
The importance of clipping your dog’s toenails cannot be understated. In decades past, when dogs spent more time outdoors, running and playing on various types of hard surface – their nails were gradually worn down.
Where nails used to be worn down, there was less need to groom your dog’s nails and indeed, there was less need for dog nail clippers. But, with many dogs now being domesticated and confined indoors for much of the time, nail clipping is an absolute must.
Professional-Grade Dog Nail Clippers by Thunderpaws with Protective Guard, Safety Lock and Nail File
Expert grade cutting blades. The blades are an important part of any and all dog nail trimmers. The blade is made from a ultra high quality, stainless steel that’s been manufactured to guarantee its sharpness so you can cut your dog’s nails in one smooth, tidy action.
The stainless steel blades are durable and keep its sharpness for extended periods of time. It’s no surprise why professional groomers and veterinarians endorse and use these excellent blades!
To summarise:
- They have a protective guard to minimise over-cutting
- Ergonomic design for comfort when using
- Professional grade with a premium build.
- PROFESSIONAL GRADE, PREMIUM QUALITY – Don’t fret yourself with sub-par products. Used by veterinarians and professional groomers. Made with high quality stainless steel to ensure a clean cut in one smooth action, our nail clippers are built to last, sturdy, and will remain sharp for a long time. Also suitable for medium sized dogs and large dogs with thick nails, black nails or thick toenails.
- SUPER EASY TO USE – Even if it’s your first time trimming your dog’s nails, our dog nail clippers makes an easy experience and sets you up for success. Instructions for nail trimming also included on the packaging. Non-slip rubber handles that are ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip and ensuring a safe nail trimming and grooming experience for you and your dog.
- DESIGNED FOR SAFETY FIRST – Worried about over-cutting? No need to feel nervous! Nail trimming should be an easy experience, which is why each Thunderpaws Nail Clippers comes with a protective guard to protect your pets from “over-trimming” and safety lock for easy storage. This also helps if your dog’s nails are black which prevents you from seeing the quick. Use this heavy duty nail trimmer for dogs with guard as instructed to avoid injury to your pet.
- GETS THE JOB DONE QUICKLY – Do your dogs hate getting their nails clipped? Our dog nail clippers are used by veterinarians, professional groomers and dog pawrents alike for getting a quick clean cut before your dog even notices.
- SAVE BIG ON VET BILLS – For a fraction of the cost to the groomers, you will be able to cut, trim and maintain your dog’s nails and nail health safely and comfortably at home. Our dog nails clippers comes with an included nail file that stores snugly in the handle.
Last update on 2025-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A dog grooming bath
A good dog bathtub will have various functionalities that make bath times more comfortable for both you and your dog. Look for a tub with enough space to fit your dog comfortably but don’t let it be too wide. Too much space and your dog will start having regular sprinkles while in the tub.
Secondly, let the tub have a simple and effective restraint. Dogs never stand still and while in the tub, they will try to escape the tank by jumping or shuffling frequently. So, get a tub with quality restraints to minimise this.
Pedigroom Polypropylene PP Dog Grooming Bath
This is more, a mini-bathtub that Pedigroom designed specifically to make bath times easier and more fun for smaller dogs, and their parents. The bath is made from polypropylene plastic of high quality.
It is, thus, the perfect companion for both pet owners and professional dog groomers alike.
The hooks fixed on the bathtub allow for easy and secure fastening using any leash you might have while ensuring your dog remains safe and comfortable. The washing station, also, has a skid-proof floor that ensures pets don’t slip around and hurt themselves.
This dog bath by Pedigroom comes with strong aluminium legs that can reach up to 91 centimeters and hold dogs of up to 80 kilograms. You, thus, no longer have to lean over every time you need to bath your dog. These aluminium legs, also, make bathing a less wobbly experience altogether.
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A dog grooming guide (if you want to teach yourself)
Some people may opt to save thousands of pounds and teach themselves how-to groom their dogs.
Whether you’re able to teach yourself to groom will be down to the individual but this book by Sam Kohl has some EXCELLENT reviews and is much cheaper than attending a practical course!
The All Breed Dog Grooming Guide – 4th Edition
Book is in full colour with instructions for over 193 breeds of dog! And it even has a section about how to successfully run a dog grooming business.
The newly revised, user-friendly All Breed Grooming Guide 4th edition by Sam Kohl features in-depth explanations on how to groom 193 breeds. This one-of-a-kind guide has been a longtime favourite of grooming schools nationwide.
It’s informative with lots of pictures and is fairly easy to follow with some readers referring to it as their “grooming bible”!
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Dog grooming courses – what you need to know
A good dog grooming course should be bespoke and designed around each of student on a one to one basis from dog grooming for beginners to the experienced dog groomer.
The duration of a dog training courses should be flexible and based around you, allowing you to go at your own speed and existing commitments. Your chosen school should have a number of dog grooming tuition centres located throughout the UK.
Equipment may or may not be supplied including a provisional uniform. Check out our list above to find out what you should have as a bare essentials.
Your course should offer you a professional, clean, real dog grooming environment where you will not only learn to groom dogs but you will also get to see the “business side” of a successful dog grooming business.
Due to the high demand for dog grooming courses places, students may be asked to fulfill an application process. Upon receiving your completed application, your chosen school will be in contact to notify you if your application has been successful.
If you are hoping to complete your dog grooming courses to become a professional dog groomer – you should take into consideration the commitment that this will require.
Before places are offered onto a dog grooming course, potential students may be asked to use one of the following options to see if you and the school are the right fit.
There might be a couple of ways a school does this:
- A potential free half a day – to meet tgeir Master groomer & course mentor to discuss your dream of becoming a groomer & see how they do things.
- A small fee for a day with your chosen school, grooming and taking part. (the charge is typically used to pay for insurances for the day and is deducted from the course fee. This is not refundable).
This is offered, so that you can experience if Grooming is the right choice for you.
You may be allowed to take part in the grooming of dogs and to spend a day with with a real dog groomer.
You will experience first-hand, their approach and ethos.
This will give you the perfect opportunity to discuss what the right way forward into the industry would be for you.
Please take a look at typical courses and their duration below (please note that these are just a guide and each school will differ).
A typical 5 day course – circa £600
A typical 5 day beginners dog grooming course. Ideal for beginners with no or little experience as well as those with experience.
You will typically be taught how to provide a full grooming service on several different breeds and coat types. Introduce more clipper and scissor techniques and explain how to customise a cut.
Your course should cover 5 days of dedicated practical work and easy to read and follow self-reading activities that will give you the theory knowledge.
Upon completion of the course, you may be offered a few days of work as a paid groomer. This formula has been very helpful for those to get real hands on confidence to getting started with their dream of being a groomer.
Additional days can potentially be added at a disclosed and agreed upon daily rate – if required.
You should expect to learn:
- Correct handling and care for the dog
- How to use clippers and scissors to give a complete styled groom to the dog
- Learn to carry out a basic health check
- Learn to use natural ingredients to bring out the best in coats without use of chemicals
- Correct handling of the dog
- Learn to clean and pluck ears, Trim nails and clear anal glands
- Coat management and removal of matted and knotted hair
- The right equipment and how to maintain them
- Drying process – the safe way
- Theory material and supporting information
A typical 10 day course – circa £1000
Will be ideal for beginners with little or no experience and for those who wish to develop their knowledge for grooming styles and technique.
You will most likely be taught how to provide a full grooming service on several different breeds and coat types. Introduced to more clipper and scissor techniques and shown how to customise a cut.
The course will cover 10 days of dedicated practical work and easy to read and follow self-reading activities that will give you the theory knowledge.
Additional days may be offered at an agreed upon day rate.
You will ideally learn the following:
- Correct handling and care for the dog
- Understand how to use natural ingredients for better results
- To learn to use clippers and scissors to give a complete styled groom to the dog
- Learn to carry out a basic health check
- Learn to use natural ingredients to bring out the best in coats without use of chemicals
- Correct handling of the dog
- Learn to clean and pluck ears, Trim nails and clear anal glands
- Coat management and removal of matted and knotted hair
- The right equipment and how to maintain them
- Drying process – the safe way
- Theory material and supporting information
20 day – professional dog grooming courses for those that want their own business
A 20 day course will be for those who want to start a grooming business of their own.
You should expect to be taught you how to provide a full grooming service on several different breeds and coat types. Introduced to more clipper and scissor techniques and shown how to customise a cut.
The course should include the Health and safety, legal information and business modules required to setting up your own business.
This course will cover at least 20 days of dedicated practical work and easy to read and follow self-reading activities that will give you the theory knowledge.
Additional days should be available should yo need them.
In a professional dog grooming course, you should expect the following:
- Correct handling and care for the dog
- How to groom with and without restraints
- Understand how to use natural ingredients for better results
- To learn to use clippers and scissors to give a complete styled groom to the dog
- Learn to carry out a basic health check
- Learn to use natural ingredients to bring out the best in coats without use of chemicals
- Correct handling of the dog
- Learn to clean and pluck ears, Trim nails and clear anal glands
- Coat management and removal of matted and knotted hair
- The right equipment and how to maintain them
- Drying process – the safe way
- Theory material and supporting information
- Business marketing and start up advice
- Web marketing and social media
- Accounting principles
- Build your own comprehensive breed styles portfolio
Grooming for Owners. Dog grooming courses for beginners.
These type of courses are designed to give you the skills involved to safely and correctly manage your own dog grooming needs. From daily maintenance to styling. To ensure you are aware of the dogs needs and to develop confidence to make sure you can groom them without stress and without restraint.
Duration typically 5 days.
Professional dog grooming courses. No previous experience.
This course is ideal for an entry into the grooming profession. It should cover the main principles of grooming both theoretical and practical.
A wide range of dog breeds should be provided for you to groom under supervision. Varying from Toy breeds to the gentle giant breeds.
Practical and Theory tests should be required.
Duration typically 10 days.
Professional dog grooming course. With experience.
This course will be structured to the individual who has / is working in the grooming industry. Developing existing skills.
Duration as required – minimum 20 days.
In the Pet industry, Dog grooming is a highly saturated industry. Currently there is no Legal legislation to state that one needs a qualification to become a groomer. This simply means that a majority of groomers open over-night. The more responsible individual will seek some sort of knowledge – from online courses to paying for either a private tutorship or NVQ or C&G.
The understanding of what grooming a dog entails is typically described as a prescribed service – no different to the set of procedures one would do when having your teeth cleaned. This is unfortunately a seriously wrong understanding.
Then there is the attention to detail with regards to the groom. Bespoke styling and a vast array of techniques are used to produce the finished styling.
Whether you choose to teach yourself or find a dog grooming courses online or via a school, make sure that you’re comfortable and ready to learn!
Best of luck!!
