Dog Grooming
Certificate Course Outline

LESSON 1

Breed recognition

 

- coat types and textures for smooth coats, short coats, 
double coats, long, silky coats, harsh, wiry coats,  
curly woolly coats, corded coats

 

Parts of dog and some pertinent physiology

- begin to learn correct groomer terminology 
  (occiput, brisket, pastern, stifle, etc.)

 

¨ Parasite recognition - internal, external

- identification and control of common parasites 

Getting Started 

- beginning basic practice
- start up tools
- brushing and combing techniques

LESSON 2

Grooming Tools, their use and care

- brushes, combs, dog rakes, dematters, hemostats, shears, nail trimmers, stripping knives, clipper vacs, coat kings, furminator, hv dryers, muckraker, product and equipment comparisons

 

Clipper, Blade, Tool Care and Handling

- complete care and clipping instructions, blade charts
- clipping with different blades, attachments, snap on combs
- scissor care and scissoring techniques
- clipper burn, brush burn and skin types

 

Products, Equipment, Apparel

 

- shampoos, conditioners, ear powders, cleansers, colognes
- tables, restraints, dryers, bathing and vacuum systems, cages, crates
- groomer smocks, aprons, jackets, pants

 

Matts and Tangles

 

- what they look like, how they happen, preventions

- detailed instruction on speed combing and matt removal
- brushing, combing and nail trimming procedures

 

Shop Set Up
 

LESSON 3  

Procedural steps prior to bathing 

 

- patterns, nails, ears, coat removal, de-matting, brushing, combing
- ear and eye care, nail trimming, infections, skin care
- areas of special concern:  teeth, wrinkles, elbows, hock joints, anal glands,
  pasterns, warts, moles, hips, knees, feet
- control and restraint methods for the small pet
- control and restrain methods for the larger pet

 

Procedural step to bathing 
- wetting, lathering, scrubbing, rinsing, conditioning, tub drying
- flea bath, medicated bath, coat conditioning

Procedural steps to finishing 

- fluff drying, cage drying, high velocity drying
- brushing, combing, scissoring, thinning, re-clipping, coat oils, colognes

- professional methods of holding, control and restraint

- control and restraint of the problem pet
- hematoma, prevention and care

 

Shop Set Up

- shop function and efficiency (shop layout photos)
- tub size, height and tub tools
- the importance of table size
- dematting with the HV, wet clipping

LESSON 4

Poodles: Toy, Miniature and Standard

 

- clipper patterns and blade instruction

- clipping feet, face, tail and undercarriage

-  eight common professional patterns

-  pattern variations for body, head, ears and tail
- diagrams, illustrations, in depth instruction

- advanced scissor finishing techniques

- patterns of hair growth

 

Show grooming poodles, insight and background

- Show Puppy Trim, Lion Clip, Continental Clip
- Line Grooming, wrapping techniques for long coats

 

Bichon Frise

 

- clipper patterns and blades used

- common professional patterns
- pattern variations for body, head, ears and tail

- scissor finishing techniques

 

Mixed Breed Patterns, the lovable mutt cuts

 

- clipper patterns and blades used

- common professional patterns (daisy, teddy bear, cruiser, lion)
- pattern variations for body, head, ears and tail

- scissor finishing techniques

LESSON 5

Terriers

 

- fifteen common professional terrier patterns

- short legged terriers, long legged terriers

- specific breeds that are clipped, never stripped

- scissor finishing techniques

- correct head and tail detail

 

Hand stripping Terriers

 

- how it is done and what tools to use

- what purpose it serves

- pros and cons

Detail Counts

 

- a photo comparison of terrier breed similarities and differences
- distinctive trim detail
 

LESSON 6

Spaniels & Setters

 

- six common professional spaniel patterns
- three common professional setter patterns

- pattern variations for body, head, ears and tail

 

First aid, professional hints, tips and valuable information

 

- Lime Disease, Rabies, West Nile, Lice, Hot Spots, Mange, Scabies, Ringworm
- Animal CPR
- epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions, artificial respiration
- carding tools and methods

- puppy's first groom
- seniors and their special care