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Do you like grooming your dogs, or find yourself pulling out the scissors after your dog’s trip to the grooming salon to “get the job done right”?
Do your friends and family ask you to trim their dogs’ fur because you are so good at it? Have you considered making this a career?
Some dog grooming courses online can get you on the right path.
While you can definitely groom your dogs and your friends or family’s pets without any certification, it’s safer to have training and education in a dog grooming school.
Especially if you're considering making it a business and working on other people's dogs, enrolling in an online dog grooming course will definitely level up your value, skills, and confidence.
Fortunately, there are many dog grooming certification programs out there. Check out this list of best dog grooming courses online.
The Best Dog Grooming Courses Online
1. Penn Foster 
Cost: $49/mo
Yes, Penn Foster has a grooming certificate program. In their program, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the grooming process and even learn about customer service, business concerns, and more.
Many people use Penn Foster because it’s a nationally and regionally accredited program, so the certificate is much more “reputable” than others.
This course is all online, and for $499, you can get certified and have access to student services that can help you find a dog grooming position – or put you in place to start your own business.
My own dog groomer graduated from this program, and she loved it. She's definitely recommending this as one of the best dog grooming courses online.
2. JKL Grooming 
Cost: $575 – $950
If you want a program that lets you choose your course length, JKL Grooming is the online dog grooming school for you.
They have two separate programs: the grooming diploma and the grooming certificate.
I recommend the diploma course for people who want to enter the grooming world, whether in an employment capacity or starting their own business.
If you’re already working as a groomer but never got certified, you can make do with the certification course.
You’ll learn insider tips and tricks and figure out how to make your grooming services even more amazing.
They also have programs for larger animal grooming (like horses), which is great to expand your horizons.
3. Coastal Groomadog Academy 
Cost: $1,499
This program might have a few of the most customizable in-person courses in the dog grooming arena, but they also have one (albeit expensive) online dog grooming course.
If you’re hoping to understand more of the business aspects of a pet grooming startup, learn the basics, and then move to advanced pet grooming techniques, the Coastal Groomadog Academy has a course exactly for that.
Learning about the different types of breeds and how to style or groom them, you can take their comprehensive dog grooming course.
If you happen to be in the area, their in-person different courses can also help you decide how you want to work, and they are all targeted specifically to dogs.
4. Basics & Beyond
Cost: $89 – $252
This program is designed for either the pet owner who wants to take better care of their pet from home or the entrepreneur who wants to start a grooming business.
Basics & Beyond includes a thorough education in animal grooming, especially focusing on the handling aspects (how not to cut a pet, handle a biter, etc.).
This program takes about 8 to 12 weeks and only costs $325.
This one is highly recommended for people who want to know how to handle many different animals professionally and understand how to groom specific breeds properly.
This is one of the best dog grooming courses online, and it’s all online!
5. Online Grooming School 
Cost: $99
The Online Grooming School has amassed quite the graduate rate. With this easily online and through the mail program, you can choose between receiving 20 DVDs and all reading and test materials (in the mail) or streaming everything online.
Each DVD/streaming video presents a new challenge, whether it’s a specifically hard-to-groom breed or what to do in case a dog gets cut, etc.
Many people choose this program because it provides two certifications: Pet Hygienist and Pet Groomer.
The best part about this program? It only costs $249. This is one of the best dog grooming courses online because it's available in two options.
Not everyone can learn by watching videos online – some people need hands-on materials and tests – and The Online Grooming School offers both.
Online Dog Grooming Courses: What to Consider Before You Signing Up
Because dog grooming isn’t the most regulated business area, you must do your research before jumping into a program. Check out your state laws and requirements.
In some places, you don’t even need a certification to start grooming dogs, and in some places you do.
In other places, you need to have specific health code regulations in place wherever you do your grooming (if it’s on a larger business scale), so you should pick a program that can help you in that area.
Most importantly, do your research on the best dog grooming courses online to ensure there are decent reviews (remember: unhappy customers are the loudest ones, so take each bad review with a grain of salt).
Ensure that your program of choice has certification for grooming or pet hygiene, not just CEU (continuing education units) if your state requires certification.
Other things to look for when choosing one of the best dog grooming courses online:
- Make sure it’s your learning style. Some people need mail-in materials because they learn better from a book rather than a computer screen.
- Make sure you have access to the teachers or instructors if you have questions.
- Make sure the payment is clear; there are no student loans for these certification programs, so understand the price clearly.
- Review the curriculum and make sure it covers everything you want to learn; you can find a program that teaches about the exact areas you're interested in.
- Decide if online learning is right for you. It’s not for everyone, and if you’re serious about getting certified for grooming, you need to make sure you’re going about it the right way for you.
Depending on the program you choose, you’ll be a dog groomer in a matter of weeks! Hopefully, your online certification teaches you everything you wanted to know.
Before you know it, you will be grooming dogs with (even more) expertise and skill.
Online Dog Grooming Schools: Pros and Cons
As mentioned, online learning is convenient, but it is not for everyone. Before you sign up for one of the dog grooming schools we suggest above, make sure you consider the pros and cons of learning online.
Pro: Flexibility
Attending online dog grooming schools gives you the most flexibility. You get to choose your hours, so you can easily fit them around your schedule.
This makes it easy to fit the classes in even if you have a full-time job, kids, and other obligations.
That flexibility extends to the ability to set your own pace. In other words, you can adapt the rate you go through the course based on your ever-changing schedule.
Pro: Financial Aid Still Available
Just like with in-person dog grooming classes, learning online can give you access to financial aid. Not all schools will offer it, but some do.
Pro: Affordability
In many cases, you may not even need to find a course with financial aid to take a grooming course online.
That is because these tend to be more affordable than in-person classes. On top of that, you don't have to pay for transportation, as you take the course from the comfort of your home.
Con: Your Technology
Depending on your technology, online grooming courses may not be an option for you. You will need a steady internet connection and a device to attend classes on.
Most people have these things, but they can also be enough to prevent you from completing your course.
Con: Practical Experience
One of the great things about dog grooming courses is that you get to practice techniques during them. If you take an online course, you can only practice with your dog or the dogs of friends and family who are willing to let you practice.
By contrast, most in-person courses will have a practical component that includes dogs. In other words, you are much more likely to have to get your own practical experience with an online course than an in-person one.
Of course, you could argue that your grooming school benefits from your practical experience.
After all, they likely charge dog owners for their grooming services, even if you are still learning. That also means you essentially pay to groom dogs.
It is also worth noting that depending on the people you know, you may have enough willing volunteers to practice on even if you opt for an online school.
Why You Should Take a Dog Grooming Course
Whether you choose to take an online course in dog grooming or select an in-person one, taking a course is a smart move.
You may be hesitant to pay for a course, as it is not required for the job, and you could potentially use the money for something else. But, completing a course comes with a long list of benefits, including:
- You have more confidence in your grooming skills.
- It is easier to join a professional association, something that will help attract clients.
- It is easier to get a job in dog grooming.
- Clients prefer groomers who have completed a course
Common Questions about Dog Grooming Courses Online
Still, have questions you want to be answered before you sign up for a dog grooming course? We have you covered with the following FAQs.
Can You Learn Dog Grooming Online?
The idea of learning dog grooming online may seem odd at first. After all, you expect there to be a hands-on or practical component.
But, yes, you can learn dog grooming online. Many dog grooming school offerings are now completely online, while many also offer in-person classes.
Just remember that if you complete an online dog grooming course, you will still need to practice your skills before pursuing a dog grooming career.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Dog Groomer?
Whether you attend dog grooming schools or choose an apprenticeship, it will typically take six to ten weeks.
This timeline should be enough for classroom-based dog grooming course portions as well as some practical ones.
Do You Need a Qualification to Groom Dogs?
You do not usually need a qualification to become a pet groomer. However, it will be much easier to break into the pet grooming industry if you have one.
At the very least, you should have some practical experience and general knowledge before becoming a professional dog groomer.
Can I Teach Myself Dog Grooming?
Yes, you can teach yourself to become a professional pet groomer, and many dog groomers are self-taught.
That is because you don't usually need a certified pet groomer certificate to get a job as a groomer.
While you don't need a diploma, dog grooming tends to be easier with one, including finding a job. Employers are more likely to hire someone who can prove their skills and experience.
If you choose to start your own pet grooming business, you will find it easier to attract clients if you have a certificate.
Is It Hard to Groom a Dog?
Pet owners can typically learn to groom their own dogs fairly easily at home. However, it becomes much easier if you have practice.
More importantly, some dogs can be tough to groom. Certain dog breeds may have tougher fur to work with.
There are also some dogs with more energetic personalities who do not stay still.
Attending dog grooming school can teach you tricks and tips to overcome these challenges, so it is easier to groom any dog.
Do Dog Groomers Make Good Money?
Data shows that the average salary for a dog groomer in the United States is about $30,000.
Remember that this means some people make more while others make a lot less. Some groomers only make about $17,000 a year.
How Long Is a Dog Grooming Apprenticeship?
The length of your apprenticeship will depend on where you do it and what you hope to learn. Basic apprenticeships are usually six to ten weeks.
However, there are also numerous advanced apprenticeships available. These can last up to a year or even longer.
That being said, most people will complete their full apprenticeship in about 10 weeks or less.
Is Dog Grooming a Good Career?
Dog grooming can be a great career if you love working with animals and like a rewards challenge.
As a bonus, there will always be a demand for professional dog groomers, so you have a fair amount of job security in this field.
As with any other career, dog grooming is not for everyone. However, the good news is that because training and apprenticeships are so short, you won't be out a lot of time and money if you decide it is not for you.
Best Dog Grooming Courses Online – What To Do Next?
There are many reasons why pet owners would want to take a dog grooming course. Whether they want to do it right or plan to start a grooming business on their own, they can easily enroll in dog grooming classes online.
While you can groom your pet without any certification, dog grooming courses give you the training and advanced knowledge you need to avoid any harm or mishaps during the primping.
Plus, enrolling and completing an online dog grooming course gives you the upper hand when you have a business out of pet grooming.
With this list of the best dog grooming courses online, you will not only be equipped with high-standard training but you will also be more confident in taking care and pampering dogs and other pets.
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