Deciding Between An Online Grooming Course Or A Dog Grooming School: Which Is Beneficial To The Aspiring Dog Groomer?

on line dog grooming course
Contents

    Which path to take to realize your dreams, online course or hands-on class?

    The world is now booming with a variety of virtual learning, especially in these troubled times of COVID-19. Many people are interested in taking online dog grooming courses, so I want to take this opportunity to talk about traditional hands-on dog grooming classes. I hope this information will help you decide which path to take to realize your dreams once you’re set on becoming a professional dog groomer. 

    I've been a pet groomer for over 40 years and also I am a grooming instructor. I even have experience making dog grooming manuals and producing instructional videos—I love to make my materials for my students! So I’m aware of the usefulness and the limitations of these materials. 

    What is it like to learn grooming in the classroom?

    I want to make clear how the class is helpful to our student’s learning and skill development.

    At our school, we have one lecture day per week and we spent the rest of the week on skill training. Dog(s) are assigned. I give to each student to work on and specific instructions for each pet. There will be lots of advice, tips, and critiquing. Sometimes we show and show students how it’s done. Then we have the students try on their own. But very often it’s hard to get it the first, second, or third time. This is normal. Every dog has its challenges. This can be anything from hair quality, behavior, to the requested hairstyle. Every day they have a new challenge and it’s exciting for many of our students! 

    Therefore, it’s important to repeat the fundamental exercises consistently day in day out. This is the way we train our students to acquire the skills, and it is why so many of our graduates leave as confident groomers who can handle a variety of situations. It is how they avoid big mistakes at the beginning of their career and maintain their profession long term. 

    It takes time to acquire all the skills you need to be a professional dog groomer. But I believe taking our grooming course is a “shortcut” to becoming a professional pet groomer from zero experience.

    Successful pet groomers are pathfinders.

    Whatever your learning method, I want you to do your best to become a pet groomer and succeed in this career. We have way more dogs than groomers in Canada, we are always in demand no matter the state of the economy, and the pet industry is growing from here on out. 

    I don't think it's meaningful to say whether a grooming school or online grooming course or apprenticeship is better. Successful groomers will succeed wherever they begin their journey. Because they are pathfinders.

    Years ago I attended many American grooming seminars. Many lecturers and celebrity groomers didn’t study this trade at school but came from different backgrounds. They started from humble beginnings, but are now world-renowned instructors and leaders in the field. They may be very talented special people, but it proves there are many ways to pursue and build this career. Even if you think you don’t have the talent or you have confidence you are talented, consider once taking lessons at a traditional hands-on dog grooming school. That's the most time-saving way to master this art.

    Thank you for reading!

    Related Articles

    dog8

    “Just Graduated” Newbies Competed Well With The Professional Groomers!

    One of our school graduates took part in the Dog Grooming Competition, held by the Ontario Dog Groomers Association. Miss Y. Sawa completed 20 weeks…

    Read More
    pet styling handbook

    Pet Styling Handbook for the Canadian Professionals

    Pet Grooming Studio Academy is in the process of creating a multimedia-based pet styling handbook. The First of its kind in North America! The dog…

    Read More
    Speeding Up Groom

    Speeding Up Groom: Getting Into The Flow

    In the business of grooming, time is money. The average dog groomer will spend about one to two hours grooming a single dog. That may…

    Read More