Top 11 Dog Grooming Schools

Dog grooming is essential for the health and welfare of a pet.

A proper dog grooming involves:

  • Eye and ear cleaning
  • Dead hair removal
  • Nail cutting
  • Teeth brushing
  • Dirt removal

You can learn all these and more at dog grooming schools.

These schools will train you to become proficient in various dog grooming services.

And once you graduate, you will be a professional dog groomer who helps pet owners take care of their dogs’ needs.

That’s why in this post, we are listing down the top dog grooming schools the country has to offer.

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The Best Dog Grooming Schools You Can Consider Enrolling

dog getting groomed

A good dog grooming school has to be both:

  • A center of excellence
  • Has extensive technical and practical training

And we want you to have the best options possible.

That’s why we reviewed a number of dog grooming schools based on several factors:

  • Number of programs offered
  • Cost and financial aid
  • Admissions rate
  • Retention rate
  • Graduation rate
  • Percentage of students enrolled in online classes, if any

Here are our top choices.

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1

North Shore Community College

Danvers, MA

School Description

North Shore Community College provides students with practical skills and knowledge.

They have 80 academic programs aimed to equip students for the workplace.

Program Description

NSCC offers the Animal Care Specialist Certificate program.

The program provides a wide range of knowledge, including:

  • Kennel management
  • Dog walking
  • Dog training
  • Retail business
  • Dog rescue and sheltering

 


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2

Merryfield School of Pet Grooming

Oakland Park, FL

School Description

Merryfield School of Pet Grooming offers day and evening grooming programs.

Their programs consume 600 hours of training, covering simple elements, namely:

  • Skill
  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Confidence

Mastering these provide you with adequate expertise in the pet grooming industry.

Program Description

MSPG’s programs adhere to the National Dog Groomers Association of America’s standards.

In this way, you are prepared to handle the different tasks to professionally groom dogs.

To be well-equipped, you will undergo a 100-hour externship to gain real-life experience.


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3

Rio Gran Grooming School

Hastings, MN

School Description

Rio Gran Grooming School encourages you toward a successful dog grooming career.

They have developed creative techniques that will assist in quality dog grooming services.

That’s why they have small classes to make it possible for you to learn this extensive knowledge.

Program Description

RGGS training centers around overall dog hygiene, like bathing and brushing.

Learning this ensures the dog’s healthy development and good physical appearance.


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4

Paragon School of Pet Grooming

Jenison, MI

School Description

Paragon School of Pet Grooming has been a center of excellence since 1991.

They offer programs meant to assist in your career by teaching the art and science of pet styling.

Moreover, they created a secure learning environment responsive to students’ needs.

Program Description

PSPG provides you with basic handling and grooming education.

Their 240-hour grooming class covers a lot of things for you to be an efficient dog groomer, such as:

  • Bathing
  • Ear cleaning
  • Nail clipping
  • Haircutting

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5

Texas Allbreed Grooming School

Arlington, TX

School Description

Texas Allbreed Grooming School will provide you with extensive studies in pet styling.

They built a good learning environment that has:

  • Ample class space
  • Hydraulic table
  • Independent workstation

They only require you to have a love for animals to become a successful pet stylist.

Program Description

TAGS has a 12-week program that will train you on how to deal with different dog breeds.

After training, you will have extensive knowledge on:

  • Pet psychology
  • Breed recognition
  • Dog biology

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6

Groomadog Academy

Blythewood, SC

School Description

Kathy Sander founded Groomadog Academy.

The school’s training certification gives you much-needed knowledge to groom pets effectively.

They also have branches nationwide to reach and help as many students as possible.

Program Description

GA’s program aims to equip you with the needed skills to style dogs of different breeds.

It takes 12 weeks to complete, with 240 to 360 hours of study.

To get certified as a professional dog groomer, you will have to pass all class examinations.


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7

Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology

Lansing, MI

School Description

Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology aims at offering you quality pet grooming knowledge.

With the high demand for qualified groomers, along with pet grooming, they also want you to:

  • Learn the animal know-hows
  • Become business-savvy

Program Description

MSCC offers two grooming programs:

  • Basic grooming (400 hours)
  • Pet grooming plus (600 hours)

Both programs will teach you everything you need to prepare for this career.


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8

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, SC

School Description

Greenville Technical College has over 100 technical courses focused on practical learning.

This means that you will gain the needed hands-on skills to achieve your set career goals.

Program Description

GTC’s Small Animal Care Program is aimed at students with a passion for dog grooming.

Here, your primary learning is on the health and safety of the canines.

In addition, you will learn techniques in grooming specific and mixed-breed dogs.

After course completion, you will be able to work in:

  • Grooming spas
  • Kennels
  • Pet shops
  • Veterinary practices

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9

Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming

Newfoundland, NJ

School Description

Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming provides pet grooming training and employable skills.

They want you to have the confidence and experience necessary to be in this highly-competitive industry.

Program Description

CSSDG offers you the Professional Dog Groomer Certificate Program.

It aims to:

  • Help you learn the essential elements
  • Quickly begin your career as a professional dog groomer

To meet this expectation, the program makes use of the following:

  • Lectures
  • Videos
  • Instructor demonstrations
  • Hands-on training

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10

JKL Training Academy

Queen Charlotte, BC, CANADA

School Description

JKL Training Academy is an internationally accredited dog grooming school.

They were the first to offer distance learning on dog grooming, setting them as a leader in the industry.

They offer current course content, along with all the support a student will need.

Program Description

JKL has three dog groomer certification courses providing intensive training:

  • Diploma Dog Grooming for beginners wanting to enter the industry
  • Certificate Dog Grooming for those working in the industry but has yet to get certified
  • Diploma Groomer Technician for those wanting to have competent pre-finishing skills

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11

New York Academy of Pet Styling

Clifton Park, NY

School Description

The New York Academy of Pet Styling has expert staff with adequate knowledge of dog grooming.

They understand the high demand for pet stylists, so they offer help if you want to switch to this career.

Program Description

NYAPS’s 300-hour professional dog styling program has three courses:

  • Prepping 101 covers the basics of dog care
  • Bathing & Drying 102 covers the treatment of different coat types
  • Finishing 103 covers the finishing techniques for proper grooming

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It’s Time to Make Your Choice

Now that you know these top schools, it’s time to consider which school is the best for you. We recommend that you weigh in on what you want to do afterward. For instance, if you would like to build your own dog grooming business in the future. Then we recommend that you enroll in a school that has a business class as part of their program. Or if you want to learn online, choose a school that offers one. Whatever your choice may be, know that you will gain extensive knowledge and skills. Things that will help you greatly in your career as a professional dog groomer.