The Shaggy Dog Grooming School

Turn Your Passion for Dogs and Cats into a Thriving Career as a Pet Stylist with Expert, Hands-On Dog Groomer Training!


Only One Spot Left For the Spring 2025 Semester!
Claim Your Spot Today! 
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Professional Pet Groomer Program
 

Poodle after recent groom with bow
Welcome to your new career in pet grooming! I'm Laura Gaskin, owner of The Shaggy Dog Parlor in Old Town Spring, TX, and I’m excited to introduce our Professional Pet Groomer Program. Whether from Houston, Spring, or anywhere in Southeast Texas, this program is perfect for animal lovers ready to turn their passion into a rewarding career. We offer top-quality training at lower costs than competitors, making this path accessible to everyone.

Pet grooming is an adventurous career that allows you to express creativity while becoming a voice and advocate for animal welfare. Our twelve-week program will equip you with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to thrive in this industry.

Throughout the course, you’ll dive into the key requirements, duties, and responsibilities of a professional pet groomer. Beyond grooming techniques, you'll learn client relations, handling special requests, identifying health issues, best safety practices, and more. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to bathe, trim, and style a range of pets while building lasting relationships with clients and their furry companions.

Get ready to embark on a fulfilling career where you can make a real difference in the lives of animals!

Mastering the Art of Pet Grooming:
Comprehensive Professional Grooming Curriculum


Welcome to the Shaggy Dog Professional Dog  Grooming Program. In only twelve short weeks, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to build a successful career in the ever-growing pet grooming industry! This course will take you step-by-step through the essentials of grooming, from bathing to handling clients, ensuring you become an expert in the field. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll learn:

Module 1: The Art of Professional Bathing

The foundation of every great groom begins with a thorough, professional bath. In this module, you’ll learn how to identify skin issues, properly bathe and dry pets, and handle various coat types for de-shedding. These skills are just as crucial as the grooming itself, ensuring each pet’s health and comfort.

Topics Covered:

- Professional bathing techniques
- Identifying skin issues and care
- Proper shampoo mixing and application
- Disinfecting shampoo bottles
- Flea management and skin care
- Gland expression for pet hygiene
- Cleaning eye and potty build-up
- Drying techniques with specialized nozzles and tools
- De-shedding methods using conditioners and brushes


Module 2: Pet Safety and Handling Practices

Safety is paramount when working with unpredictable pets. This module covers how to handle pets in various situations, recognize when a pet may be too aggressive, and ensure both pets and groomers stay safe. You’ll also learn how to build trust with pets and their owners to create a positive experience for everyone involved.

Topics Covered:

 
- Handling Aggressive pets using restraints
- Understanding dog and cat behavior
- Safe lifting techniques and pet CPR
- The importance of teamwork in grooming environments
- Handling pets with floor/crate aggression
- Using sedatives and understanding vaccinations
- Ensuring proper sanitation and eye care
- Managing seizures and ruptured anal glands


Chapter 3: Advanced Grooming Techniques

In this hands-on chapter, you’ll dive into the exciting world of professional grooming. You’ll learn everything from clipper care to breed-specific patterns and creative grooming styles. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be prepared to handle any grooming challenge that comes your way, from routine trims to more complex grooming tasks.

Topics Covered:

- Clipper care, blade lengths, and maintenance
- Mastering breed patterns (Lamb, Kennel, Terrier, Teddy Bear, Pom Poms)
- Grooming terminology and assessing the pet’s coat
- At-home maintenance advice for clients
- Grooming the feet, eyes, and sanitary areas
- Scissoring techniques and determining the best haircut for each pet
- Mustache styles, bow and bandana making, and nail polish application


Chapter 4: Mastering Customer Relations

Grooming isn’t just about the pets—it’s about building relationships with their owners. In this module, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively with customers, manage expectations, and ensure that pets and their owners leave happy. From setting realistic grooming schedules to handling demanding clients or those with unrealistic expectations, you’ll develop the skills to navigate any customer interaction.

Topics Covered:

- Understanding and decoding haircut instructions (like the “puppy cut”)
- Making grooming plans based on coat length and budget
- Managing change-of-plan situations and maintaining customer trust
- Creating and using liability contracts
- Handling unhappy customers and refund policies
- Managing injuries, insurance claims, and emergencies
- Setting prices and booking appointments for different pet types (matted pets, senior pets)


Chapter 5: Grooming Final Test

In this final module, you’ll put everything you’ve learned to the test. This hands-on assessment will ensure you’re ready to handle a variety of grooming scenarios, from client relations to mastering specific breeds.

Assessment Includes:

- Client relations and communication skills
- Grooming techniques and haircut proficiency
- Charging and pricing strategies
- Grooming specific breeds: Yorkie, Shih Tzu, Bichon, Schnauzer, Poodle, and Doodles

Passing this test marks the beginning of your professional journey as a certified pet groomer! Congratulations! 

Our Professional Grooming Program offers a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that prepares you for a rewarding career in pet grooming. From mastering bathing techniques to handling challenging client requests, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive in this industry.

The Shaggy Dog Grooming School offers the most cost-effective option in the Houston area. Register for our program for just $500 down. Now is the perfect time to get started.

Call for complete details or to enroll today to
 transform your passion for pets into a fulfilling career!
Let's Talk!

Meet Your Instructors
 

Laura gaskin   owner of shaggy dog parlor spring tx

Laura Gaskin 

Hi, I’m Laura Gaskin, co-owner of The Shaggy Dog Grooming School. I’m excited to share my knowledge and experience with you as you start your grooming journey. From the basics to advanced techniques, I’ll be here to support and guide you every step of the way!
Ashley starling perio photo

Ashley Starling Perio

I'm Ashley Starling Perio, co-owner of The Shaggy Dog Grooming School. I’m passionate about helping students develop their skills and confidence in grooming. I’m thrilled to be part of your journey and can’t wait to help you grow into a successful, professional groomer!
Man pointing to chart showing increasing demand

The Pet Grooming Industry: A Booming Opportunity


 
✅ In 2023, the pet grooming industry reached an impressive value of **$5.38 billion**, and it’s only getting bigger.

✅ With an annual growth rate of **7%** expected through 2030, this industry shows no signs of slowing down.

✅ There are over **82 million pets** in the U.S. alone, and they all need care.

✅ Professional groomers can easily earn a rewarding **full-time income** and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

✅ The industry faces a **massive shortage**, with tens of thousands of groomers needed to meet the skyrocketing demand.

✅ Many dog breeds **require regular grooming** for their health and well-being, making this service essential.

✅ This is not just a local trend—the demand for grooming is **global**.

✅ As demand rises, groomers are increasing their prices to **record levels**, making it a lucrative career option.

✅ Our program teaches you how to become a professional pet groomer in just **twelve weeks**, giving you the skills to thrive in this underserved market.

In summary, there has never been a better time to step into the grooming industry. Our program can teach you how to become a professional pet groomer in just twelve-weeks, giving you the skills to thrive in this underserved market.