Explore the 12 modules
in the Professional
Dog Grooming Diploma
This is more than an introduction to dog grooming. Our comprehensive Professional Dog Grooming Diploma takes you through 12 in-depth modules created with an experienced professional dog groomer.
You'll learn the techniques and practical knowledge used in real grooming salons — from tools, handling and coat preparation to professional styling, breed-specific grooming and starting your own business.
ICOES accredited, the course is designed to give you a thorough foundation to follow in the footsteps of professional groomers and build a career of your own.
12 comprehensive modules
Each module includes detailed lessons, step-by-step tutorials, interactive activities and quizzes to help you build your skills and confidence.
01 Tools & Equipment
- Career options – mobile grooming, working from home, salons and franchising
- Combs and brushes
- Shedding aids
- Clippers, blades and guard combs
- Nails and teeth
- Shampoos, conditioners and deodorants
- Grooming tables
- Hydrobaths and bathing equipment
02 Handling, Behaviour & Body Language
- The ANKC breed groups
- Dog training theories
- Canine communication and calming signals
- Dealing with an aggressive or fearful dog
- Canine body language
- Essential canine first aid
03 Canine Anatomy, Health & Disease
- Canine anatomy
- Handling fleas, ticks, mites and ringworm
- Managing roundworm, tapeworm and heartworm
- Important canine disease awareness
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Skin disorders
04 Pre-Grooming, Bathing & Nails
- Essential health check
- A visual assessment
- Checking for pain
- Skin and coat inspection
- Eyes and ears
- Checking dogs' teeth
- Nail maintenance
- Preparing corded, double, silky, smooth, wire and wool coats for the bath
- Hygiene and care procedures
- Nail clipping
- Teeth cleaning
- Pad trimming
- Ear plucking and cleansing
05 Drying, Scissoring & Styling
- Owner expectations and needs
- Styling to match the breed
- Coat type and behaviour
- Accentuating the dog's natural look
- Understanding dog shape
- Styling mixed breed dogs
- Drying methods – blasting, stretch, fluff and smooth drying techniques
06 Professional Styling, Clipping & Stripping
- Styling spherical head shapes such as the Bichon Frise, Dandie Dinmont, Shih Tzu and West Highland Terrier
- Eyebrows and beards
- Long and short-legged Terriers
- Topknots
- Scissoring skills and safety
- Styling with feathering, stretch drying and fluff drying
- Tail shape
- Clipping and when to clip
- Grooming puppies
- Hand stripping and plucking
- Carding
07 Poodles & Show Styling
- Creating the style – blending, feet, legs, body, ears, head, muzzle and throat
- Elaborate styling
- Fluff drying
- The Poodle pet clip
- Styling Poodle cross breeds – Cavoodles and Groodles
08 Terriers
- Grooming the short-haired Terrier
- Airedale
- Australian Terrier
- Silky Australian
- Bedlington
- Border Terrier
- Cairn
- Dandie Dinmont
- Irish Terrier
- Kerry Blue
- Norfolk and Norwich
- Parsons Russell
- Scottish Terrier
- Soft-coated Wheaten
- West Highland Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Schnauzer
09 Toy Breeds, Gundogs, Setters, Herding & Hounds
- Drop coat breeds
- Natural coat toy breeds
- Medium to long-haired Retrievers
- Styling Setters and Spaniels
- Wirehaired breeds
- Grooming long and thick coats
- Hound grooming
10 Customer Service
- Telephone skills
- Converting customers
- Communication ABCs
- How to create a customer base
- Dealing with difficult customers
11 Setting Up Your Business
- Choosing the right business
- Customer contracts
- Appointment cards
- The importance of diary management
- Personal software packages
- Setting up your finances
- Setting prices, taking payment and accounting
- Health and safety
- Insurance cover
- Creating your customer experience
12 Marketing & Growth
- Choosing your business name
- Creating your business plan
- Carrying out market research
- Online marketing – social media, websites and blogging
- Service-related marketing
- Professional development
+ BONUS: Business Resources Hub
- Equipment checklist
- Blade size chart
- Printable Five Freedoms chart
- Printable canine disease reference chart
- Dog health assessment template
- Business plan template
- Income projection template
- Plus 34+ page customisable business template pack including price lists, client forms, service agreements, consent and release forms and much more!
Your course questions answered
Quick answers to the most common questions about the course.
01 How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete the course in around 6 months part-time. There are no deadlines, so you can study at your own pace with lifetime course access.
02 Is practical training included and how do I get experience?
Yes. Optional practical grooming activities are included. Practise on your own dog, friends' or family dogs, find local grooming models or arrange volunteer experience. There is no compulsory work placement.
Learn how the practical works →03 Is the course recognised?
Yes. The Professional Dog Grooming Diploma is ICOES accredited, providing independent quality assurance for your online training.
Pet Courses is not an RTO and the course is not a nationally recognised AQF qualification.04 What equipment will I need?
You don't need to buy any equipment before enrolling. You'll learn about professional grooming equipment in Module 1 and receive a full equipment checklist to help you get started.
05 Will I have support while studying online?
Yes. You'll have support from your course mentor, our team and private student community, including assessment feedback and help throughout your studies.
06 Do I need to sit an exam?
No — there are no formal exams. You'll complete quizzes and short written assessments throughout the course, with feedback from your mentor.
07 What resources are included?
You'll receive practical learning resources plus our 34+ page Business Template Suite, including client forms, price lists, service agreements, consent forms and more.
08 Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. You'll receive a Certificate of Completion once you've successfully completed the required course assessments.
09 Is there a payment plan?
Yes. Interest-free weekly payment plans are available, with no credit checks. You can select your preferred payment option when enrolling.
10 Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes. You're covered by our 7-day money-back guarantee. If the course isn't right for you, contact us by email within 7 days of enrolling to request a refund.
Learn more about our guarantee →Learn from an experienced groomer
Hannah Grice
Certified Professional Groomer
& Industry Trainer
Hannah brings years of professional grooming experience and teaching to the course, helping students build practical knowledge and confidence through expert guidance, assessment feedback and real-world advice.
- ✓ Professional grooming experience
- ✓ Personal assessment feedback
- ✓ Practical, industry-focused guidance
From studying online to opening her own salon
After completing the Dog Grooming course I opened my own salon called Scrub Woofers. I was so nervous that I wouldn't get any clients. I had two other part time jobs, so for the first two weeks I did grooms around them, but it got really busy in my salon so quickly that I had to give those jobs up because I was running out of space for my clients!
In the first few weeks I learnt a lot. My confidence really grew, doing breed specific trims and getting faster. It was such a great start, I even ended up with tips from happy customers.
Alyson
Pet Courses Graduate & Owner of Scrub Woofers
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