Frequently Asked Questions

The average is 6 months studying part time for a few hours a week.
We recognise that everyone's schedule varies, that's why you set the deadlines and not us. You'll receive unlimited lifetime access to the course so you can take as much time as you need to practice and complete your assessments.

Yes there are practical tasks for you to complete at your own pace.
Don't worry you won't need to find a work placement, you can simply practice on your own or friends dogs all at your own leisure.  You don't need to organise any of this before enrolling.

  • On your own dogs
  • Asking friends and families to groom their dogs
  • Advertising for free models (online e.g Facebook)
  • Volunteering at local animal shelters
  • Organising to shadow a local groomer

Read Sandi's story to see how she secured practical experience or Learn more about how the practical works >

Yes it is Internationally Accredited!.

Yes! Our Dog Grooming Diploma and Dog Behaviour and Training Certificate are both accredited by the International Council for Online Educational Standards (ICOES). Having ICOES accreditation guarantees that you will receive a high standard of content that has undergone evaluation by an independent organisation, ensuring it's quality and credibility.

Whilst you may not need a formal certificate to work as a groomer, we believe that it's vital that anyone selling their services as a groomer be professionally trained. Our dog grooming courses have been developed by a professional grooming educator who ran her own salon for many years. All courses are mentored by a practicing dog groomer, enabling us to deliver both current and professional guidance throughout your learning journey.

We include resources that will help you build your business after graduating;

  • Blade Size Chart
  • Equipment Checklist
  • Five Freedoms Poster
  • Muscle Groups Poster
  • Canine Disease Chart
  • Dog Health Assessment Template
  • Income Projection Template
  • Business Plan Template

Yes!

Upon successful completion of your assessments you'll receive separate Certificates for each course you complete. 

There is no obligation to purchase any equipment in order to complete the course.

The course includes practical tasks to be completed on your own or friends dogs.  They are optional and can be completed at your own pace, so there is no commitment to purchase anything if you choose not to.  To complete them you will only require a basic grooming kit.

We don’t recommend buying anything before enrolling as the first module covers equipment and tools in detail.  You'll start thinking about what you might want to invest in dependant on the type of business you are planning (if that’s what you’re planning).  You’ll watch videos from Lisa who runs a home grooming salon, she’ll show you all of her tools and equipment and talk you through what she finds helpful and also where she purchased it all.  You’ll also be able to download an equipment checklist at the end of the module.

Pet Courses students receive a discount with online retailer Clipper World as well.

Absolutely not!

We appreciate that learning online can be daunting for some.  Our student focused approach means that you're never far away from feeling supported, whether that be from your mentor, our friendly support staff or your fellow students.

After enrolling you'll be invited to join our students only private Facebook group.  You'll find this group will play an active role in your studies.  Not only will you have like-minded people to learn alongside, but you'll feel motivated and inspired as you share your learning journey with us.

No scary exams!

As you work through the modules you'll complete multiple choice questions that will help you recap each lesson. These can be re-taken as many times as you need. There are no scary exams to complete, instead you'll answer short answers questions with feedback provided by your course mentor.

Yes, we offer a weekly payment plan.

You can pay your course off in affordable weekly payments. Our payment plans are interest free and there are no credit checks! 

Yes, 100% money back and no fees!

Unlike other providers we won't charge you any admin fees if you choose to cancel within the first 7 days of enrolling.

If during the first 7 days you don't think the course is what you're looking for, no worries! Simply contact us by email at admin@petcourses.com

learn more >

Success Stories

When you study with Pet Courses, you're never alone.  You'll be joining an exclusive learning community that connects you with other students to share your learning journey.  Ask questions, seek advice or simply be motivated by others stories as you study your animal care course with us.

Julie Bezemer
Julie Bezemer
Owner Julie Bezemer Puppy Waves

Julie's business started out by just word of mouth, with people stopping to ask who groomed her dogs. Before long she had dozens of regular clients and now happily works 2 days a week in her own salon.

Nicole Scott
Nicole Scott
Owner Pawfection Pet Services

Nicole wanted a business that would fit around her new family that she could do from home. She had always loved dogs and dreamed of a career where she could work with them every day.

Sandi Ferguson
Sandi Ferguson
Owner Fergie's Dog Grooming

While studying, Sandi decided to post in her local dog park Facebook group to offer half price grooms so that she could get some models to practice on. She ended up being inundated with clients and after only a few weeks was able to charge full price.

Amanda Toohey
Amanda Toohey
Employed Groomer

Amanda used to go and watch her friend groom dogs which inspired her to study dog grooming. She helped out at her friends salon, shaving dogs pads and trimming nails and managed to secure a job at a local grooming and day care facility. Amanda has since set up her own part time business as well.

Lisa Grant
Lisa Grant
Owner Lisa's House of Dogs

After 35 years in insurance, Lisa decided to follow her dreams and start her own dog grooming business. After graduating, she converted a spare bedroom into a salon and embarked on an exciting new chapter in her life. She hasn't looked back since!

Alyson Bratt
Alyson Bratt
Owner Scrub Woofers Dog Grooming

After graduating, Alyson nervously opened her salon. She was worried she wouldn't have enough clients so kept her two part time jobs going. After just 2 weeks she quit her part time jobs because she was running out of appointments for her clients!

Brooklyn Turner
Brooklyn Turner
Owner Head Turners Sudz-n-Scissors

Having always loved dogs, Brooklyn dreamed of a career as a dog groomer. Whilst studying for year 12, she completed her Dog Grooming Diploma and set up a small salon from her parents home.  She has since gone on to specialise in Asian fusion and teddy bear styles having achieved so much at such a young age.

Brigitte Meissner
Brigitte Meissner
Owner of The Groomery

Having a background in dog behaviour and training, embarking on a career in dog grooming was a perfect match for Brigitte. After pestering everyone she knew with a dog to gain experience, Brigitte opened a small home salon. Following it's success, she is now in the process of expanding into an upmarket boarding facility as well.

Sharon McQuillan
Sharon McQuillan
Employed dog groomer

As a vet nurse, dog grooming complimented Sharons career really well and offerred her a back up career to earn extra money.  Sharon now operates a grooming business 1-2 days a week out of a local pet shop, giving her great variety in her working week.

Kelly Wright
Kelly Wright
Owner of Groomed by Kelly

Dog grooming was a career that Kelly always wanted to pursue.  While studying she practiced on friends and families dogs, setting up her mobile dog wash and grooming business before she even graduated.  Initially starting out part time, she got so busy that she now operates full time.

Jodi Gooding
Jodi Gooding
Owner Transfurmations Grooming

Having always loved dogs, grooming was the perfect career for Jodi.  She started out by creating a balinese style hut in her garage.  After doing letter drops and grooming friends and families dogs, her business has now expanded to work out of a beautiful renovated home salon.

Kurtis Doyle
Owner of Bubbles & Bones Pet Grooming

After suffering some medical issues, Kurtis needed a new career that offered him more flexibility.  He had the opportunity to purchase an established mobile business, so while studying he shadowed the previous owner, and was then ready to hit the ground running in his new mobile trailer.

Jayne Shilcof
Jayne Shilcof
Employed groomer at Holistic Touch

Having fostered and adopted many animals, Jayne felt in her happy place surrounded by dogs.  She took the plunge by enrolling to study dog grooming, finally following her passion.  Now working alongside a friend and specialising in dogs with special needs, her only regret is that at 61 she wishes she had done it sooner!

Mellissa James
Mellissa James
Owner Mells Poochie Pampers

As a mobile dog washer, Mel was receiving so many customers asking her to groom that she decided to upskill, completing her Dog Grooming Diploma. Now 6 months on she is loving her job and looking forward to establishing a home based salon in the near future.

Leanne White
Leanne White
Home Groomer

Leanne was frustrated when her beloved elderly Poodle was refused grooming. So she took it upon herself to learn. She now enjoys helping others out as her new found hobby.

Ready to get started? Become a professional dog groomer in under a year by enrolling with Pet Courses today!