COURSE OBJECTIVES

Safety, Health, and Sanitation

• Read canine body language, reducing stress, and safely managing anxious or aggressive dogs for safe handling & restraint

• Prevent cross-contamination, disinfecting tools, and maintaining a clean salon environment

• Recognize signs of distress, heatstroke, skin infections, and handling minor cuts.

Products, Equipment & Tools

• Demonstrate basic product knowledge for bathing and styling.

• Identify, operate, and maintain grooming tools and equipment safely.

Skin & Coat Care

• Bathe and dry all coat types (brush, force, kennel drying).

• Brush dry and wet coats effectively.

• Perform de-shedding, de-packing, de-matting, carding, combing, and raking.

• Apply hand-stripping to determined coat types.

• Trim, blend, and shape with thinning shears, scissors, and snap-on combs.

• Clip wet and dry coats to basic grooming standards.

Salon Organization & Sanitation

• Organize and sanitize grooming tools, stations, tubs, and kennels.

• Maintain safety and cleanliness across salon areas.

Technical Skills

• Perform nail filing and trimming.

• Provide ear, oral, and anal gland care safely.

Professional Skills

• Demonstrate professionalism, communication, and teamwork.

• Practice safe and gentle handling of pets.

• Use the buddy system effectively.

• Exhibit time management and maintain a professional salon image.

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