Canine Clipper School of Pet Grooming has been training the groomers of tomorrow for years.  Our school offers the best training and support structure in Virginia. The lectures cover a broad range of information in the pet grooming business including ‘Management Principles for Operating Your Own Business’.

Another important component of the curriculum is the visits made to other pet related facilities and mobile pet grooming units. In addition, students are taught how to utilize the grooming industry’s popular computer application, Avalon ‘KennelSoft’, and ‘Clipper Vac System’, an essential tool in keeping the grooming environment clean and protecting the lungs of both groomers and animals.

In order to give the student the highest quality education possible, we allow six students per session. By limiting the number of students, our instructors are able to give personal attention to those needing extra help.

Please make a selection:

• Requirements
• Attendance Policy
• Refund Policy
• Grades
• Career Program
• Course Description
• General Information
• Required Materials
• Schedule and Tuition Fees
• Daily Plan
• Enrollment Agreement
• Apply

Requirements

No previous experience is necessary. Canine Clipper School of Pet Grooming requires students to be at least 18 years of age, with a High School Diploma or GED. Students should be genuinely interested in becoming a groomer with a high affection and love for animals.

If you have any further questions about requirements for admission to the Canine Clipper School of Pet Grooming please contact us.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes. The administrator's record of attendance for each student becomes part of his/her permanent file. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated and may result in termination of the student from classes. For excused absences, a fee of $25 per day will be charged, payable on the following day of classes to the student to make up lessons. Medical absences, with a letter from the doctor, are excused.

Refund Policy

1. Cancelation prior to commencement of classes. If the school does not accept the application or cancels the enrollment, all fees paid, excluding the application fee of $50 will be fully refunded. If cancelation is requested in writing by the applicant (or parent/guardian) prior to midnight of the third business day after signing the enrollment agreement, all fees paid, excluding the application fee, will be fully refunded. Notice of cancelation should be mailed Registered or Certified with Return Receipt Requested. The post mark on the letter, or date of telegram, determines the date of cancelation.

2. Termination or withdrawal after start of classes. Students may withdraw voluntarily from the program. In this case, a letter is mandatory from the student stating withdrawal intentions. An individual's status as a student shall be terminated by the school not later than seven instructional days after the last day on which the student actually attended the school. In the event of termination after classes begin, the Canine Clipper School of Pet Grooming may retain tuition fees based on a 15 week program.

a. A student who enters the school but withdraws or is terminated during the first one-fourth of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund amounting to seventy-five percent of the cost of the program.

b. A student who withdraws or is terminated during the second one-fourth of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund amounting to fifty percent of the cost of the program.

c. A student who withdraws or is terminated during the third one-fourth of the program shall be entitled to a minimum refund amounting to twenty-five percent of the cost of the program.

d. A student who withdraws after completing three fourths of the program shall not be entitled to a refund.

e. Special cases: In the event of prolonged student illness, serious accident, death in the immediate family or other circumstances that prevent completion of the course, a settlement will be made which is fair to both parties.

Any refund due to the applicant will be returned within 30 days after cancelation or termination.

Grades

The student is graded on classroom performance, written exams and practical application. Classroom performance and written exams will account for 25% of the grade; practical application or "hands on" performance will account for the other 75%. Students will be given a report of their grade average every four weeks. Students who have a grade average which falls below 70% will be put on academic probation for a period of two weeks, with such notification in writing. If the student fails to bring his/her average up to above 70% at the end of probationary period, he/she will be terminated from school. In order to graduate, the student's grade average must be at least 70%, and he/she must demonstrate proficiency as a pet groomer, as determined by the instructor.

With the exception of one pair of roughing scissors, no tools and equipment shall not be removed from the school premises until the student has completed the program.

Career Programc

Objective: To prepare individuals for entry level employment positions as pet groomers through the use of classroom studies, ranging from the History of Dogs and Dog Psychology, through practical experience which includes actual hands-on grooming of most popular breeds.

Length of Program: 600 hours. Full time classes, fifteen weeks, Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.; Saturday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Flexible hours can be arranged.

Practical application sessions shall be limited to three students per instructor and school enrollment for any one session shall be limited to six students.

Tools, text, and application fee is needed up-front in the amount of $1,750.00. No reimbursement on tools, text or application fee.

Course Description

History of the dog, AKC Breed Identification. Official standards and breed identification of the most commonly groomed dogs.

Selection of Equipment. Instruction will be given to students on the proper selection of tools, such as various scissors, blades, clippers, combs, brushes, and how to use a Clipper Vac System, etc.

Safety, Care and Handling of Tools. Instruction will be given to the students on the proper application and handling of various tools.

Foundation For Grooming Skills. The student will be introduced to the proper techniques and equipment used in basic grooming functions. Basic grooming techniques such as clipping feet, tail, and face are covered, along with essentials of ear, eye, teeth ,feet cleaning, and toenail clipping.

Grooming Articles. The students will hear lectures on the articles. Some of the articles will be "The Care of Old Dogs", "How to be Successful", along with many others.

General Information

Placement: Graduates will be offered employment at Canine Clippers, Inc. grooming shops whenever positions are available. If positions are not available, graduate students will be assisted in setting up interviews with prospective employers and allotted the time off to conduct such interviews. We will also contact local and national companies for vacancy information as well as present students with a list of those pet grooming shops in Northern Virginia that are hiring and those that might be hiring in the future.

Facilities: Canine Clipper School is fully air conditioned and includes separate reception area, classroom/grooming room, and a separate bathing and drying room. The school has one tub, two drying tables, six grooming tables and twenty kennels.

Smoking: For the comfort of the students, employees, and animals,
smoking is not permitted in the building.

Field Trips: Special trips are included to broaden the student's knowledge. The school does not provide transportation.

Dress Code: Students are required to wear uniforms while in attendance at the school. Uniforms are included in the tuition cost. Students may wear white or black leather top tennis shoes or orthopedic shoes, uniform top and pants. No sandals, halter/tank tops or torn jeans may be worn. Students are always expected to be neat, clean, and well groomed. The uniforms must be worn at all times.

School Supplies: All students are required to have a basic equipment kit and text books. They may purchase them from the Director of Administration or buy them on their own. Students, however, must have all the necessary tools to start the course. No used tools will be allowed.

Diplomas: Diplomas will be presented upon successful completion of the course, and contingent upon full payment of fees, tuition, and supplies.

Required Materials