Online Groomer Training - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Yorkie3 · 10-19-2007, 05:23 PM

Okay everyone...I know there are at least two people on here that have done the Penn Foster On-line Career School for Pet Grooming. Has anyone else done this?

I was thinking of doing this myself, but don't know about not having 'hands on' training. There is a school here in Indiana but the cost is so high...$4950.00 for a 12 -14 weeks course. This online course if paid in full at the beginning is $713.00.....big difference.

Can those of you who have done the online schooling/training online tell me if it was good training....are you grooming now....did it leave you feeling confident to do the grooming? I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

k2p1e · 10-19-2007, 05:49 PM

I have had 5 different women who have taken various online grooming school course come and apply for jobs at my shop...I would not hire any of them. The were lacking handling skills, clipper skills, they had no scissoring skills. The grooms were not the quality I could even accept.

I was 'book' smart for grooming before I took the couse. I could tell you what blade to use on a schnauzer and how to set the pattern, the best clippers and little tips and tricks but basics I had none.

I went to school for 4 months, had 2-3 dogs a day to practice and learn on...many days it was the same thing over and over till I go thte knack.

Yes grooming school is expensive but you learn the basics of a trade, you get the necessary hands on training.

There is a reason that some states and provinces will not accept online hairdressing courses....but think of this way, you will be working with very sharp scissors and a live moving unpredictable animal...you will want the proepr training. Some one to to show you what angle to hold your clippers to shave out the matted armpits of a small dog...(very scary sometimes). You need to leanr slowly how to read dogs and gain reflexes that those who work with animals or electricity.

There was a lady across the river from me who did the online course too. I saw her grooms and she did have talent...but lacked basics...she spent a ton of money on a shop, etc...she went out of business after 6 months.

Grooming is a serious business, and if you plan to do it for money you need to think with a business head, you need to relaize you will be up against some well trained groomers.

School is an investment they run from $4000-10,000...but it is one of the minor costs of the busienss it self. Your equipment will be much, much more !!

Yorkie3 · 10-20-2007, 05:49 AM

Thank you so much for your insight into this, I really appreciate it. I guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend quite as much and then travel 90 minutes one way to where this school is. They hold classes 3 times a week but the student is welcome to come in as many times as they want for practice. I do groom my 4 Yorkies and my Golden Retriever and I'm quite comfortable with all the tools I use, but you're right I do probably lack the basics. I hold the scissors and clippers in a way that is comfortable for me....probably not for the dog.

Again, thank you and I will have to give this more thought. Sure glad you posted....I was just about ready to sign up for the online course.

k2p1e · 10-22-2007, 08:06 AM

When I took the course I had a 2 year old toddler and an 11 week infant, I drove 2 1/2 hours one way a day, nursed the baby at night...for 4 months in midst of a nice snowy Canadian winter...it was rough!!! But I am so glad I did it!!

dray · 10-22-2007, 10:14 AM

If you are serious you might be able to find a great groomer near you that will teach you. Do not expect to be paid during this process as the groomer will loose money while teaching you.

I too would never hire a groomer that was taught from an on-line school.

I taught myself but that was many years ago, I called any and all shops that would let me come and watch, I talked to many groomers and listened to the horror stories. I talked to my vet and I started slow. Lucky for me, I met a handler at the shows that took my under his wing and taught me so much more. I keep learning all the time, it has been almost 30 years now and I am so glad I choose to be a groomer.

I wish you all the best, I hope you find someone that can teach you the proper way to handle dogs properly so you or the dog does not get hurt.

Owner
Best Friends Pet Salon
Salem Oregon

Yorkie3 · 10-24-2007, 03:35 PM

Thank you all. I don't think I'd be able to find a groomer in my town to teach me. Out town isn't very big and there are at least 4 groomers that I know of. Maybe in another town close by. It's just something I think I would enjoy and be good at. I do enjoy grooming my dogs and I think they look great.

Yorkiekids · 10-24-2007, 04:34 PM

I wouldn't want a groomer who has no hands on training grooming my babies. If I wanted someone with no experience I'd groom them myself.

10-19-2007, 05:23 PM	#1
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,685	Online Groomer Training Okay everyone...I know there are at least two people on here that have done the Penn Foster On-line Career School for Pet Grooming. Has anyone else done this? I was thinking of doing this myself, but don't know about not having 'hands on' training. There is a school here in Indiana but the cost is so high...$4950.00 for a 12 -14 weeks course. This online course if paid in full at the beginning is $713.00.....big difference. Can those of you who have done the online schooling/training online tell me if it was good training....are you grooming now....did it leave you feeling confident to do the grooming? I would appreciate any thoughts on this. __________________ Janet

10-19-2007, 05:49 PM	#2
k2p1e Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NB Posts: 212	I have had 5 different women who have taken various online grooming school course come and apply for jobs at my shop...I would not hire any of them. The were lacking handling skills, clipper skills, they had no scissoring skills. The grooms were not the quality I could even accept. I was 'book' smart for grooming before I took the couse. I could tell you what blade to use on a schnauzer and how to set the pattern, the best clippers and little tips and tricks but basics I had none. I went to school for 4 months, had 2-3 dogs a day to practice and learn on...many days it was the same thing over and over till I go thte knack. Yes grooming school is expensive but you learn the basics of a trade, you get the necessary hands on training. There is a reason that some states and provinces will not accept online hairdressing courses....but think of this way, you will be working with very sharp scissors and a live moving unpredictable animal...you will want the proepr training. Some one to to show you what angle to hold your clippers to shave out the matted armpits of a small dog...(very scary sometimes). You need to leanr slowly how to read dogs and gain reflexes that those who work with animals or electricity. There was a lady across the river from me who did the online course too. I saw her grooms and she did have talent...but lacked basics...she spent a ton of money on a shop, etc...she went out of business after 6 months. Grooming is a serious business, and if you plan to do it for money you need to think with a business head, you need to relaize you will be up against some well trained groomers. School is an investment they run from $4000-10,000...but it is one of the minor costs of the busienss it self. Your equipment will be much, much more !! __________________ Carla Reggie and Kenzie "Every puppy should have a boy"

10-20-2007, 05:49 AM	#3
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,685	Thank you so much for your insight into this, I really appreciate it. I guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend quite as much and then travel 90 minutes one way to where this school is. They hold classes 3 times a week but the student is welcome to come in as many times as they want for practice. I do groom my 4 Yorkies and my Golden Retriever and I'm quite comfortable with all the tools I use, but you're right I do probably lack the basics. I hold the scissors and clippers in a way that is comfortable for me....probably not for the dog. Again, thank you and I will have to give this more thought. Sure glad you posted....I was just about ready to sign up for the online course. __________________ Janet

10-22-2007, 08:06 AM	#4
k2p1e Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NB Posts: 212	When I took the course I had a 2 year old toddler and an 11 week infant, I drove 2 1/2 hours one way a day, nursed the baby at night...for 4 months in midst of a nice snowy Canadian winter...it was rough!!! But I am so glad I did it!! __________________ Carla Reggie and Kenzie "Every puppy should have a boy"

10-24-2007, 03:35 PM	#6
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,685	Thank you all. I don't think I'd be able to find a groomer in my town to teach me. Out town isn't very big and there are at least 4 groomers that I know of. Maybe in another town close by. It's just something I think I would enjoy and be good at. I do enjoy grooming my dogs and I think they look great. __________________ Janet

10-22-2007, 10:14 AM	#5
dray Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Silverton Oregon Posts: 1,123	If you are serious you might be able to find a great groomer near you that will teach you. Do not expect to be paid during this process as the groomer will loose money while teaching you. I too would never hire a groomer that was taught from an on-line school. I taught myself but that was many years ago, I called any and all shops that would let me come and watch, I talked to many groomers and listened to the horror stories. I talked to my vet and I started slow. Lucky for me, I met a handler at the shows that took my under his wing and taught me so much more. I keep learning all the time, it has been almost 30 years now and I am so glad I choose to be a groomer. I wish you all the best, I hope you find someone that can teach you the proper way to handle dogs properly so you or the dog does not get hurt. Owner Best Friends Pet Salon Salem Oregon

10-24-2007, 04:34 PM	#7
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I wouldn't want a groomer who has no hands on training grooming my babies. If I wanted someone with no experience I'd groom them myself. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki