Do you own a hairy dog? Learn how to brush them, care for their coats, train them to be groomed without fuss, what equipment you need, clipping, trimming, scissoring and thinning. Also covers general health (ears, nails), common problems, dog psychology and more. Suitable for all breeds, demonstation by tutor.

Course Description

Do you share your home with a hairy hound? 

This hands-on course is designed for dog owners who want to take the stress (and cost) out of grooming by learning how to confidently and safely care for their dog’s coat at home. 

Whether your dog is fluffy, wiry, curly or shedding in clumps, this course will help you understand the grooming needs of different coat types, how to use the right tools, and how to build a regular grooming routine that works for both you and your dog. 

From brushing and bathing to trimming and thinning, you’ll also learn tips for training your dog to be handled calmly, plus essential care techniques for ears, nails, and skin.

Over six weeks, the tutor will demonstrate practical grooming skills with real dogs (including students’ dogs where possible), and you’ll gain a better understanding of canine health, behaviour, and common grooming problems. 

The course also covers setting up a grooming space at home, choosing the right tools, and recognising signs of discomfort or illness in your pet. 

Suitable for all breeds, the course aims to give dog owners the confidence and practical know-how to care for their dog’s grooming and general wellbeing.

Course Structure

Each session combines informative discussion with practical demonstrations.

You’ll start with the basics of understanding your dog’s coat and behaviour, and gradually build your skills in grooming technique, equipment use, and general health care. 

The course is structured to help you grow your confidence week by week, ending with trimming and clipper work suitable for home maintenance.

• Introduction to grooming terms, techniques and types of dog coats
• Handling your dog during grooming, problem solving, training and behaviour
• Equipment essentials and tips for setting up a home grooming area
• Brushing, combing and coat maintenance for different coat types
• Bathing, drying and special care topics including parasite control, ear and skin health
• Trimming, clipping, scissoring and thinning techniques with demonstrations.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Design and maintain a regular grooming routine tailored to their dog
• Choose and use grooming tools correctly and safely
• Recognise signs of healthy (and unhealthy) nails, skin, ears and coat
• Bathe, brush and dry their dog confidently
• Perform basic trimming and scissoring techniques
• Handle their dog in a calm, positive manner during grooming
• Identify and address common coat problems such as matting and parasites
• Understand how to create a safe and effective home grooming space
• Strengthen the bond with their dog through gentle, routine care