Launch a Rewarding Career in Pet Grooming
With Our Professional Dog Grooming
Certification Programs
Our dog grooming classes in St. Charles, MO combine hands-on training with industry-driven curriculum so you graduate with the confidence, technical mastery, and professional credentials employers trust. Choose the program that aligns with your goals and begin building a career in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the pet industry.
Earn a nationally recognized certification at our in-person dog grooming school
Choose a flexible course schedule that works for you—attend classes 2 to 5 days per week
Graduate with the expertise, knowledge, and skills to thrive in any grooming environment
Learn the business acumen needed to start your own pet grooming company
Become a Certified Dog
Groomer in Weeks at APC
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Dog Grooming Quick Links
Dog Grooming Quick Links
Missouri Dog Grooming Courses
Built for Real Careers
There are many paths into the pet care industry, but few are as immersive, practical, or career-defining as hands-on professional training. At The Academy of Pet Careers, our Dog Grooming School is built for people who take their craft seriously. Our programs equip you with the skills, credentials, and confidence to excel in every grooming environment, from high-end salons to your own independent business.
Our Bather/Brusher Program provides a strong foundation for those entering kennel, shelter, or support roles in a grooming business. Our Professional Groomer Program prepares you to work as a full-fledged pet stylist mastering breed-specific patterns, corrective techniques, and salon management. With program options from 6 weeks to 20 weeks, APC has a pathway for everyone.
Learn core grooming skills,
including bathing, brushing, drying, and trimming.
Learn advanced breed specific
patternsand trims to make you more
desirable to employers.
Understand the science
behind maintaining healthy skin
and coats for dogs.
Master canine communication skills and learn how to make the grooming process more enriching.
Why Aspiring Dog Groomers Choose
The Academy of Pet Careers
Hands-On Learning
Every class takes place in a live, working grooming environment. From your first day, you're working with real dogs, building the muscle memory, confidence, and adaptability that no textbook can replicate.
Small Class Sizes
Our low student-to-instructor ratios ensure you receive individualized guidance tailored to your goals. With a maximum of 15 students per class, every learner receives direct attention from expert instructors.
Modern & Optimized Curriculum
The pet care world is constantly evolving, and so is our curriculum. We continuously update our programs to reflect the latest trends, techniques, and professional standards in the grooming industry.
Financial Aid
APC is approved by multiple funding organizations. Our admissions team will guide you through every possible financial aid option. We firmly believe cost should never stand between you and your calling.
Dual Certifications
APC students can pursue certifications across multiple disciplines within the same institution. A dual certification broadens professional experience, improves marketability, and increases earning potential.
Set Up for Success
Every element of our program is catered towards your professional success. The curriculum, instructor, facility, and support systems in place all exist to ensure you graduate prepared to excel.
Job Support & Business Resources
Our commitment to your success doesn't end at graduation. You'll graduate with access to our network of hiring partners, career resources, and guidance for launching your own grooming business.
Job Ready in Just Weeks
Our accelerated programs are structured for efficiency without sacrificing depth. Whether you complete our 6-week or 20-week grooming programs, you'll graduate ready to enter the industry.
100% Money Back Guarantee
Our money back guarantee is also known as our “drop window”. It is a 14 calendar-day period at the beginning of a program that allows students to be sure that they have picked out the perfect program for them.
We stand behind the value of all the programs we offer. That's why every new student is protected by APC's 14-day satisfaction guarantee — a full tuition refund window (excluding equipment costs and deposit) at the start of each program, with no questions asked. If for any reason the program isn't the right fit, your investment is protected. Enroll with complete confidence.
What Our Certified Graduates Say About Their
Dog Grooming Training at The Academy of Pet Careers
Jessica Durst
Highly recommended!
I completed the Professional Grooming program, and I just have to say Jan and Jackie were great teachers! Attentive, willing to help, and always supporting their students. Not only will you learn from them, but the other groomers that work there too! I only went part-time, and Jenny was completely understanding and willing to accommodate my schedule. I also suggest Read Moreeveryone take the Pet Empowerment Program with Jody. You will be hard-pressed to meet another person with as much knowledge as she has on animal behavior. Thank you to everyone at APC for all of the support you have shown your students!
Olivia Meylor
One of the best decisions of my life!
If you’re looking to jumpstart your career in the grooming industry, APC is the best way to start! The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, it’s extremely hands-on, and the environment is great! Throughout your time here, you will have plenty of opportunities to work with all different kinds of breeds of all temperaments allowing you to gain the experience needed to be successful Read Morein the real world! If you truly have a passion and love for animals you will excel in this program! Attending APC has been one of the best decisions of my life!
Kristi Nosbisch
Two thumbs up!
I went to APC for PEP and Professional Grooming. This school exceeded my expectations!! The atmosphere is positive and welcoming! Everyone from admin to employees to instructors to maintenance is incredibly nice and helpful!! They couldn't have better instructors!! I'm 100% confident in opening my own grooming business after attending APC! Two thumbs up!!!
Pet Companies That Hire Our Students
6,000+
Active pet groomer job listings
(Indeed)
50,000
Expected employment change by 2034
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
11%
Projected job growth by 2034
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Dog Grooming Curriculum That Builds The Expertise,
Credentials, and Competence to Launch a Lasting Grooming Career
Bather/Brusher Class
Safety & Handling
Canine Communication Skills
The Science of Skin and Coat
Drying Principles
Brushing and Combing
Canine Anatomy
Nail Care
Tooth Brushing
Scent Glands
Ear Cleaning
Common Emergencies
Pet First Aid & CPR
If you want to learn how to groom animals then this is the place to go. I have been here less than a month and I can’t believe how much I have learned!
The teachers here are patient and amazing at what they do. They make you feel comfortable and confident. If you love animals and want to make a living working with them, then this is the place to come and learn everything that you’ll need to know.
Preston Lee Gillam
I took the Professional Groomer course over the summer and fall of 2017, and cannot recommend it highly enough. The staff is friendly, professional and genuinely interested in preparing their students for careers in working with animals.
I had a job lined up before beginning the course, but if you don’t they will work to help find you a landing spot. They also make themselves available for graduates to ask for advice in their careers.
If you’re interested in a career working with companion animals, APC is the place to start.
Jeffrey Trotter
Professional Groomer Class
Everything in Bather/Brusher
The Groomer’s Toolkit
Basic & Adv. Scissoring
Puppy, Kennel, and Outline Trims
Breed Standards
Breed Specific Trims
Head and Face Styles
Ear Shapes and Styles
Feet Types and Styles
Tail Types and Styles
Geometrics/Angles
Corrective Grooming
Ergonomics
Common Zoonotic Diseases
Salon Sanitation
Bather/Brusher Class
Safety & Handling
Canine Communication Skills
The Science of Skin and Coat
Drying Principles
Brushing and Combing
Canine Anatomy
Nail Care
Tooth Brushing
Scent Glands
Ear Cleaning
Common Emergencies
Pet First Aid & CPR
If you want to learn how to groom animals then this is the place to go. I have been here less than a month and I can’t believe how much I have learned!
The teachers here are patient and amazing at what they do. They make you feel comfortable and confident. If you love animals and want to make a living working with them, then this is the place to come and learn everything that you’ll need to know.
Preston Lee Gillam
Professional Groomer Class
The Groomer’s Toolkit
Basic & Adv. Scissoring
Puppy, Kennel, and Outline Trims
Breed Standards
Breed Specific Trims
Head and Face Styles
Ear Shapes and Styles
Feet Types and Styles
Tail Types and Styles
Geometrics/Angles
Corrective Grooming
Ergonomics
Common Zoonotic Diseases
Salon Sanitation
I took the Professional Groomer course over the summer and fall of 2017, and cannot recommend it highly enough. The staff is friendly, professional and genuinely interested in preparing their students for careers in working with animals.
I had a job lined up before beginning the course, but if you don’t they will work to help find you a landing spot. They also make themselves available for graduates to ask for advice in their careers.
If you’re interested in a career working with companion animals, APC is the place to start.
Jeffrey Trotter
Why In-Person Training
Produces Better Dog Groomers
Hands-on courses are more personalized and comprehensive, offering maximum value for your time.
Live courses are customizable to your unique learning style. Everybody learns at their own pace and no one gets left behind.
You learn from experienced grooming professionals who know what it takes to succeed in the industry.
Interactive classwork makes learning more enjoyable, and therefore, more memorable.
You learn in a positive and friendly environment with a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for pets.
What Makes APC's Dog Grooming School Unique
We offer dual certification opportunities for you to study multiple trades: dog training, pet grooming, and vet assisting. This offers added job stability and increased income potential.
Our pet grooming training is designed to set the students up for success. We focus on teaching you the skills you need to excel in your desired career.
Graduates get access to valuable job placement and career resources, including entrepreneurial guidance for starting your own dog grooming business.
You learn from experts with over 30 years of experience in the pet industry. Our instructors are accomplished professionals who know what it's like to be in your shoes.
We offer extremely flexible class schedules to fit all kinds of lifestyles. Become a certified dog groomer by learning part-time or full-time, 2-5 times a week, for 6 to 20 weeks.
Our grooming programs have met the standards of the Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) under the World Pet Association’s (WPA). This credential was the only standard set in the United States to regulate the quality of education and standards in the grooming industry. We are proud to have been one of the first schools in the nation to be deemed a Professional Grooming Credentialing Institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Academy of Pet Careers in Action
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