Earn a dog grooming certification in just 5
months at our nationally-recognized dog grooming school
Choose from two comprehensive dog grooming
programs designed to set you up for success.
Get in-person training through our grooming
classes and leave a certified dog groomer.
Fast-track your way to a professional dog grooming certification
Attend dog grooming classes at our St. Louis campus 2 to 5 times a week
Get trained in dog grooming, as well as strategies for starting your own
pet grooming business
Learn more about how to
become a dog groomer today
Complete the form below to receive a free guide about our grooming programs.
In-person dog grooming school in
Missouri
The dog grooming school at The Academy of Pet Careers is one of the top rated schools in the area. There are many ways to become a dog groomer, but none of them as valuable and immersive as hands-on dog grooming courses. Our dog grooming training programs range from 6 weeks to 20 weeks, so you could be in your ‘fur-ever’ career in a matter of a few months.
Each dog grooming program is designed with your personal and professional goals in mind. Students may only go as far as learning maintenance grooming if they wish to work for a kennel or shelter. Others may desire to be professional pet stylists who can apply breed specific patterns, making them an asset to any salon. No matter your goal, you will learn the following through our pet grooming school:
Learn the core skills of bathing,
brushing, drying and trimming
Learn breed specific patterns
and trims to make you a more desirable to employers
Understand the science
behind a dog’s skin and coat and
how to keep them healthy
Master canine communication skills and learn how to make the grooming process more enriching
Why hundreds of students have
trusted The Academy of Pet Careers
for their dog grooming training
Hands-on learning
Our classes are all hands-on and simulates a real working
environment, ensuring you can jump right into the dog grooming industry from Day 1.
Small class sizes
You get one-on-one attention from instructors and career-specific
guidance that sets you up for success.
Modern & optimized curriculum
We constantly update and revise our curriculum in accordance with
the trends and demands in the pet industry.
Financial aid
We are approved by many organizations to help with school
expenses. Our admissions team helps you through the application
process.
Dual certifications
We offer dual certification opportunities for you to study multiple trades, giving you added job stability and increased income potential.
You are set up for success
Our programs are designed to set the students up for success. We focus on teaching you the skills you need to excel in your desired field.
Job assistance and resources to start
your own business
You benefit from a network of pet businesses and alumni to help you find your dream job. And if you want to start your own business, we provide all the needed supports and resources.
Job ready in just months
Our grooming classes are designed to move fast and give you valuable hands-on experience. Once complete, you’re ready to immediately use your new skills in 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 are so sure that you will be happy with your schooling that we offer a “Money Back Guarantee” to ensure your satisfaction. If for any reason you wish to discontinue your attendance at The Academy of Pet Careers, a full tuition refund will be issued (excluding equipment costs and the deposit) with no questions asked.
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
(Glassdoor)
$47,659
Average dog groomer salary
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
64,300
Expected employment change by 2033
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
15%
Projected job growth by 2033
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Dog grooming certifications that give you the skills and
experience to excel in a dog 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
The advantages you gain
with a hands-on dog grooming school
Hands-on courses are more personalized and comprehensive offering maximum value for your time.
Live courses can be customized to your learning style. Everybody learns at their own pace and we make sure no one is left behind.
You learn from experienced professionals in the industry who know how to teach and help you succeed.
They are more fun! You learn in a positive and friendly environment that consists of dog lovers such as yourself.
What makes the Academy of Pet Careers such a unique place to learn dog grooming?
In addition to a dog grooming certifications, we provide opportunities to study other pet trades, including : dog training, pet grooming, and vet assisting. This offers added job stability and increased income potential.
Our classes are designed to set the students up for success - we focus on teaching you the skills you need to excel in your desired career.
You job placement assistance and real applicable knowledge about starting your own dog grooming business. Nothing left to guesswork.
We offer variety of grooming classes so you can get certified in only 6 weeks or 5 months. Students with previous experience can test out of lower programs.
Our grooming programs have met the standards set by the World Pet Association’s (WPA) Professional Grooming Credentialing (PGC). The PGC is the only standard currently set in the United States that regulates the quality of education and standards in the grooming industry. We are proud to be one of the first schools in the nation to be approved by the PGC.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dog grooming school is an educational institution that offers structured in-person or online classes to teach individuals how to become professional pet groomers. Attending one can provide you with the knowledge, hands-on skills, and professional certification needed to pursue a career in dog grooming.
Our dog grooming school offers in-person classes focused on grooming pet dogs. There are different levels of training based on your career goals. You can get an entry level education and become a bather/brusher or continue your education to become a certified pet groomer.
Most dog grooming programs have minimal prerequisites, such as a high school diploma or equivalent. To attend a dog grooming program at the APC, you must be 18 years of age. No other experience is necessary.
The duration of dog grooming programs can vary. Most schools will have classes ranging from 6-weeks to 6 months, with a few exceptions. Length can be an important deciding factor, but shorter training programs will not provide the same level of proficiency as longer ones. At the APC, in-person programs range from 2 to 6 months long.
Certified pet groomers can work in various settings, including salons, pet hotels, animal shelters, or veterinary clinics. The demand for qualified pet groomers is generally high and the skills required to be a professional groomer translate well into any animal career.
There are currently no licensing requirements in the U.S. for professional dog groomers, but certification is still recommended. Receiving professional dog grooming training will put you a step ahead of your competition and make you more valuable to employers. Learn more about dog grooming licensing.
The cost of dog grooming classes can vary widely depending on the school, class type, location, and format. For in-person dog grooming classes, you should expect to pay between $5,000 and $20,000.
Hands-on programs provide practical dog grooming training, working with dogs in real-life situations, while online programs offer flexibility and self-paced learning. Your learning style, goals, funds for education, and availability will affect what will be the best dog grooming school for you.
As a graduate of The Academy of Pet Careers, you will earn a nationally recognized certification that proves that you met the high standard of proficiency set forth by the APC. Graduates will receive a badge and letters to represent your accomplishments and make you more marketable to clients.
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