Pet groomers specialize in providing pet care and hygiene.
They perform various services, including bathing animals, brushing, giving nail and hair trims, and cleaning the eyes and ears of pets.
They perform other services, like brushing pets’ teeth, and other services.
Pet groomers often work at pet stores, while others work in salons or at their own pet grooming business.
Some groomers help to style pets that participate in pet shows or in the competition industry.
People who want to become pet groomers need to complete a pet grooming program that prepares them to start working in the exciting, booming industry.
Some programs offer certifications, which means that future pet groomers need to know how to choose one of the best pet groomer programs.
Future pet groomers often prefer to complete an online program.
The complete guide to the best online pet groomer programs gives people the detailed information that they need to learn more about the pet groomer industry, obtain a certificate or certification, and choose the best online pet groomer program for their career interests.
Best Online Pet Groomer Training Programs
Online pet groomer training programs give people the option of completing a training program without attending in-person classes every day.
People learn in the comfort of their own home and can often complete the program on any device.
People who wonder if pet grooming is a good career for them should consider the fact that, in mid-2025, the pet grooming and boarding industries were expected to surpass $15 billion in revenue.
The increase in the number of pet owners, the fact that many people have more than one pet, and pet owners’ willingness to spend money on grooming services are among the reasons for the booming pet grooming industry.
The curriculum in online pet groomer training programs offers students the same courses as in a traditional setting.
They learn the same things and participate in various learning experiences.
Students need to check each program to know if they receive a certificate or a certification once they complete one of the best online pet groomer programs.
1. Groomers University
Groomers University offers a Groomers Bootcamp Certification course.
The program does not lead to an official certification from a professional agency.
People who complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion.
Students learn how to become a professional groomer by completing the four training modules.
The self-guided training modules include lessons and coursework on physiology, safety, the pet grooming industry, and business information.
Students have access to webinars, weekly workshops, and the online community.
The school offers a money-back guarantee on the $997 tuition.
2. QC Pet Studies
QC Pet Studies invites future groomers to get access to a free preview and learn about the many careers that they can pursue when they become dog groomers.
The company asks people who want to receive the preview to enter their email address to get it.
They explain that the course preview includes the curriculum for the Professional Dog Groomer course that offers graduates the opportunity to receive their International Dog Grooming Professional (IDGP) Certification.
The preview that future dog groomers receive also includes sample assignments and course videos.
The facility tells people who inquire about the program about the details of tuition and the Externship Track.
Students who enroll in the program receive a 36-piece dog groomer’s kit.
The tuition for the online track is $2,098 if paid in full.
Students who choose a payment plan pay a total of $2498.
The Externship Track tuition is $3,448 if paid in full, and $3,648 for students who opt for a payment plan.
3. Penn Foster
Learn how to be a dog and cat groomer by enrolling in the Penn Foster Pet and Dog Grooming School program.
The online program prepares students for careers working as pet groomers at pet stores, kennels, humane societies, or at veterinary clinics.
Most students complete the program on average in about five months.
Some students take longer or shorter times, which is okay since they can learn at their own pace.
Students learn about animal anatomy.
They learn about the behavior and personalities of pets.
They also gain basic knowledge and skills related to dog and cat grooming.
Students learn about the different breeds and coats of pets.
They also learn about the working group, the sporting group, the herding group, and other groups.
The program also gives students the knowledge they need for their own business.
They learn about customer service, bookkeeping, advertising, and how to set fees for pet grooming services.
The cost of the program is $699.
4. Paragon Pet School
Start a career as a dog groomer after completing the Online Professional Dog Groomer Certification program at the Paragon Pet School.
Students are assigned a mentor to coach them through the program.
Students work at their own pace, whether they enroll in the Groom Tech Certification program or the Pet Groomer Certification program.
Future dog groomers who enroll in the Pet Groomer Certification program gain intermediate skills to properly groom dogs.
Students learn through hands-on assignments and one-on-one feedback.
Some things covered in the coursework include pet handling skills, foundational scissors skills, basic head styling, and low-maintenance clipper trims.
The program gives students an introduction to dog health and nutrition, along with common illnesses, diseases, parasites, and vaccines.
People who enroll in the program receive video lessons, an online study guide, tracking journals, video lessons, and online practice quizzes and tests.
They also receive hands-on skills assignments with mentor assessment.
The tuition for the program, with the processing fee, is $1,299.
5. National Cat Groomers Institute
Pet groomers sometimes want to work with certain animals.
Although several of the best online pet groomer programs focus on dogs, the National Cat Groomers Institute offers people the chance to learn how to become professional cat groomers.
One program offered at the school is the Cat Grooming Basics Course.
The school staff indicates that it is the foundation for feline success.
Students gain core knowledge and skills in things like the tools and equipment used, bathing and drying cats, de-shedding, and belly and sanitary shaves.
Learn the course material with new videos and demonstrations.
The tuition for this program is $397.
The tuition for the Complete Cat Groomer Training Syllabus is $1,197.
Go from having little to no knowledge of being a cat groomer to being an in-demand feline groomer.
Students receive more than 20 online courses, two digital textbooks, video demonstrations, and study aids for all exams.
They also receive lifetime access to all content.
Students who enroll in this course learn how to study for and pass all four written CFMG exams.
The cost of the program is $1,197.
6. Groomadog
The Groomadog Online Dog Groomers Course prepares groomers who can groom any of 200 breeds of dogs.
Students learn through courses that include instruction on breed recognition and anatomy, bathing, drying, and finishing.
They also learn about clipping and scissoring, dog grooming tools and equipment, skin disorders, and ear care.
The comprehensive course prepares dog groomers to work in various settings.
The tuition for the program, which students have 12 weeks to complete, is $999.
7. Animal Behavior College
Animal Behavior College staff explains that the college combines its comprehensive online dog grooming curriculum with real-world experience.
Students gain a strong foundation in the field of dog grooming and progress through the courses.
They receive a 30-piece grooming kit when they enroll in and pay for the course.
They also complete a 150-hour externship, where they are partnered with a professional groomer.
Some of the courses in the program include Introduction to Pet Grooming, Pet Groomer’s Toolkit, Canine Health, Bathing, Brushing, and Drying, and Cat Grooming.
Students may also complete Breed Profiles and Mixed Breed Styling, Clipper Use and Scissors Control, Safety, and Building a Pet Grooming Career.
The program’s tuition starts at $3,499.
What Courses Are in an Online Pet Groomer Program?
The courses that are in an online pet groomer program vary with the school.
The courses that students find in the program also depend on the type of program.
Some pet grooming programs focus on basic skills and techniques, while others focus on advanced skills and business operations.
Introductory courses give students insight into things like basic grooming techniques, tools, and styling techniques.
Some other courses usually cover different types of breeds, diseases and illnesses, and vaccines.
Students who enroll in an intermediate or advanced level pet grooming program usually have completed some dog grooming courses or have worked in the industry.
They include coursework in areas like scissoring, canine health, diseases, and vaccines.
They also learn about the business side of running a pet grooming business.
Can You Earn a Pet Grooming Certification Entirely Online?
The first thing that people who want to become pet groomers should know is that not all schools and training institutes that offer pet grooming programs online offer certification options.
Many pet grooming schools give students a career diploma or a Certificate of Completion.
A certificate of completion or a career diploma is not the same as a certification.
Dog groomer certifications do not come from the school staff.
Students must meet certain requirements that certify them as professional dog groomers.
One example of a certification that dog groomers may get is the National Certified Master Groomer, which is issued to dog groomers who have demonstrated their knowledge, grooming abilities, and techniques.
They must meet the highest industry standards.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) also offers a Master Groomer Certification.
Dog groomers who want to earn this credential must take tests to earn the certification.
The online test evaluates the groomer in areas like canine structure, coat type identification, AKC breed identification, AKC group names, and other areas of evaluation.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Pet Groomer Certification Online?
Students who complete an online pet groomer program are likely to quickly realize that earning a pet grooming certification requires mastering several skills, including the types of breeds, grooming techniques, and understanding the business of pet grooming.
The time that it takes to earn a pet groomer certification depends on the length of the online pet groomer program, demonstrating their knowledge and expertise, and the ability of the person to meet the highest standards of dog grooming.
Some people complete their online pet grooming program within a couple of months, while others need up to a year to complete their work.
How Much Does an Online Pet Groomer Certification Cost?
The cost of an online pet groomer certification varies, based on the length of the program and other factors.
Some pet grooming schools and training institutes include the cost of sitting for a certification exam in their tuition.
Some other programs either do not offer a certification or do not pay for students to sit for the certification exam.
Students need to check each school to see if it includes the cost of taking the certification exam in their tuition.
Summary
Pet grooming is a rapidly growing industry.
Some reasons include the fact that more people own pets than in previous years, people own more than one pet, and people often do not mind paying the costs associated with taking their pets to a professional groomer.
Online pet roomer programs vary in length, cost, and outcome for students.
Some pet grooming programs offer students the opportunity to sit for a certification.
Many schools that offer online pet groomer programs give students a certificate that indicates that they have completed the program.
The best online pet groomer programs feature courses that give students the knowledge and skills that they need to have a successful pet grooming career.
The curriculum often includes hands-on activities or additional opportunities, such as externships.
The cost of online pet groomer programs can vary quite a bit between pet groomer schools and programs.
Some programs cost a few hundred dollars, while others cost a few thousand dollars.
Future pet groomers should review program costs carefully to see if there are extra fees or costs for things like tools or supplies, or additional courses.
