Becoming a Petco Certified Groomer

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Petco's Certified Pet Stylists

Petco groomers not only love what they do, they are trained to the highest standards and must successfully complete an 800-hour, 20-week course for certification.

Weeks 1-2

Online training focused on safety and salon standards
In-salon observation
No hands-on experiences with pets

Weeks 3-4

Learn proper bathing and drying techniques
Learn how to brush different types of fur, cut nails and clean ears
Learn about customer engagement including 7-point Pet Care Check
Begin bathing dogs with supervision

Weeks 5-8

Expand training by learning techniques for various coat types and lengths
Continue bathing dogs and building guest relationships

Weeks 9-14

Hands-on training with a Petco-certified mentor
Training focusing on clipping, different breed patterns and scissoring

Weeks 15-19

Perfect the art of pet styling
Complete minimum of 100 grooming services under supervision

Week 20

Must pass haircutting services for sporting dog, terrier and poodle
Evaluate the different trims with different coat types

Safety is our No. 1 priority

Your pet's health and well-being are at the center of everything we do. Our stylists are well-versed in dog behaviors and the safety of your pet. They are trained on proper handling, how to recognize signs of stress and what to recommend as the safest choices and products for your pet.

The grooming experience

Our stylists are trained to give each guest the highest level of service, whether your pet needs a quick trim or a total transformation. Your pet's grooming journey should look a bit like this:

Personalized check-in

Including our 7-point Pet Care Check* with customized product recommendations. We may refer pets to the veterinarian first if something doesn't look quite right.

Brushing, clipping, ear cleaning and nail trimming.

Your pet will receive a thorough bath and blow-dry, and a customized trim if your pet needs a haircut, by our trained groomers to best suit their hair type and lifestyle.

Handwritten report card.

We'll let you know how your pet's experience went at the Grooming Salon, and recommend the best times to visit again for a full groom or in-between services. We can book recurring appointments to keep it simple!

Simply put:

We love what we do

No two pets are the same, and no two grooming appointments should be, either. Our groomers ask lots of question to ensure that we're providing the best products and services for your pet's needs.

We customize haircuts to your pet's lifestyle

We have many options to choose from based on your pets breed, skin and coat type. For double-coated breeds, we have extra brushing and our Shed Less package. For long-coated breeds, a little extra TLC is needed to keep their flowing locks healthy, and the different types of styles and trims we can do are endless based on the lifestyle of you and your pets.

We make sure your pet is safe by using:

Hydraulic tables to lower for big dogs and raise for smaller dogs
Ramps or steps to get into the tubs — we can even bathe giant dogs on the floor
Comfortable and safe kennels that pets can walk into
We have several ways to dry your pet, including non-kennel dryers

PETCO GROOMING
CERTIFICATION PROCESS