24/09/2026
We get asked all the time which course is the right one to choose — 5 days, 15 days or the full 30-day Diploma? And honestly, it’s not quite as simple as picking the shortest one and thinking you'll be a pro in 5 days!
So, rather than answering the same questions over and over (although we do love a good dog grooming chat), we’ve put together a blog covering everything you need to know about choosing the right course, what the training actually involves, practical experience, what happens after you qualify and the different routes you can take into the industry.
We’ve even included the honest bit about what happens after training — because qualifying is one thing, but what you do with those skills afterwards is where things get interesting.
Basically… you asked, we answered. 🐾
Here’s a little excerpt from the blog to get you started, and you can read the full article in the link at the bottom. Happy reading!
Choosing the Right Course and Planning Your Career
Thinking about becoming a professional dog groomer? Whether you’re considering a complete career change, looking for a hands-on career working with animals, or dreaming of eventually opening your own dog grooming salon, choosing the right training is an important first step.
There are several different dog grooming courses available, from short introductory 5 courses to more comprehensive 15 or 30 day Level 3 qualifications. You might be asking yourself; what is the right course length for me? There’s a long and a short answer to this. The short answer is this: Every student’s experience, abilities and journeys are different.
Dog grooming is a physically skilled job and takes time and lots of practice to perfect your skills. You may watch people online who make it look easy and that’s because their professionals. They’ve put in countless hours of practice to develop their handling and knowledge around the topic to make it seem effortless.
While we teach all of our students the same fundamental skills, techniques and knowledge needed to complete their qualification and pass their assessment, the level of confidence, speed, creativity and technical ability they develop during their training can vary. Some people are complete beginners and have no experience using grooming scissors or clippers so require more time to develop the fundamentals. Some students have more prior experience of grooming their own dog so have the basics figured out. Others naturally find certain aspects of grooming easier, while some may need more time and repetition to develop those skills.
Your motivation, willingness to learn, the time you put into practicing and your confidence can all influence how quickly you progress. Ultimately, you get out what you put in. Completing the qualification gives you the foundation you need to start your career, but the level of skill and experience you develop beyond those fundamentals can influence the opportunities available to you afterwards. Some students may feel ready to seek employment in a busy salon, while others may benefit from gaining additional experience before progressing to greater independence or considering self-employment. There is no single route or timescale that is right for everyone — your personality, confidence, aptitude, attitude to learning and commitment to developing your skills will all play a part in shaping your individual journey.
The right option for you will depend on your long-term goals and how much practical experience you want to gain.
At Underdog Training Academy, we train students who want to develop the skills and confidence to work professionally within the dog grooming industry. Now, here’s the longer answer to what you need to know before choosing your course and planning your next steps...
Keep reading: https://bit.ly/choosingtherightcourse
