Does the world of animals appeal to you?
Do you want to change careers or make a professional transition?
Are you patient and skilled with your hands?
Happy Dog Day Spa ACADEMY teaches you the grooming profession in 6 months!
A groomer provides maintenance care (detangling, shampoo, application of pest control products, etc.) and aesthetic care (cutting, clipping, hair removal, etc.) of pets. In general, grooming enhances the animal by giving it a specific and functional look according to its breed.
Our training for pet groomers in 6 months
Happy Dog Day Spa offers a high-level training program focused on technical excellence, personalized learning, and real-world salon immersion. Thanks to our mentorship system (“buddy program”), each student is paired with a dedicated, active professional trainer two days a week for six months.
This exceptional course, combining both practical and theoretical components, will allow you to develop strong skills, a professional outlook, and true expertise in the art of grooming. Upon completion of the program, students may qualify for a 6-month advanced internship in one of our salons, depending on their performance.
The grooming training will take place directly at our Happy Dog Spa centers (Nyon, Chavannes-de-Bogis, Thônex, Fribourg, Lausanne), where you will benefit from both theoretical and practical instruction with our industry professionals.
To enroll in this grooming program, you must have completed your mandatory schooling or hold an equivalent official qualification.
Make your natural abilities shine
Manual skill
Precision
Hygiene and cleanliness
Commercial sense
Aestetic sense
Patience
Why Happy Dog Academy training specifically?
Build solid foundations in grooming
The recognized quality training that reflects the expertise of Happy Dog Day Spa salons.
Fast and friendly progress in a small group of up to 7 students.
State-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure.
The training certificate opens up employment opportunities in French-speaking Switzerland.
Open up to the vast world of pets
Understand canine psychology with our introduction to dog behavior.
Discover a rich world around dogs with our outings in dog competitions or kennels.
Training in the sale of canine and feline accessories.
Employment opportunities at the end of the program in one of our salons in French-speaking Switzerland.
THE TRAINING CONTENT IN DETAIL
Our training program is structured into modules. The details of each module are outlined below:
1. Professional Grooming Techniques
- Tool Mastery: Learn to use scissors, clippers, stripping knives, and specialized combs with precision and confidence.
- Cutting Methods: Develop skills in scissor work, clipping, hand-stripping, and coat shaping.
- Advanced Techniques: Explore creative grooming styles such as Asian Fusion, Teddy Cut, and competition-level grooming.
- Bathing Systems: Understand how to select and apply products based on coat type, manage water temperature, and use specialized shampoos.
- Drying Techniques: Learn the differences between hand drying, brushing while drying, and cage drying—when and how to use each method safely and effectively.
- Complete Hygiene: Master essential care routines including ear cleaning, nail trimming, and anal gland expression.
- Stress Management & Safe Handling: Acquire techniques for calming and safely managing dogs of all temperaments during grooming sessions.
2. Health Knowledge & Dermatology
- Common Skin Conditions: Identify frequent dermatological issues such as dermatitis, pyoderma, ringworm, and mange.
- External Parasites: Learn to detect fleas and ticks, and understand the basics of preventive treatments.
- Recognizing Warning Signs: Spot signs of pain, stress, or underlying health problems during grooming sessions.
- Adapting Grooming to Health Needs: Modify techniques and routines according to the animal’s health condition to ensure safety and comfort.
- Coat & Skin Health: Understand how proper grooming supports overall skin and coat wellness.
- Product Selection: Use the appropriate care products for sensitive or affected skin.
- Groomer’s Role in Health Monitoring: Know your limits and when to refer to a veterinarian.
3. Breed Study & Coat Types
- Identification of Breed Standards: Learn to recognize the grooming standards for both dogs and cats, including breed-specific cuts and styles.
- Adapting Grooming to Coat Types: Tailor grooming techniques based on coat textures such as short, long, curly, double-coated, or silky fur.
- Feline Grooming Specifics: Master the special techniques required for cat grooming, including safe handling, recognizing risks, and using the correct tools and methods.
- Breed-Specific Grooming for Dogs & Cats: Understand how to adapt grooming methods to suit the individual needs of different breeds, ensuring the coat remains healthy and well-maintained.
- Challenges in Feline Grooming: Learn to deal with common issues in cats, such as matting and stress management during grooming sessions.
4. Animal Behavior & Well-being
- Reading Body Language & Warning Signals: Learn to interpret canine and feline body language to identify signs of stress, anxiety, fear, or aggression.
- Creating a Calm & Safe Environment: Establish a serene, stress-free atmosphere in the grooming space to ensure pets feel secure throughout the grooming process.
- Building Trust with Anxious or Aggressive Pets: Use gentle handling, positive reinforcement, and patience to gain the trust of animals with behavioral challenges, including those who are fearful or aggressive.
- Recognizing Emotional Needs: Understand the emotional state of the animal and adjust your approach to meet their needs, ensuring a positive experience.
- Safe Grooming Practices: Develop techniques to handle animals carefully, especially those that may not be comfortable with the grooming process, ensuring their well-being is maintained.
5. Client Relationship & Salon Management
- Client Reception & Needs Assessment: Learn how to greet clients warmly, conduct thorough consultations, and create detailed records to track each pet’s grooming needs and preferences.
- Follow-up & Retention: Develop strategies for building client loyalty, offering post-grooming advice, and ensuring customer satisfaction to encourage repeat business.
- Hygiene, Safety & Salon Organization: Understand the importance of maintaining a clean and safe salon environment, with proper equipment storage, sanitation, and safety protocols.
- Introduction to Salon Management: Learn the basics of scheduling, managing grooming equipment, and ensuring the profitability of the salon through efficient operations.
- Time Management & Financial Planning: Get insights into creating a practical work schedule, managing salon resources, and understanding the financial aspects of running a successful grooming business.
6. Monthly Theoretical Training (with Elizabeth, Theory Expert)
- Breeds & Morphology: Study the physical traits and grooming requirements of various dog and cat breeds, focusing on how their unique morphologies affect grooming needs and techniques.
- Applied Dermatology: Delve deeper into skin health, common dermatological issues, and how they impact grooming practices. Learn how to address specific skin conditions while grooming.
- Cutting Standards & Anatomy: Understand the importance of breed-specific grooming styles, anatomical knowledge, and how they influence cutting techniques and the overall grooming process.
- Professional Techniques & Tools: Gain a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques used by professional groomers, from scissors to clippers, and the science behind their optimal use.
- Client Management & Commercial Aspects: Learn the business side of grooming, including how to effectively manage client relationships, pricing, marketing strategies, and running a profitable salon.
How to enroll in Happy Dog Academy
Why choose Happy Dog Day Spa ?
- Personalized guidance by active professionals
- Hands-on learning in real-world conditions
- Comprehensive training covering all aspects of the profession
- Access to 5 exceptional salons with unique atmospheres and clientele
- Recognized certification leading to concrete job opportunities
- Post-training internship opportunities available at our establishments
Join a passionate profession where every day is different, and you contribute to animal well-being with skill, gentleness, and style. Your future starts here!
Next session: From September 15, 2025, to March 13, 2026
Strictly limited spots – exclusive experience
This training program is offered in an exclusive edition, with a deliberately limited number of places to ensure high-quality, personalized support. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join the new generation of professional groomers trained to the highest standards of French-speaking Switzerland.
Contact us now!
Each person and journey is unique. Elisabeth will help you determine if this training is right for you and will guide you throughout the enrollment process.
Information and registration
079 431 5633 or genovardoelisabeth@gmail.com. Documents required for enrollment: CV, copy of ID.
Start of next course
15th Septembre 2025
Cost
Complete 6 month training costs CHF 12’900 (deposit to confirm CHF 2'600)
After your exam
You will obtain our diploma
Location
Happy Dog Day Spa
(Nyon, Chavannes-de-Bogis, Thônex, Fribourg, Lausanne)
2 days per week, from 9:00 to 18:00
Included in couse
Theory and practice
