On-Site Groomer Training Program
Bring Rio Grooming’s professional training directly to your salon—customized for your team.
Program Details
Our training programs offer flexible location options to suit your needs. Training can be conducted on-site at your facility using your own client model dogs, or at Rio Grooming School, where we provide model dogs for hands-on experience. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion based on graded practical applications, demonstrating their skills and knowledge. Each program is fully customizable to align with your team’s specific goals and needs. Our courses are led by highly skilled instructors with extensive industry experience, ensuring a comprehensive and professional learning experience.
Why Choose Rio Grooming?
As a Minnesota state-licensed trade school, Rio Grooming brings credibility and a track record of proven results to every training session. Our professional certification adds meaningful value to groomers’ résumés and enhances your salon’s reputation. We also offer flexible training options, including recurring annual programs designed to support continuous improvement and long-term growth for your grooming team.
Bather & Brusher Course (2 Days, 8 hours per day)
The Bather & Brusher Course is designed for grooming assistants and bathers responsible for bathing, brushing, nail trims, ear cleaning, and coat maintenance for short-haired dogs or those receiving inbetween trims (face, feet, sanitary). This course provides hands-on training with dogs, combined with classroom instruction, to ensure students gain the technical skills and confidence needed to provide high-quality bathing services.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Properly bathe and dry dogs based on coat type and condition
• Identify common skin and coat conditions and select the appropriate shampoos and conditioners
• Safely handle and restrain dogs to ensure a stress-free grooming experience
• Trim nails and clean ears safely and effectively
• Understand salon workflow, client communication, and customer service essentials
• Perform basic sanitary trims for client dogs needing maintenance
Students are assessed through a combination of written quizzes and hands-on practical exams to ensure comprehensive understanding and skill development. Throughout the course, multiple-choice and short-answer quizzes help reinforce key concepts. Practical exams evaluate essential grooming techniques, including bathing, drying, nail trimming, and brushing. The final assessment includes both a written and a hands-on performance evaluation. To receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must achieve a passing grade of 80% or higher.
Basics of Grooming Course (4 days, 8 hours per day)
Course Description
This 4-day hands-on training program is designed for students with some grooming experience who wish to refine their clipper skills, scissoring techniques, and overall grooming efficiency. Students will work directly on model dogs while receiving classroom instruction to deepen their technical knowledge.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Perform proper prep work, including de-matting and de-shedding
• Use clippers effectively with appropriate blade and guard selections
• Execute scissoring techniques to refine styles
• Trim nails, clean ears, and complete paw pad maintenance
• Understand breed-specific grooming basics and modifications
• Apply salon efficiency techniques for better time management
Assessments & Grading
• Written Quizzes: Short quizzes on techniques, tools, and safety
• Practical Exams: Evaluations on grooming execution, clipper work, and finishing skills
• Final Assessment: Comprehensive hands-on and written exam Passing Grade: 85% or higher required to receive a Certificate of Completion
ADVANCED GROOMING COURSE (4 Days, 8 Hours Per Day)
Course Description
This advanced-level training program is designed for experienced groomers looking to perfect their craft in breed-specific trims, creative grooming, and advanced scissoring techniques. Students will work on high-level grooming assignments with instructor feedback.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Execute expert-level scissoring and finishing techniques
• Perform breed-standard and modified trims with confidence
• Troubleshoot difficult coat types and apply corrective grooming techniques
• Understand advanced salon efficiency and time management
• Explore creative grooming styles (Asian Fusion, coloring, etc.)
Assessments & Grading
• Written Quizzes: In-depth questions on grooming styles and advanced techniques
• Practical Exams: Full grooming assessments based on breed standard styles
• Final Assessment: Hands-on grooming test on a model dog Passing Grade: 90% or higher required to receive a Certificate of Completion