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Academy of Grooming: Programs

Why Choose CiCis Pet Parlor and Academy of Grooming

  • Experienced, knowledgeable professionals

  • Supportive and encouraging environment

  • Focus on safety, skill and confidence

  • Locally owned and community-focused

  • Passion for pets and education

Diploma Granting Program

Professional Dog Grooming & Styling Program

Diploma Granting Program

Program Description

The Professional Dog Grooming & Styling Program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to gain employment as professional bathers, groomers, and stylists. The program combines online theory-based coursework with onsite practical application, preparing students for entry into the grooming industry with confidence and professional competence.

 

Students first complete ten online courses covering canine foundations, health, coat science, safety, styling, and salon practices. Each course is structured for flexible pacing (approx. 1–4 weeks each). After completing the theory, students transition into three onsite practical application courses, where they master technical grooming and styling procedures under professional supervision.

 

 

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate safe and compassionate handling of pets during all grooming procedures.
     

  • Apply knowledge of canine history, behavior, temperament, and training methods in a salon environment.
     

  • Identify and explain external anatomy and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive, reproductive, urinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems of the dog.
     

  • Recognize canine body types, skull types, head types, feet types, tail types, coat types, and color types.
     

  • Understand nutrition, vaccinations, common medical conditions, inherited disorders, and internal/external parasites.
     

  • Recognize AKC breeds, their origins, breed-specific traits, and styling standards.
     

  • Apply first aid and CPR for dogs in emergency situations.
     

  • Demonstrate salon organization, sanitation, client relations, and professional image.
     

  • Execute technical grooming skills including nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, anal gland expression, bathing, drying, brushing, combing, carding, hand stripping, clipping, scissoring, and thinning.
     

Apply advanced styling procedures including creating shapes, balance, symmetry, breed profiles, pattern lines, blending, and finishing techniques.

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Online Theory Courses

Understanding Man's Best Friend

  • Form and Function of Man's Best Friend 

  • Taking Care of Man's Best Friend

  • First Aid & CPR for Man's Best Friend

  • Who’s Who in Man’s Best Friend

  • Variations & Creations of Man’s Best Friend

  • Salon for Man’s Best Friend

  • Bathing Man’s Best Friend

  • Grooming Man’s Best Friend

  • Styling Man’s Best Friend

 

This program includes required online coursework delivered as self-directed independent study.

In accordance with Colorado Private Occupational School (DPOS) clock-hour regulations, time spent in online independent study does not count toward the program’s required total clock hours. Completion of all assigned online coursework is mandatory for program completion.

 

Onsite Practical Courses

  • Bathing Basics 

  • Grooming Basics 

  • Styling Basics

Certificate Programs

Bathing Basics Certificate Program

Certificate Granting Program

Course Description

This course provides the practical application of technical skills learned in the online program Bathing, Grooming, and Styling Man’s Best Friend. Students gain hands-on training in bathing, brushing, drying, and related coat-care techniques for multiple coat types while reinforcing safety, sanitation, and salon management protocols.

 

Students enrolling in this course independently will pay the listed individual tuition rate. Students enrolling through the Diploma Program receive the bundled tuition rate published in the Tuition & Fees section.

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Course Objectives

Students will master the following technical procedures:

  • Care of the ears, eyes, nose, and feet

  • Bathing techniques

  • Drying techniques

  • Brushing methods

  • Carding

  • Hand stripping

  • Clippering

  • Scissoring

  • Thinning
     

Students will also learn the following salon procedures:

  • Safe and gentle handling of pets during all technical procedures

  • Salon organization and sanitation

  • Proper salon operating procedures

Grooming Basics Certificate Program

Certificate Granting Program

Course Description

This onsite course builds upon the skills learned in Bathing Basics and introduces students to the fundamentals of styling. Students gain hands-on experience in creating shapes, balance, symmetry, basic pattern lines, and blending techniques that form the foundation of professional grooming and styling. Emphasis is also placed on salon safety, sanitation, and organization for both pets and professionals. Students will work with grooming equipment, tools, and products safely while learning to establish and maintain proper sanitation and workflow systems.

 

Students enrolling in this course independently will pay the listed individual tuition rate. Students enrolling through the Diploma Program receive the bundled tuition rate published in the Tuition & Fees section.

 

 

Course Objectives

Students will master the following technical procedures:

  • Creating shapes in grooming design

  • Establishing balance and symmetry

  • Applying basic pattern lines

  • Executing pattern blending techniques
     

Students will also learn the following salon procedures:

  • Safe and gentle handling of pets during all technical procedures

  • Salon organization and sanitation

  • Proper salon operating procedures

Styling Basics Certificate Program

Certificate Granting Program

Course Description

This onsite course advances the practical grooming foundation by focusing on styling fundamentals. Building upon the skills learned in Bathing Basics and Grooming Basics, students will practice creating shapes, balance, symmetry, pattern lines, and blending techniques. Emphasis is placed on professional styling principles while ensuring salon safety, sanitation, and proper workflow. Students will also gain in-depth knowledge of equipment, tool, and product safety, along with best practices for sanitation, organization, and equipment maintenance.

 

Students enrolling in this course independently will pay the listed individual tuition rate. Students enrolling through the Diploma Program receive the bundled tuition rate published in the Tuition & Fees section.

 

 

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Create basic shapes used in professional pet styling
     

  • Demonstrate balance and symmetry in grooming design
     

  • Apply foundational pattern lines across multiple coat types
     

  • Blend pattern lines and shapes to achieve clean, professional finishes
     

  • Use grooming tools and equipment safely and correctly during styling procedures
     

  • Perform styling services while maintaining animal comfort and safety
     

  • Apply proper sanitation and infection-control practices in the salon environment
     

  • Demonstrate professional salon procedures, including organization, time management, and workflow
     

  • Complete a full styling service that meets entry-level professional standards

PENDING APPROVAL by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.

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