Professional Dog Groomer Training Program

Under the expert guidance of cynologist, breeder and dog show exhibitor Anja Matić Butara and Marija Barber

Have you always wanted to become a professional dog groomer or enhance your existing knowledge through practical training? We invite you to join our professional training program, designed to provide participants with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and, above all, practical skills required to work independently as a professional dog groomer.

The program is based on the many years of practical experience of mentors Anja Matić Butara and Marija Barber, who have successfully worked for many years in the field of professional dog grooming, groomer education, and collaboration with internationally recognized experts. In this program, they have combined the knowledge gained through everyday salon work, professional education at home and abroad, and practical methods they use when working with a wide variety of breeds and coat types.

The goal of the program is not only to present grooming techniques, but also to systematically prepare participants for independent work in a professional grooming salon, develop proper working habits, a professional approach to animals, and confidence when working with different dog breeds.

Program Duration

November 2 – November 14, 2026

Location

Anja and Mimi SPA Salon
Savlje 87
1000 Ljubljana

The total duration of the program is 100 hours of intensive training, including:

* 10 hours of professional theory
* 90 hours of practical training

The program is conducted as an intensive, almost full-day course, with the emphasis on direct work with the mentors and practical mastery of all essential professional grooming procedures.

Individual Approach – The Foundation of Quality Education

Unlike many group training programs, the salon will be completely closed to clients and regular business during the program.

This means that the entire team will devote their full attention exclusively to the participants. Without clients, time pressure, or interruptions, we will be able to dedicate sufficient time to every participant for explanations, demonstrations of individual techniques, correcting mistakes, and individual mentoring.

We believe that a skilled groomer cannot be trained simply by watching demonstrations. Knowledge is developed through practical work, repetition, continuous corrections, and direct communication with the mentor.

For this reason, the number of participants is limited, as we wish to maintain a high standard of education and provide every individual with maximum support throughout the entire program.

Program Content

The program covers the complete professional dog grooming process – from the first contact with the dog to the dog’s final presentation after grooming.

Theoretical Part

The theoretical part includes:

• basics of canine anatomy and structure,
• understanding different coat types,
• coat growth cycle,
• proper selection of professional grooming cosmetics,
• workplace hygiene and safety,
• groomer ergonomics,
• professional salon organization,
• communication with dog owners,
• dog intake and client consultation,
• recognizing skin and coat conditions,
• basics of equipment hygiene and tool maintenance.
• Practical Part

As many as 90 hours of the program are dedicated to intensive practical training.

Each participant will perform individual grooming procedures under the guidance of the mentors on different dogs and various coat types.

Practical training includes:

• proper dog handling,
• preparing the dog for grooming,
• bathing using professional techniques,
• proper selection and use of shampoos and conditioners,
• drying different coat types,
• brushing and detangling,
• removing dead coat,
• working with professional clippers and guide combs,
• scissor grooming techniques,
• body shaping,
• hand stripping,
• finishing and final detailing,
• preparing the dog for a professional salon finish,
• working with different dog breeds.

Throughout the program, we will work with a wide variety of breeds representing different coat types.

Participants will become familiar with the specific characteristics of individual breeds, proper grooming techniques, and different approaches depending on coat texture, the dog’s temperament, and the owner’s preferences.

We will cover breeds from A to Z, enabling participants to gain a broad range of practical experience and prepare for everyday work in a professional grooming salon.

Professional Equipment

During the training, participants will learn how to use professional grooming equipment:

• straight and curved scissors,
• thinning scissors and chunkers,
• professional clippers,
• various guide combs,
• combs,
• brushes,
• dryers,
• bathing systems, ozone therapy, and derma therapy equipment,
• professional grooming cosmetics.

Special emphasis will be placed on selecting the appropriate tools according to the coat type and the desired final result.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be able to:

perform professional dog grooming procedures,
correctly use professional grooming equipment,
select the appropriate cosmetics according to coat type,
recognize the characteristics of different breeds,
handle dogs safely,
organize work efficiently in a grooming salon,
communicate professionally with clients.

Upon successful completion of the program, each participant will receive:

Certificate of Successful Completion of the Professional Dog Groomer Training Program.

Who Is the Program Intended For?

The program is suitable for:

– complete beginners,
– future professional dog groomers,
– employees of dog grooming salons,
– grooming salon owners,
– anyone who wishes to take their knowledge and skills to a higher professional level.

Program Fee

€3,000.00 (VAT included)

The tuition fee includes:

100 hours of professional training, theoretical and practical education, individual mentoring, use of professional equipment and grooming cosmetics during the training, practical work with different dog breeds, professional training materials, certificate of successful completion of the program.

Limited Number of Places

As we want to provide every participant with the highest possible level of individual mentoring, practical training, and direct cooperation with the mentors, the number of places is limited.

If you would like to gain professional knowledge based on many years of practical experience and become a confident and competent professional dog groomer, we invite you to join our intensive professional training program in Ljubljana.

Applications are accepted until all places have been filled.