Practicum Requirements - Diploma Dog Grooming Course

Below are the hands-on requirements for the JKL Diploma Course. There are no specific 'required hours' for the practicum as students generally progress at their own, individual rate. Some are able to complete portions of the practicum on their first try, while others might feel more comfortable submitting work from a subsequent try.

The early assignments offer the student an opportunity to get used to the entire process prior to embarking on more complex grooms. Since our focus is on coat type, no purebred dogs are required, mixed breeds can be used for all practice grooms.

How is the Practicum Done:
Students provide photos / videos of specific grooms outlined in Practicum Requirements and feedback/support is given by email from a JKL Professional Grooming Instructor.

Tools Required to Complete Practicum:
Pin Brush
Soft Slicker Brush
Rubber Curry also known as Shampoo Brush
Carding Tool
De-matting Tool
Dog Rake
Combination Comb
Nail Clippers
Nail Scissors
Hemostats - Locking
Straight Shear
Curved Shear
Thinning Shears
Professional Animal Clipper
Blades - #3 3/4, #4F, #5F, #7F, #10, #15, #30
8 Clipper Comb Attachments

A Tool Kit can be purchased at course sign-up

You can find similar tools on Amazon should you decide to purchase only a few tools at a time. Be sure to read the reviews on each tool, then carefully select.

The Practicum Subjects Required are as Follows:

1. Smooth Coat
2. Short Coat
3. Double Coat
4. Dropcoat
5. Harsh Coat
6. Curly Coat
7. Teddy Bear Trim
8. Cat (optional)
9. You and Your Groom

 

Spot Grooming Photo Before & After Requirements:

(any coated breed)

• a clipped poodle foot: topside, underside
• a trimmed hock and a catlike foot
• a scissor rounded foot
• trimmed or clipped footpads
• a trimmed tail showing efforts with thinners or shears
• a clipped undercarriage
• a plucked and cleansed ear
• examples of correct use of shears and thinners
• double coat removal utilizing a dog rake
• dematting showing correct use of a dematting tool
• a photo of you and any finished subject
• photos or videos of you actually performing a start to finish groom. (this will require an assistant to take the photos or videos in sequence)
• pre bath procedures: dematting, brushing, combing, coat removal with clippers and/or shears
• bath procedures: wetting, lathering, rinsing, towel drying
• finish procedures: blow drying, finishing brushing or combing with pin brush, wire slicker combo comb, scissor and clipper finishing.

How to Find Dogs to Groom:
If you are concerned about being able to find the dogs to groom for your practicum, a list of where many of our students have found dogs for their practicum are below:
You can use your own dogs, dogs of relatives, dogs of friends, your local animal shelters, rescue groups, community bulletin boards, facebook groups, local social media groups, dog parks.

For Students Looking to be Employed at a Salon:
lf you plan on seeking salon employment, large corporate salons often hire JKL groomers in training, so you can actually train while on the job. Some smaller salons will do the same, depending on their current needs.

For Students Looking to Start Their Own Shop:
If you are setting up your own shop, you can obtain this experience through your first customers, while at the same time, developing a very loyal clientele. They will appreciate all your early efforts, your honesty with them, and your progression to a caring, humane professional. They will always remember they "knew you when"! To many consumers, being able to tell others they have been with you from the very beginning of your career is an important factor. They will often be the biggest promoters of your business!

Extra Credits:
Photo or video submissions of additional grooms, procedures, additional tools or equipment used (clipper vacuums, slings or positioning systems, muzzles or other restraints, etc.), will help you achieve a higher grade average, so do not hesitate to submit them all!

Videos Count! Enhance your overall scores. Set up your Smart Phone to record your work! Just be sure to use the High Def feature.

A grading consideration is the degree of difficulty of a particular groom, i.e. a short-coated dog will score lower than a long-coated dog. A short-coated cat will score lower than a long-coated cat; Do not hesitate to submit these photos, just be sure to balance them with photos of more complex grooms, as well.

Remember to keep a photo record of your earliest grooms. This will allow you to see your progress with each completed groom, and allow you to correct any faults you spot. The more you practice, the better you will get!

The best of these photos can also serve as your grooming portfolio - something you can show to potential clients when discussing trims, coat lengths, styles, etc.