A leader in pet groomer training for over 40 years!

JKL Dog Grooming Course

Practicum Hands-On Requirements

Below are the hands-on requirements for the JKL Diploma Course.

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Practicum Requirements - 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.

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!

If beginning your business is not a viable option at this time, work on your own pets, the pets of your friends or relatives, or if that is not possible, contact your local animal shelter or rescue group. Many unwanted or uncared for animals are in great need of grooming, and it has been my experience that the majority of shelter operators are happy to oblige in such a mutually beneficial situation.

If your community does not have an animal shelter, often a notice on the public bulletin boards in your community will bring you all the practice pets you will require to become proficient in professional grooming.

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.

Click on Image below to view a hands-on practice video:


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.

 

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!

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.


 

Videos Count!

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

 


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