Learn Dog Grooming for Free: 10 Best Online Courses

This post will show you the 10 best dog grooming courses and tell you what you will learn from each one. You can discover something valuable to get started with, whether you are a newbie or want to save money on trips to the groomer.

Have you ever wanted to groom your dog at home without paying more than $50 every time? For many pet owners, grooming costs increase rapidly, and some people even miss visits because they cannot afford them.

💡 But What If You Could Learn to Do it for Free?

Thanks to several websites that cater to pet owners like you, you can now take free grooming courses online. These classes cover the basics of dog care, grooming, cleanliness, and safety through simple tutorials.

Below are the 10 Free Dog Grooming Courses:

1. Udemy – Dog Grooming for Beginners (Free Version)

Udemy offers an introductory course for beginners that walks you through the essentials: bathing, brushing, and drying your dog correctly. The videos are short, practical, and easy to follow.

It is perfect for pet parents who have never tried grooming before. This course makes home grooming feel less intimidating.

2. Alison – Diploma in Dog Grooming

You can get Alison’s certified dog grooming course for free and buy a certificate afterward.

The course is structured like a professional training program and covers dog anatomy, coat types, and how to calm down agitated dogs. It is a great free alternative because it lets you learn at your own pace for about 15 hours.

3. YouTube – Rachel Fusaro’s Grooming Tutorials

Rachel Fusaro’s YouTube channel is excellent for visual learners. She gives free grooming lessons to pet owners in real life.

Her content is relatable and easy to follow, and it will help you feel more confident grooming your dog at home. She covers everything from cleaning ears and brushing double-coated breeds to safe DIY nail trimming.

4. E-Training for Dogs – Free Sample Lessons

E-Training for Dogs teaches you how to groom and train dogs like a pro. While most of their classes are charged, they offer free grooming sample sessions.

These sessions include cleaning your dog’s teeth correctly, dealing with anxiety over grooming, and using basic software.

5. Coursera – Dog Emotion and Cognition (Duke University)

Coursera’s offering is not a grooming course but teaches dog owners how to read their pets’ feelings and actions.

This training, made by Duke University, is a great way to help your dog behave better while being groomed. It teaches you the emotional framework for a calmer grooming experience.

6. Skillshare – Dog Grooming Basics (Free Trial)

Skillshare offers several grooming lessons for pet owners that you can try for free for 30 days. The classes cover topics such as setting up a grooming area at home, keeping tools secure, and caring for various types of coats.

There are videos for beginners that break grooming down into easy-to-follow steps. You can look at as many courses as you want during the trial for free.

7. LearnDirect – Pet Grooming Essentials

LearnDirect occasionally releases free access to parts of its dog grooming course for beginners. The information is easy to understand and contains instructions on brushing, trimming, and caring for different types of coats. While you might have to wait for free modules, the content is worth watching.

8. Petco – Pet Care Online Learning Center

Petco’s online education center offers free grooming tips from its staff of certified groomers. You will learn to clip your dog’s nails securely, brush them, bathe them, and clean their ears.

The site is great for pet owners who want professional help but don’t want to pay for a whole course. It is all free and sorted by task.

9. K9 Training Institute – Free Workshop

The K9 Training Institute offers a free behavior training course on various topics. These include calming your dog, creating trust, and obedience training, all of which help keep grooming sessions stress-free.

While this training is not specifically for grooming, it teaches you how to approach scared or anxious dogs.

10. Dog Grooming 101 by AllThingsDogs

AllThingsDogs’ comprehensive online dog grooming course is available for free. It contains videos, step-by-step pictures, and a checklist for owners to help them remember to brush, bathe, and clip their pets’ nails.

This online course is excellent for pet owners who don’t want to spend too much time grooming their pets.

Quick Comparison of the 10 Best Free Dog Grooming Courses

We have created this easy-to-read table to help you quickly compare the top dog grooming courses. Below, you will find the key details about each course, whether it is free, how long it takes to complete, and what unique features it offers. Use this table to decide which course fits your needs and learn how to groom your dog at home confidently.

Course Name	Platform	Duration	Cost	Certification	Special Features
Udemy – Dog Grooming for Beginners	Udemy	~2 hours	Free	No	Easy-to-follow videos for beginners
Alison – Diploma in Dog Grooming	Alison	~15 hours	Free	Yes (paid for certificate)	Covers anatomy, coat types, and calming dogs
Rachel Fusaro’s Grooming Tutorials	YouTube	Varies (Video Series)	Free	No	Practical, visual lessons for real-life grooming
E-Training for Dogs – Free Sample	E-Training for Dogs	Varies (Sample)	Free	No	Includes anxiety tips and basic software tutorials
Coursera – Dog Emotion and Cognition	Coursera	~4 hours	Free	No	Focus on dog behavior and emotional understanding
Skillshare – Dog Grooming Basics	Skillshare	Varies (Video Series)	Free	No	Free trial with a variety of grooming topics
LearnDirect – Pet Grooming Essentials	LearnDirect	Varies (Module-based)	Free	No	Easy instructions for basic grooming tasks
Petco – Pet Care Online Learning Center	Petco	~1 hour	Free	No	Free grooming tips from professional groomers
K9 Training Institute – Free Workshop	K9 Training Institute	~2 hours	Free	No	Focus on behavior training for stress-free grooming
Dog Grooming 101 by AllThingsDogs	AllThingsDogs	~3 hours	Free	No	Comprehensive course with step-by-step pictures

Why Learn Dog Grooming at Home?

Knowing how to groom your dog at home is a no-brainer if you enjoy doing things yourself and having a pet. Here is why:

1. Help Your Dog Feel Safe and Comfortable

Some dogs don’t like going to grooming salons. Loud dryers, other barking pets, or strangers might stress them out. Your dog will feel safer when you groom it at home because it knows and trusts you.

2. Strengthen the Bond with Your Pet

Grooming your pet is not just about keeping it clean. Brushing your dog, clipping its nails, and massaging it while in the bath are great ways to bond with it.

3. Stay Consistent with Hygiene and Coat Health

Grooming your dog lets you keep up with their coat more often. It helps prevent matting and shedding, keeps nails short, and prevents skin irritations or ear infections.

4. Save Money on Grooming Services

Depending on your dog’s breed, size, and coat condition, a typical grooming appointment costs between $40 and $100. Many free dog grooming courses online can help you save more and learn new skills.

What to Expect from Free Online Dog Grooming Courses

Most dog grooming courses for pet owners are geared toward people who are new to it. They are made to teach basic grooming skills to people who have never done it before. Most courses will provide you with the following:

1. Basic Techniques for Home Grooming

You will learn to safely bathe and dry your dog, clip their nails, and clean their ears. You will also learn to brush and comb your dog based on their coat type. These are the most essential things about grooming that any pet owner should know.

2. Easy-to-Follow Formats

Most courses are taught using videos, tutorials, and written guides that show you how to do things step by step. Many of them come with checklists and visuals you can download to help you remember what you have learned.

3. Introduction to Grooming Tools

You will learn about the gear you need for each grooming job, from slicker brushes to pet cutters and shampoos, and how to use them properly.

4. Using Grooming Software for Better Organization

Some classes teach you how to use interactive grooming plans or checklists to help you keep up with your regular grooming. These generally come with free or affordable Grooming software that lets you set reminders, keep track of duties, and write down how you care for your dog.

5. Certificates of Completion

Not every course has a certificate, but some platforms give you one to show off your new skills or track your progress.

How to Choose the Right Online Dog Grooming Course

Which course is right for you? Here’s how you can narrow it down:

1. Consider Your Dog’s Coat Type

Dogs with long hair, like Shih Tzus or Poodles, need more brushing and clipping than dogs with short hair, like Beagles. Choose a course that meets your dog’s grooming needs.

2. Consider Your Learning Preferences

If you learn best by seeing things, choose video-based learning. Udemy, Skillshare, and YouTube are great places for hands-on learners who want to learn by doing.

3. Look for Practical Advice

Look for helpful advice, not just theoretical. The best classes don’t just talk about things but show you how to do them. Look for clear directions and live demonstrations.

4. Look for Checklists and Tools

Courses that teach you how to use grooming calendars or recommend grooming software will help you set a dependable regimen for caring for your pet at home.

5. Find a Course that Fits Your Schedule

Some classes, like Alison’s Diploma, are comprehensive but lengthy. However, others, like Petco’s videos or Rachel Fusaro’s YouTube channel, are shorter and more accessible.

Can These Online Dog Grooming Courses Replace a Professional Groomer?

The short answer is yes and no. That said, there are more things worth considering, such as:

1. When Home Grooming is Enough

These classes teach you the basics, like brushing, bathing, clipping nails, and cleaning ears. Regular Dog Grooming at Home makes your dog cleaner, keeps them healthy, and lowers stress between professional sessions.

2. When to Call a Pro

If your dog has plenty of matting, needs a specific cut, or has a skin problem, hire a professional groomer. Professionals also have special equipment and shampoos and know how to safely handle scared or angry pets.

3. The Best Approach: Mix of Both

A lot of pet owners do both. You take care of the weekly maintenance yourself and hire a professional groomer every few months to give your pet a haircut or a deep cleaning. This approach is suitable for your dog’s health and your wallet.

Conclusion

You don’t have to be an expert to keep your dog clean, happy, and well-groomed. Many of the best online dog grooming courses for beginners are free, easy to learn, and safety-focused.

You’ll learn new skills, save money, and enjoy caring for your dog more. Some classes even show you how to utilize basic software to help you organize baths, brushing sessions, and trim nails.

So why not? Choose a course that suits your schedule and your dog’s needs, and start grooming confidently today. Your dog will wag his tail more, and you will adore the savings.