The Happy Dog Day Spa Academy teaches you an initiation into the world of dog grooming in 6 months!
The dog groomer provides maintenance care (detangling, shampooing, application of anti-parasitic products, etc.) and aesthetic care (cutting, clipping, hair removal, etc.) for pets, mainly dogs and sometimes cats.
She/he enhances the animal by giving it a specific and functional appearance according to its breed.
Are you this person?
Are you drawn to the world of animals?
Do you want to retrain or make a career change?
Are you patient and good with your hands?
How does the training work?
Happy Dog Day Spa offers you a high-level training program focused on technical excellence, personalization, and real salon immersion. Thanks to our mentorship system (“buddy program”), each student is supported by a dedicated instructor—an active professional—two days a week for six months.
This exceptional program, combining both practical and theoretical training, will allow you to develop strong skills, a professional mindset, and true expertise in the art of grooming. At the end of the program, students may join a 6-month advanced internship in one of our salons, depending on their results.
The grooming training takes place directly in our Happy Dog Spa centers (Nyon, Chavannes-de-Bogis, Thônex, Fribourg, Lausanne), where you will benefit from both theoretical and practical instruction alongside our industry professionals.professionnels
To enroll in this grooming training, you must have completed compulsory schooling and/or hold an equivalent official qualification.
Highlight your abilities:
Manual skills
Manual skills are the ability to use one's hands with precision and dexterity.
Precision
Precision is the ability to perform an action or movement with exactness and accuracy.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Hygiene and cleanliness refer to the set of practices aimed at keeping the body and the environment clean in order to prevent diseases.
Commercial Sense
Commercial sense is the ability to understand customers' needs and to optimise sales or exchanges.
Aesthetic Sense
Aesthetic sense is the ability to perceive, appreciate, and create beauty or harmony in shapes, colors, and objects.
Patience
Patience is the ability to stay calm and wait without becoming frustrated in the face of difficulties or delays.
Details about the Happy Dog Academy Training:
To Build Strong Foundations in Grooming
The recognized, high‑quality training that reflects the expertise of Happy Dog Day Spa salons.
A fast and friendly progression in a small group of up to 7 students.
Modern equipment and cutting‑edge infrastructure.
The training certificate opens hiring prospects.
To explore the vast world of domestic animals
Understand canine psychology with our introduction to dog behavior.
Discover a rich world around dogs with our canine competitions or kennel outings.
Training in the sale of dog and cat accessories.
Employment opportunities at the end of the course in one of our salons in French-speaking Switzerland.
Topics of training:
1. Professional grooming techniques
- Mastery of tools: scissors, clippers, epilators, specific combs.
- Cutting methodology: scissor cut, clipping, epilation, shaping
- Advanced techniques: Asian fusion, teddy cut, show grooming.
- Bathing systems: products, temperature, types of specialized shampoos.
- Manual drying, blow-drying, cage drying – when and how to use them.
- Complete hygiene: ear cleaning, nail trimming, anal gland expression.
- Stress management and safe handling of the animal.
2. Animal health & dermatology knowledge
- The most common skin diseases: dermatitis, pyoderma, ringworm, mange.
- External parasites: fleas, ticks, preventive treatments.
- Recognition of signs of pain, stress, or pathologies.
- Adapting grooming based on the animal’s health condition.
3. Study of breeds and coat types
- Identification of breed standards (dogs & cats).
- Adapting care and cuts according to coat type: short, long, curly, double, silky.
- Specifics of feline grooming: handling, risks, technique.
4. Animal behavior and welfare
- Reading body language and warning signals.
- Creating a calm and safe environment.
- Techniques to gain the trust of anxious or aggressive animals.
5. Client relationship and salon management
- Welcoming clients, assessing needs, follow-up records.
- Customer loyalty and post-grooming advice.
- Hygiene, safety, organization of a professional space.
- Introduction to salon management: scheduling, equipment, profitability.
6. Monthly theoretical training
- Breeds & morphologies.
- Applied dermatology.
- Cutting standards & anatomy.
- Professional techniques and tools.
- Client management & business aspects.
Why choose HAPPY DOG ACADEMY?
- Personalized guidance by active professionals in multiple languages
- Hands-on learning in real conditions
- Comprehensive training covering all aspects of the profession
- Access to 5 exceptional salons, each with its own universe and clientele
- Recognized certificate, leading to concrete opportunities
- Post-training internship possible in one of our establishments
Join a profession driven by passion, where each day is different, and where you contribute to animal welfare with skills, care, and style. Your future starts here!
Strictly limited spots – exclusive experience
This training program is offered as an exclusive edition, with a deliberately limited number of places to ensure high-quality individualized support. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join the new generation of professional groomers trained to the highest standards of French-speaking Switzerland.
Practical Information:
Next course start
15/09/2026
Fee
The complete 6-month training costs CHF 12,900 (deposit to confirm enrollment CHF 2,600).
After your exams
You will receive the dog groomer diploma from our private school.
Location
Happy Dog Day Spa (Nyon, Chavannes-de-Bogis, Thônex, Fribourg, Lausanne)
Schedule
2 days per week, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Included in the course
Theory and practice of all topics related to dog grooming.
Ready to embark on this new journey?
Contact us using this form or by phone at 079 431 56 33
Elisabeth, the course coordinator, will get back to you promptly.