From your first bath to running your own business – one program, three tiers
Most grooming schools teach you how to groom a dog. We teach you that – and everything it takes to build a career around it. Our program combines real daily grooming experience with the business, operations, and entrepreneurship skills that turn a trained groomer into a successful sole proprietor.
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18 Weeks Full program, all three tiers |
3-4 Dogs Hands-on per training day |
3 Tiers Take on or all – no prerequisites |
Real Clients Live mobile grooming environment |
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Tier 1 – 6 weeks Grooming Fundamentals Safe handling, bathing, drying, coat prep, tool use, and introductory breed patterns. Built for beginners with no prior experience required. Outcome: solo long-hair groom |
Tier 2 – 8 weeks Professional Groomer Advanced breed cuts, scissoring, finish quality, doodle coats, and the efficiency and confidence to work independently on complex grooms. Outcome: solo Goldendoodle groom |
Tier 3 – 4 weeks Mobile Grooming Operator Run the van and the business. Operations, scheduling, marketing, finance, customer service, compliance, and van maintenance – the full picture of sole proprietorship. Outcome: launch-ready sole proprietor |
Tier 3 is unlike any other grooming program
Most grooming schools stop at the scissors. Tier 3 picks up where they leave off – teaching you how to operate a mobile grooming business as a sole proprietor. You’ll graduate knowing not just how to groom, but how to get clients, keep them, price your services, manage your schedule, handle your finances, market yourself, and maintain the vehicle your livelihood depends on.
Sales | Marketing | Customer Service | Scheduling | Finance | Business Strategy | Compliance | Van Maintenance | Generator Service | CRM & Lead Tracking | Routing & Logistics
Get started today!
ABOUT BACKYARD PET SERVICES
At Backyard Pet Services, we’ve spent years caring for pets across Collin County — building relationships with families who trust us to treat their pets like our own.
Now, we’re opening the door for others to build a meaningful career doing the same.
This isn’t a classroom-only program.
You’ll learn in real environments, with real dogs, alongside a team that’s been doing this every day.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A different kind of grooming school
Our Grooming Academy was built for people who want more than just theory.
You’ll learn step-by-step in a structured program — while also gaining real-world experience inside a working mobile grooming business.
That means:
- You’re not guessing what it’s like — you’re doing it
- You’re not practicing on models — you’re working with real clients
- You’re not alone — you’re supported every step of the way
We keep our class sizes small so you get the attention, coaching, and confidence you need to succeed.
PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
A clear path from beginner to professional
We’ve designed our program to meet you where you are – and help you grow at every stage.
Entry Level (6 Weeks)
Learn the foundations of safe handling, bathing, drying, and basic grooming techniques.
Professional Groomer (8 Weeks)
Build your technical skills, breed-specific cuts, and efficiency working with real clients.
Mobile Grooming Operator (4 Weeks)
Learn how to operate, schedule, and succeed in a mobile grooming business.
WHO THIS IS FOR
You don’t need experience – just the right mindset
Our students come from all walks of life.
This may be right for you if you:
- Love animals and want to work with them every day
- Are ready for a career change
- Want more flexibility and independence
- Take pride in doing meaningful, hands-on work
If you’re dependable, patient, and willing to learn — we can teach you the rest.
Have the experience & ready to take the next step – we have a tier just for you
If you’ve spent years behind the table in a salon and you’re ready to work for yourself, you dot need to start from scratch. You need a clear path from where you are now to running your own mobile grooming business – a that’s exactly what we built Tier 3 for.
PROGRAM STANDARDS
What makes this program credible
We are a working mobile grooming business, not a credentialing institution. Our standard of quality comes from the instructors we put in front of students, the curriculum we follow, and the live professional environment every student trains in from day one — not from paperwork.
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Seasoned Instructors Our instructors bring real, working experience — not just classroom theory. Combined, they have over 13 years of professional grooming across high-volume salons and mobile operations. |
Industry-Standard Curriculum Our coursework is built around the same references used by professional groomers nationwide — recognized resources that experienced groomers immediately know and trust. |
Real-World Training Environment Every student trains inside an active mobile grooming operation — with real dogs, real clients, and a real schedule. There is no simulation here. |
Documented Progress Every student maintains a detailed experience record tracking breeds, coat types, skills introduced, skills demonstrated, and areas of mastery — a tangible record of what they’ve learned. |
Our Instructors
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Lauren Fletcher
8+ years professional grooming
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Jamie Bowers
4.5+ years professional grooming
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Curriculum built on recognized industry resources
Our training program is grounded in two resources widely used and respected by professional groomers across the industry. These are not proprietary materials — they are the same references that working groomers and established schools rely on, paired with direct daily instruction from our instructors in a live grooming environment.
Accreditation and recognition we are actively pursuing
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NDGAA National Dog Groomers Association of America – individual and program certification pathways |
IPG International Professional Groomers – instructor and program recognition |
ISCC International Society of Canine Cosmetologists – certification and school recognition program |
CAREER OUTCOMES
Where this can take you
Grooming is more than a skill — it’s a pathway to a stable, flexible, and rewarding career.
Our graduates go on to:
- Work as professional groomers
- Join established grooming teams
- Build their own mobile grooming businesses
We’ll guide you not just in learning the craft — but in understanding how to turn it into a career.
EARNINGS POTENTIAL
What can you realistically earn?
As the owner of your business, you have more control over your earning potential than you might think. You decide how many days you work, how long your days are, how much time off you take, and how many dogs you groom each day – whether your style is fast and high-volume or slower and more detail-focused. A lot depends on you. This calculator gives you a starting framework for estimating what your earnings could look like as a mobile grooming solo proprietor.
Adjust the sliders to reflect your own pace and goals.
WHERE OUR STUDENTS COME FROM
Based in McKinney. Built for the metroplex.
Our academy is rooted in McKinney, Texas – and we welcome students from across the greater DFW area. If you’re within a comfortable commute, we’d love to have you. Students also travel from further afield for the unique Tier 3 mobile business curriculum, which isn’t available anywhere else in the region.
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Commute Range ~45 miles Most students drive 20-45 minutes from across the metroplex to train with us each day. |
In-Person Training McKinney, Tx All hands-on training takes place in our McKinney facility and on the road throughout the DFW area. |
Out of the Area? Students travel from across Texas and beyond for our Tier 3 mobile business curriculum – the only program of its kind in the region. Contact us to discuss your options. |
TESTIMONIALS
What people are saying
“I didn’t know where to start, but the team made everything feel approachable. You’re not just learning — you’re actually doing the work, and that made all the difference. -Ashley J. ”
“I already knew the technical aspects of grooming but I could not wrap my mind around making it work in mobile. Seeing it in the day-to-day and de-mystifying the maintenance and mechanical aspects helped me make the switch with confidence – from salon groomer to mobile groomer, from employee to owner.” -Sabrina S.
FAQ
Real answers to the questions we hear most. If something isn’t covered here, call us at (469)481-8900 or schedule a tour – we’re happy to walk you through anything.
THE PROGRAM
Do I need prior grooming experience to enroll?
No experience is required to enroll in Tier 1. Our Grooming Fundamentals tier is specifically designed for students who are new to the profession — we start from the very beginning and build from there.
Tiers 2 and 3 are also open to students entering at a higher skill level, with no prerequisite required. The only thing you need is the right mindset: dependability, patience, and a genuine love of working with animals.
What does a typical training day look like?
Training runs five days a week, approximately eight hours per day. Each day begins with one hour of classroom instruction covering grooming concepts, techniques, safety practices, and the day’s goals. From there, students review the day’s actual appointment schedule — the breeds coming in, coat types, and any special handling considerations. The rest of the day is spent in the field, actively participating in real grooming appointments with a minimum of 3 to 4 dogs per day. Every training day ends with a full van reset: cleaning, restocking, and preparing the mobile salon for the next day of service.
Do I have to complete all 3 tiers, or can I enroll in just one?
Each tier is available individually — there is no requirement to take all three, and no prerequisite to enter at Tier 2 or Tier 3. Students with existing grooming experience often enter at Tier 2 to refine their technical skills, or go straight to Tier 3 to learn the business and operational side of mobile grooming. That said, students who complete all three tiers leave with a complete skill set — from first bath to running their own business — in 18 weeks total.
What happens if I don't pass my final exam?
Students who do not pass a final exam are able to repeat the relevant sections of training before attempting the exam again. Our goal is for every student to leave fully prepared and confident — not just to get them through a checklist. If a student needs more repetition in a particular skill area, we work with them to get there. Your experience record will already show your instructor exactly where additional practice is needed.
What is the minimum age to enroll?
COST AND PAYMENT
What does each tier cost, and how does payment work?
Tier 1 (Grooming Fundamentals) is $3,000. Tier 2 (Professional Groomer) is $5,000. Tier 3 (Mobile Grooming Operator) is $4,000. The full three-tier program is $12,000 in total.
A 50% deposit is required before the start of each tier. The remaining 50% can be paid in monthly installments over six months, interest-free, with the first payment due 30 days after you complete the tier. Payment plans are managed on a per-tier basis, so students taking multiple tiers work through one payment plan at a time.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to withdraw, 50% of your tier tuition is non-refundable. The remaining 50% is prorated based on the number of days you attended — so you are only charged for the training you actually received. We encourage all prospective students to attend a tour and speak with our team before enrolling to make sure the program is the right fit before any payment is made.
What tools and equipment do I need, and what will that cost?
Students are responsible for their own grooming tools. Upon enrollment, we provide a complete equipment list covering everything you need: scissors, clippers, guards, and all other grooming equipment required to professionally groom pets.
If you’d prefer a single purchase, we offer the full recommended kit as a complete set for approximately $750 — covering everything on the list at once. Students who already own professional grooming tools may use their own equipment provided it meets the program requirements.
OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS
What do I receive when I complete the program?
Every student who successfully completes a tier receives a certificate of completion. You will also leave with your full experience record — a detailed log of every dog you groomed, every breed and coat type you worked on, every skill introduced and demonstrated, and every area of mastery you achieved. This record is yours to keep and can be shared with employers or used to support your own business. Students who complete all three tiers graduate fully prepared to operate as a professional groomer or launch their own mobile grooming business.
What career outcomes can I expect after completing the program?
Our program is designed to produce graduates who are ready to work — or ready to own — from day one. Tier 1 and Tier 2 graduates are prepared to work as professional groomers in salons or mobile operations. Tier 3 graduates leave with something most grooming programs don’t offer at all: a complete foundation for running their own mobile grooming business as a sole proprietor.
Tier 3 covers van acquisition, scheduling, routing, invoicing, sales, marketing, customer service, finance, compliance, and van and generator maintenance. The goal is not just a trained groomer — it’s a business owner who is ready to launch.
GET STARTED
Let’s take the first step together
The best way to understand if this is the right fit is to see it for yourself.
Come meet the team, see how we work, and ask any questions you have.
Spots are limited to keep training hands-on and personalized.
