Groomer Training Program
Every groomer at this salon is trained by Kendra personally before grooming any client’s dog independently. The program has four phases — certification is required before a groomer is approved to work the schedule.
Kendra’s primary concern in training is not technique — it’s care. She has seen too many groomers put out bad grooms and feel nothing about it. A groomer who only cares about the money will not last here, and will not be certified. The standard Kendra trains to is the one she holds herself to: every dog leaves better than when it came in, and you give everything you have to make that happen.
Program Overview
| Phase | Duration | What’s Happening | Supervised By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Observation | Week 1–2 | Trainee observes Kendra grooming; reads standards documents | Kendra |
| 2 — Assisted | Week 3–4 | Trainee assists Kendra; performs specific tasks under direct supervision | Kendra |
| 3 — Independent with Review | Week 5–8 | Trainee grooms independently; Kendra reviews every finished dog | Kendra or Lead |
| 4 — Certified | After sign-off | Groomer works independently; Kendra performs spot QC and final approvals | Periodic |
Phase 1 — Observation (Weeks 1–2)
Goal: The trainee builds a mental model of the Kendra standard before touching a single dog.
What the Trainee Does
- Observes Kendra (or a certified groomer) perform full grooms from start to finish
- Reads kendra-standards in full and asks questions about anything unclear
- Reads aggressive-dog-policy and the full index section
- Studies 3–5 dog profiles to understand how profiles are used in practice
- Learns the finish quality checklist and can recite what each item means
By End of Phase 1, Trainee Can:
- Explain the finish quality checklist in their own words
- Identify the coat type of any dog they observe
- Describe what the Kendra experience means to a client
Phase 2 — Assisted Work (Weeks 3–4)
Goal: The trainee learns to handle dogs and use tools safely under direct supervision.
What the Trainee Does
- Assists Kendra with bath and dry on dogs that are appropriate for training
- Takes on individual tasks with Kendra supervising: nail clip, ear cleaning, brush-out
- Begins to handle the blow-dry process on lower-complexity coat types (smooth, short)
- Practices reading a dog’s body language and responding appropriately
By End of Phase 2, Trainee Can:
- Bathe and dry a dog without assistance for smooth/short coat types
- Perform a nail clip safely on a cooperative dog
- Clean ears on a cooperative dog
- Identify Level 1 and Level 2 stress behaviors and respond appropriately
Phase 3 — Independent with Review (Weeks 5–8)
Goal: The trainee performs complete grooms. Kendra reviews every dog before it leaves.
What the Trainee Does
- Assigned their own appointment slots — simpler coats and cooperative dogs to start
- Completes full grooms: bath, dry, brush-out, trim, finish
- Uses the finish checklist before calling Kendra for approval
- Kendra completes a coaching review after each approval: what was excellent, what to refine
Dog Assignments in Phase 3
- Start with: Bath & Brush appointments, smooth/short coats, established cooperative dogs
- Progress to: Full Groom on medium coats once short coats are consistent
- Do not assign: Doodles, Nordic coats, any dog with Level 2+ aggression flags, first grooms for new clients — these remain with Kendra until certification
By End of Phase 3, Trainee Can:
- Groom any non-complex coat type from start to finish to Kendra’s standard
- Consistently pass the finish quality checklist without coaching reminders
- Handle Level 1 stress behaviors independently
- Update a dog profile after every appointment without prompting
- Communicate proactively with Kendra about anything unusual
Phase 4 — Certified
Certification Requires:
- Kendra’s explicit sign-off (verbal + written in the groomer’s HR record)
- 10 consecutive grooms where the finish checklist was passed without revision
- Demonstrated ability to de-escalate Level 1 and recognize Level 2 situations
- Completion of all reading assignments and policy reviews
- Kendra’s confidence that the groomer genuinely cares about the finished product — not just the paycheck
After Certification:
- Groomer works their own schedule
- Kendra performs final approval on all grooms (standard procedure)
- Kendra spot-audits approximately 20% of grooms monthly in Phase 4’s first 3 months
- After 90 days of reliable performance, spot-audit frequency may be reduced
Ongoing Training
| Activity | Frequency | Led By |
|---|---|---|
| Standards review (technique refresh) | Quarterly | Kendra |
| New breed or coat type briefing | As needed | Kendra |
| Incident debrief (after any Level 3 event) | As needed | Kendra |
| Industry continuing education (seminars, certifications) | Annually | Individual groomer |
Sign-Off Record
| Phase | Date Completed | Signed Off By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 — Observation | Kendra | ||
| Phase 2 — Assisted | Kendra | ||
| Phase 3 — Independent with Review | Kendra | ||
| Phase 4 — Certified | Kendra |