Meet The PDGA Pack!

You looked at those cute puppies' eyes in this post image and went “aaahhhh,” right? It is because you are a dog lover, enthusiast, or aspiring dog groomer – otherwise, you would not have stumbled upon this blog. We are glad you did though, as we are all mutts about dogs here, and having a new pack member gets our tails wagging. A warm welcome to the Professional Dog Grooming Academy!!

What We Are All About

PDGA (The Professional Dog Grooming Academy) is an online dog grooming academy created by industry professionals with years of experience.

At PDGA, our mission is to equip you with the best, up-to-date theoretical and practical dog grooming skills to empower you to become a successful dog grooming professional.

We provide dog grooming certification at various levels, from the absolute beginner, right through to the professional. Our courses are the most comprehensive online dog grooming courses available, which will not only teach you how to groom but also how to cover various dog-related topics such as:

• Canine health
• Nutrition
• Dog behaviourism
• Correct handling of a dog
• Training
• Guidelines to start your own dog grooming business

Learn How To Groom A Dog Online

You might be wondering: “How does one learn a practical skill like grooming, online?” Well, thanks to technology we can educate you on all the practical skills, in the comfort of your own home. Our courses consist of high-quality video lessons, which include step-by-step demonstrations on how to perform various dog grooming tasks such as bathing, drying, scissoring, and styling a dog according to industry and breed-specific standards. Practical assignments need to be completed and submitted for grading by industry experts before you can move on to the next section of the course. This way you are learning and/or improving your grooming skills, every step of the way.

Click on the image below for a quick sneak peek of what to expect!

 Who Would Go Barking Mad For Our Courses?

• Baby Groomers - Our Dog Groomer Assistant Course was specially formulated for absolute beginners. We will teach you the foundational skills to continue your journey to becoming a professional dog groomer. This course is also great for groomer assistants, a.k.a shampooists to get certified. Being qualified opens the door to better job opportunities or promotions. Click here to view what this course entails.
• Self-taught Groomers & Pet Parents - For the self-taught groomers, this is your chance to get the qualification you have always yearned for and the certificate to prove it. Clients are more likely to take their dogs to a certified groomer than an uncertified groomer. Some pet parents would rather groom their dogs themselves, and why not? It's your fur baby! Our courses will teach you how to perfectly groom your pooch. You will learn how to care for them better by discussing sections on canine well-being, nutrition, dog handling, and behaviourism. Happy pooch, happy pooch parent.
• The Go-Getter Groomer - If you want to improve yourself as a groomer or if you are a salon owner and have staff that is equipped with basic dog grooming skills, then The Intermediate Dog Grooming Course will assist in perfecting and improving their basic skills. Our course can be viewed from any device if you have a stable internet connection. Learn more about this course
• The Eager Beavers/High Achievers - You are a groomer but would like to become a certified professional groomer, then the Professional Dog Grooming Course is for you. This course highlights how to groom the most frequently requested styles, according to their AKC breed specifications.
• People Passionate About Pooches - Whether you are a dog owner or just an admirer, our course will open your mind to the wonderful world of dogs. According to Reilly Roberts, the Marketing Specialist of Common Thread Collective, “Globally, the pet care market has grown to $261 billion in 2022; up from $245 billion in 2021. An estimated 6.1% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), will catapult that figure to $350 billion by 2027.” That means pet knowledge will never go to waste whether you become a groomer, veterinarian receptionist, kennel caretaker, or work at a doggy daycare. The pet-related opportunities are endless!! 

Image Source: (Pet industry trends, Growth & Statistics in 2022 and Beyond: Unleashing your eCommerce pet marketing strategies)

Behind The Scenes

At PDGA we are a pack, and to make you feel a part of us, click on the image below and take a sniff and meet the faces and voices behind the screens.

Dr. A Fockema, Veterinary Surgeon (BVSc, BSc Agric Animal Science)

All our medical content has been checked and reviewed by Dr. Fockema. He qualified in 1978 and started his career in 1979 and 1980 with the Defence Force as State Veterinarian in Eastern Caprivi, Namibia.

“For the first few months of 1981, I worked as State Veterinarian in Lichtenburg, Northwest Provence, South Africa. For the remainder of 1981 till 1983, I joined Hoechst Pharmaceutical Company as a veterinary technical adviser. In 1983 I became a locum veterinarian in a private veterinary practice in Humansdorp, South Africa. Later, from 1983 to 1986 I became an owner of a veterinary practice in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. From 1986 to 1989 I was a senior lecturer in the veterinary pathology department of the Veterinary School of Medunsa University, South Africa. In 1989, I returned to my passion for private veterinary practice again, as a veterinary assistant at Mossel Bay Veterinary Clinic South Africa. In 1990, I became an equal partner with the owner and together we established Mossel Bay Animal Hospital, in Mossel Bay, South Africa as existing at present (2022). I worked there as a partner till retirement in 2020. Presently I remain a registered Veterinary Surgeon.”

We Would Love To Meet You

Now that you know who we are, we would love to meet you!! Feel free to follow us on our social media channels and chat with us and other dog fanatics about all things canine and grooming. We share grooming tips, trends, and how-to videos weekly on our social platforms.

Facebook:https://bit.ly/PDGA_facebook 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/PDGA_Instagram 

Till next time future groomers!!