The Instructional Program

The instructional program at Mission Ridge Academy of Pet Styling is a simplified step-by-step method designed and refined over a 35-year period by one of the nation's top instructors, Jacqueline Rauch. Jacqueline has produced five instructional videos with the same step-by-step material. These videos complement the instructional manual and they work in conjunction with one another. The composition of the instructional material is arranged and organized to develop quality styling skills, outline shaping, blending, balance and proportion, and how to apply those skills to breed design, control methods, proper handling, and speed techniques.

Our course is 95% hands on and there are two instructors to a maximum of four students.  You will begin bathing in the first week of class and the hands on instruction continues from there.  Our comprehensive program is designed for the student to master all of the basic grooming skills with an emphasis on the fine finishing skills. The student will begin the program by learning about the various tools, their usage, operation, and maintenance. The next areas covered will be control methods, safety procedures, proper handling, pet oral hygiene, cleaning and sanitation. The skill development portion of the program is taught in three parts. Part one is the bathing and blow drying skills, part two is the prepping skills, and part three is the styling and finishing skills along with the breed designs.

You will also learn about how to set up your own business if you desire to do so and in addition how to increase your income through “add-on services” such as toothbrushing, the sale of supporting products and de-shedding.  Toothbrushing and de-shedding are two of the most requested optional services and you will learn that by offering these and other optional services, you will increase your grooming income substantially with a minimum of extra time and effort.

De-shedding Skills Drying Techniques Brushing and Combing Shampoo / Anal Glands Flea / Skin Treatments Blow Drying / Brushing Sanitation Skin and Hair Bathing Techniques Safety Techniques
	Pet Oral Hygiene Clipper Techniques De-matting Techniques Curly Coat Cutdown Pet Psychology Dog Anatomy Control Positions Shaving Skills Tool Usage and Maintenance Blade LengthsToe Nails Ear Cleaning
CPR and other subjects of importance Pleasing the Customer Detachable Blades Skimming Techniques Cut Down Techniques Outline Shaping Fine Finishing/Balancing & Outline Shaping Blade Skills Breed Designs Thinning Shear Techniques Camouflaging Faults by StylingAdd-on Services Job Counseling A Happy Pet is a Joy to Groom