Groomer Certification Program
The Fear Free Groomer Certification Program teaches you how to use Fear Free concepts to ensure that the grooming experience is as enjoyable as possible for every pet, every time.
Groomer Membership
This membership is designed for grooming professionals, both in salon and mobile settings. The certification program included with this membership will equip groomers with the knowledge to use foundational Fear Free concepts to ensure that the grooming experience is as enjoyable as possible for every pet, every time.
Course Overview
The Fear Free Groomer Certification Program teaches you how to use Fear Free concepts to ensure that the grooming experience is as enjoyable as possible for every pet, every time. Step-by-step video clips and slides show you how to teach animals to love the grooming table, clippers, the bathtub, the blow dryer, grooming shears, the groomer’s loop, and more.
Course Author: Terrie Hayward, M.Ed., KPA Faculty Member, CPDT-KA, CSAT, co-author of the book Grooming without Stress.
This course is approved through the following organizations:
- 5 hours of PACCC CEUs
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Core Concepts
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the core concepts of Fear Free grooming
- Analyze and evaluate behavioral documentation
- Design improved communication avenues
- And summarize the FAS scale and interpret how it relates to the grooming salon
Lesson 2: Conditioned Emotional Response (CER)
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the term “CER”
- Identify examples of a positive CER
- Categorize examples of a negative CER
- And formulate a plan for creating a positive CER to the groomer, grooming tools, and the grooming salon
Lesson 3: Collaboration vs. Coercion
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Formulate strategies for relationship building with clients and colleagues
- Propose a plan for desensitization (DS) to groomer, tools, and shop
- Develop a classical conditioning or counter-conditioning (CC) protocol, and
- Identify alternatives, such as choice and space, as reinforcers
Lesson 1: Body Language: Key Concepts
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Evaluate head-to-tail body language appropriately
- Interpret the subtleties of interactions and conclude levels of stress or relaxation
- Interpret animals’ body language and respond effectively
Lesson 2: Introducing Fear Free and Communication
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Determine and adjust criteria for grooming procedures based on the animal’s response
- Evaluate and recognize appropriate responses to determine when to adjust criteria
- List problems associated with using aversive methods
Lesson 3: Reducing FAS at the Groomer
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of fear, anxiety and stress
- Understand how to respond to each one
- List possible triggers for FAS in a grooming context
- Reduce FAS in grooming-specific situations
Lesson 1: Cooperation and Choice
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Recognize important tips for cooperative care in the grooming salon
- Identify specific contexts for teaching animals to love grooming
- Understand the value of choice as a tool
Lesson 2: Meet and Treat
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Integrate the Meet and Treat protocol into initial interactions
- Determine the most effective spot to begin the process
- Plan the progression to the grooming salon
- Understand the basics of DS-CC to equipment, groomer, tools, salon, etc.
Lesson 3: Arranging a Fear Free Shop
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify ways to alleviate FAS in animals by modifying the grooming environment
- Formulate plans to integrate appropriate scheduling to reduce FAS
- Propose effective staff involvement and collaboration
Lesson 4: Experiences Affect Future Behavior
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define what consequences are
- Recognize the difference between working toward or working to avoid a consequence
- Understand and advocate for appropriate consequences and discuss how to seek and select them
Lesson 1: Verbal Communication
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Use techniques to “buy you time” as you are practicing becoming fluent at Fear Free techniques
- Enhance client and colleague verbal communication
- Demonstrate strategies for creating compliance among clients and colleagues
- Help clients collaborate by integrating Fear Free grooming techniques in their homes
Lesson 2: Written Communication and Record Keeping
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Design templates for behavioral checklists that encourage consistency and improve communication
- Maximize effective behavior record keeping
Lesson 3: Educating Caregivers
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Facilitate collaboration from home to salon
- Explain the ABCs of grooming and behavior to caregivers
- Identify revenue opportunities arising from Fear Free practices
- Illustrate retention rate opportunities from Fear Free interactions
Member Benefits
Discover the exclusive benefits included with the Groomer Membership. In addition to the applicable certification program, your membership gives you access to so much more!
Additional Courses
Deepen your Fear Free knowledge and earn more CE. Explore all courses here.
Marketing Resources
Download logos, email signatures, social media graphics, and more!
Educational Resources
Peruse client communication handouts, fear, anxiety and stress assets, questionnaires, and more!
Directory Listing
Once individually certified, members have the opportunity to opt-in to be found in our online directory. Find a Fear Free certified professional or practice near you.
Certification Kit
Once individually certified, members are able to order a complimentary gift to celebrate their new certification.
Facebook Community
Join our exclusive, members-only Facebook group to share advice and connect with other Fear Free professionals.
Product Discounts
Enjoy special pricing on products and services that are aligned with our values. View Friends of Fear Free.
Merchandise & Swag
Our online store is exclusive to active members who can purchase merch and swag to promote certification status.
Requirements
To successfully attain and maintain certification, all members must:
- Pass each online module with a score of 80% or higher.
- Sign and uphold to the Fear Free Pledge, a commitment to follow a humane, emotionally protective code of conduct and ethical standards.
- Keep an active membership.
Pet Professional Membership Pricing
This category of memberships are renewed annually from the date of purchase or date of membership assignment by a Team Administrator. All pricing is in USD. Memberships available within Pet Professional memberships include trainer, groomer, pet sitter, and boarding & daycare individuals. These memberships function independently and cannot be combined.
Number of Members
Annual Renewal
Member Pricing*
Individuals with an existing, active Fear Free membership can purchase any additional pet professional membership for $119. This special member pricing is only available to memberships within the pet professional membership category.