Click here to read our T&Cs prior to enrolling.

The HGA Diploma in Holistic Grooming & Behaviour

The Accredited Holistic Grooming and Behaviour Diploma is an advanced enhancer course for professional dog groomers. Teaching a range of topics to help increase safety, confidence and competence while reducing bite risks in the grooming environment.

Stephanie Zikmann

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR NEW STUDENTS 2025!

The Holistic Grooming & Behaviour Diploma is an advanced course that is accredited and approved by The Complementary Medical Association, iPET and UK Rural Skills.

This online, distance-learning course explores all you need to know to reduce stress, increase safety, and enhance the groomer:canine bond.

Learn how to work with difficult dogs through a positive and science-backed approach to canine behaviour, communication and training in the context of professional grooming.

Please read the information below to ensure you are suitable for this course and ensure you read and agree to our T&Cs prior to purchasing (see Footer).

Course Outline:

Students will learn a variety of different skills and cover a broad range of topics including:

Self-Care Exercises & Techniques

Canine Behaviour & Psychology Theory

Positive Training Exercises & Techniques

Consent, Choice & Cooperation Methods

Risk Assessing & Grooming Logistics

Low-Stress & Safe Handling Methods

Canine Communication & Observation Techniques

Puppy & Adolescent Introductions & Grooming

Customer Retention & Professional Networking

An Introduction to Canine Dermatology

Welfare & Comfort Grooming

Devising Bespoke Care Plans, Problem Solving & Creative Thinking

Marketing & Publicity for Business

Relationship Building & Retention

Note: No part of this course focuses on aesthetics or styling.

Pre-Requisites:

This is an advanced enhancer course that relies on a students ability to take part in both written and practical tasks to demonstrate understanding and competence in all concepts and theories covered throughout the course.

Students must be computer literate and confident in working online.

Ideally, we are looking for prospective students to already have:

A minimum Level 2 Professional Styling Qualification with a recognised awarding body (iPET, City & Guilds; OCN; ICMG) and/or the equivalent work experience in grooming dogs professionally with references to support this.
An up-to-date Pet First Aid & Emergency Care Certificate from a recognised training centre (Archangels; Rachel Bean RVN; Heavenlyz; Animal Love).

We are looking for professional dog groomers who:

are interested and passionate about animal welfare and want to make grooming processes more dog-centred
are interested in learning more about canine behaviour, communication and safe handling to achieve cooperation in the salon
are invested in advancing their education and looking to improve the service they currently provide
are looking to learn practical ways to safely handle and groom "difficult" dogs in a low-stress way.
are on the verge of burnout and would like to spend more time devising ways to ensure their own self-care is nurtured while carrying out daily tasks
are interested in helping dogs who struggle to overcome their fear of grooming in a positive way

Instructor

Stephanie Zikmann

The Holistic Dog Groomer

Qualified Professional Dog Groomer & Canine Behaviourist. Number One Amazon Bestselling Author and Founder of The Holistic Grooming Academy.

£699

Enrol Now! Payment Plan Option

iPET PDR Approved
11 Advanced Units
24 Months To Complete
Student Pack (UK Students)
Self Study with Tutor Support

This course also includes:

Live Student Check-Ins
Free Business Templates
Free Educational Webinars
Free Digital Course Workbook
Inclusive Membership Access
Global Directory Business Listing
Private Student Support Community

Enrol Now! Payment Plan Option

Our students are no longer afraid or unsure about handling 'difficult' dogs!

If you think grooming non-cooperative dogs is not worth your time, think again! Our approach is practical, safe and easy to implement, and students see fast results!

Makes you think outside the box!

I absoutely love the course content, the way that holistic grooming makes you think outside the box and marrying up dog behaviour, training and grooming is so important! I've learnt so much. I look forward to the next unit and what other info is coming. Highly recommend!

by Lizi Arnold

Lizi's Pawsitive Canines

I'm confident that I know I'm doing the best I can for each dog!

I really enjoyed the course and I've learned so much right from the beginning. I wanted to learn more about behaviour and how to create a less stressful environment for my clients. This course has done just that and I'm now confident I'm doing the best I can for each dog I groom in terms of their overall well-being! I don't believe this would have been possible without studying this diploma! I highly recommend it to ALL groomers, let's change the industry to be more dog led and compassionate #fortheloveofdogs!

By Victoria Mackenzie

Ultimuttley Grooming

Wow!

Since doing your course, wow. The more I notice and the more I realise how stressful grooming is for the dogs. It's absolutely terrifying the stuff you teach isn't shown before a groomer starts grooming! It's crazy.

By Maisey Ashmead

Maisey the Groomer

Absolutely Brilliant!

I have completed The Accredited Holistic Grooming Diploma and it was absolutely brilliant! I learnt loads and the tutors and other students are such a supportive bunch. I Would 100% recommend it!

By Sylvia Gianninotti

Mrs G Groom Room

Progress, comfort and compassion!

Honestly, I didn't know another way of grooming existed other than the traditional way I was taught. I listened to a podcast by featuring Stephanie Zikmann and finally it made total sense to me. It validated my belief that muzzles, cones and more restraints only made a nervous dog more reactive. I graduated in 2021!

by Lorna Williams

Barks & Bubbles

Makes you think outside the box!

by Lizi Arnold

Lizi's Pawsitive Canines

I'm confident that I know I'm doing the best I can for each dog!

By Victoria Mackenzie

Ultimuttley Grooming

Wow!

By Maisey Ashmead

Maisey the Groomer

Absolutely Brilliant!

I have completed The Accredited Holistic Grooming Diploma and it was absolutely brilliant! I learnt loads and the tutors and other students are such a supportive bunch. I Would 100% recommend it!

By Sylvia Gianninotti

Mrs G Groom Room

Progress, comfort and compassion!

by Lorna Williams

Barks & Bubbles

Makes you think outside the box!

by Lizi Arnold

Lizi's Pawsitive Canines

Are you a Yappily Premium Member?

Receive an exclusive 50% off your accreditation if you are!

We are proud to have partnered with Yappily, and as a symbol of our affiliation we have provided Yappily premium members a whooping 50% off our accreditation. To redeem this offer, please contact the team over at Yappily to receive your code.

If you are not yet a member of their directory, you can also obtain 50% off your premium listing with Yappily as well. Your exclusive code will be given to you upon successful enrolment onto our Accreditation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this course be taken anywhere in the world?

Yes - this is an online based course and we have many international students from across the globe actively studying with the HGA!

What do I get upon completion?

All successful students receive 320 official CPD/CEU points to use towards their proof of continual professional development. This is often required for memberships to show a professional's commitment to their craft.

How advanced is this course?

We have been advised that our course is the equivalent of an RCQF Level 5. This advanced course requires the student to feel confident in conducting their own research and putting their findings into an essay-structured assessment. Students must be confident in expressing personal opinions, and basic referencing of their work.

Do I have to be a professional groomer to complete the course?

Yes - this is an enhancer course that has been designed to update the existing curriculum content. We cover the areas of professional grooming that are currently missing from the Level 3 qualification but do not cover any cosmetic sides to grooming. As such, students must provide evidence to show they have carried out Level 3 training or obtained their official Level 3 qualification in professional grooming to be eligible for this course. An exception may be relevant experience and customer references to showcase a students competence in professional grooming, though this is at the discretion of our founder, Stephanie Zikmann.

What do I need to complete this course?

You will need access to the internet, an electronic device (laptop, iPad or computer), a recording device (camera, phone with recording software) and probably coffee on tap!

Are there any live events to partake in?

Yes - we deliver monthly live webinars with other expert pet professionals across various sectors for maximum learning opportunities. All of our events are recorded and uploaded onto our membership hub for easy access and reference at any time. We provide these for free to our enrolled students to help keep the costs of studying down as much as possible.

Do we need to attend all live sessions?

We ask that students attend at least 80% of these events live, to get the most out of the experience. All events are broadcasted via our Private Student Group on Facebook and YouTube for replay as well as uploaded on our secure membership hub.

What is classed as CPD for graduates?

CPD can be any event, seminar, conference, webinar and/or course that has been taken by the graduates from a reputable and relevant organisation and/or individual, and includes any and all of the HGA's monthly events as well. Graduates have access to the HGA hub for the duration of their accreditation and therefore can utilise these benefits to adhere to our CPD T&Cs. Unfortunately, books read do not count and only CPD that can be supported with Certificates of Attendance will be counted.

Is this course a qualification?

This course is an accreditation recognised and approved by awarding-body, iPET and U.K Rural Skills. We opted to set the course up this way to make it as affordable as possible and to safeguard the quality of teaching our students receive. This means, our course is exclusive to The Holistic Grooming Academy - no other training centre in the world can offer this course.

Can I request a refund if I change my mind?

Unfortunately, no. Due to the digital nature of the course, we cannot offer a refund. You will receive your course content as soon as you process payment onto the course.

Do I get a student pack?

If you are based in the U.K, we can issue out a student pack upon request excluding postage - you should send us your full address along with an e-mail to say that you would like a pack sent out as soon as possible to: stephanie@holisticgroomingacademy.com. We can provide student packs to international students however please be aware that the cost of shipping is expensive. You do not require a student pack to complete the course - all course material and workbooks are provided in digital format and the student can opt to print their own using a company near them.

Is this course in English?

Yes - students must be able to understand, speak and write in English to complete this course with ease. We try our best to accommodate language barriers where necessary, however, we do encourage a good understanding of the English language for the best learning experience.

How long does accreditation last for?

Accreditation lasts for ONE year before a refresher exam is required - this is due to content being updated to reflect updated science. We want to ensure our students remain competent in the field and our graduates must renew each year to remain accredited through us and their business listing on our directory.

I have a complaint or a request, where do I go?

For any issues or to make a request (for example, if you would like to learn from a certain professional), e-mail: admin@holisticgroomingacademy.com.

My accreditation is due for renewal, what do I need to know?

Each year all graduates will have to register for a refresher exam to remain accredited through the HGA. Graduates must pay for their refresher exam before their year expires. After which, graduates have three months to complete the refresher exam and pass to remain accredited with the HGA. Should a graduate take longer than three months, they automatically fail their refresher and will have to sit the entire diploma again should they wish to remain accredited through the HGA. Please note that ALL graduates must actively invest in their CPD for the duration of their accreditation status and evidence must be logged into a CPD tracker. Upon renewal, evidence of CPD must be attached as part of our T&Cs.

I don't want to renew my accreditation, what do I need to do?

We are sorry that you don't want to remain a graduate of the HGA. Please send us an email to: admin@holisticgroomingacademy.com to advise us that you will not be renewing your accreditation, alongside your business details so that we can remove you from the directory immediately. You will have to remove all HGA logos and branding from your marketing material and will no longer be able to say you are HGA Approved.