🐩 Learn to Groom Your Own Poodle — One-on-One Lessons in Kingston, Ontario
There's nothing quite like a freshly groomed poodle. But between professional appointments, coats grow, mats form, and grooming bills add up fast.
What if you could learn to do it yourself — properly, confidently, and with the right guidance?
Our hands-on Poodle Grooming Lessons give you exactly that. Bring your poodle to our professional salon in Kingston and spend the session learning to groom them start to finish — with a 35 year grooming veteran right beside you every step of the way.
This isn't a demonstration. This is your hands on the dog, your hands on the tools, learning by doing.
What You'll Cover
Every session is tailored to you and your dog but will typically include:
- Coat preparation and brushing technique
- Bathing and proper product use
- High velocity drying and coat finishing
- Clipper handling and blade selection
- Scissoring basics and shaping
- Foot, face and ear maintenance
- Tool care and maintenance between sessions
By the end of your session you'll leave with real skills, real confidence, and a beautifully groomed poodle.
Two Ways to Book Your Lesson
We offer two session options to suit where you are in your grooming journey — mention your preference when you contact us and we'll take it from there.
Pricing will depend on the option you choose. The time varies depending on your experience and your poodle size. Contact us to discuss.
Option A — Bring Your Own Tools - $100 per hour. Already have professional grooming tools or ready to invest in your own kit? Come prepared and focus entirely on learning. See the tool list below for what to bring. Not fully equipped yet? Visit our shop before your lesson and we'll make sure you have everything you need. 👉 Shop grooming tools
Option B — Use of Professional Salon Equipment - $150 per hour. Not ready to invest in tools yet? No problem. This option gives you full access to our professional salon equipment for the duration of your session. Nothing to buy, nothing to bring — just show up with your poodle and your enthusiasm.
Whichever option you choose, the instruction, the experience, and the results are the same. Contact us to discuss which is right for you.
Option A Tool List
Bring whatever professional grade tools you already own. Here's a general guide:
- Professional grade clipper — corded or cordless
- #10 blade — essential
- Plus any finishing blades you own — #3, #4, #5, #7 etc.
- OR a #30 blade with a snap on comb set — either approach works
- Straight shears
- Curved shears
- Chunkers
- Thinners
- Slicker brush
- Metal comb
- De-matting tool
- Nail trimmers or Dremel if you have one
- Styptic powder
- Clipper brush
- Grooming apron
- Clothes you don't mind getting wet or hairy 😄
Provided by Classy Canines — no need to bring:
- Shampoo and coat care products
- High velocity dryer
- Grooming table
Don't have everything on the list? Visit our shop before your lesson and we'll make sure you're fully equipped. 👉 Shop grooming Kits
What to Expect
- One-on-one instruction — just you, your dog, and your instructor
- Held in a fully equipped professional grooming salon in Kingston, Ontario
- Poodles only — toy, miniature and standard welcome
- Your dog must have been professionally groomed within 4-6 weeks prior — this ensures the coat is in workable condition for learning
- Session length varies depending on your dog's size, coat condition, and your pace — we never rush the process
- Comfortable, supportive learning environment — no experience necessary
Ready to Book?
Sessions are scheduled individually to fit your availability. Fill out the contact form below to tell us about you and your poodle — your preferred option, your poodle's size and coat condition — and we'll be in touch to discuss scheduling and pricing.
👉 Contact us below to get started
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn to groom my own poodle at home? Yes — and our one-on-one lessons are designed to teach you exactly that. You'll learn professional techniques in a real salon environment that you can then apply at home between professional appointments.
How long does a poodle grooming lesson take? Session length varies depending on your poodle's size, coat condition, and your pace. A standard poodle lesson typically runs 3-4 hours. Toy and miniature poodles may take less time. We never rush the process — you learn at your own pace.
How much does it cost to groom a poodle yourself? Once you have the right tools and skills, home grooming saves significant money over time compared to regular professional appointments. Our lessons give you the foundation to maintain your poodle properly between salon visits.
Do I need experience to take a poodle grooming lesson? No experience is necessary. Sessions are completely tailored to your starting point whether you've never touched a pair of clippers or have some basic experience already.
What tools do I need to groom a poodle? See our Option A tool list above. If you're not sure what you have or need, contact us before booking and we'll help you figure it out. You can also choose Option B and use our professional salon equipment during your session.
What size poodles do you work with? All sizes — toy, miniature and standard poodles are all welcome at our Kingston Ontario salon.
Why does my poodle need to be recently groomed before the lesson? A heavily matted or overgrown coat makes it very difficult to learn proper technique. Your dog must have been professionally groomed within 4-6 weeks prior to your session so we can focus on skill building rather than coat correction.
Where are the poodle grooming lessons located? Lessons are held at our professional grooming salon in Kingston, Ontario. Contact us to discuss scheduling and availability.
How do I book a poodle grooming lesson? Fill out the contact form below with your name, your poodle's name, size, coat condition and preferred option and we'll be in touch to schedule your session and discuss pricing.
Is this lesson only for poodles? Yes — these lessons are specifically designed for poodle coats and grooming techniques which differ significantly from other breeds. We offer separate puppy maintenance classes for other breeds.
