Are the costs of the online grooming training program for a Hydrodog franchise refundable?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you are not already a dog groomer, you must hire a lead groomer (who must be approved by us in writing) and successfully complete our designated online grooming training program prior to Initial Training.
The cost of the online training program, including but not limited to registration fees, materials, equipment, travel and living expenses, shall be your sole responsibility.
These costs are non-refundable regardless of completion or success in the program.
If you are already a dog groomer, you must complete and pass a skills assessment administered by us prior to Initial Training.
Should you fail to meet our standards in the skills assessment (as determined by us in our sole discretion), you will be required to attend a dog grooming academy of our choosing at your expense prior to Initial Training.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are not already a dog groomer, you must hire a lead groomer (approved in writing by Hydrodog) and successfully complete their designated online grooming training program before the initial training. The costs associated with this online training program, including registration fees, materials, equipment, travel, and living expenses, are your sole responsibility as the franchisee.
Hydrodog explicitly states that these costs are non-refundable, regardless of whether you complete the program or succeed in it. This means that even if you do not finish the online training or fail to meet Hydrodog's standards, you will not receive a refund for the expenses you incurred.
If you are already a dog groomer, you must pass a skills assessment administered by Hydrodog before the initial training. If you fail to meet Hydrodog's standards in the skills assessment, you will be required to attend a dog grooming academy of their choosing at your own expense before the initial training. These costs would also be non-refundable.