What happens if I fail to meet Hydrodog's standards in the skills assessment?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you are already a dog groomer, you must complete and pass a skills assessment administered by us prior to Initial Training.
If you fail to meet our standards in the skills assessment, you will be required to attend a dog grooming academy of our choosing at your expense prior to Initial Training.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are already a dog groomer but fail to meet Hydrodog's standards in the skills assessment, you will be required to attend a dog grooming academy of Hydrodog's choosing. This attendance will be at your own expense and must be completed prior to the Initial Training.
This requirement to attend a grooming academy at your own expense could add a significant, unplanned cost to your initial investment. Item 7 includes a line item for Grooming School costs, estimating between $0 and $20,000. This cost would be in addition to the $5,000 Initial Training Fee.
Prospective franchisees who are already groomers should carefully assess their skills and experience to determine their likelihood of passing the assessment. If there is any doubt, budgeting for the potential cost of additional training would be prudent. It would also be wise to inquire with Hydrodog about the specific standards of the skills assessment and the criteria used to evaluate candidates.