What must I do if I am already a dog groomer before Initial Training for a Hydrodog franchise?

According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are already a dog groomer, you must complete and pass a skills assessment administered by Hydrodog prior to Initial Training. This assessment is designed to ensure that all franchisees meet Hydrodog's standards for grooming.

If you do not meet Hydrodog's standards in the skills assessment, you will be required to attend a dog grooming academy chosen by Hydrodog, at your own expense, before you can proceed to Initial Training. The FDD provides an estimated cost for Grooming School costs between $0 and $20,000, which would be paid to third parties by agreement with the provider. This ensures that all franchisees, regardless of their prior experience, are fully equipped to deliver Hydrodog's grooming services to the required standard.

This requirement highlights Hydrodog's commitment to maintaining consistent service quality across all its franchise locations. Even experienced groomers must demonstrate their skills and potentially invest in further training to align with Hydrodog's specific methods and standards. This could represent an unexpected cost for franchisees who assume their existing skills are sufficient.