Who pays for the dog grooming academy if required by Hydrodog?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
| Type of Expenditure (1) | Estimated Amount or Estimated Low ‒ High Range | Method Of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment is To Be Made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grooming School costs (6) | $0 | $20,000 | As Agreed | By agreement with provider | Third parties |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee fails to meet Hydrodog's standards in a skills assessment, they are required to attend a dog grooming academy of Hydrodog's choosing, and the franchisee must pay for it. The FDD indicates that Grooming School costs could range from $0 to $20,000. This cost is separate from the initial franchise fee and other initial investments.
This requirement means that prospective Hydrodog franchisees who are not already skilled dog groomers, or who do not pass Hydrodog's skills assessment, must factor in the cost of additional training. This could significantly increase their initial investment. The cost will vary depending on the grooming academy chosen by Hydrodog and the length of the training required.
It is important for potential franchisees to honestly assess their grooming skills and understand that they may need to budget for this additional expense. They should also inquire with Hydrodog about the criteria for the skills assessment and the types of grooming academies they might be required to attend, to better estimate potential costs. This expense is listed in the table of estimated initial investment.