The Complete PetSmart Academy
Quiz Guide: 300 Questions &
Detailed Answers (MOST RECENT)
GRADED A+
🛡️ General Safety and Handling
1. What should you always do before using the clipper blade on a
pet? Check the temperature of the blade.
2. What do you do with your free hand when you are
scissoring/clipping/combing a pet? Always keep it on the pet for
restraint and control.
3. What are the "danger zones" on a dog? Hock, armpit, tuck-up,
undercarriage, neck, paws, eyes, mouth, ears, rectum, and sanitary
area.
4. What is your safest blade to use in danger zones? A #10 blade.
5. What blade(s) are safe to use in the armpits? A #10 blade.
6. When scissoring around the pad of the foot, what should you
do? Never scissor across the pad. Use a #10 or #30 blade to clip
hair in the pad.
7. What should you do when shaving the neck and throat of a
pet? Hold the skin taut.
8. What are the critical signs of stress in a dog? Seizures,
uncontrolled bleeding, being unresponsive/unconscious, difficulty
breathing, inability to walk, repetitive dry-heaving, and a distended
abdomen. If these are observed, seek veterinary attention
immediately.
9. When do you use eyewash? As needed throughout the groom,
before the bath, and after the bath.
, 10. When should you disinfect your blades? After each dog,
not just at the end of your shift.
11. Where would you find a dog safety kit? Under/within the
main counter in the PetSmart, at the register nearest the door,
under/within the main counter in the Salon.
12. What is PetSmart's policy regarding the number of dryer
hoses that may be placed per kennel door? 1 per door.
13. When must a pet be properly restrained with a grooming
loop or slip lead? Anytime the pet is not in a kennel.
14. True or False: Salon associates may groom a pet that has
been sedated or tranquilized. False.
15. What is the muzzle time limit? 20 minutes over the entire
stay.
🔧 Equipment and Maintenance
16. Why is it important to clean and lubricate your blades at
the end of each day? Clean blades cut better, run cooler, last
longer, and it helps remove dirt, hair, and blade coolant buildup.
17. True or False: You should disinfect your blades at the end
of each shift. False.
18. What supplies do you need to clean your blades? Blade
wash, paper towels, gloves, a bath towel, blade oil, and a bowl.
19. What length of coat does a #40 blade leave? 1/50 inch.
20. What length of coat does a #10 blade leave? 1/16 inch.
21. What length of coat does a #7 blade leave? 1/8 inch.
22. What is the length of the guard coat that a #0 guard
comb leaves? 5/8 inch.
23. What is the length of the guard coat that an E guard
comb leaves? 1 inch.
24. True or False: Snap-on comb length vary by
brand/style. True.
, ✂️ Grooming Procedures
25. What are the pre-bathing steps? Complete a second
Hands-On Pet Assessment (HOPA), trim eyes, shave pads, shave
the sanitary area, brush the coat, pre-shave long/matted coats,
pluck/clean ears, and clip/file nails.
26. What are the post-bathing steps? Completely dry the coat,
verify the dog feels/smells clean, brush/comb out coat,
clipper/scissor the coat per instructions, comb through entire coat,
double-check nails, ears, pads, and sanitary areas, verify face is
even, and tail is mat-free.
27. How should you shave a docked tail? Use a #10 blade
under the tail and use the same blade size on the top/sides as the
body.
28. What are the steps to executing a clean face on a
poodle? Shave from the opening of the ear canal to the corner of
the eye, being cautious of danger zones, create a "u" or "v" shape
on the neck, and use a clean/cool #10 blade.
29. How do you deal with different types of matting? Line
brush, when in doubt shave out.
30. What type of matting must not be brushed out and can
only be shaved? Pelt matting.
31. What are the rules for pet parent supplied products? If
medicated, it has to be prescribed to that dog, it can't be flea or
tick treatment, and must be labeled correctly.
32. When shaving a clean face on a poodle you
should... Shave from the opening of the ear canal to the corner of
the eye, be cautious of danger zones, create a "u" or "v" shape on
the neck, use a clean/cool #10 blade.
33. What does a good reverse HOPA look like? Ensure PP is
satisfied, smile/greeting, rebook next appt, review pawgress report.
34. True or False: Shears or scissors may NEVER be used to
remove mats. True.
Quiz Guide: 300 Questions &
Detailed Answers (MOST RECENT)
GRADED A+
🛡️ General Safety and Handling
1. What should you always do before using the clipper blade on a
pet? Check the temperature of the blade.
2. What do you do with your free hand when you are
scissoring/clipping/combing a pet? Always keep it on the pet for
restraint and control.
3. What are the "danger zones" on a dog? Hock, armpit, tuck-up,
undercarriage, neck, paws, eyes, mouth, ears, rectum, and sanitary
area.
4. What is your safest blade to use in danger zones? A #10 blade.
5. What blade(s) are safe to use in the armpits? A #10 blade.
6. When scissoring around the pad of the foot, what should you
do? Never scissor across the pad. Use a #10 or #30 blade to clip
hair in the pad.
7. What should you do when shaving the neck and throat of a
pet? Hold the skin taut.
8. What are the critical signs of stress in a dog? Seizures,
uncontrolled bleeding, being unresponsive/unconscious, difficulty
breathing, inability to walk, repetitive dry-heaving, and a distended
abdomen. If these are observed, seek veterinary attention
immediately.
9. When do you use eyewash? As needed throughout the groom,
before the bath, and after the bath.
, 10. When should you disinfect your blades? After each dog,
not just at the end of your shift.
11. Where would you find a dog safety kit? Under/within the
main counter in the PetSmart, at the register nearest the door,
under/within the main counter in the Salon.
12. What is PetSmart's policy regarding the number of dryer
hoses that may be placed per kennel door? 1 per door.
13. When must a pet be properly restrained with a grooming
loop or slip lead? Anytime the pet is not in a kennel.
14. True or False: Salon associates may groom a pet that has
been sedated or tranquilized. False.
15. What is the muzzle time limit? 20 minutes over the entire
stay.
🔧 Equipment and Maintenance
16. Why is it important to clean and lubricate your blades at
the end of each day? Clean blades cut better, run cooler, last
longer, and it helps remove dirt, hair, and blade coolant buildup.
17. True or False: You should disinfect your blades at the end
of each shift. False.
18. What supplies do you need to clean your blades? Blade
wash, paper towels, gloves, a bath towel, blade oil, and a bowl.
19. What length of coat does a #40 blade leave? 1/50 inch.
20. What length of coat does a #10 blade leave? 1/16 inch.
21. What length of coat does a #7 blade leave? 1/8 inch.
22. What is the length of the guard coat that a #0 guard
comb leaves? 5/8 inch.
23. What is the length of the guard coat that an E guard
comb leaves? 1 inch.
24. True or False: Snap-on comb length vary by
brand/style. True.
, ✂️ Grooming Procedures
25. What are the pre-bathing steps? Complete a second
Hands-On Pet Assessment (HOPA), trim eyes, shave pads, shave
the sanitary area, brush the coat, pre-shave long/matted coats,
pluck/clean ears, and clip/file nails.
26. What are the post-bathing steps? Completely dry the coat,
verify the dog feels/smells clean, brush/comb out coat,
clipper/scissor the coat per instructions, comb through entire coat,
double-check nails, ears, pads, and sanitary areas, verify face is
even, and tail is mat-free.
27. How should you shave a docked tail? Use a #10 blade
under the tail and use the same blade size on the top/sides as the
body.
28. What are the steps to executing a clean face on a
poodle? Shave from the opening of the ear canal to the corner of
the eye, being cautious of danger zones, create a "u" or "v" shape
on the neck, and use a clean/cool #10 blade.
29. How do you deal with different types of matting? Line
brush, when in doubt shave out.
30. What type of matting must not be brushed out and can
only be shaved? Pelt matting.
31. What are the rules for pet parent supplied products? If
medicated, it has to be prescribed to that dog, it can't be flea or
tick treatment, and must be labeled correctly.
32. When shaving a clean face on a poodle you
should... Shave from the opening of the ear canal to the corner of
the eye, be cautious of danger zones, create a "u" or "v" shape on
the neck, use a clean/cool #10 blade.
33. What does a good reverse HOPA look like? Ensure PP is
satisfied, smile/greeting, rebook next appt, review pawgress report.
34. True or False: Shears or scissors may NEVER be used to
remove mats. True.
