Are you considering a career in pet grooming and attracted to PetSmart’s promise of free training? What sounds like an excellent opportunity to break into the pet care industry has recently come under legal scrutiny that could affect your decision.
PetSmart’s Grooming Academy requires workers to pay back $5,000 if they leave before completing two years with the company, despite advertising the program as “free” training. This Training Repayment Agreement Provision has led to multiple lawsuits claiming the company traps employees in debt.
Before you sign up for any grooming program, you need to understand what you’re really agreeing to. This post will walk you through the key facts about PetSmart’s training program, examine the recent legal challenges, and help you make an informed decision about your grooming career path.
Table of Contents
Key Facts About PetSmart’s Grooming Training Program
PetSmart’s grooming program starts with basic bather training and moves through multiple certification levels. The company provides paid training through their academy system, but trainees must complete specific dog requirements and commit to a two-year contract.
Program Overview and Requirements
You start as a bather before entering PetSmart’s grooming training program. The company requires you to pass both 50-dog and 100-dog technical tests to qualify for their academy.
Basic Requirements:
- Begin as a bather position
- Pass technical evaluations on 50 and 100 dogs
- Complete hands-on training under supervision
- Commit to a two-year employment contract
PetSmart pays for your education during the training period. However, if you leave before completing two years as a trainee, you must pay back the training costs.
The academy focuses heavily on safety procedures and breed-specific styling techniques. You’ll learn proper handling methods and grooming standards during this phase.
Hands-On Training and Certification Process
The grooming academy lasts about one month and takes place in your store or another location. Professional groomers teach you safety protocols and basic grooming techniques during this time.
After academy completion, you must groom 200 specific styles before reaching SIT status. This supervised training period helps you build confidence with different dog breeds and cuts.
Training Timeline:
- Month 1: Academy training with professional instructors
- Months 2-12: Supervised grooming of 200 dogs
- Year 2: Independent grooming with continued oversight
You work under the grooming manager’s supervision throughout the certification process. The first two years are considered the most difficult period for new groomers.
Common Job Roles and Responsibilities
As a PetSmart groomer, you’ll handle various dog sizes and temperaments daily. Your main duties include bathing, cutting, nail trimming, and ear cleaning for customer pets.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Complete full grooming services for scheduled appointments
- Maintain safety standards during all procedures
- Document any behavioral issues or health concerns
- Clean and sanitize grooming equipment between clients
You start earning commission after completing the 200-dog requirement and achieving SIT status. Before this milestone, you receive hourly pay during your training period.
The role requires physical stamina since you’ll stand for long periods and handle dogs of all sizes. Customer service skills are important because you’ll interact with pet owners about their grooming preferences and any concerns.
Inside the Recent Lawsuit and Allegations
Multiple lawsuits have emerged against PetSmart regarding their grooming training program, with Colorado filing a state lawsuit and former employee BreAnn Scally pursuing a class action case. These legal challenges focus on alleged deceptive practices around training costs and employee debt obligations.
Overview of the 2025 Colorado Lawsuit Against PetSmart
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit against PetSmart for unfair and deceptive trade practices. The case centers on PetSmart’s Grooming Academy program and related allegations.
The state alleges that PetSmart misled employees about their training program costs. Colorado’s complaint specifically targets how the company presented their Grooming Academy to potential workers.
This lawsuit runs alongside other legal challenges against PetSmart. The company faces similar accusations in multiple states regarding their employee training practices.
Alleged Misrepresentation of Free Training
The lawsuits claim PetSmart advertised “free paid training” but required employees to sign training repayment agreements. Former PetSmart groomer BreAnn Scally filed a class action lawsuit challenging these practices.
Key allegations include:
- Marketing training as completely free
- Requiring hidden repayment agreements
- Using deceptive contract language
According to the complaints, PetSmart told workers they offered free education and training. However, employees had to sign contracts requiring them to repay training costs under certain conditions.
The class action claims PetSmart illegally holds employees in debt for participating in their grooming program.
Impact on Trainees and Financial Burden
The training repayment agreement requires workers to pay back $5,000 if they quit, get fired, or are laid off within two years. PetSmart allegedly forces staff to repay upwards of $5,000 in grooming training fees under these conditions.
This creates significant financial pressure on PetSmart groomers. Many employees cannot afford to leave their jobs due to the potential debt burden.
The lawsuits describe these agreements as “TRAPs” – Training Repayment Agreement Provisions. These contracts allegedly keep workers trapped in their positions even when facing poor working conditions.
Financial consequences for you as a trainee:
- $5,000 repayment obligation
- Two-year commitment period
- Risk of debt even if terminated
The legal challenges argue these practices violate worker rights and consumer protection laws.
Understanding Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAP)
Training Repayment Agreement Provisions require employees to pay back training costs if they leave their job early. PetSmart’s grooming program uses a $5,000 TRAP that employees must repay unless they stay for two years.
How TRAPs Work at PetSmart
When you apply for PetSmart’s Grooming Academy, you’ll encounter what looks like free training. However, PetSmart requires all grooming academy enrollees to sign a TRAP worth $5,000.
Here’s how the process works:
- You sign up for “free” grooming training
- PetSmart presents a training repayment agreement during hiring paperwork
- The agreement creates $5,000 in debt tied to your training
- You must work for two years to have this debt forgiven
The training repayment agreement provision functions like a promissory note. If you leave before completing two years of employment, you owe the full amount immediately.
PetSmart presents this as a standard part of employment. You don’t get to negotiate the terms or opt out if you want the job.
Controversy and Worker Experiences
The lawsuit against PetSmart highlights serious concerns about their TRAP system. Breann Scally left her grooming position due to unsustainable working conditions but faced the $5,000 repayment requirement.
Key issues workers face:
- Debt burden: The $5,000 amount far exceeds the actual training value
- Low wages: Groomers earn barely above minimum wage, making repayment difficult
- No choice: Workers must sign or lose the job opportunity
- Hidden presentation: TRAPs are often quietly included in hiring paperwork
Scally’s case shows how TRAPs can trap workers in poor conditions. Even when faced with unsustainable work environments, the financial penalty keeps employees from leaving.
The lawsuit alleges that PetSmart’s $5,000 training cost greatly exceeds what the actual grooming training is worth.
Comparison to Industry Practices
PetSmart isn’t alone in using training repayment agreement provisions. TRAPs have become common across multiple industries including nursing, trucking, and airlines.
Industry TRAP examples:
| Industry | Typical Amount | Time Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Varies widely | 1-2 years |
| Trucking | Thousands with high interest | 10 months to 2 years |
| Airlines | Up to $19,000 | 1+ years |
| Pet Grooming | $5,000 (PetSmart) | 2 years |
Trucking companies often promise “free” training while requiring TRAPs that bind drivers for extended periods. Airlines use similar agreements to prevent pilot turnover during shortages.
The common pattern involves targeting entry-level workers or recent graduates who have limited job options. These employees often can’t afford the repayment amounts on their starting salaries.
Career Prospects and Key Considerations for Aspiring PetSmart Groomers
Understanding your earning potential and the training contract requirements will help you make an informed decision about starting your grooming career at PetSmart. The company offers structured advancement but comes with specific commitments you should know about upfront.
Pay, Job Benefits, and Earning Potential
Your earning journey at PetSmart starts modest but can grow significantly with experience. As a groomer trainee, you’ll earn around $11 per hour while learning the basics.
Once you complete the academy training, certified groomers average $14.34 per hour. This translates to about $573 per week for full-time work before taxes.
Earning Potential Breakdown:
- Trainee: $11/hour
- Certified Groomer: $14.34/hour average
- Top Performers: Up to $50/hour in busy markets
Your income can increase through tips from satisfied customers. Many groomers also build regular client bases, which can lead to more consistent scheduling and better earnings.
The training program includes over 800 hours of hands-on experience, giving you skills that transfer to other grooming positions or starting your own business later.
Pros and Cons of Starting Your Grooming Career at PetSmart
PetSmart offers several advantages for new groomers. You get paid training valued at more than $6,000 without upfront costs.
The company provides steady work with a built-in customer base. You’ll work with hundreds of dog breeds, gaining experience that many independent shops can’t offer.
Key Benefits:
- Structured training program
- Steady client flow
- Experience with diverse breeds
- Potential career advancement
However, there are drawbacks to consider. The work is physically demanding, requiring long hours on your feet lifting dogs of all sizes.
Some Reddit users mention getting stalled in bather positions when stores need more bathers than groomers. The busy salon environment can be stressful during peak times.
Pay may be lower than independent grooming shops in your area. You’ll also need to follow corporate grooming standards rather than developing your own style.
The most important consideration is understanding your training repayment agreement before signing. Colorado’s recent lawsuit against PetSmart highlights concerns about how these contracts work.
Ask specific questions about repayment terms upfront. Find out exactly how much you’d owe if you leave at different time periods.
Questions to Ask:
- What is the total repayment amount?
- How does the repayment decrease over time?
- What circumstances allow you to leave without penalty?
- Can you review the contract before your first day?
Don’t sign any training repayment agreement during a shift or break when you feel rushed. Take time to read the full contract and understand your obligations.
Consider whether the two-year commitment works with your career plans. If you’re unsure about grooming as a long-term career, the financial penalty for leaving early might not be worth the risk.
Document your training experience as you go. Keep notes about the quality of instruction and whether you’re getting the promised hands-on practice with different breeds.
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
