West Coast Grooming Academy

Took my puppy for her first haircut and they took great care of her knowing how scared she would be her first time at the groomers. Also took my newly adopted shelter dog and they did amazing with him as well and their haircuts came out great!

I just relocated back to the area after being in San Diego for over 10 years and was searching for groomers I felt I could trust enough with my 16 ½ year old fur-​baby, Amber. Amber has had the same groomers & vet for the last 10 years and the transition to new people was a major concern for me. I called West Coast and spoke with Chris, told him all about Amber and he assured me that she would be well taken care of. So when I took Amber in, I met with Guy and I have to say I was extremely impressed as Guy was informed ahead of time about Ms. Amber. Being a senior fur baby, Amber, would have an attitude and could be difficult sometimes (don’t touch my paws!). However, when I picked up my baby, she was gorgeous! Guy & his team did such a phenomenal job with her in-​spite of being «Lil’ Old Lady». THANKS SO MUCH TO CHRIS, GUY & THE TEAM! We have found our «new» groomers and will be back!!!

I had my Shih Tzu groomed with them for the first time– I was very impressed by their work. The staff are very friendly and professional. I was pleased that they accommodated my request to fix some areas that I weren’t cut to my satisfaction. I was pleased to see that they handled my dog with a lot of care and friendliness.

I take my dog Lucy here to get groomed, and it is THE BEST. I feel just so strongly about how awesome these folks are. They always answer when you call, and they are super flexible on appointments. (I am the worst for making same day appointments, but WCGA is always great for that.) Lucy loves them, and she always looks great. Best of all, they are always running some great deal. So it’s super convenient, very friendly, and inexpensive. That’s an impossible find in any service, especially dog grooming.
Give them a call. (Ask about the deals.)

I bring my dog chunks to west coast grooming and they all ways do a great job. They also have great discounts for the school

Trying to find a good & trust worthy groomer is more than difficult. As a pet parent (2 Shih Tzus), you want to be able to trust the groomer with your babies & when you return to pick up your babies, you can’t help but expect a clean, trimmed, & smelling good! I’ve tried multiple grooming places and the problem is that when I specially ask them NOT to cut my babies eye lashes, I mean it. Well, they didn’t quite understand that part. They cut my babies long lashes & left a red rash on my babies face (cutting too close to her face)!
West Cost Grooming Academy is located right off the 210 fwy, inside Pawfection next to a Chevron gas station on Lake Ave. There’s parking up front or the back (entrance is through an alley behind the gas station).
Chris is not only a groomer but also a grooming instructor. Chris was friendly & cheerful when he greeted me. He asked me what I would like to be done with my babies, any thing specific I would like etc. I strongly mentioned to him that it is important to NOT cut their lashes. He made note of that (called me back asking what I wanted done to my babies, he wasn’t sure :/​). I had to wait for him on the first visit (30+ min & couldn’t wait for him the following appt. Left my babies with the staff).
The grooming is done by students under supervision of the instructor. Yes, you read correctly, the grooming is done by students. You saw how bad my babies were before & then the after pictures, you’ll see what I’m talking about, not bad.
So far, I am pretty «pleased» with the results (give & take). Their beautiful lashes were not cut! The smelled good, they came home with bows & bandanas. They do offer pick up & drop off so call & ask for details.
*Must bring current vaccination records.
*Double check on appointment time & date.
*Stars taken off due to lack of communication.

As a former student of West Coast Grooming Academy, I am very disappointed in the training or lack thereof I received. I do not have previous experience working with dogs and I needed clear and thorough instruction. Unfortunately, my training with Chris Jackson, Director and lead instructor was not that great. Often times when I asked him a question (and needing help), he would respond with a question in a demeaning manner and simply walk away. When he would return to the room, he would reprimand other students for helping me (by EXPLAINING and demonstrating in his absence). This is very frustrating when trying to learn, especially after paying over $ 3,500.

I repeatedly asked Chris to provide me with step by step instruction on how to do cuts and styles. Unfortunately, he felt that his demonstration (without explanation) coupled with his orders for me to «copy» his demonstration was sufficient. Each time I would talk with Chris about taking different approaches to teach me, he would refuse. It is unclear to me if he is unable or just unwilling to ARTICULATE and instruct with clear guidance. Nevertheless, I found him to be a weak instructor, disorganized, unprofessional and verbally abusive. The week before leaving the academy, Chris Jackson called me after class and told me, «You need to take my abuse — it is good for you». I did not pay to be abused, I paid to be taught. A good instructor is one who is flexible and is able to adapt to meet the needs of his or her students since all students do not learn in the same manner and are on different levels.
If you are thinking about enrolling in this program, you may want to seriously reconsider.
Response to comment:
It’s unfortunate that you decided to respond with untruth.
1.You did say I needed to take your abuse.
2. I did not say grooming wasn’t for me, I am pursuing education elsewhere. I said I was not returning to your class.
3. I asked for the difference in cost for what you taught me (bath and nails… NOT grooming)
4. You never indicated you would offer three weeks with another instructor. When I asked to work with him, you required additional payment.
5. You now, that I am taking legal action, have a job lined up and additional training. Odd
6. I was just starting six weeks in your class, not eight.

My name is Kevin Tan and I’m a proud student & graduate of West Coast Grooming Academy! I’m also an proud owner of Compassionate K9 Mobile Dog Grooming. I wouldn’t have been able to get my business going if it wasn’t for Christopher Jackson & West Coast Grooming Academy. Chris teaches each and everyone of his student with passion & soul within his heart. Most of all Chris personality speaks for itself and he is energetic and vibrant as a person, a great father to his kids, friend, and teacher. He loves the art of dog grooming and teaches everything he knows from years and experience growing up within the grooming industry and showing competitively nationwide towards his students & challenges them each & every day with different tasks & cuts. Chris strives his teaching on making each of his students knowledgeable and competitive within the grooming industry and making sure his students has what it takes to educate their customers on a daily basis and satisfying their expectations. Once your a student of Chris you’ll always be a student of his and if you love volunteering as much as I do he has that going for you too with shelters & rescues countywide. Knowing that you can make a difference in a dog life while learning is the true epitome of dog grooming and compassion. If you are looking to be an business owner one day than I recommend you take the Advance Dog Grooming course just as I did and be the best at it. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn from Chris and the peers amongst you. West Coast Grooming Academy is your place to go! Teaching doesn’t stop their need a job after graduation or before he got that going for you too and if you need CE just like me to keep myself fresh & updated on trends and style well you are always welcome back anytime after graduation to continue the learning experience if needed! Look no further pricing is high but it’s due to the core value and quality of learning and attentive attention you are getting from West Coast Grooming Academy! You won’t regret your decision that’s for sure I know I didn’t and why should you! Chris is the best! Don’t take our word for it as a student & graduate go experience it yourself in person and you’ll see why! Once a student always a student once a groomer always a groomer!
Kevin Tan
Advance Certified Professional Dog Groomer
Compassionate K9 Mobile Dog Grooming

After the first two days attending the W.C.G.A. Academy, I was wondering what I was doing there!, I though that was not mine, be a pet groomer!, but as the days progressed I came to love what I was learning. Thank you Chris Jackson for being an extraordinary Instructor, your Knowledge and patience did awaken in me!, something that I was looking long time ago. I’m almost at the end of my six weeks grooming program, happy and ready to start another stage of my life, which I’m sure I’ll enjoy doing much!

I been attending there for a couple of mouths and I love it there! It feels like home. Always having a great time well learning at the same time! Never a doll moment. I enjoy grooming the dogs there. The instructor for the Grooming Academy is on point with his cuts and grooms. I recommend anybody that wants their dog to be washed and groomed or even want to attend the school. Sing up now!

Chris is an amazing groomer and an even better teacher! Whether you are looking to have your dog groomed by a master groomer (who is definitely a cut above the rest), or you are looking to begin your career in the grooming industry, it doesn’t get any better than West Coast Grooming Academy. Two years ago I had Chris groom a rescue poodle named Nick, who was up for adoption, for his television debut on the Queen Latifah Show, and Chris made sure that Nick was camera ready and rockin his poodle cut! Nick wowed the pants off of Queen Latifah and the show’s guest, groomer James Guiliani from the show The Diamond Collar, and was adopted the very next day! Chris will take on any dog, any breed and make them look like a super star! I’ve had a few grooming lessons from Chris myself, and what I like about him as a teacher is that he is very knowledgeable and humble; you really feel like you are in the presence of greatness and just hope that some of that talent will rub off on you! If you enroll in WCGA, the sky is the limit!