Animal Behavior College (ABC) Grooming Stage 6 Practice Exam

Recognize when health issues require veterinary input before grooming. An active contagious disease is a clear signal to refuse grooming and refer the dog to a veterinarian. Grooming a contagious animal risks spreading illness to staff and other pets and can mask or worsen the underlying condition, so professional evaluation is needed first for the dog’s and others’ safety.

Being recently groomed, a routine bath request, or a dog with a clean bill of health are not indicators of illness or contagious risk, so they don’t require referral.