Splash petsmart 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS 2024/2025 CORRECT, Exams of Health sciences
PetSmart Splash Exam
100% Verified Answers | 2024/2025 — Graded A+ | Complete Study Guide
Complete verified Q&A guide for the PetSmart Splash (Grooming) Exam. Covers all key topics: Hydrosurge
operation, dog communication, coat types, grooming tools, drying methods, danger zones, pre/post-bath
checklists, safety restraints, stress signs, muzzle guidelines, blade numbers, shampoo products, and pet health
protocols.
# Section # Section
1 Stylist Services & Roles 2 Dog Communication & Handling
3 Hands-On Pet Assessment (HOPA) 4 Hydrosurge Bathing System
5 Pre-Bath & Post-Bath Checklists 6 Drying Methods
7 Grooming Tools & Their Uses 8 Clipper Blades & Blade Safety
9 Coat Types & Breed Categories 10 Danger Zones
11 Safety Restraints & Muzzles 12 Stress Signs (Critical & Non-Critical)
13 Shampoo & Product Guide 14 Special Conditions & Medical Protocols
15 Ear Care & Cleaning 16 Quick Reference Summary Table
Section 1: Stylist Services & Roles
Q: Which services does a Stylist Apprentice/Professional Bather provide? (Select all that apply.)
✔ Bath and brush services (B/B)
Stand-alone services
Add-on services
Q: What does B/B stand for in PetSmart grooming?
✔ Bath and Brush — the core bathing service that includes shampoo, blow dry, and brush-out.
Q: What are stand-alone services?
✔ Individual services that can be booked separately, such as nail trim, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, or
de-shedding — not part of a full groom package.
Q: What are add-on services?
✔ Services added onto a bath or groom package such as: nail grinding, teeth brushing, flea/tick treatment,
de-shedding, hot oil treatment, or cologne.
Q: What does S.C.E.N.T stand for during the Hands-On Pet Assessment?
✔ Skin • Coat • Ears • Nails • Teeth — the five areas assessed during check-in.
Section 2: Dog Communication & Safe Handling
Q: What are the six body parts of the dog that assist in reading the dog's communication?
✔ 1. Posture
2. Ears
3. Eyes
4. Mouth
5. Tail
6. Hair / Piloerection (raised hackles)
Q: When talking about dogs and dog handling, where is the bite zone?
✔ The bite zone is the area the dog can reach with their teeth. Always stay aware of this zone and position
yourself safely outside of it when handling dogs.
Q: How do dogs communicate?
✔ Through their ears, mouth, eyes, body posture, and tail. Always read the whole dog — not just one body
part — to assess their emotional state.
Q: Why is it important to stay in contact with a restrained dog?
✔ So the dog cannot fall off the table or jump out of the tub. Always keep at least one hand on the pet during
grooming.
Q: What should you do with your free hand when scissoring, clipping, or combing a pet?
✔ Always keep your free hand on the pet at all times during the grooming process.
Q: Why is it important to perform a thorough Hands-On Pet Assessment (HOPA) for every dog? (Select
all that apply.)
✔ So you can recommend appropriate services that meet the dog's needs
So you can identify possible medical or behavioral issues before starting the service
To establish rapport with the pet before grooming begins
Section 3: Hands-On Pet Assessment (HOPA) & Check-In
Q: What is HOPA?
✔ Hands-On Pet Assessment — a thorough physical check of the pet performed at check-in AND again before
bathing. Checks S.C.E.N.T: Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth.
Q: When is a second HOPA performed?
✔ Before starting pre-bath steps — after checking in the dog, a second HOPA is completed to confirm the
pet's condition and catch any issues that may have been missed at check-in.
Q: During the HOPA, a pet parent tells you his dog has a heart condition but the dog is not showing signs
of stress. How will you respond?
✔ Note it on the Client Service Card and in the reservation system.
Ask the pet parent to pick up the dog as soon as the service is finished.
Complete the service because the dog doesn't show any symptoms.
(If a dog has heart disease: ONLY accept if no signs of illness are showing. Always document the condition.)
Q: What should you ask the pet parent before beginning a service?
✔ Ask what behaviors the dog has shown in the past — then decide whether the service can be safely
completed. Document all behavior history in the system.
Section 4: Hydrosurge Bathing System — Steps & Procedures
Q: What is the Hydrosurge system used for?
✔ To bathe pets — it is PetSmart's professional bathing system that dispenses shampoo and water
simultaneously at a controlled flow rate.
Step Action
Step 1 Turn on water and adjust temperature to desired (comfortable) setting.
Step 2 Select desired product using the 'Select Product' dial — the number on the dial must match the product.
Step 3 Using the 'Select Function' switch, choose the 'Rinse' or 'Bathe' position.
Step 4 Adjust the Product Flow Rate for more or less product.
Step 5 Angle the nozzle at a 45-degree angle and hold 3–4 inches away from the coat. Slowly move the spray pattern across the animal.
Step 6 Select 'Rinse' to rinse the animal. Always leave the system on the RINSE position when finished.
Q: Hydrosurge Pouch Installation — steps in order:
✔ Step 1: Remove the protective cap.
Step 2: Hook the pouch hole onto the hanger.
Step 3: Push the pouch cap at the bottom of the pouch onto the port.
Step 4: Snap to lock — make sure the pouch is pushed all the way down.
Q: Hydrosurge Pouch Removal — steps in order:
✔ Step 1: Hold the neck of the pouch, depress the lever, and lift the pouch to remove.
Step 2: Unhook the pouch hole from the hanger.
Step 3: Use protective caps whenever ports are not in use.
Section 5: Pre-Bath & Post-Bath Checklists
Q: What are the pre-bathing steps? (In order)
✔ 1. Perform 2nd HOPA
2. Trim eyes
3. Shave paw pads
4. Shave sanitary area
5. Brush coat / identify and dematt
6. Pre-shave long matted coats
7. Pluck, clean, and flush ears
8. Clip and file nails
Q: What are the post-bathing steps? (In order)
✔ 1. Completely dry the coat
2. Verify the dog feels clean and smells good
3. Brush and comb out the entire coat
4. Clipper/scissor the coat per instructions
5. Comb through entire coat and check for 'stick-ee-outees'
6. Double check: nails, ears, pads, and sanitary
7. Verify face is even, tail is mat-free, and body is tidy
Q: What is included in the post-bathing finishing touches?
✔ Trim feet • Brush • Apply cologne • Bandana or bow
Q: What are the benefits of shaving a dog's sanitary area?
✔ Keeps hair free of tangles, mats, and traps for urine, feces, dirt, associated bacteria, and odors —
promoting hygiene and comfort.
Q: When should eye wash be used during a groom?
✔ As needed throughout the entire groom — before the bath, after the bath, and even during the groom if
needed. Always use tearless shampoo near the face.
Section 6: Drying Methods
