Dog grooming courses, any experiance?

[Harrie123]

I am thinking of doing a city and guilds dog grooming course (or something of the sort). I would like to do a bit of dog grooming on the side.

Has any one here done a course like this? Was it worth it? Where did you take your course and how long did it last?

I am in the Cambridge area but the courses aren't very flexible.

I would quite like to get some experience with some grooming for shows, can any one recommend someone?

Thanks!!!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Pucci n Poni, Cayla on here are both groomers so hopefully they will be on later to help

 

[PucciNPoni]

Youre a bit far away from Scotland, but up here is Scotgroom, run by Agnes Murphy - (International Groomer of the Year 2006, Gold Medalist at Intergroom etc.... Show dog breeder, handler, judge, C&G examiner etc).

There's also LookNorth located in West Yorkshire run by Joanne Angus and Zoe Duffy, both extremely qualified too.

In London, Absolutely Animals, Heidi Anderton and Colin Taylor - again, very qualified and good.


Personally, i wouldn't advise undertaking dog grooming professionally without a course behind you. A 4-6 week course won't teach you everything, but should at least get you competent with basic styles, handling, safety.

Show grooming is another kettle of fish entirely. I have had experience with show horses, show llamas--- but dog grooming is so specialised that if a mistake is made then the groomer can be blamed for poor results in the show ring. Also, most dog exhibitors undertake grooming themselves or get the breeder or a professional handler to trim. I recently had an Afghan show dog in for a maintenance bath and brush while hte owner was away handling dogs in NY - I made sure he came in to show me step by step how to bath and brush his dog before I would agree to looking after his dog's coat on my own. You will find that many show people will not want a regular pet groomer "messing up" their dogs' coats.

If you want someone to show you how to do show grooming, then Agnes would be great - but she tends to show you how to trim YOUR OWN show dog rather than set you loose on her client's show dogs (or her own). It takes years of practice this before it comes right. Of course, it depends on what breed you're wanting to learn!

 

[Harrie123]

Ok great, thanks for the advice. I was thinking more on the lines of every day pets rather than show dogs. Mainly doing friends and family. I was thinking about getting some experience (even just watching) the pros and how they do it.

Is City and guilds a good course do you think?

 

[PucciNPoni]

Well, pet grooming styles tend to be shorter versions of show trims. And any decent qualified instructor will teach this (including handstripping, handscissoring, and which breeds get what!). Maybe see if there are any dog grooming competitions in your area to watch - this is always a good way to learn stuff.

C&G isn't a course, it's a qualification. You can be C&G qualified in many things - and those that advertise C&G are basically teaching to that standard, that they will teach you what you will need to know to get certification. However, last I knew, Pet Care Trust advised that you should be groomign for at least 2 years before sitting the C&G examinations in dog grooming.

Clear as mud?