Course price: Please contact Julie Dowle for price information.

NB The bronze one-day trial and the pet owner's courses are payable in full on the day of booking. The one-day pet owner's course, will also incur an additional charge for the grooming of the dog or cat, which will be charged on the day. You may also need to purchase certain essential grooming items such as scissors, etc. 

A course specially designed for pet owners to learn to groom their own breed or to enable students to get a feel for the work and a greater understanding of grooming before entering into a commitment. For pet owners this will enable them to leave with the confidence to groom their pets. For students, although the limitation of just one-day imposes a restriction on the depth of tuition, they will carry out enough practical work, under professional instruction, to get a fair idea of the involvement needed. 

Course price: Please contact Julie Dowle for price information. 

This course will enable students to cover the basics of grooming with plenty of practical involvement, while also participating in the day-to-day running of a busy grooming parlour. Students will need to supply themselves with a "personal equipment pack", which they will use while on the course. All the items in the personal equipment pack can be purchased from a recommended supplier. All other equipment is available in the grooming workshop. 

The personal equipment pack should comprise:

Equipment can be purchased from Christies, Groomers or Peasridge 

Tuition covers the handling of dogs correctly and safely, how to brush out and de-matt the coat, and which tools to use. Hands-on experience of clipping, scissoring, hand stripping and styling is provided on a selection of the different breeds frequently visiting the salon. All of these are covered by observations, practical, hands-on experience and handouts. A certificate of attendance will be issued on completion.

It is advisable for students to attend a revision day and a first aid course provided by Heavenlzy. Available Monday to Friday.

Course price: Please contact Julie Dowle for price information.

An intensive course for the student who wishes to make a career in dog grooming and who is contemplating starting up a rewarding business in this field. This course embraces all the skills necessary for complete and successful training, and will for most students ensure a high standard of confidence with which to embark upon a career. Students will experience at first hand not only the practical experience of dealing with grooming a variety of breeds, but will also have the involvement of day-to-day activities in a busy grooming environment. 

Students will receive a personal equipment pack for use while on the course. This will comprise of: 

Over the duration of the 30 days the tuition will embrace a wide range of skills. These are designed to take the student through the various levels of grooming, introducing an increasing degree of practical experience both under instruction and in a solo situation. The aim is to build total confidence in the student by the time the course is completed. 

This course is taught to levels complimenting the City and Guilds examination standards with a view to the student progressing at the end of the course, and with further practice, to acquiring a City and Guilds 7307 level 3 dog-grooming certificate, if they wish. Information will be given relating to the City and Guilds Certificate and further tuition can be arranged for any students wishing to take their C and G Exams on completion of the course. 

The curriculum will include: Clipping and hand stripping. Handling and restraining dogs safely. Brushing out and de-matting coats and the selection and use of tools. Cleaning ears, cutting nails and the expressing of anal glands. Recognition of both internal and external parasites, elements of ill health and early diagnosis. The correct methods of bathing, and selection of suitable shampoos, drying and all the different methods. 

Clipping, scissoring and styling of the poodle in pet trim, how to groom, clip and strip all types of gun dog. How to clip and strip terriers and how to style their heads, how to scissor breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Bearded Collie, Old English Sheep Dog, Tibetan Terrier and the popular crossbreeds, such as Cokerpoo, Jackapoo, Labradoodle etc. Information on first aid for animals, e.g. heat stroke, burns, scalds, fits, stings, heart attack, shock, wounds and haemorrhaging. Discussion about all the major dog-related diseases, how to control them and how to stop them spreading through the grooming parlour. Instruction on cleaning, sterilising, maintaining the equipment and general cleanliness in the grooming parlour. 

Detailed attention is given to important subjects such as customer relations, health and safety and how to handle difficult dogs' given. Advice is given on setting up your own business, advertising, accounts and design. You will also get more time to practise your scissoring for shape and balance on terrier and poodle heads and tails. The key to success is "practice makes perfect!" Students are encouraged to compile a folder of notes relating to the course. A range of informative handouts will be issued to each student, and access to our library of useful reference books is available throughout the duration of the course. Digital photography facilities are available for those who wish to record aspects of their work for future reference. A certificate of attendance will be issued on completion.