I wonder if anyone can help me who is in the dog grooming business?
I am looking into embarking on a fairly intensive city and guilds intermediate course in dog grooming, as well as taking on some voluntary work at one of my local grooming salons.
It seems that many are accredited training centres, and I guess this is the best way to go.
The costs of the courses are fairly high, but there is some variation and this is something I'd really like to do and a serious career change for me.
Could anyone offer advice as to whether they took the c&g course, or did they just gain experience first and then perhaps sit that exam...
Also any recommendations for training particularly in the South East area...(there is one I have found closer to where I live, but I don't think they are accredited as a training centre - does that matter?).
I've looked on the petcare trust website and found lots of useful information, but not actually been able to speak to anyone who is currently a dog groomer.
Many thanks in advance.
Tracey

Can't edit, so I'll have to reply to myself! lol

Have just seen the other thread about groomers, etc, so I hope that my questions above don't appear trite
I really would appreciate some general advice from any of our groomers on this forum.
Thank you.

HI

I am doing the same thing but to sit the exam you need 18 months in the feild, im working in my spare time at a groomers, totally unpaid. But with the crunch at the moment she has had to lay 2 people off and things are slow. Id look into finding a groomer you can do the same with as i am and when you feel comfortable and you know what you are doing which should be a year, for fully being able to clip, strip and all that jazz. The girl i work with were trained jolly king SP i think thats her name. So they know what they are doing and do it quick, they were trained at college when they were 16 but i have to work as well so this is my route. and i imagine your in the same boat. Samoyeds i find difficult, and dont shut up lol!

P.s To be employed noone will really look at you twice without C&G so dont pay silly prices for a course get some free hands on and pay the examination at the end.

Have PM-ed you.

Many groomers do not actually have qualifications as it is the experience that really matters.  But there is nowadays more of an emphasis on qualifications.

thanks both for your replies...
Shall look into it a little more..
As I'm (at some point soon - seems like never at the mo!) emigrating to Australia, I'm hoping to embark on a completely different career path :-)

> Many groomers do not actually have qualifications as it is the experience that really matters.  But there is nowadays more of an emphasis on qualifications

To take the C&G exam do you have to have been working allong side a qualified groomer or trainer  ? if not and you work alone can it still be taken.
I also thought that there were  going to introduce new laws that meant all groomers needed to have a recognised qualification.

We were told that in 1994! :)

Not when I trained - we did a one day a week course for 2 years (should have been 3 but they changed it partway through) then took the exams. Nobody's ever asked me if I'm qualified though!

>To take the C&G exam do you have to have been working allong side a qualified groomer or trainer  ? if not and you work alone can it still be taken.

hi lilacbabe.. that I believe applies to the C&G Advanced diploma/certificate.  You must have worked for 18 months as a groomer to qualify to take that exam.

Unfortunately, at worst, anyone can still buy a pair of clippers and put an advert in their local newspaper and start work on unsuspecting owners and their dogs.  People trained by incompetent groomers, shave everything off and even competition winners, who are capable of fabulous trims, clip everything off for speed in their own parlours!  The results can be seen walking the streets. :(
So like 'buyer beware' when you buy goods, it's 'owner beware' when you book your dog into a grooming parlour.  Ask the right questions and make sure what you're going to get before you even make that appointment.  There are good groomers out there, you just need to seek them out! :)

> There are good groomers out there, you just need to seek them out! :-)

I agree with you that there are alot of bad groomers out there and I think that it is important to ask what qualifications a groomer has. Saying that even if they are qualified up to the hilt they can still be bad groomers as some take on too many dogs at once and try and get them done as quickly as possible.

So therefor it is worth having a look at what comes out of their salons as well as asking alot of questions. Just because they are competition winners does not mean they will do a better job than somone who is not as qualified.

well.. I've had my first day today of voluntary work at one of our local grooming salons.. hard hard work, on the go all the time..
Some lovely breeds, and lovely people met.
I LOVE it!  I cannot wait to train up, keep on with getting experience and hopefully having a new career..
Glass of wine and feet up time now :-)