Hey. I have always wanted to try grooming dogs and think now is my opertunity. I have 2 weeks until all my exams are over and then have holidays until october. I would really like to get some work experience in a groomers and will do anything (to start I expect it will be just washing the dogs) but I would really like to try to see if it is worth later on paying money to train fully. I am not expecting to be payed but more something to keep me occupied over the long summer.

My questino is does anyone know how I would go about this. I live in SW London but can travel for a little while. And also does anyone know of any groomers that might be willing to help me start.

Many thanks in advance.
Anna

The best I can suggest is to go through the phone book and contact them personally and ask. :)

You could contact a grooming school in your area and tell them what you've just told us. They may have groomers that provide work experience opportunities for potential students.

This grooming centre offers 2 day pet grooming courses which some people use as a 'taster' before deciding whether to do the full course. 

http://www.groomers.co.uk/

When my boyfriend first returned to the UK when he was 16/17 he lived in London and worked in a groomers for a while, he had no experiance (nor did he want to become a groomer) and he just washed and dried cats and dog.  He took it as a job which paid money which was more intresting to him then working in a supermarket.

So try contacting all the local grooming salons in your area, as far as you wish to travel to and ask them :)

Good luck

Thanks all. I kind of thought that would be what I would have to do. Only problem is that I freeze up on the phone and always feel really awquard when asking people for work / experience.

There are lots of groomers around me.
Any tips on how to ask them for this opertunity. I really am rubbish and need a whole conversation mapped out before I even consider phoning people. (stupid i know)

Thanks

Thats not stupid...You sound like me :D

Just tell them your name and say something like "I'm intrested in training to become a dog groomer and was wondering if you could offer work experiance for me over this coming summer so I can decide if it's for me or not"

How about something like:
"Hi, my name is XXX and I'm calling to ask if you would consider taking on an apprentice for work experience. I am interested in becoming a groomer but want to get hands on experience before paying for grooming college. I don't have any experience in grooming but am willing to work hard and without pay if given the chance. I do have experience in handling and training dogs and have XX of my own. (expand on your experience)."

I think I would probably go in person and start by asking if this was a good time to talk to the manager. If not ask when they would have 5 minutes free and say you're happy to come back when it's convenient. People aren't really that scary once you start talking to them. I've never once had anyone bite me :) The worst that could happen is they say no. So what, just say thanks for listening and ask someone else. You'll get there.