gromming qualifications

[badger]

Hi there everyone,

I just wanted to ask your opinion about something.
I'm want to start my own mobile grooming business, I've worked as a groomer before in a show cocker breeding kennel.
The woman that taught me is a championship judge and has been breeding cockers for years and  a lot of her dogs are now overseas champions.
I learned lots from her on trimming lots of breeds not just cockers.
However, although I can trim I don't have a certificate or anything to prove it.
Do you guys think I would be silly to start a business now or should I wait till my kids are older and go and do a course?
I'm doing an correspondence course in professional pet gromming at the moment but I'm not sure if that will be enough for potential clients.
Its certainly helping with the theory side of it.

As most of you have cockers, would you trust me to groom your dog?

Look forward to hearing your replies.

B                    

[Mike]

Hi again badger.

I personally would say that experience counts for more than a piece of paper when it comes to things like grooming dogs. I'd be happy that you were experienced, rather than qualified (though of course the two together is an added bonus). I would discuss with you what I wanted if I brought my cocker in to be groomed - if you said you could do it, that would be fine by me i.e. if you can offer handstripping, you'll undoubtedly do well  :wink: Would you be a cocker specialist, or are you anticipating grooming dogs of all breeds?                    

[badger]

Thanks for that.

I intend to do as many breeds as possible.
the main breeds that I learned to trim were cockers, westies, cairns, yorkies, poodles, the odd airedale and a few bitchon's.
i trimmed a lot of other breeds that were just in need of a good tidy up, you know.. bath, nails cut, ears cleaned and a good groom.

B                    

[*Jay*]

Well Badger, I would trust you to groom my dog - you offering?  :wink:    You sound liek you would do a better job than me!!! Good luck with it all. I say go for it.                    

[badger]

Just saw where your location is, Dundee right?
I'm from St.Andrews. haha.
Unfortunately not living there at the moment, but will again one day so maybe I will get to trim your dog one day! haha.

Thanks for your reply.

B                    

[*Jay*]

I got my hopes up there :wink:    Hurry back                    

[Michele]

Hi B and welcome to COL.
I worked in a grooming salon for nearly 6 years and in that time all my experience was learnt 'hands on' like yourself. I now have a small client base and work for myself. This has suited me much better as it gives me more time for my own dogs and as my daughters are still at school I can also work around the school run, holidays etc.
I took no exams, nor have I been on any grooming courses. As long as you are good at what you do, that seems to be all the credentials you need. Lets face it you could take all the exams and courses in the world and still be rubbish at grooming dogs. You obviously have the flare, so my advice is go for it. There are plenty of dogs out there in need of a good tidy up, and if you're anything like me you'll soon find that word spreads like wild fire    

Michele                    

[TOPAZ BILLY]

Hi Badger,

This subject really interests me as this is something I would like to do but I am coming at it from the other side if you like, in that I have no grooming experience apart from my own dog.

I am currently trawling through the hundreds of courses out there both the correspondence type and the actual hands on. I feel that as a complete novice I need some formal training however in my opinion you already have that base and maybe you should strike a happy medium and find somewhere that will take you through to NVQ level but without doing the complete course? Can't really comment about starting a business when you have kids, but I think the flexibility of dog grooming could work well( I hope so)


Out of interest where are you currently based?

Let me know how you get on what ever route you take very interested.

Michelle                    

[badger]

thanks for all your replies.
I apprieciate them all.

Michelle, I am based in Newquay at the moment and not missing the scottish weather at all! haha.
Have you contacted the pet care trust about training?
If you have ignore me but if not, e-mail them.
I e-mailed them yesterday and they are sending details out to me.
At the moment i'm doing a correspondence course with ICS in professional pet grooming, I've just not long started it and so far I'm enjoying learning more about the theory side of things.
you obviously love dogs and i think you'd love a grooming career.
Let me know how you get on.

Shane

Michele,
your reply made me feel heaps better, so thank you so much.
Theres a lot to be said for experience isn't there.
The woman that taught me also taught her daughter, and her daughter is one of the founder members of the british dog groomers association, so my training couldn't have been too shoddy. haha.
I'm in the same situation with kids and thought that a small client base would fit in well with my family.
I'm also a fully qualified hairdresser so I'm quite good with the old scissors! haha. hey, theres a thought maybe i could combine the two and while doggy is drying mummy or daddy can have hair trimmed too!
hahaha.
You've really inspired me now!
Thanks again.

Shane                    

[Colin]

I always thought being a dog groomer was a really cushy job but how wrong could I have been. :roll:  I seem to have lost all feeling in my forefinger and thumb from handstripping my two, and that's one with a pretty low maintenance coat and an 8 month pup that hasn't really sprouted a full coat yet. So respect to anyone that wants to do it full time.

I've only ever used a groomer once and I never even thought to ask for certificates etc. All I wanted to know was that she had handstripped Cockers before and had an idea of what the desired look for a Cocker was. I'm not sure most people would even require that, most Cocker owners I meet don't seem too bothered about handstripping, they just want a neat and tidy looking dog and clippering will do.

I've no idea about the demand for groomers in Torquay or Wigan but in London there is a real dearth of them. All the good ones seem to be fully booked up and won't take on new custom. I'm always having this discussion with owners of breeds that require trimming and they all say the same thing "if you hear of a good groomer, let me know". So if either of you ever decide to locate to London I could probably supply you with about 25 customers straight away !                    

[Sophie]

Hi

I am currently looking to train in grooming.  Now have three (3) Cockers and the cost of a good groomer makes me want to do it myself!!!

We dont show but have had Sophie hand stripped; although after the first couple of visits the clippers seem to come out and we move groomers.

Any advice of views would be gratefully received.


Steve