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Northwich, Cheshire

  /  Northwich, Cheshire
Four Paws Groom School

Northwich, Cheshire

Four Paws Groom School

Four Paws Groom School is a popular dog grooming training school in Cheshire offering dog grooming courses and qualifications for those wanting to learn as a hobby or career.

Four Paws Groom School, Cheshire

Four Paws Groom School was established by Fern Gresty in 2010 to provide dog grooming training courses that met the commercial demand for dog groomers. Fern struggled to employ suitable groomers and found many needing more training. Her own experience of grooming training courses helped her identify the need for practical  training courses which covered more than just clippers! As such, Four Paws Groom School was born and a course designed and created for total novices to gain employment as a dog groomer or start a dog grooming business of their own.  Fast-forward to 2015 and Sarah Mackay joined Four Paws Groom School as a Tutor and identified the opportunity of taking the Four Paws course to an Awarding Organisation and creating an Ofqual regulated qualification that differed from the ones currently available. The difference? The new wave of cross breed dogs such as Cockerpoos and Cavachons (which were by now a grooming salons ‘bread and butter’) could be used to prove a groomers skills and not be restricted to exams on pure breeds in full coat (which are often unusual outside of the showing world). Fern and Sarah became a team and took the plunge into a business partnership which brought all their skills and knowledge together. Four Paws Groom School in Cheshire moved to new premises which were designed to be modern, practical and a great teaching environment for students, staff and of course the dogs! Welcoming students from Europe and across the globe.

Four Paws Groom School has an excellent reputation for quality and care. Additionally, the Cheshire branch also has self-catering accommodation available making distance no object.

Since 2020 Four Paws Groom School have offered the iPET Network portfolio of qualifications, finding they meet the needs of the industry and give our learners the best start to a new and exciting career. Up skill qualifications are also available for those with experience meaning learning opportunities and qualifications are available to all. Inclusive, accessible and reliable, a Four Paws Groom School course offers more.

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    In house course

    • 3 hours
    • In house course

    Perfect for pet owners that want to learn the correct tools to use on their own dog, complete a face and feet tidy up and how to maintain their dogs coat inbetween grooms.

    £99
    Level 3

    • 1 day
    • Award

    The iPET Network Level 3 Award in Canine Oral Hygiene qualification, the course has been designed in collaboration with a wide range of canine industry professionals, ensuring it incorporates up-to-date research and delivers the relevant knowledge and understanding demanded by the canine industry. The qualification is perfect for pet professionals and owners alike, it will support employment and […]

    £395
    In house course

    • 1 day
    • In house course

    A taster day in our school is ideal for anyone who would like an insight into our courses and what dog grooming entails.

    £150
    In house course

    • 3 days
    • In house course

    Building on our taster days, we now have a 3-day Good to Groom course that covers the practical fundamentals of grooming without the need to complete theory work.

    £485
    In house course

    • 1 day
    • In house course

    Perfect for pet owners that want to learn how to groom their own dog at home and build a greater bond.

    £299
    In house course

    • 5 days
    • In house course

    Our dog grooming improvement days are perfect for those that have completed the iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Salon Management qualification.

    £625
    • Abbi, Student
      May 13, 2025
      iPET Network Level 3 Award in Canine First Aid

      Loved the first aid course, was really informative and will be helpful in the future

    • Catrin, Student
      April 28, 2025
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      I really want to thank everybody at Four Paws for such a fabulous learning experience. Clare and Rebecca have been fantastic tutors; incredibly knowledgeable and skilled in their craft, they have been professional, approachable and supportive throughout. It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to learn from them. I would also like to thank Natalie, who has provided consistent and constructive feedback on my theory units allowing me to progress through the course. Of course, I can’t forget Michelle, who was also a great support during my first days at the school. I genuinely feel that the needs and welfare of the dogs in the salon is paramount to the Four Paws team which is incredibly important to me. The dogs themselves have been wonderful. Plenty of opportunities to learn and develop different and appropriate grooming and handling skills required to work in the grooming industry. The course theory content is extremely comprehensive. I feel that I have gained much more knowledge in all things canine, including canine skin and the hair cycle, the different coat types, different breeds and kennel club groups. The accommodation is not only fantastic value for money but has enabled me to train at the school whilst travelling from South London which may not have been possible otherwise. There are of course training providers much closer to where I live, however I am so glad that I chose Four Paws. I don’t imagine that I could have had a better learning experience anywhere else. I would not hesitate to recommend Four Paws to anybody wishing to pursue a career in dog grooming.

    • Lucy, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      The team really are great and were very welcoming, it is like a little family. Thank you for giving my confidence back. THANK YOU! The school and its staff are fab. This course has helped me enormously

    • Yasmine, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      Found the course challenging at times with juggling my child and being pregnant but felt the tutors supported me really well and helped me to complete the course.

    • Laura, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      Thank you for everything, I’ve had a great time and I feel like I could finally start having a go myself thanks to you guys. The instruction has been great.

    • Sam, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Award in an Introduction to Dog Grooming

      Love the course!! Tutors were fantastic! Support and advice given through- felt confident in asking lots of questions, as tutors were very patient. Great environment, cannot think of anything that I would change!

    • Abigail, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      Training alongside all the tutors at Four Paws has been amazing. The atmosphere is relaxed and feels homely. Everyone is extremely helpful even during difficult days where maybe staff or student levels were a little lower or higher than planned. All the staff were extremely knowledgeable and provided a great moral and supportive network.

    • Jill, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      Fantastic course, I have learnt so much and enjoyed every day. All staff have been amazing. Thank you!

    • Hannah, Student
      November 10, 2023
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      Diploma Fast Track Course - I was very happy with the course, it has great content and is much more thorough than the diploma I did 8 years ago. The tutors were all knowledgeable, helpful and always supportive. I think it’s helpful to be able to do assessments virtually too so that’s worked particularly well for me as I’m not local to Northwich. I’ve been able to finish it in really good time so the course length is more than adequate too. Thank you for an enjoyable qualification!

    • Lily, Student
      July 5, 2018
      iPET Network Level 3 Certificate in Dog Grooming and Introduction to Styling

      I have really enjoyed the course and feel like I have learnt a lot. I like that you are left to try what you can without the tutors hovering too much, but they are always around when you ask for help.

    • Charlotte, Student
      July 5, 2018
      iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

      The course has been great! I have enjoyed every second of it, it is very informative and helped me learn new skills and develop those I already had.

    The Team

    Sarah Mackay joined the Four Paws family in 2015 as a tutor after leaving behind a career in the corporate world to follow her passion. Her creativity and focus on quality teaching led to her becoming a Business Partner and fellow Director of Four Paws Groom School Cheshire in 2016. Together Fern and Sarah have launched […]

    Starting her early work life in sales and marketing, Fern’s career quickly went to the dogs! Like so many, Fern was inspired by her own canine companion’s welfare, and this saw her found a group of canine businesses offering a wide selection of services. Encompassing her passion for animals, education and business, the group has grown […]

    FAQs

    How does Four Paws Groom School support students in launching their careers after graduation?
    Can I expect hands-on experience during the training at Four Paws Groom School?
    What sets Four Paws Groom School apart from other grooming schools?
    Why should I choose Four Paws Groom School for my grooming training?
    How experienced are the instructors at Four Paws Groom School?

    Articles

    Have you ever dreamed of swapping your desk job for a more hands-on, fulfilling career working with animals? You’re not alone. A new nationwide study has revealed that dog grooming is now the number one career Brits want to switch to in 2025—outranking even project management, teaching, and digital marketing. Dog Grooming Analysis According to search […]

    The holiday season often prompts people to reassess their personal and professional lives. For animal lovers, this period might highlight a deeper desire to align their career with their passions. Transitioning to an animal-related career after Christmas can be a transformative step, offering personal fulfilment and professional growth. The Fresh Start Mentality after Christmas With New […]

    At Four Paws Groom School, we understand that pets are cherished family members, providing endless joy, companionship, and love. As responsible pet owners, ensuring their safety and well-being is a top priority. One of the most effective measures to safeguard your pets is microchipping—a simple yet impactful procedure that can significantly aid in reuniting lost pets […]

    Looking for a new career with animals When looking to start a new career, it is vital to start with something you enjoy and with an estimated 12 million dogs in the UK, the British population certainly love their dogs! When once dogs were left to roam our streets, they are now the most pampered pet […]

    Enhance your animal care career

    Completing a course with Four Paws Groom School offers learners a distinct advantage in enhancing their animal care career by providing a comprehensive and hands-on curriculum taught by experienced professionals. With a focus on grooming techniques, animal behaviour, and industry best practices, our training courses equips learners with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the competitive field of animal care. The modern facilities and personalised guidance from experienced tutors ensure that student not only meet but exceed industry standards, positioning them for success in a fulfilling and rewarding career working with animals.

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