Becoming a dog groomer is an exciting and rewarding career path, and at Four Paws Groom School we make it straightforward to get started. The best route is to gain a Ofqual recognised qualification that combines practical, hands-on training with essential theory such as dog handling, health and safety, breed styling and salon management. Our industry approved courses are designed to take you from beginner to confident professional, with training delivered by experienced tutors in a real salon environment. Whether you’re changing careers or leaving education, we support you every step of the way so you can graduate with the skills, confidence and certification needed to work in a salon, start your own business, or continue developing within the grooming industry.
There has never been a better time to become a dog groomer, and this rewarding career is the perfect way for animal lovers to start their own viable business from scratch or gain employment in a high demand industry. In the UK there are more dogs than ever before, and year on year the numbers continue to rise meaning more professional pet groomers are required.
There is a real need for safe, skilled dog groomers to fulfill the care needs for the nation’s favourite pet.
Dog grooming is a flexible career, so is perfect for child care givers, would-be entrepreneurs.
It is also fun, and there are lots of ways to excel in this exciting industry.
To be sure any qualification is Ofqual regulated, you can find and check qualifications on the Ofqual register via their website https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/
Currently, iPET Network only offers regulated qualifications and all our qualifications are on the register.
At Four Paws Groom School, we accept funding for our courses from the DWP (Department of Working Pensions) and the Ministry of Defence and accept the ELCAS funding loans. This funding is applied for directly by the learner and must be secured before booking a course. At Four Paws Groom School, we’ve teamed up with Ideal4Finance to make funding your course simple and flexible. Spread the cost in a way that suits you, so you can start training right away and turn your grooming ambitions into reality without the stress of a large upfront payment – more details here: Course Funding – Four Paws Groom School
Your tools will become your best friend within this industry and it’s important that you start your new career using tools you can practise with at home and you can call your own.
We have teamed up with a few suppliers to ensure you get the best equipment to start your venture. You ARE REQUIRED to purchase equipment to enrol onto the course and should bring the equipment with you on your first day. By purchasing this equipment, you will achieve the best experience throughout your training.
You have the choice to purchase the kit depending on your own preference and budget.
Usually there is a tutor to 5 student maximum ratio but occasionally we like to bring additional students in to see an unusual breed or technique. Therefore the ratio does fluctuate depending on the students present but we vow that you will always get your own dog to groom start to finish (no sharing!) We have several tutors across our salons and schools and encourage you to learn from them, each has a unique skill and knowledge to share.
All of the dogs that you will groom during your course are doggie models that are brought to our school to be groomed by students under our supervision and guidance. Their owners are charged a small fee to cover materials used in exchange for making them available to our students. We assure our doggie models owners of kind handling and excellent care whilst in our custody and that we will return them looking great in a style they like.
The courses run Monday to Friday and start at 9:15am and finish at 4:15pm. At Four Paws Groom School, we try to accommodate all our student’s needs and requests to fit around their lifestyle, meaning you don’t have to complete the course in one block, it is possible to complete the course 1 or 2 days per week depending on availability. We take on new students each month and are open all year round, not being restricted to term times. All new students start on a Monday. We recommend that you complete a full week (or as many days as you can) at the beginning of your training as there is a lot to take in.
I am very happy with this course and will definitely be back to do another 15 days to upgrade to the Diploma qualification.
Great course and so lucky to get an extra 5 days from an offer. Great experience and confidence gained from this course. I have learned a lot about dog grooming and myself.
Very happy with how this course ran. My tutor Belinda totally understood me and knew how to get me to work to my best potential. I just wish I had done a longer course. Still so much to learn. Hope to do more days at some point.
I have had the best time. Belinda has endless energy, enthusiasm and knowledge. It has been challenging for me both mentally and physically however, it has been hugely rewarding to learn a completely new skill in such a professional and friendly environment. I would recommend four paws Herefordshire to everyone. Thank you for changing my life in 2022.
An amazing course and Belinda’s brilliant. She is very knowledgeable and there’s no such thing as a stupid question. She is so willing to talk about any aspect of the grooming industry. She has been the perfect teacher. I will miss her Sadie and Liam very much.
I have absolutely loved training at Four Paws with Belinda. Her knowledge is incredible and she is always ready to share her tips and experience.
I really enjoyed the practical aspects of this course. Belinda was such a knowledgeable and supportive tutor. Thank you very much for all your training and guidance. I am feeling much more confident and really looking forward to the next adventure and renting a table from you.
I have enjoyed every minute and learned so much. I am ready to start my new career as a dog groomer. Thanks Belinda.
Brilliant Course! I have learned so many new skills and gained confidence in grooming a range of dogs. I feel very prepared to go and work independently as a groomer. Belinda thank you for all your help and support. I will miss you, Sadie and Liam.
Belinda at Four Paws Ledbury was amazing, very knowledgeable and patient when teaching. I can highly recommend the i Pet Level 3 course. There is nothing to think about but sign up today you wont be disappointed. The best career move for me and couldn't ask for better guidance. Four Paws all the way.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
Fantastic course, I have learnt so much and enjoyed every day. All staff have been amazing. Thank you!
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!
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.
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.
Diploma Fast Track course - I have enjoyed my course. The tutors were very helpful, especially Michelle who delivered the First Aid course and marked my practical assessments.