Diary of a Dog Lady...
Today our little vintage grooming parlour has been open for 1 whole year!
How time flies! I can't believe it's been a year already. Thank you to all of my amazing customers for supporting me and trusting me with your babies!
Here's to plenty more years to come!
ANNOUNCEMENT TO CUSTOMERS: INCREASE IN PRICE AS OF 1 MAY 2015
Firstly, let me start by saying that it has been an absolute pleasure to work you and your fur-babies in the past, and we look forward to doing business with you again in the future. I'm privileged to be able to do a job that I love and I'm thankful to all of my clients for making our first year of business as a grooming parlour so successful.
As you may know, since opening in May 2014 we have yet to have an increase in our prices, despite gaining further qualifications, training and investing significantly in new equipment and premium products. In February 2015 we introduced a new pricing structure to our new clients, but existing clients remained on the old pricing structure. We are now implementing our new pricing structure to ALL clients. This will take effect from 1st May 2015. If you would like to enquire about your new grooming price please feel free to contact us via phone, text message, email, facebook or via our website and we will give you a personalised quote.
If you are at all concerned about the price increase, we do now offer a VIP Membership Scheme. The VIP Membership Scheme splits the yearly cost of your pet's grooming into 12 equal payments, and is paid via standing order on the 1st of each month, helping you with your budget and ensuring that your grooming fee will be fixed for at least a year. If you would like to learn more or sign up to our VIP Scheme please do let us know.
We are confident you will continue to be pleased with our superior service and look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!
Hayley x
In 2014 I completed my City and Guilds Level 3 Introductory Dog Grooming qualification and since then I have been wanting to further my learning and add to my certifications and qualifications. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down the City and Guilds route again so last week after much deliberation I decided to take the leap and I became a member of the International Professional Groomers Association and will be working towards becoming an International Certified Groomer and ultimately hope to receive the ICMG title after my name which stands for International Certified Master Groomer. This can only be achieved if a pass mark of 86% or higher is gained in every exam taken.
If you wish you may then continue on to complete 8 more exams. (4 written and 4 practical) if you pass these with a mark of 70% or higher you earn the International Certified Groomer qualification.
If you pass all of these exams with 86% or higher you will then be invited to take a further 2 exams to gain the coveted International Certified Master Groomer title and if passed with 86% or higher you will earn the letters ICMG after your name.
Hayley x
Did you know that there are no legal requirements for qualifications within the dog grooming industry? In fact, other than vets and vet nurses, there are no legal requirements for training or Qulifications in any animal care jobs. How scary is that? Literally anyone can buy a pair of scissors or clippers online and set up a business as a dog groomer with no training, knowledge or qualifications.
Yes, that's right. There are no legal requirements to ensure that your dog groomer went to school to learn how to do their job.
There are many ways in which people can become dog groomers. You can set up with no training at all and just make it up as you go along (not recommended), be trained by an already established and practising dog groomer through an informal apprenticeship program (these are extremely hard to find and you have no way of knowing that the level of training you are getting is appropriate), do an online course and receive a certificate that is not accredited (these involve no practical work with live animals at all and do not provide recognised qualifications) or undertake one of the recommended pathways into the industry by shelling out the thousands of pounds that it costs to gain a City and Guilds qualification through a college or private training school. If you are dedicated to provided the bast care possible to your clients then you will take the last option.
What are City and Guilds Qualifications?
Until 2014, there was only 1 nationally recognised dog grooming qualification in the UK. This is provided by City and Guilds. The Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming (Level 3) or the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists (Level 3) is suitable for those who have experience of working in the dog grooming industry or have completed a related qualification. Each of these stages of qualification have lengthy practical and written examinations as well as candidates providing a portfolio of work to the exam board. These qualifications can be passed with a pass, merit or distinction.
In my personal opinion, if you are leaving your dog in the care of a professional groomer the Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming (Level 3) or the international equivalent is the absolute minimum level of qualification that they should hold unless they have over 5+ years experience in the industry already.
What qualifications should my dog groomer have?
A minimum of City and Guilds Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming (Level 3) should be sought.
Further qualifications include the City and Guilds Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists (Level 3), IPG Certified Salon Professional Certiciate (CSP) and the International Certified Master Groomer Certificate (ICMG).
Qualifications from any other sources other than City & Guilds and IPG are not recognised in the professional grooming community.
Professional Groomers can also choose to be members of The Pet Industry Federation and The British Dog Groomers Association if they wish. Both industry bodies provide strict codes of ethics for groomers to abide by and keep the, up to date with industry news and developments.
Further career development steps should also be undertaken to ensure their knowledge and techniques are up the date with new methods and technologies. This includes going on regular training days in areas such as first aid, safe handling, breed workshops, alternative trims and keeping all equpitment and learning materials such a books, industry magazine subscriptions and DVDs current.
How do I know if my groomer is qualified?
Simply ask them. Most groomers will proudly display their qualifaction certificates (but remember to check they are a recognised qualification). You should also ask them if they regularly go to workshops, demo days, competitions and training days to keep they knowledge current. All of these things can be very expense and groomers can travel hours to get to them but a dedicated and professional groomer will always make the time to go.
If you don't feel comfortable asking your groomer directly, alternatively you can contact IPG or City and Guilds directly and ask if they can tell you if your groomer holds the qualification they are claiming too. Sadly some groomers will use official logos to deceive clients when they have not passed the exams. It's always best to double check if you are unsure. You wouldn't send your child to an unqualified and unregistered child minder so don't do the same for your pet.
Hayley currently holds the City and Guilds Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming (Level 3) which she passed with Distinction and is currently working towards the City and Guilds Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists (Level 3).
After all the insulating and plasterboarding was complete, we painted everything with a waterproof silicone membrane to protect it from damp and water damage.
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