If you spend time grooming your dog, or you enjoy taking him to a grooming salon, then dog grooming might be the profession for you.

And on the Blackford Centre's home-study course, you'll discover everything you need to be a professional dog groomer. You'll learn how to groom different breeds, how to find customers, and how to set up a salon (whether at home, in a van, or in a shop).

You can study the course online at home, and there's a printed edition that comes to your door. There's no pressure – and we give you lots of support.

QLS Level 4 Award

At the end of this course successful learners receive a Certificate of Achievement and a Learner Unit Summary. Read more

Is there a demand for dog grooming?

No matter where you live, people need their pets bathed, clipped and styled. Some owners are afraid to clip nails, while others don't have time to give their pets a bath.

The dog groomer is there to do a job that can be done by only a select few. And you can become one of them.

Is there much competition?

When you drive around you'll see a few people who are already in the dog grooming business. But have you ever called and tried to get a pet into one of these busy places?

It's often impossible without making an appointment weeks in advance! There are simply not enough dog groomers to go around.

Plus, many dog owners simply aren't aware of the need to have their dog groomed - or the benefits it brings.

We'll be showing you how to reach out to dog owners, and telling you about special marketing techniques that will drive people to your salon.

You've several options for success

Home-based business: Dog grooming is very flexible. For example, you can start with a home-based business, working from your garage or spare room. That means lower costs - so it's a great way to start.

It's also good for your clients because many of them might come from your own neighbourhood. You're able to provide a much calmer atmosphere at home for their pets than you could in a commercial building.

But we also tell you about how to get permission from your local authority, so you stay on the right side of the law.

Mobile grooming: Alternatively, you can set up a mobile grooming business in a van. This is an excellent way to meet the needs of customers, at low cost. There are many senior citizens who can't get out of their homes, and whose pets desperately need grooming.

You can drive to their home, set up in the driveway and in just an hour have their pet looking its best. That way you provide a very convenient service. In addition, the dog is happier because he didn't have to go to a strange place and be placed in a cage all day waiting to be picked up.

Your own store: But if you've always dreamed of having a salon in your local high street or even at a shopping centre, you can do that as well. In this course, you'll learn everything you need to know about opening your doors for business, taking appointments and creating a safe environment.

Click Play above to watch a short video about the course.

Student Success Story It's hard to believe that it's been three years since I started out on my new career in dog grooming. I had no idea if I would be able to build a successful business... but I have and it's great! Since finishing the Diploma I have built up a very successful business based at home in a summer house which we converted in my garden. I have gone from working a couple of evenings and weekends to working six full days a week with 3/4 dogs a day, and during November and December I opened seven days a week with longer hours just to be able to accommodate the busy Christmas rush! - Karen Lofthouse, Wiltshire (Former Diploma in Dog Grooming Student)

What's it like to be a dog groomer?

Being a dog groomer is hard work, but unlike many jobs, you have a lot of flexibility and you'll have a sense of pride each day when you go home.

Dog grooming is a real skill and you have to learn a variety of tricks and secrets, all of which you'll find in our course.

Despite all of the hard and physical work, there are great moments as well. It's kind of fun getting wet when the dog can't resist the urge to shake himself in the bath. And nothing is nicer than a happy dog giving you a sloppy kiss while you've finished grooming him.

You can also get hands-on training, in a salon (optional) You can also receive a one-day hands-on training programme in a grooming salon near your home, for an additional £100 (UK only). During your training day, you'll receive at least the following one-one one interaction: You'll bathe at least one dog You'll dry at least one dog You'll brush, comb and de-matt at least one dog You'll assist with the clipping of at least one dog You'll review and participate in the salon’s activities, including checking-in of customers, management and control of dogs waiting to be groomed You may get much more than that, but this is our minimum standard. It’ll be an exciting day! You’ll get real experience of grooming, and one-to-one instruction from a top professional. And you'll learn the trade secrets of what it's like to run a salon. Bear in mind that much so-called 'training' by other organisations consists of up to ten 'students' standing around watching what goes on for hours at a time. That's not what we call training. Our training is different: we ensure that you participate fully, in a hands-on way. We're committed to placing you in a salon within 50 miles of your home, and on a date convenient to you. If we’re unable to achieve this (for example if you live too far from a centre), we'll refund £100 from the cost of the course. You’ll also be able to get a refund on the rest of the course fee as long as you request it within 60 days of starting the course.

Every day is different - and there's never a dull moment.

As your own boss, you don't have to go clock in with a boss each day. Even if you choose to work in a business with other groomers, you're often free to come and go as you please because you're still in control of your own schedule. Other dog groomers know the type of flexibility that you're looking for in this type of job, and they respect that.

You also have the ability to set your own pay. You set your own prices and rates for each type of pet or how much they weigh.

You can take on as many pets as you want in a day, depending on how much money you want to make.

The dog grooming business is your business, so the more you choose to work the more you earn. You can work as many or as few hours as you wish, it's up to you. You can work 9-5 if you want, and you'll never have to worry about it being boring.

Either way, you're in control of your schedule and your salary, and there's nothing better than that.

And you definitely don't have to worry about meeting a boss's expectations, because you're in control of your destiny.

Click here to see a larger version of the Diploma

Why choose this dog grooming course?

Our pet grooming course is designed to take you through the process of dog grooming step-by-step.

We'll teach you all you need to know about setting up shop, creating a safe environment for you and the pets, and how to manage your business to make money.

It's structured to give you the right information that you will need and provides you with comprehensive documentation.

You'll have a professional dog groomer as your personal tutor. And so it's like sitting beside an expert all through the course.

There are seven assignments in the pet grooming course for you to complete. You will also obtain a complete guide on pet grooming that you just can't find anywhere. Plus, you have unlimited access to your tutor, as well as the other resources we offer.

You'll also get assignments that will be confidentially marked by your tutor. They ensure that you're on the right track to succeed.

And on completing the course you get a handsome Diploma for your wall.

Bonus 1: Free starter kit (value £50) With your course, you'll get a free starter kit. it comprises: Dog grooming kit - free with the course - 10-piece mains operated clipper kit, giving professional grooming results. - 4 clipper guides for different length cuts. - Dog comb - Cleaning brush - Clipper oil - Instructional DVD - Steel nail clippers - Soft pin slicker, to remove dead hairs from undercoat and top coat. - No-rinse shampoo. A specially formulated foaming cleaner that gives the dog a bright, lustrous appearance. It needs no water, so it saves you requiring a dog bath. (Not included with the online only edition) Bonus 2. Read our Diary of a Dog Groomer (value £35). Follow the highs and lows of a groomer's life, as our mobile groomer reports each week on her adventures in the field. You'll get insights into her day, and learn from her successes and failures. The Diary is available exclusively to our learners. Bonus 3. Free mentoring when you complete the course (value £365) Once you complete the course, we’ll give you three months’ free business mentoring. You’ll have a personal mentor who'll help you set up your own business (if that's your choice). For three months after getting your Diploma you'll get one-to-one advice and support from an active practitioner. So if you're unsure on how to launch your own business, this mentoring programme will put you on the road to success. And because it's all part of the Blackford Centre's course, it won't cost you a penny. Bonus 4. You get the files for a free dog groomer's website (value £385) You’ll receive a free website for your dog grooming business. The site comes in a range of five colours, complete with sample text. It will save you a lot of money, weeks of delay and the trial and error that comes with designing a website. For more information, click here to see the free dog groomer's website. Bonus 5. You get a free copy of Business Blueprints (value £17) This 47 page book contains complete step-by-step checklists for starting a successful business. Click here to learn more about Business Blueprints. Bonus 6. Special Report: how to set up a Dog Walking, Pet Sitting and House Sitting service (value £35) Dog walking is a great way to earn extra money - especially when first setting up your dog grooming business. The same applies to Pet Sitting and House Sitting. All three involve no extra outlay. And each brings you clients who would otherwise not know about your dog grooming service. Get the inside information, including suggested prices, free with the course. Included is an interview with a professional dog walker, giving you details of how she got started, how she finds clients, and how to avoid the pitfalls. This report could earn you hundreds of pounds each month.

You’ll get to watch professionals at work

Our home-study course videos put you beside groomers as they wash, dry, clip and scissor different dogs.

You’ll learn how grooming works, as though you were in the salon itself.

Money-saving

But the cost of our Diploma course is around a quarter of what you’d pay in a salon. You can pay £2,500 for a course in a parlour, and many people come away dissatisfied. Yet our course costs less than £500.

Student Success Story I have now taken over a small pet shop and groomers. As well as the grooming side of the business we do many other things: pet supplies, a micro-chipping service, and a boarding service for small animals - rabbits, guinea pigs, small rodents, ferrets, and birds. We're looking to expand in the near future into the following areas: pet photography, pet massage, reiki, and a 1-1 dog training service. We're in the process of building a website and branching out to an ebay shop. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paws.n.claws.swinton. If you would like any more information please email www.paws-n-claws@outlook.com - Hollie Simmons, Manchester (Former Diploma in Dog Grooming Student)

You’ll learn how to get practical experience

Beyond the home study, you’ll also want practical experience, getting to grips with the dogs.

And so our course teaches you how to get that experience – and how to convert your practical work into paying clients!

By doing the course, you’ll be working on dogs and slowly building up your own practice.

And that’s not something you could do if you were learning in a grooming parlour, even at four times the cost of our course.

Your two guarantees

You can get a full refund within 60 days of receiving your pack, no questions asked.

And if, three months after completing the course, you haven't earned at least the cost of the fees, we'll refund your money. Conditions apply

Why? Well, we want our students to be happy and successful, and we don't want anyone to feel we haven't met their expectations.

It’s time to get started

Having read this far, you've got what it takes - motivation. Now all you have to do is get started. Fill out the registration form now, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin.

You've waited long enough - why wait any longer? Go ahead and do something for yourself, to make your dreams a reality. It's easy to start:

1. Click here to go to the registration page. You can sign up online, and you'll receive your course within 4 days.

2. When you get the course, read the first module. It has an easy-to-follow format. Then just plunge in: do the first assignment. Send it to your tutor for assessment. Your tutor will return it to you with friendly advice and comments.

3. Do the same for the other modules, until you reach the end of the course. By then, you'll probably be earning good money as an dog groomer. And you'll be having a great time.

We look forward to helping you succeed.

With best wishes

Kit Sadgrove
Courses Director