At Centre Stage we offer various training packages to suit any aspiring groomer obtain his or her dreams.
The Personal Home Groomer
If you have several dogs of your own that all require professional grooming and you're starting to baulk at the monthly cost of having them groomed professionally, you may wish to look into training for grooming your own dogs at home.
We will teach you how to correctly trim your dog and how to safely obtain (and maintain) the look you're after.
This is normally a one day (per breed) on-site practical training course and you will need to be able to attend the salon in Ascot, Berkshire. If you've got Poodles, Bichons or mixed breed fleece coated dogs and you are looking to do breed standard trims or Asian Fusion Trims this will probably take more than one day.
There are lots of lovely B&Bs around our salon. We're in a stunning area with fabulous walking in Windsor Great Park, Swinley Forest and Virginia Waters all within a 2 mile radius.
You will be instructed from start to finish with your dog on a one-2-one basis and will be given a "shopping list" of the equipment, supplies and products you'll need to groom your own dog properly.
We HUGELY recommend that in addition to the training you receive at Centre Stage, you take this online course: Canine Health and Welfare In the Groom Room. This is not included in the daily fee, but will undoubtedly be the best £35* you've ever spent on your dog. (*correct when this page was revised in 2024)
Per Day: £250
The Professional Groomer
Perhaps you're looking to change your career, or you're returning to work after having children. Whatever the reason you'd like to become a professional dog groomer, we can help you obtain those dreams.
We cover all aspects of the grooming profession:
- How to read basic canine behaviour
- Safe handling techniques
- Correct bathing procedures
- Safe methods of restraint
- Blasting and drying
- Clipping
- Trimming
- Scissoring
- Grinding
The emphasis is on safety for your canine charges and yourself at all times.
We will cover all aspects of the trade, including Business Management, which appears to be sadly lacking in other courses.
We will teach you how to work out your prices (and no, that doesn't mean ringing every dog groomer in your area and asking them what they charge !!) and how to market your new business.
We'll introduce you to the suppliers that we use and the prices we pay for those goods and services.
This course is charged by the day. You will need to attend the course in person because grooming is very much a hands on practical affair.
There are lots of lovely B&B's close to Centre Stage, which is close to the historic town of Windsor and adjacent to the world famous Ascot Race Course.
Per day: £175, or
Per course (if paid up front) - Level 1: £3285 (includes Canine Health and Welfare In the Groom Room), Levels 2 and 3: £1625 each.
Professional Groomer Top Up
Whilst the professional groomer will already have a wealth of knowledge beneath their belt, there is always room for improvement.
Perhaps things have moved on since your training?
Are you reading about new techniques but don't yet have the confidence to try them?
- Don't know about Reverse Clipping?
- Don't use CA's to speed up your work?
- Never heard of grinding?
- Are you missing a trick here?
What speedy bolt on extras can you add to your business which will delight your clients, without costing the earth and at the same time positively reflect in your bottom line?
We can offer business advice such as:
- The organisations that are worth joining (and those that probably aren't)
- CPD you can add to your CV and advertising
- Information on the new international qualifications which were launched in the UK this year.
Are you still working from a paper diary and hand writing your accounts? We can help you here too. Katie was an IT professional before joining the world of dogs and will share this information with you.
This is a bespoke course which can be given:
- at our salon here in Ascot, Berkshire at £175 per day
- or in your own salon (travel fees will apply) at £250 per day
The length of the course will depend on your existing knowledge and experience.
Association Memberships, Examination and Examiner Fees are not included.
Training Courses, Bookings and Cancellation Terms and Conditions
Booking and payment
All training courses must be paid in full before the course start date unless otherwise agreed in writing. Where payment plans are offered, payments must be made on the agreed dates. Failure to pay may result in training being paused or cancelled.
Courses are booked for specific dates and times and are reserved exclusively for the student. As only one student is trained at a time, bookings represent a significant commitment of time and income.
Course duration and attendance
Course lengths are fixed and based on consecutive training days unless otherwise agreed. Missed days may affect the student’s ability to complete the full syllabus.
Students are responsible for attending all scheduled training days on time and fit to train.
Cancellations and missed training days
Any training day cancelled or missed with less than 48 hours notice will be forfeited. Forfeited days are not refundable and cannot be rearranged.
Training days cancelled with more than 48 hours notice may be rescheduled subject to availability and at the discretion of the trainer.
Same day cancellations or non attendance for any reason including illness are treated as forfeited training days.
Extensions to course end dates
Where flexibility has been agreed, a maximum extension to the course end date may be offered. Extensions are not unlimited and are subject to business availability.
If further training days are missed after an extension has been granted, the course will still end on the agreed final date even if not all planned training days have been completed.
Health and fitness to train
Students must ensure they are physically and mentally fit to undertake training. If a health condition is likely to cause repeated short notice absences, the trainer reserves the right to pause or end the course rather than continue with repeated disruptions.
Pausing or ending a course
The trainer reserves the right to pause or end a course if attendance becomes inconsistent or if continued rescheduling is not viable for the business.
Any unused training days forfeited due to cancellations or non attendance are not refundable.
Trainer availability
Training dates are scheduled in advance and are subject to change only where unavoidable. The trainer will make reasonable efforts to reschedule in the event of trainer illness or emergency.
Acceptance of terms
By booking and paying for a training course, the student confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
Professional Qualifications are not required in this industry, but, as more and more groomers join the profession, you may find yourself at a disadvantage if you don't have any. We can mentor you through your IPG exams if you would like to sit them.