Dog Grooming Courses
"If you are going to do it properly, then do it properly at Dandini's" - Yvonne Lee, Student 2017
The Training Room at Dandini's
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Fancy learning how to groom your own dog?
Thinking about a career change?
The Training Room offers a variety of courses in dog grooming. These are well-structured, professional and quality assured by The Groomers Spotlight Training Academy and endorsed by Julie Harris Education
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your grooming skills, our dog grooming courses are designed with you in mind. We offer flexible training options anywhere between 1 to 3 days a week that can fit around your schedule. Our goal is to accommodate your needs, so you can learn at your own pace while balancing other commitments.
Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, throughout the year from 9am to 6pm.
We provide a variety of courses based on your long-term goals, your budget and how quickly you want to achieve them. If you’re serious about a career in dog grooming and ready for a complete career change, our most comprehensive "signature" 50-day course is perfect for you. This all-inclusive program will train you to the highest standards of professional pet grooming, including many breed-standard style’s and hand-strips. You’ll graduate as an above average fully qualified Level 3 Stylist, equipped with everything you need for success.
Understanding that not everyone needs or wants the full range of breed-specific grooming skills, we also offer a shorter, more budget-friendly 40day course. This course is perfect for beginners who want to cover all the essential skills required for the qualification, with less emphasis on the less-requested styles. It’s a great way to start your grooming career with a strong foundation while staying within your budget.
For those with prior experience wanting to gain a Level 3 diploma we offer a shorter 32 day course and our one-day-a-week course is ideal to fit around your current work.
For professionals seeking to master breed standard grooming we offer individual training days where we can focus on any particular needs.
Finally, we offer a one-day course for pet owners who want to learn how to maintain their dog’s haircut at home. Not only will this save you money, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Why choose us?
With over 50 years of grooming expertise, Dandini’s stands as the most established dog grooming salon in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and across the South-East. Our legacy of knowledge, passed down through generations of expert groomers, gives you access to unmatched insight and expertise.
Our training facility is purpose-built for success. Located on the same site as our salon, it offers a calm and focused environment where you can learn without distractions. This space is designed to give you the best hands-on experience in a peaceful setting.
We believe in quality over quantity. That’s why we limit our class sizes to ONLY 2-3 students at a time. This ensures that each learner receives the personalized attention and support they deserve. You can be confident that you’ll leave our program ready to groom dogs with skill, confidence, and professionalism. Compared to larger institutions where individual focus is lacking, our one-on-one training provides exceptional value for your investment.
Our training days run from 9 am to 6 pm, giving you the chance to groom two dogs each day which is essential to becoming a competent groomer before you leave. You’ll only share dogs when working with large breeds, so your hands-on practice is maximized.
In addition to our dedicated Training Room, we have a fully operational, high-volume salon on-site. This gives you the opportunity to experience the reality of a busy salon while still focusing on your learning. You’ll work with a wide variety of dog breeds, ensuring you leave confident in all styles and techniques.
Every course includes Assistant Training Days in our main salon before you start personalized one-on-one styling training. For those pursuing their Level 3 diploma, we also offer the opportunity to gain real-world experience during and after the course.
Our “Groom for a Living” courses go beyond the basics. You’ll receive a comprehensive Canine First Aid certification taught by the renowned Julie Harris – not a quick add-on, but an in-depth, standalone course. Plus, we include an Emmi-pet workshop led by our own salon expert, Robyn Maloney.
We are proud to offer a nationally recognized, Ofqual-regulated Level 3 qualification alongside our longer courses. This qualification is respected by employers and future clients alike, and our Level 3 diploma students receive a year’s FREE subscription to The Groomers Spotlight – a great resource to further your career.
Finally, we are one of only two schools in the UK to be endorsed and internally quality assured by the country’s top grooming education expert, Julie Harris. When you choose Dandini’s, you’re choosing a level of expertise and professionalism that is simply unmatched.
Meet your expert tutors...
Our courses are led by fully qualified and highly experienced dog grooming tutors, ensuring you receive top-notch training. At the forefront is Caroline, our head tutor, with over 17 years of hands-on experience as a professional dog groomer. Caroline has grown Dandini’s into one of the most respected grooming salons in the South-East, renowned for exceptional quality and skill.
Caroline’s expertise doesn’t stop at grooming; she’s a seasoned educator who has trained her team to uphold the salon’s impeccable reputation. Her influence extends to the grooming world, having prepared dogs for demonstrations at grooming shows and seminars. Caroline’s proudest achievement? Training her staff to win regularly at national pet grooming competitions. One of those employees was Columbya who now teaches the students during their first 5-10 days, where they learn how to bath and prepare the dogs for styling and has been grooming herself for nearly 10 years.
Driven by her passion for teaching, Caroline launched The Training Room in 2016. She saw a gap in the market—there were too few courses that provided the structure, hands-on experience, and real-world readiness that she believes every aspiring dog groomer deserves. That’s why at The Training Room, we offer career-focused courses that equip students with the skills and confidence to thrive in the industry.
Caroline recommends our longer courses for anyone serious about making a full career change, but she also understands that this may not always be practical or affordable for everyone. To ensure quality education is accessible to all, she has designed courses at various levels and price points. No matter which path you choose, you’ll leave our program ready to work safely and confidently at the level you’ve trained for.
Caroline takes immense pride in her students’ success stories. Many have gone on to build thriving grooming businesses, not just across the UK but also in Europe and right here in Hampshire. Her dedication to teaching and her students’ achievements speak for themselves.
Groom for a Living
Course Information
TASTER DAYS
We recommend that anyone interested in our courses attend a taster day to ensure dog grooming is the right fit for them. During this day, you’ll get hands-on experience in our main salon, including bathing and drying with a grooming assistant, and observing experienced dog groomers at work. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and see what it’s like to be a dog groomer in a real-world environment. In the afternoon, you’ll work alongside another student in our Training Room. Our tutor will explain the course structure and help you choose the best course for your goals.
The taster day costs £150, but this amount will be deducted from the cost if you enroll in our 32, 40, or 50-day courses.
32 Day 'Groom for a Living' Course
This course is suitable for those with no prior grooming experience and will allow the student to gain a Certificate in Dog Grooming.
This course is also suitable for those with previous grooming experience wanting to gain their Level 3 diploma. For these students an initial assessment is required to ensure suitability.
What You Will Learn:
• Bathing & Drying: Master the essential skills for a clean, healthy coat.
• Nail Trimming: Learn the art of safe and precise nail care.
• Coat Preparation: Understand how to properly prepare the coat for styling and clipping.
• Clipping & Scissoring: Gain confidence with professional-level clipping and scissoring techniques.
• Pet Styling: Develop skills in pet-friendly grooming styles.
• Breed Standard Styling (Level 3 Diploma): Perfect breed-specific grooming techniques for show-quality results.
• Hand-Stripping (Level 3 Diploma): Learn the delicate hand-stripping process for wire and silk coats.
• Equipment Maintenance: Keep your tools in top shape to ensure quality grooming.
• Health & Safety: Prioritize safety for both the dog and the groomer in every session.
• Canine First Aid: Equip yourself with vital first aid skills, taught by the renowned Julie Harris.
• Business Advice: Get expert guidance on running your own successful grooming business.
• Customer Care: Deliver exceptional service to build strong client relationships.
What You Get:
• Full Day Training (9 AM - 6 PM): Comprehensive, hands-on experience every training day.
• Groom At Least 45 Dogs: Build real-world experience grooming a variety of breeds and temperaments.
• Professional Scissor Set: Receive a premium scissor set valued at £242, with upgrade options available.
• First Aid Course with Julie Harris: Full-day certified Canine First Aid training (valued at £85).
• Emmi-Pet Teeth Cleaning Workshop: Enhance your services with this workshop (valued at £80).
• Unlimited Work Placement Days: Keep practicing in a real-world environment until you’re confident.
• Ongoing Career Support: Enjoy monthly Zoom sessions and guidance for your entire career.
• 1 Year Groomers Spotlight Membership: Exclusive to Level 3 Diploma students (valued at £90).
• Job Prospects: Access potential employment opportunities with affiliated grooming salons.
Price: £4800 - to include a Course manual and Certificate on completion PLUS either Level 3 certificate (no previous experience) OR Level 3 Diploma (for those with previous experience or a level 2 qualification)
40/50 Day 'Groom for a Living' Course
This course is suitable for those with no prior grooming experience and will allow the student to gain a Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming.
What You Will Learn:
• Bathing & Drying : Master the essential skills for a clean, healthy coat.
• Nail Trimming: Learn the art of safe and precise nail care.
• Coat Preparation: Understand how to properly prepare the coat for styling and clipping.
• Clipping & Scissoring: Gain confidence with professional-level clipping and scissoring techniques.
• Pet Styling : Develop skills in pet-friendly grooming styles.
• Breed Standard Styling: Perfect breed-specific grooming techniques for show-quality results.
• Hand-Stripping: Learn the delicate hand-stripping process for wire and silk coats.
• Equipment Maintenance: Keep your tools in top shape to ensure quality grooming.
• Health & Safety: Prioritize safety for both the dog and the groomer in every session.
• Canine First Aid: Equip yourself with vital first aid skills, taught by the renowned Julie Harris.
• Business Advice: Get expert guidance on running your own successful grooming business.
• Customer Care: Deliver exceptional service to build strong client relationships.
What You Get:
• Full Day Training (9 AM - 6 PM): Comprehensive, hands-on experience every training day.
• Groom At Least 60/70 Dogs: Build real-world experience grooming a variety of breeds and temperaments.
• Professional Scissor Set: Receive a premium scissor set valued at £242, with upgrade options available.
• First Aid Course with Julie Harris: Full-day certified Canine First Aid training (valued at £85).
• Emmi-Pet Teeth Cleaning Workshop: Enhance your services with this workshop (valued at £80).
• Unlimited Work Placement Days: Keep practicing in a real-world environment until you’re confident.
• Ongoing Career Support: Enjoy monthly Zoom sessions and guidance for your entire career.
• 1 Year Groomers Spotlight Membership: Exclusive to Level 3 Diploma students (valued at £90).
• Job Prospects: Access potential employment opportunities with affiliated grooming salons.
Prices
40 day course £5750
50 day "Signiature" course £6500
For Groomers
Personalised training days:
-
Top-up and breed specific training days for people already grooming - £200 per day
-
Cat Grooming : Training for professional groomers only - £250 per day
For the Pet owner
Learn how to groom your own dog
What you will learn:
-
Health checking your dog and what to look out for.
-
How to clip your dogs nails, clean ears and clip hygiene area and pads.
-
Bathing and drying and preparation of the coat to include de-knotting techniques and an understanding of different tools and what they should be used for.
-
An introduction into clipping and scissoring techniques to create your dogs pets style
-
Safe handling and approach.
What you get:
-
Two qualified teachers to just 2/3 students from 9.30 AM - 4.30 PM
-
Your dog groomed to a high standard with the help of a tutor.
-
A course manual and starter kit worth £20
Price :
£250 - to include course manual and starter kit
UPCOMING DATES FOR 2024
4th September
30th October
20th November
What our students say....
Daniella Liddiard, Two Peas in a Pod Pet Care , Lowford
100000% would recommend Caroline, Columbya and Sarah at The training Room (as well as the rest of the team)!
I started the Dandini's Level 3 training course completely blind to dog grooming, with no experience - yet somehow one year later I am a confident groomer opening my own dog grooming salon!
The attention to detail throughout the entire course is exceptional, with no aspect missed or glided over. The Dandini's Team put their heart and soul into training their students to ensure by the end of your course, you'll not only be grooming with confidence but also with skill and a true understanding of the grooming process / the dogs safety throughout.
Although it was sometimes testing and overwhelming experience (you're learning an entirely new skill) it's an experience I would do all over again thanks to the Dandini's team.
Truly cannot thank them enough for passing on their years of experience so that others can fulfill a careeer in dog grooming. Thank you !!