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Coats and Combs, Leicester (2025)

10/10/2023

Back to C&G Assessment Day
As part of the city & guilds level 3 qualification I had to style a variety of coat types and here’s Elsie. My hand strip assessment dog with a wire coat.
Nerves were here for this assessment like all the others but I’m pleased to say that I passed! 😀

This is my final practical assessment. I’ve now passed all 4 and as I decided to sit the theory exam earlier in the course (it only happens twice a year, so studied harder instead of waiting longer) I’m now just waiting on the results to confirm I’ve got the Level 3 qualification under my grooming belt too!

05/10/2023

Assessment Day
The practical exam is just the first part in becoming a certified professional groomer (CPG) through the awarding body ICMG an awards body dedicated to international groomers.

Ruby was as good as gold on the day and seeing her a few times through the course helped with both our confidence in an exam environment. Not to say that the nerves wasn’t there, they certainly was. I had to wash and dry her and be knot free within an hour then had another hour to style her. Clipped with scissored furnishings with good shape and balance. I passed with total score of 96% absolutely chuffed with myself. Timings is definitely a key point for me to work on so I was scared I’d end up going over and loosing marks there.
But I’ve come to realise I am a groomer that likes to give your dog as long as they need or is comfortable with. I won’t rush to complete a job in 2 hours if your pooch finds that stressful too.

Just the theory exam to sit before another qualification under my grooming belt! 😆

03/10/2023

Barney for his second visit to me, after a long wet walk, which is perfect, I’d rather clean a muddy dog than see one jump straight into a puddle after 2 hour appointment 😂

Poodles and especially poodle mixes have grown in popularity over the past decade or so, Poodles have a woolly coat, they were originally bred to be water dogs and so the thick woolly coat would protect them from the cold.
Mixing this with other breeds such as the cocker spaniel results in a combi coat a mix of coats. The continuous curly growth requires scheduled maintenance to stop their coats curling into matts which can be very painful for your pooch. Ever had those really tight pony tails that give you a headache, it be like that for your pooch constantly, with no relief!.
Other ways to keep the coat long and avoiding cots and matts is daily brushing and combing. There’s a technique (Line brushing) so if you have a dog with a woolly or combi coat and want to understand the best brushing techniques. Just drop me a line and we can arrange a mini master class!

28/09/2023

Charlie is back
On a regular grooming schedule it makes it easy to see the shape that was created previously and so it makes the process so much easier and relaxing or your pooch.
Each dog requires different lengths of time between appointments, but I can advise what would bee suitable for your pooch when you visit.
Charlie is still sporting the top knot look spaniels can have the curtains or clipped head keeping it the same length as the body, either way they look cute as anything!

Cocker spaniels are easily becoming one of my favourite breeds to groom with a mix of clipping or hand stripping techniques along with using my scissor skills for their furnishings, not to mention their gentle souls and adoring eyes, its a fun all round process with a great breed.

21/08/2023

The C&G exam is just around the corner testing theory & business planning including - health & safety, legislation and codes of practice, health checking a dog including knowing the anatomy of the dog, handling, customer service and good business practices, but will also be tested on styling and finishing a dog to breed standards, so there is lots to remember.

The dining room table has looked like this for weeks and will be like this for a few more, but it’s just a small price to pay as I decided to do this to build a salon and have the best understanding and training to ensure your pooches are in a safe environment and with a fully qualified groomer.

10/08/2023

Terry the Tibetan Terrier!

Terry was one of my assessments (drop coat style) please to say I passed!

The owners like a clipped body but a long head and tail. He looks so fluffy and cute.

Now to do 3 other C&G assessments and 1 for my CPG. Next few weeks will be intense as I don’t know what assessments I’ll be doing and when. Both exams are coming up quick too.

09/08/2023

Betty the Cavachon

She came in for her routine pet trim and I just fell in love instantly. She’s such a sweetie!

I’ve worked on a few cavachons now and they are the sweetest of breeds. Big paws and soft eyes!

Ring or message to get your pooch booked in, if you like her shape, just let me know. I can also tailor the trims to make it longer or shorter, but it’s always good to provide a guide of what you would like, whether its reference to one of the dogs on the grid or a photo of your own pooch with a previous trim you liked.

07/08/2023

Ruby’s 2nd visit

Ruby already has a place on the grid, but she’s certainly getting a place in my heart – and I’m certain you’ll see her again!

It’s important to build up trust with the dog, learn their behaviors, likes, dislikes and fears, but it’s also important to give your dog a chance to build up trust with the dog groomer too. It’s amazing to see how much more relaxed a dog is on their 2nd visit.

Seeing a dog go home knowing you made them look their cutest is a great feeling – but seeing them come back with tails wagging to see you again and a few kisses through the day, is the best.

03/08/2023

Barney came for his groom, he’s a toy poodle with fine hair. His colour is truly beautiful.

He was a little timid at first but we settled in with some reassurance and a buildup of trust.

Sometimes it takes a little longer to build up that trust. So, on any first appointment, I’ll ask a lot of questions about your pooch, from health concerns to general behavior, this really helps me plan the groom and know how to start building that trust up with them. Each dog is different and your dog's welfare is number 1 priority. I want to make them feel comfortable and relaxed so they can really enjoy their pamper.

Get in touch if you would like to book your pooch in and if you like this cut- ask for the Barney!

02/08/2023

NEW SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Does your dog need a Chaperone to a family event?
Don’t know who to ask to look after your pooch on your big day and event?
Want you pooch to know and trust who they are with?
Then get in touch and ask about my Chaperone Services!

As it’s coming up to my own 2 year anniversary, I remember how important it was to have our Harry at the wedding and reception, but we really struggled to find someone to look after him, especially given all our nearest, dearest and most trusted were already invited.

So if you’re booking a wedding, party or family event and you want your pooch there to do anything from ring baring duties to stealing the limelight in the photos- then get in touch. I’ve created a range of packages from a couple of hours chaperone to all day care. Pick up / drop offs and of course a fresh groom is included so they’re looking their finest for the big day!

If this is something you are interested in – I fully recommend getting in touch ASAP to ensure availability.

31/07/2023

Frankie the Cockerpoo

How adorable is Frankie.

He came for his routine groom, this wooly coat type grows quick, look how covered his eyes are, taking off that growth and adding shape back in, he can now walk down the street feeling a million dollars, not worrying about where those lamp posts are 😊

We recommend cockerpoos are on a grooming schedule of 6-8 weeks, but it does depend on what length you like your pooch to be and your own home maintenance routine.

Get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of your pooch’s grooming schedule or tips tricks and techniques for home maintenance.

27/07/2023

Sammy the Cockerpoo

Sweet little Sammy came in for her pet trim, her coat was getting quite long and curly.

She was clipped using a 10mm extension comb, and given column legs and rounded feet.

Owners prefer a flag tail which has some length to balance out the longer muzzle and long rounded ears. As well as putting that shape back on her head. You can now see her beautiful eyes!

She was a true gem and lovely to work with. It’s amazing how a coat really comes out after a groom.

Drop me a message if you would like to book your pooch in for a pamper. Availability is limited over the next couple of weeks.

26/07/2023

When Masie came to see me, I was able to practice my hand stripping techniques again.

Her coat was long and broken and in need of removing. Just look how much hair came out in the bottom left photo and that wasn’t even half way through the process!

Did you know hand strip is the removal of hair without using electronic equipment / clippers!?

You can either pluck the hairs out with just your hands or there’s many tools to aid the grip of the hair between the fingers, including pumice stones – which I just thought was for feet!

I’ve been able to test a range of tools while at Sue Olivers to make sure that I’m using the best ones for your pooch and to give me good technique, making the pamper process very relaxing.

Not all dog coats are suitable for a hand strip, but give me a call or message if you would like to discuss if this is suitable for your pooch.

24/07/2023

Charlie The King Top Knot Cocker Spaniel

Such a gentle soul, his owners request a longer top knot - which reminds me of a 90’s boyband with beautiful golden curtains.

His body is clipped short taking out that wavy bulk coat you can see in the top left photo, but his skirt and furnishings are scissor finished to a tidy manageable length, keeping that breed standard look.

Doesn’t he look so majestic with his long ears and deep dark eyes? Can get lost in them!

16/06/2023

Dolly!
Tiny Toy Poodle in for a pet trim to keep cool and smart for her summer holidays.
If you like this look she had a 9mm comb attachment with rounded ears, teddy feet and round muzzle.
She was an absolute Doll!

I have limited availability over the next couple of months so make sure you book your pooch in, so they look like the top dog in the parks this summer.

14/06/2023

Back to the Theory!
The C&G level 3 Exam is booked for back end of the year, and there's a lot to cover.
Some old ground from level 2 and new styling techniques and topics. I can't rest on my laurels, so making time each week to cover a topic. Practice makes perfect in the salon and revision revision revision keeps the words in the head?!

13/06/2023

Meet Elsie - My first Hand Strip!

Sweetheart with tickly feet! Really enjoyed the hand strip process. It's very relaxing for both pooch and I. As long as the coat has become broken and the hair is ready to be removed like in the photos on the left, we can put them looking back to that beautiful even length coat but still have that wire and rough touch.

If you have a boarder terrier or a pooch with a wire coat and want to understand more about if a hand strip service is appropriate for them- then get it touch.

27/04/2023

How cute is Mabel?
Bright white, with a mixed coat. She’s a fluffy cloud and bundle of joy!
If you like the look and have a mixed wooly coat like this cockerpoo, she had the below-
Body trim- clipper trim on a 16mm length round feet and a shorter ear trim finishing with a flag tail.
So just ask for each, or say I like the Mabel 🐾

Coats and Combs