Little Love Dog Grooming

I am currently renting a table from the owner of the grooming establishment, at the Lagan view enterprise centre, situated in Lisburn, County Antrim.

Why choose Little Love Dog Grooming?

I offer a friendly and professional service with affordable prices. I send free text appointment reminders 24 hours prior your grooming appointment to ensure you never forget an appointment for your pooch.

I use Hypo-allergenic shampoos and tailor my services to your pet's needs. I am a fully insured, city & guilds qualified dog groomer who continually checks your dogs health with every visit and will make you aware of any concerns I have about your pet.

What services do you offer?

I offer a variety of services to you and your fur-babies from little to large to help keep them happy and healthy.

Puppy grooms are offered from 12 weeks of age (or when your puppy has had their first vaccinations and are safe to come to the salon) to 6 months of age. These are essential for puppies under 6 month as it allows them to become familiar with the grooming process, the sounds, sights and smells within a grooming establishment, making it less stressful as they get older. Puppy grooms should be carried out every 4-6 weeks to ensure your pooch loves the groomers as much as you do.

Bath & De-sheds are offered from all short coated breeds and double coated breeds to help remove the dead hair from their coat especially during casting seasons. These should be carried out every 8-12 weeks to ensure your pet feels fresh and is smelling their best.

Bath & Brush appointments are offered to help maintain their coats and keep them knot-free.

Bath & Tidy /Maintenance groom appointments are offered to help maintain their coats, keeping them knot-free and tidy between full-grooms. These grooms offer tidy up of the paws, eye area and sanitary area to keep your pooch looking paw-fect for longer.

Full-Groom appointments are offered to maintain their coats, keeping them knot-free and styled to your choice, which is both maintainable for both your pet and yourself. A full groom should be carried out every 6-12 weeks depending on style choice, coat type and breed.

Hand Stripping appointments are offered to remove the dead hair from their coats by stripping.

Why Dog Grooming?

I was previously employed as a supervisor in a customer experience department in a retail store. I was always stressed, with very little work to home life balance. After having my son at a young age, I finally decided it was time to follow my dreams and aspirations to work with animals and decided to change my career now that he is older.

How did you start and what Training/Qualifications do you have?

I started by looking into career paths I could choose, doing online courses to find what I was most interested in. I love learning and I enjoy a good challenge, so this was an easy way for me to gauge my abilities and interests. I apprentice-shipped as a dog bather and stylist in a local establishment prior completing a course at the local SERC, 'Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care' with an overall Distinction. I continued on my keen interest that I had found in Dog Grooming by continuing on my education with the courses, 'City & Guilds Level 2 in pet stylist' & 'City & Guilds Level 3 Introduction in Dog Grooming' at Dashin' Hounds on the Comber road, Belfast.

I was both excited and overwhelmed at the prospect of starting to work with animals. The moment I started to groom dogs, I knew it was the career for me. I knew what I needed to do and I knew it would give me the fulfillment that no other work place had before.

One thing I've learnt in the grooming world, is that you meet and make a lot of new friends along the way. You're forever learning new skills and techniques because everyday is a learning day.

What do you enjoy most?

I personally love the transformation of the before and after of dogs, I love being able to see a dog's paws properly knowing they're able to walk comfortably by having clear pads, I also enjoy seeing the customer's face light up when they pick them up as I know I've done a good job.

I thoroughly enjoy when it's just the dog and myself, I always make a fuss over them and enjoy pampering them. I love seeing dog’s personalities grow and when nervous dogs start to come out of their shell and feel more comfortable with you. It's hard work and its fulfilling work because it is so very rewarding.

How difficult was is starting up on your own?

I had looked into grooming jobs available in my local area. However, most required a minimum of a years' experience to apply. While, I had previous experience in bathing and drying dogs, I had only been officially grooming for several months. I decided that I would become self-employed and work for myself, that's when I needed to create a business name. What better than my own 'Little Love', who I do everything for, my son and that is how 'Little Love Dog Grooming' was created.

From a confidence point of view, it wasn't difficult at all. I have a lot of experience with customer service and my tutor, Christina was an amazing teacher who helped fill me with motivation and technical skills that I require to do my job effectively. I became very busy straight away with regular customers, friends who had dogs, family members, friends of friends and word of mouth spread as well as customers from Facebook.

Are you continuing your training?

Yes, most definitely! I'm thinking of continuing my journey with additional qualifications and programmes, which will contribute to different aspects to my skills and confidence. I would also like to attend a range of seminars, workshops and shows throughout the year, from breed specific to scissor techniques so I can achieve a better result or critique of my grooms.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I have to say, when I went into this career I did a lifestyle change. I love my job and always look forward to going into work. I don't often look too far into the future as I tend to live in the moment and take my life day by day.

However, I love my career path and can't wait to open my own shop one day. I would say that I like to learn and that I want to be the best at what I can do in my chosen career. I will continue developing my skills and techniques and hope to one day partake and compete at shows to gain more experience and feedback.