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What is Dog Grooming Congress?

*Returning for 2024* Aimed specifically at dog groomers and trainee dog groomers, attendees will get the chance to watch live demonstrations, ask questions and listen to insightful presentations by expert speakers in the dog grooming industry; gaining valuable knowledge and inspiration to take back to the grooming salon.

Sponsored by Mutneys Professional Pet Care, there will also be a range of exhibitors in attendance, discussing various products and techniques.

Who should attend?

Dog Groomers, or dog grooming students, looking to develop their knowledge and understanding of dog grooming techniques, products and information. Whether you are a newly qualified dog groomer, or have been in the industry for many years, this congress is for you!

This congress will be particularly useful if you're:

  • Aiming to progress within your role
  • Interested in keeping up-to-date with developments in the dog grooming industry
  • Interested in getting into competing
  • Looking to make connections and network with other dog groomers
  • Looking to gain information to help start your own business

Why attend?

  • Watch live demonstrations and presentations from a range of speakers who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge
  • Live demos means your questions will be answered by the speakers themselves throughout the sessions
  • Gain practical takeaways that you can implement in your dog grooming salon
  • Gain information, product knowledge and offers from our exhibitors
Download the agenda (PDF)

Stream 1 - Demonstrations

Cockerpoo Demo and Owning A Salon - Tips with Kara

Kara Boyd, Mutneys Professional Pet Care

Kara will be grooming a Cockerpoo in a pet trim, one of the most common breeds for groomers, talking about how to give them a different flare and make your cockerpoo trims different to others.
She will also be talking about handling, behaviour, spa packages, running a salon, having staff, do's and dont's and customer service. Come and pick Kara's brains with anything you want to ask - no question is a silly question!

Asian Fusion – Bubble Bum

Vasileios Barlos, Vasileios Barlos Grooming

During this demonstration, Celebrity Dog Stylist Vasileios will be working with his toy poodles to show how to create the perfect ‘Bubble Bum’ style of Asian Fusion. He will also cover techniques to create show style donut muzzles and flare legs.
Vasileios will also discuss how to prepare the coat for styling and what products he uses to create these looks, whilst taking any audience questions.

Conformation and Disguising Faults

Tom Heaton-Clarke

Tom will be demonstrating tips and tricks you can use everyday in the salon to help disguise pesky faults in dogs conformation; like bowed legs, short necks and wrong tail sets.
He’ll be explaining how to understand the shape of dogs despite their faults as well as how to use their coat to your advantage in order to hide unwanted physical features.
Tom will also discuss correct scissor technique and use of comb attachments in the salon and how to get the best finish on your day to day dogs; working on balance, shape and symmetry in order to show the potential of those diamonds in the rough.

Stream 2 - Demonstrations and Presentations

Scissoring the Bichon Frise

Carla Keen

During this demo, Carla will be fully scissoring a Bichon Frise into a breed standard show trim. She will explain the products and equipment she is using for the best results and take any questions.

Handstripping the Miniature Schnauzer

Lisa Parker

This session will cover the way to start and maintain the hand stripping of a miniature schnauzer in the salon and how to help owners understand the process and keep the correct maintenance techniques between grooming sessions.

This will cover all the areas you are able to clip and scissor and some handy tips that will help you to understand the lines that should be followed.

We will also cover the differences you would need to achieve the show ring look.

Stream 3 - Presentations

Confidently Charge More

Bill Betts, Passion to Profit

Who would love to confidently charge more? If that’s you, how are you going to do it?
During Bill’s session you’ll be exploring how to earn more money in 2024. By looking at the different methods to earn money as a groomer, you’ll be able to find what works for you and your business.
It’s not all about the different ways to make money though, so we need to ensure your business is set up for success. We cannot forget about the driving force behind everything and that’s YOU!! You are the most important aspect of your business and without a certain way of viewing things business cannot succeed.
As such, Bill will take a deep dive into the mindset of a successful groomer.

Looking Beyond the Reactivity

Paul Daly

This talk will centre around existing protocol for reactivity within the grooming industry. It will look into the reasons behind reactive behaviour and explore the factors that contribute to the momentary reactivity. We will explore the importance of desensitisation and counter conditioning and emphasise the need for these to be prioritised - and explore practical ways these can be implemented.

Using TTouch to help reduce stress in Handling and Grooming

Tina Constance, Tellington TTouch Training

Tellington TTouch can help to overcome grooming related issues by releasing tension in the body and helping the dogs to feel calmer and more accepting of contact. Using observations, handling, Bodywork and movement techniques you can reduce fear and anxiety and build confidence and relationship. Looking at how posture influences behaviour and bringing the dog’s body into better balance. Providing the dog and handler with choices to reduce stress and help promote a positive and cooperative experience.

Blade Maintenance

Paula Bryan, Clipit

Many professionals lack the expertise to identify when a clipper blade isn't working or when it's time to replace the blade drive on a clipper. Additionally, they struggle with selecting the appropriate scissor for particular breeds.
In this presentation, Paula will provide you the tools and know how required to manage clipper blades, clippers and attachment combs. She will discuss what to do when these tools break down or when new blades aren't cutting.

Please note this programme is subject to change.

Bill BettsBill Betts
Pet Passion to Profit

Bill Betts is a Pet Grooming Business Expert. He is a keynote speaker, trainer and mentor for pet grooming professionals.

Bill is the founder of Pet Passion to Profit and the Pet Grooming Programme. He is the founder of the Dog Grooming Business Help & Support Facebook group; and has his own podcast and speaks at a number of events around the country.

Bill has set up Dog Grooming Business Help & Support where he helps with problems faced in their businesses. He has an award winning podcast and speaks on relevant topics within the industry and business.

His Pet Grooming Programme helps to build groomers confidence, mindset and their business structures. Bill has all the knowledge and insight to help pet groomers and their businesses who feel like they could be doing better, transform into the business of their dreams.

Tina ConstanceTina Constance
Tellington TTouch Training

Tina is a Tellington TTouch Instructor for Companion Animals and horses based in the UK. She started her TTouch journey over 25 years ago and teaches and lectures in the UK and abroad, both online and in person.

Along with teaching and working with clients, Tina works in a rescue centre where she incorporates TTouch daily to help reduce stress in the animals and improve their chances of finding forever homes.

Bill BarlosVasileios Barlos
Vasileios Barlos Grooming

Vasileios is City and Guilds qualified and has been grooming professionally in the UK for 9 years. He has a vast celebrity client list who he works for from his salon at home in London. He is an award-winning groomer and was a contestant on the BBCs ‘Pooch Perfect’.

In 2022, Vasileios was also nominated as best up and coming stylist UK at the International Grooming Conference.

He regularly competes at Crufts with his toy poodles and attends an array of shows and competitions.

Carla Keen headshotCarla Keen

Carla Keen has been grooming since 2014, she has completed her full City and Guild Level 3 and her full ICMG.

She has competed in both grooming competitions and the show ring for over six years with the Bichon Frise and enjoys working with them the most.

Carla also runs ‘Well-Being for Dog Groomers, the Podcast’, and has been doing this since April 2023.

Kara Boyd HeadshotKara Boyd
Fairy Dog Mother

Kara has been grooming for 12 years and has been running the Fairy Dog Mother for 10 years.

Kara is a multi-award-winning groomer, now competing at champion level in mixed breed class. She reached the quarter finals on the BBC show Pooch Perfect and won the SME ‘Youngest Business Woman’ award in 2021.

Kara has 5 dogs - 2 Poodles, a Dachshund, a Springer X Cavi and a Cockerpoo and she also has a little boy called Arthur. She is passionate about dog grooming and loves sharing as much as she can with other groomers.

Lisa Parker HeadshotLisa Parker

Lisa has been grooming for 17 years and has specialised over the past 10 years on the Miniature Schnauzer, which she also shows with.

Lisa is City and Guilds level 3 qualified and is also now working towards achieving her ICMG.

She competed at several grooming competitions in 2016/17 then took a break, before getting the bug for it again in 2023, and she has been competing with her Mini Schnauzers ever since.

Paul Daly HeadshotPaul Daly

Dogs have always been a passion for Paul and even as a child, he knew he had an innate connection with them.

Paul started his career in training and gundog training, which eventually transitioned over to the field of canine behaviour – the area he has now specialised in for almost three decades.

 

Paula Bryan HeadshotPaula Bryan
Clipit

With nearly four decades of experience in the dog and horse grooming industry, Paula has always been passionate about driving positive change in the field.

Her expertise spans from skin and coat care to business development and tool and equipment management.

 

Tom Heaton-Clarke HeadshotTom Heaton-Clarke

Tom has been grooming for 7 years and started as an apprentice in 2016, he attained his city and guilds level 2 and 3 diploma in dog grooming with distinctions as well as the medal of excellence for his work while an apprentice.

He started self-employment in 2019 where he rented tables at a couple of salons before opening a salon of his own in 2020.

Tom regularly likes to compete in grooming competitions around the UK and has won awards for many classes including handstrip terrier, standard poodle and clipped schnauzer. He’s since been focusing on purebreed scissor classes with his kerry blue terrier Delilah where he has worked his way up to champion class over the past year.

2024 Exhibitors

MutneysMutneys

Mutneys Professional Pet Care Ltd was started by Jamie and Stephanie Roberts in 1995. As their families had always been involved in the dog showing and dog grooming world, it seems like a natural progression for them to take their love and knowledge of our four legged friends and develop a range of dog grooming equipment. They wanted this to reflect their own values with safe, natural and eco-friendly products, that are also affordable and would stand up to the heavy challenges faced by professional dog groomers.

WildWash

At WildWash, the team believes that animals and humans deserve the same quality cosmetics and they pride themselves on being as transparent as possible. For every product, they provide a full ingredients list, which confirms that the products contain no parabens, phthalates, phosphates, petrochemicals, sulphates, palm oils, or PEGs. They use 100% pure essential oils and guarantee that none of their products have been tested on animals. This consideration and strong moral compass have earned WildWash ethical accreditation and created countless satisfied customers. WildWash is now the trusted, go-to natural brand used by groomers, pet owners, and vets around the globe.

Clipit Grooming

Clipit Grooming is the brain child of Paula Bryan, who has been in the grooming industry for 35 years. She is a founder of groomers online, director of the pet industry, owner of Blades Services and MD of Clipit Grooming.

Clipit trademarked products bring innovating, life-changing animal grooming products and delivers accredited educational online courses to the professional grooming industry, in delivering high quality animal love and care at affordable prices.

Pet Passion to ProfitPet Passion to Profit

Pet Passion to Profit are a business training company especially for the Groomers to give them more income, pride and confidence.  Whether you as a groomer are just starting out or want to grow your established business we have a course designed especially for you.

We have teamed up The Pet Accountant who is a fully trained Accountant and is an expert in the Pet Industry so can give you specialist advice that is tailored to your business.

The Crafty NooThe Crafty Noo

I design and make hand-crafted Polymer Clay Creations and Pet Accessories.

From a custom made tealight or a 3d portrait of your pet, to a pretty flower dog collar and lead. I also offer flowers and bow ties that slip on the collar made from felt and some fabrics.

My mission is to continuously create new and unique items with exceptional quality and choice that is special to you. Something you open and cherish, or gift with thought and personal touches that have gone into the gift. Making special Moments, at the Heart of You.

Tellington TTouchTellington TTouch Training

Tellington TTouch is an effective, positive teaching method for animals that incorporates, observation, bodywork and movement exercises to improve cooperation, coordination, physical, mental and emotional balance.

By helping your animal come into better overall balance by releasing tension and improving posture, you can enhance self-control and self-confidence. This provides them with better choices and strengthens the relationship between you.

CAW LogoThe College of Animal Welfare

The College of Animal Welfare is one of the largest providers of veterinary nurse training in the UK, with centres in Cambridgeshire, North London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, County Durham and Scotland. We strongly believe that education and training is the key to raising standards of animal welfare. To this end, we strive to create new and accessible opportunities for learning, and encourage employers and those working with animals to undertake appropriate levels of training and continue with lifelong learning and education.

The Scissor BoutiqueThe Scissor Boutique

Scissor specialists renowned for quality and a great variety of Scissor for student & professional dog groomers. We offer help and advice for all levels of groomers to ensure that every purchase meets the user’s expectations and more.

 

 

Wow GroomingWow Grooming

Wow Grooming are proud to have a Premium range of shampoos, grooming sprays, colognes, brushes, combs and more. UK Manufactured

 

 

 

VetskillVetSkill

VetSkill is an Ofqual and CCEA-approved awarding organisation, a professional regulatory body, and an IfATE and ESFA-approved end-point assessment organisation.

We aim to empower learners to achieve their potential by providing inspirational qualifications and robust assessments. VetSkill-approves colleges to deliver our growing portfolio of qualifications and contracts with training providers and employers to provide end-point assessments for many apprenticeship standards.

Picture Coming SoonRudy and Co Ltd

Rudy and Co. Ltd is a natural dog treat company that Aleks Love Independent Feed Advisor created. We aim to provide a safe shopping experience for all dog owners looking for healthy, beneficial dog treats.

We only sell safe, species-appropriate, nutrient-dense treats free from nasty ingredients.

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Price: £60 (£50+VAT)

CAW Grooming students can book for £30, please contact the grooming team, call us on 01480 422060 or go to the VLE for further details

Tickets are Still Available

£60 (£50+VAT)

Interested in exhibiting at Dog Grooming Congress?

Dog Grooming Congress is a one day event focused on dog grooming.

Why exhibit with us?

  • Limited exhibitor numbers - Unlike larger congresses where hundreds of exhibitors often mean that visitors will not remember everyone, exhibition space for these events is strictly limited. As such you will get the opportunity to engage with all of the delegates attending our congresses personally.
  • Make meaningful business connections – Network with those that influence decision making in veterinary practice face-to-face and make relevant industry contacts.
  • Cost effective – with exhibitor packages starting from just £50+VAT, our prices offer value for money and fall considerably below that of larger events within the industry.

Download a booking form or call Claire Gregory, on 01480 422060.


Book now