Chloe is 24 and had always worked with horses before moving into dog grooming. After travelling in Asia and Australia and spending time working with horses there too, she found herself back home working in a pub and thinking about what came next.
“I’d always worked with horses, but I just needed a change really.”
The move into dog grooming felt like a natural step. It still involved working with animals, but in a different way. When she began training, she was looking for something manageable and not overwhelming.
“Anything new is going to be overwhelming, but it definitely didn’t feel like that here. The smaller group made it perfect.”
The structure suited her lifestyle. Working in a pub gave her flexibility, and doing a couple of days a week over a few months meant she could build her skills steadily without feeling rushed.
In the early weeks, being able to observe the working salon and learn alongside others helped her understand what the job really involved. Watching how different people approached grooms gave her perspective. Over time, she started to trust the routine.
One experience in particular tested her confidence – grooming a show cocker.
“I felt confident before, then it was all quite a lot. But once it was done, everything just slotted into place. It’s order out of chaos sometimes.”
That moment helped everything make more sense. Following the structure of a groom, sticking to the order, and working through it step by step gave her reassurance that she could handle more complex dogs.
Now that she’s finished her practical training, she feels both excited and aware of the responsibility ahead.
“I’m a bit sad, and a bit of pressure, mostly from myself because I want to be the best version. But I’m excited to get started.”
Her plan is to set up a salon at home and begin slowly – a couple of dogs a day, part-time at first, building regular clients and growing in confidence as she goes.
“If it’s something you’re thinking about, definitely go for it. It might feel overwhelming at the start, but it’s a journey.”
She’s ready to begin that journey on her own terms
