Keeping your pet looking pretty is no easy job as KERRY ANN EUSTICE found when she spoke with a dog groomer campaigning to get the industry regulated

Qualifications:

I have a City and Guild's qualification in dog grooming and an advanced dog groomer diploma. I am also a member of the Master Guild of Groomers and have recently won the British Dog Groomer of the year awards in 2004. The City and Guild teaches groomers to look at the aesthetic of the dog, how different breeds are trimmed and why. The course also teaches groomers the basics of dog behaviour.

Place of work:

My salon, Absolutely Animals, Lee.

Earning potential:

Employees can earn £15,000 a year, but if you are self-employed this can differ.

What is your typical day like?

Our salon understands it can be a stressful experience for the animal so we spend time making friends with the dog to put them at ease. It is a mentally and physically stressful job, as you always have to be one step ahead of the dog. Especially if its coat has been neglected or if it has a temperament problem.

It is important to balance the coat and hide any faults and give the dog a cut which will suit their lifestyle too.

You can't give all dogs show trims, as they aren't manageable for pets which are active.

I also do retraining with dogs and I advise clients on grooming at home. Once they have been groomed it is really important for clients to compliment their dog, they really do love the praise.

The services we offer include cat grooming, nail trimming, bathing. I sterilise the equipment after each dog.

I don't think people realise how important aesthetics are to a dog.

Why did you decide to become a groomer?

I worked in kennels when I was 17 and had always wanted to work with animals. I was given the chance to do a grooming course and I really enjoyed it. I found I bonded with the dogs better. It's something you see a quick result in, as after a few hours the dog is transformed and looks really beautiful.

Where do you want to go from here?

I'm hoping to study animal behaviour further on a consultancy course and I'm training as an examiner for the City and Guilds.

I'm also pushing to get the grooming industry regulated.