Student Dog Grooming Appointments in Milton Keynes

Help Train the Next Generation of Professional Dog Groomers

Radleys Grooming Academy offers reduced-price grooming appointments for suitable dogs to support our students’ practical training.

All student grooms are carried out within our professional salon under the constant guidance and supervision of experienced grooming tutors.

Your dog’s welfare, comfort and safety will always be our highest priority.

Student grooming appointments from £20.

[Apply for a Student Grooming Appointment]

How Student Grooming Works

Student appointments provide learners with valuable practical experience across different breeds, coat types and recognised grooming styles.

During an appointment, a student may complete some or all of the grooming process, including:

Health checking
Bathing
Drying
Brushing and coat preparation
Nail trimming
Clipping
Scissoring
Hand-stripping
Finishing and styling

The tutor will oversee the groom, provide demonstrations where necessary and check the work throughout the appointment.

Why Are the Prices Reduced?

Student grooming prices are lower because learners are still developing their skills and appointments normally take longer than professional salon grooms.

These appointments are part of a structured learning programme rather than a discounted version of our professional grooming service.

Owners must be comfortable with:

A student completing the groom
Tutor guidance and demonstrations
A longer appointment time
Photographs being taken for assessment evidence
The groom following a recognised style or training requirement

Which Dogs Are We Looking For?

The breeds and coat types required vary according to the students currently training.

We regularly look for:

Cocker Spaniels
Poodles of all sizes
West Highland White Terriers
Miniature Schnauzers
Scottish Terriers
Poodle crosses
Bichon Frisés
Shih Tzus
Other hand-scissored breeds
Border Terriers suitable for hand-stripping
Spaniels, Retrievers and Setters
Pomeranians and other double-coated breeds
Short-coated breeds requiring bathing and coat care

We also require dogs representing different sizes, coat types and grooming styles.

Please apply even if your dog’s breed is not listed, as our training requirements change throughout the year.

Available Student Grooming Services

Depending on current training requirements, appointments may include:

Bath and blow-dry
Brush and coat preparation
Face, feet and hygiene trim
Full groom
Short practical clip
Scissored or teddy-style trim
Recognised breed-standard trim
Hand-stripping
De-shedding
Nail trimming as part of a groom

The service offered will depend on your dog’s breed, coat condition, temperament and suitability for the students’ current assessments.

Prices

Student grooming appointments are available from £20.

The final price will depend on:

Your dog’s breed and size
Coat type and condition
Grooming service required
Chosen style
Amount of coat
Time and level of work involved

Any applicable price will be discussed when your dog is accepted for an appointment.

Regular Appointments

Some dogs may be invited to join our regular student grooming scheme.

Owners participating in this scheme must normally agree to:

Attend every six to eight weeks
Keep scheduled appointments
Allow the coat to be maintained in a recognised style
Follow home coat-care advice
Inform us of any changes to the dog’s health or behaviour

Regular attendance helps maintain the dog’s coat and provides students with consistent learning opportunities.

Is My Dog Suitable?

Not every dog will be suitable for a student appointment.

Suitability will depend on:

Breed and coat type
Coat condition
Age and health
Previous grooming experience
Behaviour during grooming
Confidence within a salon
Current student ability
Training and assessment requirements

Dogs who are extremely nervous, aggressive, medically fragile or unable to tolerate a longer appointment may be better suited to an experienced professional groomer.

Acceptance is always subject to an initial discussion and may be reconsidered if the appointment is not in the best interests of the dog or student.

Matted Coats

Please tell us if your dog’s coat is tangled or matted when applying.

A heavily matted coat may not be suitable for the style requested. For welfare reasons, it may need to be clipped shorter than originally planned.

We will not expect a dog to tolerate prolonged or painful de-matting for the purpose of student training.

Appointment Times

Student appointments are available on selected weekdays when practical training is taking place.

Grooms usually take longer than professional appointments, so your dog may be with us for several hours.

We will contact you when your dog is ready. Please do not return before we have confirmed that the groom is complete, as seeing their owner can make it difficult for some dogs to settle again.

Prompt collection is required once you have been contacted.

Photography and Assessment Evidence

Photographs or videos may be required as evidence for the student’s qualification portfolio and assessment.

Images will focus primarily on the dog and the grooming work. Separate permission will be requested where images are intended for marketing or social media use.

Full information will be provided before the appointment.

Professional Grooming or Student Grooming?

A professional grooming appointment may be more suitable if:

You require a quicker appointment
Your dog needs an experienced groomer throughout
Your dog is particularly nervous
You require a style outside current training needs
You cannot commit to regular model appointments
Your dog has complex health or behavioural requirements

For professional salon services, please visit Radleys Pet Styling.

[Visit Radleys Pet Styling]

Apply for a Student Grooming Appointment

Completing an application does not guarantee an appointment.

Your information will be reviewed against current student training requirements. If your dog is suitable, we will contact you when an appropriate appointment becomes available.

Please be prepared to provide:

Your name and contact details
Your dog’s name
Breed or crossbreed
Age
Approximate size or weight
Coat type and condition
Date of their last groom
Current grooming style
Health information
Behaviour and grooming history
Recent photographs of your dog
Your weekday availability

[Apply for a Student Grooming Appointment]

Support Our Students

By offering your dog as a grooming model, you are helping students gain the practical experience and confidence needed to become safe, capable and professional dog groomers.

Thank you for supporting the next generation of groomers.