About Us
Award winning salon and training academy for dog grooming. All staff are insured, fully qualified dog groomers to level 3 industry standard and tutors are certified for teaching. Who better to learn from?
Canine Design was founded in 1992 by Lesley Garratt, having always had a huge love and affinity for animals, she qualified as a professional dog groomer. After a few years in the industry, Lesley discovered she had a strong interest in training other people to groom and gained great satisfaction from watching her students flourish.
Now an award-winning dog grooming salon and training academy, Lesley’s passion for animals and artistic flair allows her to surround herself with dog everyday. With great emphasis on correct handling in a professional environment to treating all dogs with kindness so they enjoy their groom, students gain knowledge and experience in working with animals.
The love of animals runs runs throughout the family with her husband Carl and daughter Lottie becoming involved in the business.
Students come from far and wide to train at Canine Design; national and international students, training schools and grooming salons undertake courses at the salon. Many of which are award-winning establishments in their own right.
Meet The Team
Lesley Garratt, LCGI
Managing Director, Master Groomer, Head Tutor
Lesley trained in 1992 and groomed professionally for a few years before realising she gained great satisfaction from tutoring. Watching students grow and flourish into talented groomers and working in an industry that recognises her talent has allowed Lesley to grow a successful business. She is responsible for the majority of training at Canine Design.
Qualifications:
BDGA Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming
C&G Level 3 in Dog Grooming
C&G Level 3 in Teaching and Adult Education
C&G Licentiateship
Diploma in Canine / Human Interface
Julie Matthews, LCGI
Tutor
Julie trained as a Dog Groomer with Canine Design and went on to work as groomer within the business. She moved on to become a college lecturer to teach dog grooming, but later returned to Canine Design as she preferred the personal attention and higher standard of training we are able to devote to the students in a private training environment. Julie is a skilled teacher with great attention to detail. She has a calm and methodical approach and is well liked by students.
Qualifications:
C&G Level 3 in Dog Grooming
C&G Licentiateship
“I have always had a great love for and affinity with animals and dreamt of being a dog groomer for many years before training in 1992. I have never looked back and still love dog grooming just as much as when I started, it’s a fantastic career! Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than seeing our students excel, with many going on to run their own successful businesses.”
- Lesley
Lottie Garratt
Head Stylist
Lottie began grooming at the age of 6 years old; going on to compete in grooming competitions and winning many awards. At the age of 11 she won the prestigious Young Kennel Club Groomer of the Year at Crufts. She now grooms professionally at Canine Design and assists with tutoring students.
Qualifications:
C&G Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant
C&G Level 3 in Dog Grooming
Carl Garratt
Director
Carl joined the business as the grooming school expanded and assists with maintenance and admin across the business. With his own grooming qualifications under his belt, he has a unique understanding of the running of the business and plays a large part in invigilating the exams.
Qualifications:
C&G Level 3 Practical Element of Dog Grooming
Summit Group Invigilator
