My Background Story
In 2000, I graduated from NUI Galway with a degree in Science, but my heart wasn’t in it and I longed to work directly with animals. After various stints as a bar worker, vet nurse trainee, horse riding instructor and stud farm groom, I finally found my calling after applying to a hands-on dog grooming course in Limerick city in 2002.
How it Works
Contact
You can contact me, with general queries, by emailing deirdre@drdogcare.ie or call me on 065 684 8684 to book an appointment. Appointment requests are handled by phone only. Since I am usually busy with grooming or training, you can leave a detailed message & I will get back to you at the end of the day to discuss the services you require!
Schedule a Date!
The next step is for us to schedule a date that suits us both, whether you require my grooming or training services.
Meet Deirdre
In the event of grooming services, you will drop your dog off at my parlour on Shanaway Road & we can have a quick chat about what cut you require. In the event of training services, group classes are held in the hall in Clarecastle while one-to-one lesson locations will depend on the type of training you require.
Main Services
I offer grooming, group training & one-to-one training. Please follow the button links below to see full grooming rates based on dog breed, type of coat etc. Group training & one-to-one classes include set rates, as listed below.
Grooming
Prices are minimum estimates based on dogs in reasonable condition and with good temperaments. This usually means they are groomed on a regular 8-12-week schedule, breed depending. Ear plucking and anal glands expression by request only.
€30 > €130
per dog
Group Training
Group classes are available throughout the year & are held at the hall in Clarecastle. Group classes are suitable for most dogs, except those with any serious behavioral issues with aggression, separation anxiety, barking & guarding.
€90 > €100
per dog, per 4 wk course
One-to-One Training
One to one training covers basic training such as sit, down, lead walking, recall, leave it, and some unwanted behavioral issues on lead such as lunging and growling at other dogs.
All clients receive an online document outlining the training techniques used.
€40 > €110
per dog
Behaviour Consults
A behaviour consult involves modifying an already learned unwanted behaviour, such as barking for attention, guarding food or articles, or aggression towards people or dogs. It involves getting a detailed history of the dog, including vet records and a vet check-up may be advised in some cases to rule out pain as a motivation for behaviour. A minimum of two consults must be booked, 2 weeks apart. These may be in person or via zoom, depending on the issue. I may include a home visit or look for videos of the dog’s behaviour. A detailed look of the dog’s day to day life, including exercise, training, environment, intra household relationships and mental stimulation will help provide a potential motivation for the behaviour, and therefore a way forward to help re-educate the dog. You will be asked to potentially make changes to the dog’s routine, exercise, feeding and commit to basic obedience training as well as the personalised behavioural modification plan.
Prior to committing to this, a one-to-one training session must be booked to assess the dog and the relationship and to start the training exercises which will support the behaviour modification plan. In mild cases, small changes to the dog’s routine and management can be enough to solve an unwanted behaviour, making a full behaviour plan unnecessary. You can decide this after implementing the training and advice during the training/assessment one-to-one.
€300
per dog - (not including the cost of the initial one-to-one).
New Training & Behaviour Options
Join the private Facebook group with 2 hours of video tutorials, lots of written content and links to you tube lectures. Find more information here
€25
lifetime access.
Additional Services
Please contact me to discuss any of the following services:
- Puppy talks giving advice on sourcing, training & socializing your pup.
- On- to-one tracking/nose work & competition obedience, working trials, agility.
- Available for talks & lectures on range of dog related topics including responsibility, care, training & behavioural problems.
Why Choose Deirdre?
Trained
Certified
Trusted
Training Videos
Dog Owner Reviews
“Just finished our 2nd dog training class tonight….And what a fantastic difference already…we still have a way to go with Riley but thanks to Deirdre’s expertise & knowledge we are getting there. 1st class, highly recommend.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tara Madigan
“My dog Marshall is so nervous around other people & we’ve tried numerous groomers and by far Deirdre is the best in town! She is so good with him and he is much more relaxed getting groomed here and comes home happy and handsome which is the main thing 
” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rachel McGovern
“Deirdre is a pure joy to deal with and has such a fabulous way with animals. Eddie always looks like a new dog after Deirdre works her magic on him! ” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Michelle Mannion
“Oscar was in for his first proper cocker cut today & he looks fab! Very happy doggy & owner, thanks Deirdre!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Niamh O’Meara Daly
“Deirdre is excellent with our dogs and we really benefited from doing the puppy training with her. Have taken the dogs to other groomers but no comparison to Deirdre.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kathy M. Corcoran
“Exactly what i wanted.. Really listens to what the customer wants… very happy” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Louise Fitzgerald
Looking For A Professional?
Contact me to discuss you & your dogs' requirements!
Book Appointments
by Phone Only: