Apprentice Dog Groomer

Summary

To begin this apprenticeship you will learn how to prep, bath and dry dogs ready for the groomer to carry out the required groom. You will learn about a variety of dog grooming products and will gain experience with dogs of all sizes, breeds and temperaments.

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

Hours

Tuesday - Saturday, 8:30am - 5:30pm. 3 or 4 days a week.

30 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 2 September 2025

Duration

1 year

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Average daily tasks you will be required to do are:

Bathing and drying dogs
Cleaning and tidying
Taking payments and making appointments in person and over the phone
Preparing dogs for cutting
Assisting colleagues on challenging/large dogs

Where you’ll work

UNIT 2A
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
STAINTON GROVE
BARNARD CASTLE
DL12 8UJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE

Your training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Develop a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and owner
Carry out a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and modify as required throughout the groom
Identify normal signs of good and bad health including poor skin condition and external parasites
Identify when to report abnormal signs of health and advise the customer when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
Recognise and adapt to behavioural change indicators and signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
Handle and move dogs, adapting own behaviour to meet the needs of the dog
Identify and use relevant dog restraint equipment to move and handle the dog according to temperament, age, breed, and size, and in line with manual handling and lifting procedures
Bathe a dog using procedures which account for breed, coat type and anatomical features, including selecting, preparing and using products according to coat type
Store grooming and bathing products, including medicated shampoo, in accordance with COSHH regulations
Dry a dog selecting and using equipment, methods and products which account for coat type, breed, and anatomical features
Handle the dog and use nail clippers and/or scissors to trim dog’s nails.
Select, handle, and use coat trimming equipment
Identify factors that require the groom to be terminated early, such as illness, zoonotic infections, behaviour, stress
Identify and escalate health and safety, and animal welfare concerns
Maintain dog records
Communicate with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders and use terminology suitable to audience
Clean, maintain, store and sterilise products and equipment
Clean and disinfect the work area and dispose of waste in accordance with COSHH regulations
Develop a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and owner
Carry out a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and modify as required throughout the groom
Identify normal signs of good and bad health including poor skin condition and external parasites
Identify when to report abnormal signs of health and advise the customer when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
Recognise and adapt to behavioural change indicators and signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
Handle and move dogs, adapting own behaviour to meet the needs of the dog
Identify and use relevant dog restraint equipment to move and handle the dog according to temperament, age, breed, and size, and in line with manual handling and lifting procedures
Bathe a dog using procedures which account for breed, coat type and anatomical features, including selecting, preparing and using products according to coat type
Store grooming and bathing products, including medicated shampoo, in accordance with COSHH regulations
Dry a dog selecting and using equipment, methods and products which account for coat type, breed, and anatomical features
Handle the dog and use nail clippers and/or scissors to trim dog’s nails.
Select, handle, and use coat trimming equipment
Identify factors that require the groom to be terminated early, such as illness, zoonotic infections, behaviour, stress
Identify and escalate health and safety, and animal welfare concerns
Maintain dog records
Communicate with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders and use terminology suitable to audience
Clean, maintain, store and sterilise products and equipment
Clean and disinfect the work area and dispose of waste in accordance with COSHH regulations

Your training plan

The training will take place at the workplace at Barnard Castle. The apprentice will be required to go to Sunderland College several times throughout the apprenticeship. However most training will take place at the workplace. The apprentice will get a level 2 in dog grooming qualification once completed the course.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4-9 Or Equivalent)
Maths (grade 4-9 Or Equivalent)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental

Other requirements

● You will be working with animals all day and be on your feet most of the time ● You may encounter various temperaments of animal behaviour ● Hard work in a warm environment, especially in summer months ● Must be able to use initiative ● Required to work Saturdays

About this company

We are a small dog grooming business offering an exceptional dog grooming service to the local community looking to grow to meet client demands. We currently have 1 dog groomer and 1 dog grooming assistant.

http://www.designerdoggrooming.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Possibility of full time permanent position as dog groomer and progression for the right candidate.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: