Apprentice Dog Groomer - Part Time Positions Available

Summary

Spa Time Pets are a rapidly growing dog grooming business with big plans for growth and are dedicated to making sure their client's dogs not only looks great but feel great to. They are looking for 3 new apprentices to start their journey in the now hugely popular industry of dog grooming.

Wage

£6,656 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

Hours

Part time hours , 16 per week to include a Saturday , exact days and hours to be discussed with the employer .

16 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

4

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

As the apprentice at Spa Time Pets, you will be responsible for:

• Assisting with grooming, cleaning, and providing basic medical care
• Assisting customers with their inquiries and provide excellent customer service
• Maintaining a clean and organised shop environment
• Receiving and stock inventory
• Assisting with pricing and tagging merchandise
• Operating a digital booking system and handle transactions accurately
• Performing heavy lifting as needed

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• 243 High Street, Dorking, RH4 1RT
• 43 HIGH STREET, HORLEY, RH6 7BN
• 61 High Street, Reigate, RH2 9AE
• 29 Station Road, Sutton, SM2 6BX

Training

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

Training provider

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

What you'll learn

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

Training schedule

• You will be working towards the Level 2 Dog Grooming apprenticeship qualification, and all training will be provided on site during your paid working hours
• Your day-to-day mentoring will be with your employer, and a combination of online and in person monthly sessions will be held with your Haddon Training Trainer Coach

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

Initial training will take place at the Horley branch , so please make sure you can get there as well as the branch you have applied to if different .