Dog Grooming Apprenticeship

Summary

Plush Pooches are a busy grooming salon looking for an eager candidate who is confident and willing to work hard to achieve their goals. You will be working with a variety of dog breeds of all different sizes and temperaments - and will be given the platform and support to develop your skills and launch a career in the dog grooming sector.

Wage

£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

Hours

The successful candidate will be working 30 hours per week, spread over up to five days, between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00. Days and shifts TBC.

30 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

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

Responsibilities include:

• Washing and drying
• Sweeping and cleaning
• Assisting with grooming

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:

• 21 High Street, Chalfont St. Giles, HP8 4QH
• 101 VICTORIA ROAD, RUISLIP, HA4 9BN

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

• 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

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.

Dog Groomer Level 2 (GCSE), including Functional Skills, if required.

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
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

A candidate with a previous qualification in this area would be desirable.