Dog Groomer Apprentice (My Dog Barber)
MY DOG BARBER LIMITED
Gateshead (NE9 6BQ)
Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 2 December 2025)
Posted on 4 November 2025
Contents
Summary
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to start their journey in the dog grooming industry and work towards becoming a skilled stylist.
- Wage
-
£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Dog groomer (level 2)
- Hours
-
To be discussed at Interview.
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 December 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 4 months
- 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
This could be the perfect opportunity for you!
My Dog Barber is offering an exciting Dog Grooming Apprenticeship based at the Chester le Street and Low Fell salons, with training provided at our brand-new Training Academy in Hebburn. This role combines hands-on experience in a busy salon environment with expert-led training, giving you the skills and confidence to build a successful career in dog grooming.
Duties will include but not limited to;
- Welcoming customers to the salon
- Washing and drying dogs
- Trimming nails
- Teeth cleaning
- Grooming and trimming different styles for different breeds and coat types
What you will gain:
Practical experience working alongside professional stylists at our Chester le Street and Low Fell salons.
Comprehensive training at our state-of-the-art Training Academy in Hebburn.
Skills in dog preparation, styling, finishing, and canine care.
A supportive team dedicated to helping you succeed in your career.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to start their journey in the dog grooming industry and work towards becoming a skilled stylist.
Where you'll work
31-33 Belle Vue Bank
Low Fell
Gateshead
NE9 6BQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD
Training course
Dog groomer (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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
- Full training to be provided by the employer and KEITS at the place of employment
- The applicant will be working towards a Level 2 Dog Groomer Apprenticeship
- The learner will be allocated an industry specific training consultant who will provide both remote and on site visits throughout the apprenticeship
- The apprentice will work towards an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Previous Dog Experience
Other requirements
KEITS Training Services Ltd reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise. Applicants may not hear if they are unsuccessful due to the popularity of our vacancies. The apprentice will be working to build a portfolio of evidence and will be required to pass a knowledge test and an End Point Assessment (EPA) to complete the apprenticeship. To Apply click ‘Apply for this Role’ and for our top tips on how to fill out your application form click here
About this employer
We are your local independent chain of pet grooming salons in the North East. We've been delivering expert, tailored care to dogs for nearly a decade, so you can trust that your four-legged family members are in good hands. Our salons and services are tailored and designed with your pet in mind. We're also passionate about working with you to build your pet's trust and confidence – and equip you with skills to care for them from home. Our new venture – The Academy – will train the next generation of pet groomers with accessible, hands-on courses and industry-accredited qualifications.
After this apprenticeship
- Possibility for future employment for the right candidate should a position be available
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD
Heidi Clear and Bethany Wylie
recruit@keits.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000299583.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 2 December 2025)
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