Dog Grooming Apprentice

Summary

If you love dogs and have always wanted to work with animals, then an Apprenticeship in Dog Grooming could be the route for you allowing you to do the job you love as well as earn while you learn.

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday alternating between 8:30am - 4:30pm and 10am-6pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 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

Clean & sanitise the salon and daycare areas
Play with and exercise dogs in our daycare
Assess dogs before grooming
Assist with grooming and salon upkeep
Assist customers and help out in our retail shop
Be part of a supportive, friendly team

Where you'll work

122-124 PINNER ROAD
NORTHWOOD
HA6 1BP

Training

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

College or training organisation

JLMS MANAGEMENT LTD.

Your 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

Your training plan

During your apprenticeship you will compile a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Once you have completed your portfolio, Functional Skills (if required) and a minimum of 12 months of training, you will be able to undertake the End Point Assessment and gain a Level 2 Dog Groomer qualification.

All training will take place in the salon and online.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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

Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness

About this company

Sallywags is an independent family owned grooming salon based in Northwood (West London) a few mins walk from the metropolitan line. We are proud that over the last 10 years we have established a very loyal, repetitive client base and our booked up several months in advance. We have now closed our books to any further clients and are now confident that we know what comes through the door for each appointment, making the grooming process easier.

https://www.sallywagsgrooming.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

On completion of your apprenticeship you will have gained the knowledge, skills, behaviours and practical experience needed to excel in a Dog Grooming Assistant role.

If you are looking to study to the next level you may consider undertaking further dog grooming qualifications.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: