Apprentice Dog Groomer
BARKING MAD PET SERVICES LTD
READING (RG8 7LY)
Closes in 21 days (Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Barking Mad Pet Services Ltd - Belle's Bubbles are looking to appoint a keen apprentice groom into the business. They are looking for a Level 2 Dog Groomer Apprentice. The apprentice will gain valuable hands-on experience and training in dog grooming, with the opportunity to learn from skilled professionals in the industry.
- Wage
-
£6,281.60 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 role requires working any days from Tuesday to Saturday, with Saturday being mandatory.
16 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 28 November 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 3 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
- Assisting with bathing, drying, brushing and trimming dogs
- Supporting with nail trimming, ear cleaning and general grooming tasks
- Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the grooming areas
- Ensuring dogs are comfortable and well-cared for throughout the grooming process
- Performing heavy lifting as needed
- Providing excellent customer service and a positive experience for pet owners
Where you'll work
18 READING ROAD
PANGBOURNE
READING
RG8 7LY
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)
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
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:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
About this employer
Barking Mad Pet Supplies, Belle's Bubbles, and Bertie's Luxury Dog Boarding are three well-established businesses that are passionate about providing high-quality care for pets. Whether it’s premium pet supplies, luxury dog boarding, or grooming services, these businesses take pride in their dedication to animal welfare and customer satisfaction.
After this apprenticeship
There may be the potential opportunity to progress into further training or further employment for the right candidate.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HADDON TRAINING LIMITED
Cynthia
cynthia.magama@haddontraining.co.uk
07522996943
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349588.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
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