Dog Grooming Apprentice
SALLYWAGS LTD
NORTHWOOD (HA6 1BP)
Closes in 11 days (Saturday 25 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 11 July 2026
Contents
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
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Dog groomer (level 2)
- Hours
-
Working between 30-40 hours per week during our opening hours Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 31 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
- 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.
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
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)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
About this employer
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.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
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:
KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042004.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Saturday 25 July 2026 at 11:59pm)