Apprenticeship in Dog Grooming

SPOILT ROTTEN LTD

Gerrards Cross (SL9 9EA)

Closes on Friday 28 November 2025

Posted on 14 October 2025


Summary

You will be learning from Natasha, an internationally certified Master Groomer, at her salon in Chalfont St Peter. Learning all aspects of dog grooming such as nail clipping, grooming and health checks to become fully qualified.

Wage

£9,422.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Dog groomer (level 2)
Hours
You will be working 2/3 full days to start with view to increase to full time hours in the New Year. Shifts to be confirmed.

24 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 2 December 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

Duties include:

Spoilt Rotten strive to ensure every dog who visits their boutique and salon feels (and looks) like a real VIP, the most important companion in the building (because they are!), it is all about them and their experience. They do not comprise on anything including: the quality of products & equipment used, attention given to each dog one-to-one care, time allowed for each groom, just to name a few.

As an apprentice, your main duties will be:

  • Bathing
  • Nail Clipping
  • Grooming
  • Health Checks

Where you'll work

17 Market Place
Chalfont St. Peter
Gerrards Cross
SL9 9EA

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

  • A level 2 certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the apprenticeship
  • All training will take place within the workplace
  • Your dedicated trainer coach will visit you at work every 4 weeks
  • Functional Skills in English and maths 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
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

Owned and run by Natasha, dog expert and the only Internationally Certified Master Groomer in BUCKS and one of 4 in Middlesex! With over 16 years professional dog grooming experience, 10 years Veterinary Practice Management experience and a life time of dog and animal wellbeing experience you can choose Spoilt Rotten with peace of mind that your special doggy is in the very best of hands with Natasha and her team.

http://www.spoiltrottendog.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

The successful candidate will be considered for a role within the company.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Emma Openshaw

emma.openshaw@haddontraining.co.uk

07749577150

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346303.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 28 November 2025

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