Apprentice Dog Groomer - About The Dog

ABOUT THE DOG LTD

Bristol (BS9 4JP)

Closes on Friday 18 September 2026

Posted on 6 August 2026

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Contents

Summary

ATD GROOMING ACADEMY  

  • About the Dog believe quality and standards begin with education. Whether you're looking to learn how to correctly groom and care for your own pet, or you want to embark on a new career within the canine industry, With ATD you can gain the knowledge and experience you need 
Wage

£12,896 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Dog groomer (level 2)
Hours
Working 3 days a week 9am to 5.30pm with a half hour break for lunch and every Saturday 9am to 4.30pm.

31 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 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

As the apprentice at About The Dog , you will be responsible for:

  • Assisting with grooming, cleaning, and providing basic medical care
  • Assisting customers with their inquiries and provide excellent customer service
  • Maintaining a clean and organised shop environment
  • Receiving and stock inventory
  • Assisting with pricing and tagging merchandise
  • Operating a digital booking system and handle transactions accurately
  • Performing heavy lifting as needed

Where you'll work

83 Henleaze Road
Bristol
BS9 4JP

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

  • You will be working towards the Level 2 Dog Grooming apprenticeship qualification, and 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:

  • 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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Passion to work with Dogs

Other requirements

  • Would ideally like someone with their own transport as may be needed to cover other branches

About this employer

  • All our branches offer the same high quality service focusing on your dog first.

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

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Possibility of other training courses and or full time employment on completion 

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 VAC2000045953.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 18 September 2026