Dog groomer

Level

Intermediate · like GCSEs

Length

1 yr

typical

Sector

Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Pay

Paid

you earn while training

In a nutshell

Groom a range of dog breeds and coat types.

Welcome dogs and their owners and note any health or behavioural concerns

Bathe, dry, and detangle coats using appropriate products and equipment

Clip and scissor coats to the owner's specification or breed standard

Trim nails, clean ears, and carry out other basic hygiene tasks

Spot skin irritations, lumps, or parasite signs and inform the owner

Keep the salon clean and disinfect equipment between every dog

Record each dog's details, preferences, and any health notes for future visits

Canine anatomy, coat types, and breed-specific grooming styles

Safe dog handling, restraint, and reading dog body language

Bathing, drying, and conditioning techniques for different coat types

Clipping, scissoring, stripping, and finishing to breed standards

Recognising common skin conditions, parasites, and coat problems

Hygiene and salon disinfection to prevent cross-infection between dogs

Customer communication and managing expectations about grooming outcomes

Ready to look for a place?

See live Dog groomer apprenticeship vacancies on the official government service.

A Careermash concept · apprenticeship standard from our careers engine · vacancies via gov.uk.