Well groomed: Apprenticeship training for Britain’s growing dog grooming sector

Britain is often said to be a nation of dog lovers, and recent research certainly seems to bear that out.  

Around 13.5 million dogs are kept as pets in the UK today with 36% of households owning a dog. 

As reported at the time, many homes welcomed new canine companions during the covid-19 lockdown, and although numbers have fallen off slightly since the 'pandemic pup' peak, dog ownership is still extremely popular. 

Dog grooming salons, dog walking services and doggy day care businesses have sprung up everywhere over the past five years, and with them has come a need for even more well-trained staff with animal care qualifications.  

Dog groomer (level 2) apprenticeship 

This level 2 apprenticeship programme was first approved for delivery in September 2021. It provides training suitable for a range of animal care settings including kennels, rescue centres, pet retail stores and independent dog grooming salons. Attracting government funding of up to £5,000, the training is delivered by 13 providers across England including FE colleges with land-based campuses. The RSPCA, Pets at Home and the Pet Industry Federation as well as grooming salons and grooming schools were among the employers involved in creating the apprenticeship standard.  

As well as learning how to groom a dog, apprentices on the level 2 course will also be taught other relevant animal care skills around canine health and behaviour. Key skills include learning how to:  

• Develop a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and owner 

• Identify normal signs of good and bad health including poor skin condition and external parasites 

• Recognise and adapt to behavioural change indicators and signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs 

• Identify and use relevant dog restraint equipment to move and handle the dog according to its 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  

• Handle the dog and use nail clippers and/or scissors to trim dog's nails. 

• Dry a dog selecting and using equipment, methods and products which account for coat type, breed, and anatomical features 

• Select, handle, and use coat trimming equipment 

• Recognise when grooming should be stopped early, if for instance, the dog is showing signs of illness or stress 

• Identify and escalate health and safety, and any animal welfare concerns 

• Maintain dog records 

• Clean, maintain, store and sterilise products and equipment 

• Communicate with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders using terminology appropriate for these audiences 

Although much of a dog groomer's job is practical and hands-on, scheduling appointments and record keeping form an important part of the role too. As well as direct animal care knowledge, dog grooming apprentices will also need to demonstrate good planning and administration skills.  

Some apprentices will go on to run their own dog grooming businesses so will be responsible for handling customer payments and data as well as ensuring they meet the legal requirements concerning animal welfare.