Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistants (City & Guilds )

Course overview

Take your knowledge to the next level to really start your dog
grooming career.

This course is for anyone interested in developing their basic grooming
skills and who may even wish to follow a career in grooming.

This course is for the novice groomer, it introduces basic restraint and
handling techniques, preparing and grooming dogs prior to bathing, as well as
how to use a wide variety of equipment and techniques relevant to bathing,
drying dogs and preparing their coat for styling.

Basic styling techniques will be covered. Recommended additional study hours
outside of the course are 3-4 hours per week.

Please be aware that students with English as a second language will
be required to have gained IELTS Level 6.5 overall with Level 6.0 in
writing.

Modules

• Prepare and groom dogs prior to bathing
• Bathe and clean dogs
• Clean and maintain equipment used for grooming or removing hair from animals
• Control and restrain animals
• Dry dogs and prepare their coats for styling
• Basic trimming of a dog’s coat
• Carry out reception duties
• Handle payments from clients
• Welcome, receive and care for visitors to sites
• Move animals between locations
• Maintain the cleanliness and bio security of the animal care working environment

What is it like to be a student on this course?

If you’re considering the Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant course at Plumpton College, it offers a great opportunity to develop practical grooming skills in a real salon environment. You’ll spend most of your time working directly with dogs, learning how to handle them safely, prepare coats for grooming, bathe and dry dogs, and carry out basic trimming and styling techniques. You’ll also gain knowledge of canine behaviour, anatomy, breed characteristics, health checking, hygiene, and professional grooming standards.

Throughout the course, you’ll work with a variety of dog breeds and temperaments, helping you build confidence in understanding canine body language and adapting your approach to individual dogs. Learning is supported by experienced tutors through demonstrations, practical sessions, and supervised hands-on experience.

By the end of the programme, you should be well prepared to assist in a professional grooming salon, use grooming equipment safely, and progress into employment or further grooming qualifications. If you enjoy working with dogs, are happy with practical, physical work, and have good attention to detail, this course could be an excellent first step into the dog grooming industry.

Industry links

https://petfederation.co.uk/ – Pet Industry Federation (PIF)https://www.mybiga.org/ – British Isle Grooming Associationhttps://groomersgallery.com/ – Groomers Galleryhttps://crufts.org.uk/ – Crufts

Student testimonial

“I have really enjoyed the course, I feel I have learnt so much and gained so much confidence. I have been supported by my tutor and all my questions answered. Whilst being on this course I have attended work experience  in a local parlour, I have also enrolled onto the Level 3 course starting in September.”

Progression routes