Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant Course in Guildford – Merrist Wood College

CostFREE
Duration14 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant Course in Guildford. Classes run at Merrist Wood College, part-time during the day over 14 weeks. The course is free if you're 16 to 18 years old. If you're 19 or over, fees may apply. You'll build on existing grooming skills, developing advanced clipping and scissoring techniques across a wider range of breeds and coat types. The course also covers anatomy, health and safety, first aid, and parlour management. You'll need to show grooming competency at interview before starting.

Who this course is for

Progressing on from the first stage and for those wishing to improve their grooming, this course is designed to further advance your clipping and scissoring skills, widen your breed awareness and start to apply your grooming knowledge to a wider variety of breeds and coat textures. In addition you will be studying anatomy, health & safety, first aid & parlour management skills for the theoretical elements of this Certificate. You will be required to research and home study for portfolio assignments and exam assessments on grooming theory. This course is suitable for anyone with suitable previous experience in the grooming industry and wishing to gain a qualification having completed the Dog Grooming (Beginners) Tuition is largely practically based and takes place in our grooming enterprise within the Campus. Supporting reception areas and an attractive easily accessible Campus with excellent student resources create an enjoyable learning environment.. For further information please visit the Actiate Learning Website at https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk

Entry requirements

There are no formal qualification entry requirements for this course. It is recommended that you complete the Grooming for Beginners course and will need to show competency in grooming through questioning at interview (this could be over the phone or in person). For further information please visit the Actiate Learning Website at https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk

What you will learn

  • You'll develop advanced clipping and scissoring techniques on a variety of breeds.
  • You'll broaden your knowledge of breed-specific grooming requirements and coat textures.
  • You'll study canine anatomy relevant to grooming practice.
  • You'll apply health and safety principles in a grooming parlour setting.
  • You'll learn first aid relevant to working with dogs.
  • You'll develop parlour management skills for day-to-day salon operations.
  • You'll build and complete a portfolio through research and home study.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Merrist Wood College, combining practical grooming work with theoretical study. Assessment includes portfolio work built through research and home study, alongside practical demonstrations of your clipping, scissoring, and breed-handling skills. There will also be questioning as part of the assessment process.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Merrist Wood College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Dog grooming assistant, supporting qualified groomers in a salon
  • Junior dog groomer, handling a range of breeds and coat types
  • Kennel assistant, caring for dogs in boarding or rescue settings
  • Pet salon receptionist, combining animal knowledge with client-facing work
  • Dog grooming parlour assistant, managing day-to-day salon tasks

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Dog Grooming qualification: the next step if you want to work as a fully qualified groomer, taking on more complex styling and managing your own clients.
  • Level 2 Animal Care qualification: broadens your knowledge of animal welfare, useful if you want to work across a wider range of species or move into kennel and cattery work.

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