How long does a dog grooming course take?

If you are considering a dog grooming course and are curious as to how long it takes, this guide is for you.

At D-O-G Grooming Studio Courses, we offer a full range of dog grooming courses from introductory half day tasters through to City & Guilds Level 3 courses, with flexible training options available to suit your schedule. 

Becoming a qualified dog groomer is a proud achievement. The time taken to become one does vary depending on the course you undertake. For instance, besides the half day taster session, the impressive training courses we offer range from 15 days in the City & Guilds Level 2 through to a full 41 days for the Level 2 & 3 combined City & Guilds course. 

In this guide, we will walk you through the typical timelines for each course and the elements involved that explain why each is as long as it is to complete before students receive their qualification upon passing.

Dog Grooming Half Day Taster CourseIf you would like to find out whether dog grooming is for you, we offer a half day taster course with no pressure or commitment to help you decide. The course combines observation of our qualified team with hands-on experience in a real working salon environment.

As the name suggests, this course takes just half a day and runs from 10:00 to 13:00, Monday to Saturday at either our Wandsworth Common or Wimbledon Park studios. More information on this is available on taster course page.

Level 2 City & Guilds
The Level 2 City & Guilds Dog Grooming Course is designed for those wishing to become dog grooming assistants. No previous dog grooming experience is necessary, and throughout the course you will learn a variety of basic styling techniques. 

The total course length is 15 days, of which 10 of those days are in the salon grooming 2 dogs a day, with 5 days of home studying with online materials. There are no strict starting dates as the course runs all year round, and the course can be completed on either part-time or full time basis. You can do as little as 1 day a week, or up to 6 days a week. 

Payment plan and pay as you go options are available, with two London locations and flexible scheduling to suit you. More information on this course can be found here.

Level 3 City & Guilds
Open to those who already hold the City & Guilds Level 2, the Level 3 diploma course is one of the most widely recognised qualifications within the industry. 

The Level 3 dog grooming diploma consists of 20 days of hands-on salon training, together with 8 days of home study. 

You can complete your practical salon training at either of our Wandsworth Common and Wimbledon Park locations.

If you are serious about a career in professional dog grooming, whether that’s working in an established salon or running your own business, this is the qualification that gets you there. 

Overall, the course takes 28 days to complete. For more information, please visit here.

Level 2 & 3 City & Guilds Combined Training Course
This combined Level 2 & 3 course enables you to complete both City & Guilds qualifications together. 

No previous dog grooming experience is necessary, and by the end of this course upon successful completion of the required practical assessments, synoptic assignment and theory exam, both qualifications will be awarded.

The combined course takes a total of 41 days, including 28 days of practical training within our salon, plus 13 days of online home study. 

With two London locations (Wandsworth & Wimbledon) and no fixed start date, the course can be completed around your schedule. For information on pricing, payment plans and to apply, please visit here.

iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management
The iPET Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management is an alternative to the City & Guilds qualification and does not include a theory exam. 

Instead, it offers three practical assessments, with candidates continually assessed through demonstrations and courseworks. 

The course can either be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, with attendance ranging from as little as one day per week through to as many as six days a week. 

Throughout the course, you will develop practical skills including prepping, bathing, clipping, scissoring, styling and nail trimming across a variety of dog breeds, while also learning about health and safety within a professional grooming salon.

The overall duration depends on whether you choose to study part-time or full-time, but the control over duration is within your hands. For more information or to apply, please click here.

D-O-G Intensive Course
Our intensive dog grooming course is designed for students wanting to enter the world of professional dog grooming without the rigid learning structure of the formal qualifications. 

With 20 days of hands-on salon training and 11 days home study material, you’ll groom approximately 40 dogs while learning a full range of dog grooming techniques. 

Throughout the course you’ll receive the same high standard of practical training given to the students on the City & Guilds training courses. 

At the end of the course, you will receive a D-O-G Grooming Studio Certificate of Attendance, a grooming portfolio and access to our after-course mentoring.

If you are looking for an intensive dog grooming course that you can complete to your own schedule, this is it. Please find more information here.

Ready to become a qualified dog groomer? 

At D-O-G Grooming Studio Courses, we offer a range of dog grooming courses to suit different experience levels, learning styles and schedules. Whether you are looking for a half day introduction or a professional qualification that will fully prepare you for life in a salon, we have a course to suit you. 

If you would like any further information about how long dog grooming courses take, please get in touch.