Are the dog grooming courses accredited or recognized by any professional organisations?

Surprisingly, the dog grooming industry is an unregulated profession and anyone can start a career as a dog groomer! Obviously, we don’t suggest this and recommend taking a dog grooming course.

Do you offer any financial assistance or payment plans for the courses?

In certain circumstances we can help with a payment plan. Contact Alastair and have a chat.

4.9

Based on 90 reviews

Dog Grooming Courses UK

Unleash your passion for dogs, hands-on grooming training at our training centre in Cheshire, welcoming students from across the UK

Hands-On Dog Grooming Courses

When it comes to becoming a professional dog groomer, our dog grooming courses go above and beyond the basics. We’ll teach you breed-specific cuts, how to handle all kinds of coats, and the art of using grooming tools and equipment. With a dog grooming certification, you will also be able to identify skin conditions and other health concerns early on, allowing owners to provide appropriate care or refer the dog to a veterinarian.

Our courses teach essential safety practices and handling skills, ensuring the well-being of both the groomer and the dog. We also cover techniques for calming and grooming anxious dogs for a stress-free experience.

With demand for professional groomers growing rapidly, the dog grooming job prospects have never been better. Whether you want to work for someone else or start your very own dog grooming business, our training courses in Cheshire will give you the confidence and expertise you need to make it happen.

Want to know more about our dog grooming training?

Have an informal chat with Alistair: 07380 300 600

Or message us on WhatsApp and we don’t bite!

Not sure which dog grooming course is right for you?

Here’s a quick guide to your perfect starting point:

Complete Beginner?

Not quite ready to commit? Our Taster Day (£150) lets you spend a full day in the salon to see if dog grooming is the right career for you, before booking the full course.

Ready to Qualify?

The Level 3 Diploma requires no previous experience. 15 fully hands-on days, small classes of max 5, and a nationally recognised qualification.

Already Graduated?

Add Bonus Weeks to build salon speed, handle a wider range of breeds, and boost your confidence before going it alone.

Dog Grooming Qualifications & Prices

Dog Grooming Taster Day

£150

1 day · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Mon–Fri

Thinking about becoming a dog groomer? Spend a full day in our professional training salon, get hands-on with real dogs, and experience the life of a groomer for yourself.

1 full day (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Tour our training salon and meet the team
Learn what a professional dog groomer does day-to-day
Understand basic health and safety, plus an introduction to tools and handling techniques
Bathe, shampoo, and dry a dog with expert guidance

Secure your spot today!

Most Popular

Level 3 | 15 Day Dog Grooming Diploma

£2,499

15 days · No experience required

Our most popular qualification. Build real confidence with hands-on grooming every single day, fine-tune your technique, build speed, and graduate ready to earn.

No Experience Required
Super Confidence Building
Hands-on Grooming Every Day
Skills and Business Advice
Dog Handling & Dog Health
Grooming Equipment Provided
5 Dog Styles · 34 Grooming Techniques
Private Study Group
Payment plans available
£999 deposit secures your place

Secure your spot today!

Bonus Weeks, Extra Training and Confidence Building

£899

Per week · Paw Pad graduates only

Sometimes three weeks isn’t enough, and that’s exactly what Bonus Weeks are for. Come back to our salon, work with a wide variety of real dogs, and build the salon speed and confidence you need for paying clients.

Work with a wide mix of real dogs
Focus on areas you want to improve: clipping, scissoring, styling or handling
Build up speed and confidence working to salon standards
Pick up extra tips, tricks and one-to-one support from our trainers
Leave with even more grooms under your belt, ready for paying clients

Secure your spot today!

Level 3 Extended

Extended Dog Grooming Diploma

^£ 3,399 _{20 Days}

^£ 3,399

20 days

No Experience Required
Super Confidence Building
Hands-on Grooming Every Day
Skills and Business Advice
Dog Handling
Dog Health
Grooming Equipment
5 Dog Styles
34 Grooming Techniques
Private Study Group

Secure your spot today for only £599!

Small classes only, max 4-5 students per intake.

Our Core Principles in Dog Grooming Courses

Experienced Trainers

Our courses are taught by experienced dog groomer teachers who are experts at all types of dog grooming theory and hands-on technique.

Live Dog Models & Equipment Included

From day one you work with your own live dog model. All grooming equipment is provided, and we help you buy your own kit at discounted supplier prices.

Business Advice

We show you how to price your services, attract and retain clients, get the right insurance, and keep records. Everything you need to launch your own business.

Dog Grooming Qualification

You will receive a signed Paw Pad Dog Grooming Academy Certificate on graduation, recognised across the industry.

Max 5 Students

We take no more than 4 or 5 students at a time, so you get our full attention and training tailored to your ability level.

No Previous Experience Needed

You can start your journey to becoming a qualified dog groomer with no previous training or experience whatsoever.

Comprehensive Learning

Beyond practical grooming, you will learn tools of the trade, product suitability, handling, nail clipping, ear plucking and technical breed-specific clips.

Post-Course Support

We remember how daunting it is to first start grooming. You get ongoing support via a private study group for as long as you need it.

Proud to be partnered with...

What Our Students Say

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 80 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
    Hilary M 
 25 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lovely staff, our springer comes out looking smart and smells lovely, until the next dirty muddy puddle!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Tom H 
 3 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliant service highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Joanna B 
 12 October 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Professional, responsive, and a genuine pleasure to deal with. Communication was excellent throughout — highly recommend
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Michelle M 
 5 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best grooming academy I recently completed a level 3 diploma at the paw pads dog grooming academy in Cheshire. Al and his team have been fantastic from the start of my journey to me opening my own business. The hands on training was first class, so much support and practical advice. There is ongoing support from the tutors after completion so you never feel alone. I travelled from Scotland to do the course as the price was the most competitive with the best time scale. I have no regrets and would recommend this diploma to anyone looking for a new career.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Sonny g 
 28 May 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly and well priced service.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Nicola S 
 16 April 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing service from start to finish. I brought my brothers dog Kiki (from Norfolk) in for a full groom. Kiki was in a matted mess and had to have her locks shaved off for her own wellbeing. The care that was given ro Kiki was above and beyond and I will be bringing her back up to Cheshire for her regular grooms in future. Kiki looks like a completely different dog and is back to her happy energetic self causing mayhem. Thank you so much to the groomer who looked after Kiki today. See you soon ❤️ 🐾
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Nicolette G 
 18 March 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience at The Paw Pad Dog Grooming Academy. From the start, Al and the whole team made me feel welcome. Al is super supportive, always happy to answer questions, and even helped me find a place to stay since I was coming from out of town. One of the best parts of the course is that it’s in a real working salon, so I was hands-on grooming dogs from day one. They have a great way of easing you into the process step by step, so everything makes sense and builds your confidence. The instructors are fantastic—there’s always someone available to help, but they also give you space to work on your own, which I really appreciated. I had the opportunity to groom many different dogs with all kinds of coats and personalities, which was great real-world experience. The focus here is on practical pet grooming, so you leave feeling fully prepared to start on your own. On top of that, the whole team is so kind and encouraging—I genuinely loved going to class every day. If you're considering attending from out of town, it's worth mentioning the area was great for a longer stay—plenty of restaurants, shops, and easy weekend trips to nearby cities. Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Nicole M 
 20 December 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just completed the level 3 dog grooming diploma at The Paw Pad, I have had an amazing 1-1 experience with kind, friendly and experienced tutors. I felt comfortable and confident when handling the dogs in the salon knowing that I had full support by the staff. The owner Al was also able to provide amazing tips and tricks from a business perspective which has set me on the right path to becoming an Independent dog groomer. You are all amazing and thank you for all your help! If you are thinking about completing a dog grooming course, I highly recommend The Paw Pad team.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Ged g 
 6 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Been bringing my little  Pep here for nearly three years now,  Pep can be difficult but the staff are fantastic with him, Big thanks to Debs who drew the short straw today. Really happy and highly recommended. Thank you.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Gillian G 
 13 July 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After starting the leave 3 grooming course at the end of January this year I was unable to finish the course due to illness. Al the owner very kindly offered me to start from the beginning again which I can now say that I have just finished the course and now looking forward to getting going on my new business adventure. I would like to say how relaxed and welcoming all the staff made not just me but all the students feel. A big shout out to Deb's, sally and Abbie for your your teaching skills. I have learned so much from you guys and now I have the confidence to take the next step forward so a huge thank you. Not forgetting Al for your knowledge on how to run a business . I really appreciated you passing all your knowledge a expertise. I loved the last 3 weeks learning at the paw pad I was a little sad when it came to an end . hopefully I will get to pop in and see you all in the future . Gill
  
 
  
  
 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Unlock Your Dog Grooming Dream with ReAct+ Funding! (Wales Only)

Great news for aspiring dog groomers in Wales! The Paw Pad Dog Grooming Academy is an approved ReAct+ training provider, meaning you could get significant financial support from the Welsh Government to kickstart your grooming career!

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Dog Groomer

What are the requirements for enrolling in dog grooming courses?

You’ll need to be gentle but firm with dogs, have strong attention to detail, good communication skills, and patience. No prior grooming experience is required.

Are the courses suitable for beginners with no prior experience?

Yes, absolutely. Our courses are designed to take you from complete beginner to confident, qualified groomer. No previous experience is needed to enrol on any of our courses.

How long does it take to complete a diploma in dog grooming?

Our Level 3 Dog Grooming Diploma is 15 days of hands-on practical training.

Days run Monday to Friday and can be spread to suit your schedule.

Are the dog grooming courses accredited or recognised by professional organisations?

Our courses are vocational and fully hands-on. You will receive a signed Paw Pad Dog Grooming Academy Certificate on graduation, which is recognised within the industry.

Do you offer any financial assistance or payment plans?

Yes. We offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost. A deposit of £999 secures your place on the Level 3 Diploma. Please get in touch to discuss your options.

What are my options for gaining a dog grooming qualification?

We offer three pathways: the Dog Grooming Taster Day for those exploring the career, the Level 3 Dog Grooming Diploma for those ready to qualify, and Bonus Weeks for Paw Pad graduates wanting extra salon time and confidence.

Still not sure which course is right for you?

Give Alistair a call for a free, no-obligation chat. No hard sell, just honest advice about which option suits you best.

Alistair answers personally and we genuinely don’t bite.

07380 300 600

How to Become a Dog Groomer

Are you wondering how to become a professional dog groomer? The answer could be in our Guide to Becoming a Dog Groomer.

Read our Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Own Dog Grooming Business

Dog Groomer's Blog

Dog Grooming Courses UK

Unleash your passion for dogs, hands-on grooming training at our training centre in Cheshire, welcoming students from across the UK

Small Classes of 5 Students Max

Hands on 1:1 Grooming Training from Day One

100% Practical

90 Google reviews

Hands-On Dog Grooming Courses