Dog Grooming Courses in Cheshire serving the whole of the UK
Unleash Your Passion for Dog Grooming at our Training Centre in Cheshire
- 100% Hands-On
- Max 5 Students
- No Experience Needed
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
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!
- Please note: deposits are non-refundable due to limited course spaces
Most Popular
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!
- Please note: deposits are non-refundable due to limited course spaces
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!
- Please note: deposits are non-refundable due to limited course spaces
- 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!
- Please note: deposits are non-refundable due to limited course spaces
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.
What Our Students Say
EXCELLENTBased on 80 reviews Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Hilary M25 March 2026Lovely staff, our springer comes out looking smart and smells lovely, until the next dirty muddy puddle!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Tom H3 March 2026Brilliant service highly recommendedTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Joanna B12 October 2025⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Professional, responsive, and a genuine pleasure to deal with. Communication was excellent throughout — highly recommendTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Michelle M5 July 2025Best 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.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Sonny g28 May 2025Very friendly and well priced service.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Nicola S16 April 2025Absolutely 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 ❤️ 🐾Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Nicolette G18 March 2025I 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!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Nicole M20 December 2024I 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.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Ged g6 September 2024Been 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.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Posted on Google Gillian G13 July 2024After 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 . GillVerified by TrustindexTrustindex 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?
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.
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
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