Dog Grooming Assistant

HOUSE OF HOUNDS; Fingal; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

House of Hounds is seeking a caring, reliable Dog Grooming Assistant to join our professional grooming salon in Donabate, Co. Dublin. You will support experienced groomers with bathing, drying, coat prep and safe handling of dogs of varying sizes.

A one‑to‑one grooming approach prioritises welfare, comfort and wellbeing, with ongoing training to develop grooming skills. The role involves assisting with all aspects of the grooming process, maintaining hygiene, and delivering excellent customer

Qualifications

• Must have a genuine love of dogs and a commitment to animal welfare.
• Be reliable, punctual and professional.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with bathing, drying and coat preparation.
• Brush, de-shed and prepare dogs for grooming.
• Carry out ear cleaning and nail trimming where competent.
• Clipper work and styling as required.
• Assist with pre-groom health and wellbeing checks.
• Safely handle dogs of different breeds and sizes.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic salon environment.
• Follow all salon health, safety and biosecurity procedures.
• Assist with appointment scheduling and updating customer records.
• Record grooming notes after each appointment.
• Deliver excellent customer service when welcoming and collecting clients.
• Support daily operation of the salon.

Skills

Love of dogs

Reliable & punctual

Excellent communication

Team player

Attention to detail

Willing to learn grooming

Job description

HOUSE OF HOUNDS, Unit 7, Fairways Mall, Main , Donabate, Co. Dublin, K36 W953

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Application Details

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit. Please review the Eligibility and requirements for an employment permit if you are unsure of your eligibility to apply for this vacancy.

Job Description

House of Hounds is seeking a caring, reliable, and enthusiastic Dog Grooming Assistant to join our professional grooming salon. We seek groomers/bathers with at least 1 year of salon experience. This is a hands‑on role supporting the day-to-day running of the salon while delivering the highest standards of care for every dog. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced groomers, assisting with all aspects of the grooming process and ensuring every dog enjoys a safe, calm and positive experience. At House of Hounds, we pride ourselves on providing calm, one‑to‑one grooming where the welfare, comfort and wellbeing of every dog always comes first. Ongoing training and support will be provided to help develop grooming skills and confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with bathing, drying and coat preparation.
• Brush, de-shed and prepare dogs for grooming.
• Carry out ear cleaning and nail trimming where competent and authorised.
• Clipper work and styling of dogs as requiredAssist with pre-groom health and wellbeing checks.
• Safely handle dogs of different breeds, sizes and temperaments using positive, gentle handling techniques.
• Maintain a clean, organised and hygienic salon environment.
• Clean, sanitise and maintain grooming equipment and bathing areas.
• Follow all salon health, safety and biosecurity procedures.
• Assist with appointment scheduling and updating customer records using the salon management system.
• Record accurate grooming notes and observations following each appointment.
• Deliver excellent customer service when welcoming and collecting clients.
• Support the smooth day-to‑day operation of the salon.

Essential Requirements

• Must be eligible for the JobsPlus Scheme at the time of appointment.
• Have a genuine love of dogs and a commitment to animal welfare.
• Be reliable, punctual and professional.
• Have excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Be willing to learn and continuously develop professional grooming skills.
• Be able to work effectively as part of a small team.
• Have excellent attention to detail and take pride in maintaining high standards.
• Be capable of carrying out the physical duties of the role. This is a physically demanding position involving prolonged standing, bending, lifting, handling dogs of varying sizes and working in a warm, fast‑paced salon environment.

Ongoing Development

House of Hounds is committed to supporting professional development.As knowledge, confidence and competency increase, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to further develop their grooming skills, which may include:

• Clipper work.
• Scissoring and styling techniques.
• Breed‑specific grooming.
• Coat preparation and finishing techniques.
• Safe handling and behaviour awareness.
• Continuing professional development through online learning and practical in‑salon training.

Progression into these areas will be based on demonstrated competency, performance and business requirements.

What We Offer

A supportive and friendly working

• Sector: other service activities

Career Level

• Entry Level