Apprenticeship training course

Dog groomer (level 2)

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Information about Dog groomer (level 2)

Groom a range of dog breeds and coat types.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The 5 welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease
  • The legal responsibilities a dog groomer has for the welfare, handling, and management of dogs, for example under the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the Dangerous Dogs Act
  • The responsibilities a dog groomer has in relation to health and safety at work under regulations such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations, RIDDOR and the Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Dog anatomy and physiology including variations within breeds, coat types, skull shapes and anatomical extremes
  • Signs of good and poor health including those related to skin and coat conditions, parasites, disorders and zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and infections, and when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
  • Behavioural change indicators, including signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
  • Requirements for planning a groom and factors that would influence any modifications
  • Dog handling and manipulation techniques, equipment, and grooming processes relevant to the dog’s temperament, life-stage, lifestyle, breed and age
  • Dog grooming equipment and it’s use according to breed, coat type, age and anatomical features including brachycephalic
  • Circumstances that could lead to a groom termination for example dog illness, dog behaviour, zoonotic infections and actions that should be taken
  • Bathing routine including setting correct water temperatures, safe lifting, application and rinsing of grooming products
  • Dog bathing and drying equipment and it’s use according to breed, coat type, age and anatomical features of the dog including brachycephalic
  • Dog grooming products, including medicated products, their use, storage, and dilution rates
  • Use of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising products within the workspace and disposal of waste
  • Coat trimming techniques, and the reasons for trimming or not trimming certain areas
  • Nail formation and growth, nail trimming techniques, and actions to be taken if bleeding occurs
  • Principles of holding and working areas and environmental requirements according to breed, size and age
  • Principles of equipment storage and routine maintenance including reporting of equipment maintenance requirements
  • Variety of workplaces and workplace structures within which dog groomers operate, and the range of stakeholders they may interact with
  • Canine first aid
  • Principles for sharing technical knowledge with peers such as newly appointed colleagues and volunteers
  • Communication techniques and how to adapt these for different audiences including delivering difficult customer conversations and dealing with customer complaints
  • The importance of gathering and reporting accurate and complete information relating to all aspects of the groom, including the health and temperament of the dog
  • Methods for collecting, recording and relaying relevant information to others
  • Payment processes for example cash, card, and electronic
  • The importance of customer service, and personal performance, and the impact this has on business success
  • The principles, communication skills, and behaviours of promoting and selling products, services, and treatments; the sales cycle and retail and trade legislation

  Skills

  • Develop a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and owner
  • Carry out a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and modify as required throughout the groom
  • Identify normal signs of good and bad health including poor skin condition and external parasites
  • Identify when to report abnormal signs of health and advise the customer when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
  • Recognise and adapt to behavioural change indicators and signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
  • Handle and move dogs, adapting own behaviour to meet the needs of the dog
  • Identify and use relevant dog restraint equipment to move and handle the dog according to temperament, age, breed, and size, and in line with manual handling and lifting procedures
  • Bathe a dog using procedures which account for breed, coat type and anatomical features, including selecting, preparing and using products according to coat type
  • Store grooming and bathing products, including medicated shampoo, in accordance with COSHH regulations
  • Dry a dog selecting and using equipment, methods and products which account for coat type, breed, and anatomical features
  • Handle the dog and use nail clippers and/or scissors to trim dog’s nails.
  • Select, handle, and use coat trimming equipment
  • Identify factors that require the groom to be terminated early, such as illness, zoonotic infections, behaviour, stress
  • Identify and escalate health and safety, and animal welfare concerns
  • Maintain dog records
  • Communicate with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders and use terminology suitable to audience
  • Clean, maintain, store and sterilise products and equipment
  • Clean and disinfect the work area and dispose of waste in accordance with COSHH regulations

  Behaviours

  • Takes ownership of work
  • Welfare focussed to show respect and empathy for dogs in their care
  • Puts safety first for themselves and others
  • Team focussed and works effectively with others to meet work goals
  • Respectful of others
  • Committed to personal learning and development
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £5,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Dog Groomer
  • Dog Grooming Technician
  • Assistant Dog Groomer
  • Assistant Stylist
  • Spa Assistant Stylist

View more information about Dog groomer (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.