During your time with us, you’ll develop the practical skills, knowledge and confidence needed to begin your career in the dog grooming industry and progress towards working as a Dog Grooming Assistant.

You’ll learn how to:

• Prepare dogs for grooming, including safe handling and preparation before bathing.
• Bathe dogs safely and effectively, selecting appropriate products and techniques for different coat types and individual needs.
• Dry and prepare dogs for styling, using professional grooming equipment and techniques.
• Prepare and trim coats for styling, developing your practical grooming skills and understanding how to achieve an appropriate finish.
• Safely move, handle and lift dogs, taking into account their size, behaviour and individual needs.
• Maintain a clean and hygienic salon, including effective cleaning, hygiene and biosecurity procedures.
• Work professionally, developing good communication, teamwork and professional conduct within a grooming environment.
• Understand canine anatomy, including key anatomical features and how they relate to safe grooming.
• Explore breed characteristics and coat types, understanding how these can influence grooming requirements.
• Develop your understanding of canine behaviour and welfare, learning how to recognise and respond appropriately to different behaviours and temperaments.

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice in our fully equipped, state-of-the-art dog grooming salon, working with a variety of dogs and developing your skills from initial preparation through to the finished groom.

Skills You’ll Develop

• Safe Dog Handling: Learn how to safely handle, restrain, move and lift dogs during the grooming process.
• Practical Grooming Skills: Develop your skills in bathing, drying, brushing, coat preparation and basic trimming.
• Attention to Detail: Learn to recognise the individual grooming needs of different dogs and work carefully to achieve a good finish.
• Communication: Develop the confidence to communicate professionally with customers, colleagues and others involved in the care of dogs.
• Patience and Compassion: Learn how to work calmly and patiently with dogs of different breeds, temperaments and behaviours.
• Teamwork: Work alongside other learners and staff to maintain a safe, clean and professional grooming environment.
• Time Management: Develop the ability to organise your time and complete grooming tasks safely and efficiently.
• Dog Health and Welfare: Understand basic health and welfare needs and how these can affect the grooming process.
• Professionalism: Develop the attitude, reliability and responsibility needed to work within a professional dog grooming environment.
• Confidence: Build your confidence through practical experience, support and feedback as you develop your grooming skills.

• No formal qualifications needed for Level 1
• 3 x GCSEs at grade 3 including English and/or maths for Level 2
• 4 x GCSEs at grade 4 including English and maths for Level 3
• 5 x GCSEs at grade 4 including English and maths for T Level, Level 3

Throughout the course, you’ll develop your knowledge and practical grooming skills in preparation for your final assessments.

Your assessment will include:

60-Question Theory Examination

You’ll complete a 60-question multiple-choice theory examination, testing your knowledge and understanding of areas such as:

• Canine health and welfare
• Anatomy
• Behaviour
• Breed characteristics
• Coat types
• Grooming techniques
• Grooming equipment
• Safe working practices
• Salon hygiene and biosecurity

Practical Synoptic Examinations

You’ll also complete practical synoptic examinations, where you’ll demonstrate the practical skills and knowledge you have developed throughout the course.

You’ll be required to apply your learning in an integrated way, including safely handling and preparing a dog, bathing, drying, coat preparation and grooming techniques, while maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the dog.

The practical synoptic examinations allow you to put your learning into practice and demonstrate that you can safely and effectively groom a dog in a professional environment.

You’ll receive support, guidance and feedback throughout the course to help you prepare for your assessments and build your confidence.

You’ll train in our fully equipped, state-of-the-art dog grooming salon, with a wide range of professional grooming tools and equipment available for you to use throughout the course.

You’ll be required to purchase your own dog grooming tunic and suitable, sensible footwear that is appropriate for working safely in a professional grooming environment.

Further information about the required uniform and footwear will be provided before you start the course.

The table shows the levels you are likely to study at depending upon your final GCSE grades. Offers will be made based on your indicated grades and the levels available within the progression table.