Animal grooming qualifications

You need to begin with a training course that teaches the basics of dog handling, grooming, styling and trimming, which after completion will allow you to either work for or with some one else. In most cases it will give you the confidence to go out there on your own.

There are no regulations that require you to have a dog grooming qualification to start your own grooming business but it is recommended you do have some sort of formal training.

Introductory Dog Grooming - Assessment Breakdown

Minimum 3 dogs with 11 checklists (Option - 1 extra unit 1 Task A head style)

2 dogs (different styles): Clipped body, complete legs & head
1 dog: Scissored or hand stripped - body only

Tasks covered

Before starting the dog
Unit 2 – Task A – Assess and plan dog to be styled (1 head & 2 techniques, total 3)
Unit 2 – Task B – Explain equipment to be used (1 head & 2 techniques, total 3)

Styling/trimming (for both dogs)
Unit 1 – Task B – Technique used and style of legs (2 styles, total 2)
Unit1 – Task A – Head style (2 styles, total 2)

During & after (for 1 dog)
Unit 3 – Task B – Assessor witness statement, working safely

After (once)
Unit 1 – Task C – Cleaning

Health check a dog (2 checklists)
Unit 3 – Task A – Plan
Unit 4 – Task B – Carry out

Moving Animals (1 Checklist)
Unit 7 – Task A

Total number of checklists = 14 + 1 witness statement (working safely)