Course Overview
The level 3 dog grooming course builds upon the knowledge gained during the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants qualification and will give you the skills and abilities to work as a professional dog groomer.
Upon gaining this qualification you will be confident in handling and grooming a range of dogs of differing breeds, temperaments and ages. You be able to identify signs of normal and abnormal behaviour to minimise stress, and know how to undertake health checks and adjust grooming regimes accordingly. You will also gain an understanding of relevant animal welfare legislation and safe working practices, as well as learn how to manage the administrative and financial aspects of a busy dog grooming salon.
During your dog grooming training, you will work alongside qualified dog groomers in our fully equipped grooming suites, complete with professional dog grooming equipment and access to a variety of dogs on which to practice the techniques you will be learning. Practical training will be supported by online learning and all materials will be provided via our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Key Facts
Location: Huntingdon and Leeds
Start Dates:
Start dates will be discussed at interview. Our dog grooming courses get booked quickly, so we suggest you apply in advance. Below are the start dates for courses which are still available for application.
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
- Tuesday 7 January 2025
- Wednesday 30 April 2025
Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Tuesday 7 January 2025
- Wednesday 30 April 2025
Day release students will attend College for one day per week for one academic year.
Are you ready to progress your career as a dog groomer? Did you know we offer bespoke, condensed formats for our Level 3 Dog Grooming course that will allow you to study your 38 days in any combination of days to shorten the number of weeks you are on course depending on your experience? You could progress your knowledge and experience in no time!
If you’re interested in studying our Level 3 Dog Grooming Diploma and would like to speak to us regarding our bespoke options, please get in touch at admin@caw.ac.uk, by calling 01480 422060 or via our webchat on our website.
Bespoke options are subject to experience which will be discussed at interview. The 38 day study will include 12 days of online learning and 26 days undertaking practical training in centre.
Course Content
You will build on your existing dog grooming experience. Online lessons will be complemented by practical experience throughout the programme. Over the course of the qualification you will cover the following units:
Unit 301: Health and safety, legislation and codes of practice for the dog grooming industry
During this unit you will understand relevant animal welfare legislation and look at minimising risks and emergency situations through safe working practices.
Unit 302: Styling and finishing a dog
You will learn how to style and finish a range of dog breeds of differing temperaments and ages. Throughout the unit there will be an emphasis on recognising and minimising stress in dogs and working in a safe manner.
Unit 303: Health checking and handling a dog in a dog grooming environment
During this unit you will learn basic canine anatomy and physiology and suitable handling and restraint techniques. You will understand how to carry out ongoing health checks and recognise normal and abnormal behaviours in order to adjust the grooming regime accordingly.
Unit 304: Customer service and record keeping in a dog grooming environment
You will learn how to communicate effectively with clients, and know how to handle the administrative and financial aspects of the dog grooming salon.
Assessment
Assessment is by written exam and a synoptic practical assignment. There will be unit tests set in preparation of the final exam.
Entry Requirements
You must have achieved the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants prior to enrolling onto this qualification.
Application and interview process
All applicants are interviewed and offers for a place on the course are competitive. We are looking for people who have a passion for working with animals and show a commitment to learning how to provide high-quality pet grooming services. During the application process you will undertake basic maths and English assessments, complete a written task, and discuss your suitability for the programme during your interview.
We are looking for people who are dedicated to improving their work and driving the dog grooming profession forward.
Course Fees
Course Fees
£4,295
Awarding Body Fees*: £210
* Awarding Body Fees are payable by all students or employers and recharged at cost and may be subject to change.
CAW Loans2Learn Scheme
The CAW Loans2Learn scheme is a personal loan that can help you to spread the cost of your course into manageable payments. The loan can be used to fully or partially cover your course fees (but does not cover any awarding body fees, such as enrolment and examination fees). More information can be found here.
Please note that the course fees must be settled before the beginning of the course.
Other sources of financial help can be found on our student finance page. Please note the Pay As You Learn Scheme is not available for this programme. Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.
These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of The College of Animal Welfare.
This course is eligible for the Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Funding. Read more here.
What Next?
Achievement of this qualification will demonstrate to employers and the public that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge to work as a professional dog groomer.
Once you have completed your formal training and gained solid industry experience, many opportunities become available to you. You may wish to seek employment as a dog grooming stylist, perhaps progressing to a managerial role after demonstrating your abilities within a fast paced pet grooming environment. Dog groomer vacancies are sometimes advertised on our job board.
You could also consider starting up your own grooming business from home, in commercial premises, or out and about by taking it mobile, or work in partnership with an existing business such as a boarding kennels or dog walkers. This is a great way to build up connections with existing client bases and industry players, which will help to boost your new venture.
Another option would be to help the next generation of dog groomers to achieve their formal dog grooming qualifications; either by teaching at a relevant college or taking on an apprentice in your workplace.
You could also choose to study our brand new Level 3 Award in Preventative Canine Dental Care and Oral Hygiene! This course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to incorporate preventative canine dental care and oral hygiene into your role as an animal care or dog grooming professional.
You can further develop your skills by attending dog grooming workshops, demonstrations and events such as Dog Grooming Congress.
