City & Guilds Dog Grooming Level 2 - The 23-Day Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

City and Guilds 7863-02 Training Course - Dog Grooming Course for Beginners

The City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants trains and qualifies you in the bathing, drying, and preparation skills of a range of dog breeds/cross breeds and coat types. It covers animal welfare and the safe handling of a range of dog breeds. You will learn how to prepare a range of breeds and coat types through to being able to perform 2 basic trims and trim two styles of dog feet and tails. This is an extremely valuable qualification because it gives a thorough grounding in basic dog grooming skills. This forms an essential foundation for Level 3. Delivered over 20 days plus 3 days for the practical and theory assessments.

The City and Guilds Level 2 qualification is also popular with dog walkers, boarding kennel staff and veterinary nurses, because by being trained in the basic dog grooming skills they are able to add to the services that they offer.

The minimum age for enrolling onto this course is 16 and there is no upper age limit. Our students have come from all different walks of life and all different parts of the U.K and the world. All students can expect to be treated fairly and equally at Abbfabb Academy.

None of our courses are full time. Most of our students have commitments such as jobs, children and other things that need to be factored in when deciding on a training plan. We recommend a maximum of two days training a week, which allows time for study and research while attending to all the other important parts of life.

You may see the City and Guilds Level 2 qualification offered over a shorter training period than ours. We believe that in order for a candidate to achieve the maximum learning from our courses, enough time is needed for you to actually learn the basic skills and underpinning knowledge required to achieve this qualification, as opposed to just having boxes ticked.

There are two reasons that we don’t offer intensive courses. Firstly, dog grooming isn’t something that can be mastered in five minutes. It’s a skill that covers many aspects of animal care as well as the trimming and styling, and for you to be able to actually learn them you need time… time to absorb what you’ve learned, time to put it into practice and time to revisit all the information so that you have a good chance of passing your exams. Secondly, as discussed above, the vast majority of our students have a lot of life’s commitments and cannot attend a full-time grooming training course.

City and Guilds have very clear guidelines about the hours a candidate has to achieve in order to gain the Level 2 qualification for beginners. You are required to complete 220 guided learning hours which is spread over the practical and theory components. Most of our students complete around 300 hours.

No previous experience is necessary and there is no such thing as a typical student, which makes the job of teaching grooming so enjoyable. Teaching and learning are two different halves of the process to get to your end goal. We teach using practical demonstration and explanation, and by having a range of appropriate dogs for you to practice on. For your part you need to be willing to learn, to work hard and to be able to work under instruction.

All our grooming activities are in accordance with the requirements of the Small Animal Welfare Act 2006. This Act is a legal requirement in any establishment that deals with small animals. It states the following:

Owners and keepers have a duty of care to their animals and must make sure they meet their needs:

  • For a suitable environment and place to live
  • For a suitable diet
  • To exhibit normal behaviour patterns
  • To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
  • to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Please see our blog about the Small Animal Welfare Act and read how we implement all its requirements.

City and Guilds Level 2 Dog Grooming Courses for Beginners

From the beginning of your course you will follow a tried and tested training plan which begins with approaching dogs, safe handling and health checks, and ends with performing two basic trims on two different coat types. We firmly believe that candidates should be taught following the natural process of what happens when a dog comes in for a grooming appointment. You can expect all your training days to be almost entirely practical and hands-on under the guidance of qualified and experienced tutors.

In addition, there is a comprehensive range of theory studies, which is done as self-study. This means you will do this at home, with access to support by email. Your theory assignments will be marked and sent back with constructive feedback. You will need to buy two books to help with your studies.

We will also hold theory workshops in our dog grooming training school, and of course, you can talk through any queries you have about the theory at the end of every training day. Once the theory studies are complete, you will have completed a substantial amount of hours in both practical and the development of underpinning knowledge. If you search for dog grooming courses for beginners near me, we offer the best dog groomer training courses for beginners, and all the courses are designed to help you improve and enhance your dog grooming expertise.

You will also receive the Abbfabb Certificate in Essential Dog Grooming Skills. This grooming training course is delivered over 23 days to include the practical and theory assessments.

You may see the City and Guilds Level 2 qualification offered over a shorter training period than ours. We believe that in order for a candidate to achieve the maximum learning from our courses, enough time is needed for you to actually learn the basic skills and underpinning knowledge required to achieve this qualification, as opposed to just having boxes ticked. The opportunity to practice what you have learned is very important.

Please note that the practical dog grooming course for beginners covers the areas stated above but not any of the more advanced skills that are taught in the City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming.

What Is Covered In This Professional Dog Grooming Training Course for Beginners?

The Level 2 qualification is a comprehensive dog grooming course for beginners that incorporates the following subject areas to learn the skills you need to provide practical dog grooming at a basic level:

What The Practical Training Covers:

  1. We begin with recognising canine key anatomical features and why these are so important. You will become familiar with the correct terminology used for these dog’s body parts. We will also be looking at dog’s dental bite positions. For example you will see dogs with undershot or overshot bites and how an incorrect bite can cause health problems.
  2. Evaluating dog behaviour by recognising dog’s body language and any visual disabilities, for example limping, or carrying the head to the side. Recognising various dog breed characteristics, and employing appropriate handling and moving techniques. We pay particular attention to a dog’s age, size and temperament when handling and moving them around the grooming salon.
  3. Abbfabb Academy of Dog Grooming Training is a non-restraint grooming establishment. Which means that we use restraint only when necessary ( please read our blog about our view on restraints ).You will be taught from the beginning how to calm and handle dogs safely without automatically using restraints.
  4. You will learn how to conduct a visual and hands-on health check, and how to recognise a range of external health abnormalities and parasites. For example we could find that a dog has sore spots on the skin, or has a flea infestation. A visual and hands-on health check is carried out on every single dog in our care with no exceptions. Discovering external health issues in a dog can change the way we groom it so finding these problems is extremely important. Communication with clients is vital should we find anything that is of concern. It should be said at this point that dog groomers are not veterinarians and must never diagnose a condition. We do however have a responsibility to report our findings to the dog’s owners and encourage them to act on what information we have provided.
  5. Distinguishing various types of coats, and preparing canines for a bath. This includes how to brush the coats safely, and how to remove knots and matts while eliminating any discomfort for the dog. There are many dog breeds and cross-breeds and a wide range of coat types. For example, a Cockapoo has a very different coat to a Basset Hound and therefore the way we prepare them for bathing is different. We will cover safe ear cleaning and nail clipping while you are learning about coat preparation.
  6. Implementing effective and safe bathing and drying procedures techniques on a range of different coat types. Again, the process for bathing and drying a Newfoundland is a very different thing from what we would do for a Chihuahua. We look at the different types of shampoo available, and when to use conditioner. Bathing and rinsing are extremely important because a dog with shampoo or product left in the coat will result in a greasy coat that clings together ….this makes getting a nice clipper finish very difficult. Also the skin to react to product being left in the coat. You will learn how to blow-dry and fluff dry safely and efficiently. There are also times when a dog is best being dried in one of our comfort crates…this normally applies to a smooth coated breed such as a Boxer.
  7. You will learn, and practice, how to carry out basic clipping and scissoring techniques safely and confidently to successfully groom dogs in readiness for final styling. You will learn how to use clippers and blades safely and the correct technique to ensure that a dog’s skin isn’t cut by incorrect use. Clipper blades come in various sizes and you will become familiar with which blades are the most appropriate for the dog you are working on. The same applies to safely using scissors. There are literally thousands of different styles, shapes and sizes of scissors. For your grooming training course, you will have a small-tools grooming kit which will contain the scissors appropriate to the City and Guilds Level 2 Course for Beginners. You will learn how to hold your scissors correctly, and how to trim basic shapes, how to blend various coat lengths and how to make the finished neat and tidy. It is at this point that you will truly understand why correct and thorough coat preparation is so important!!
  8. You will learn how to maintain hygiene within the dog grooming salon environment and to ensure cleanliness and safety of all equipment used. This is extremely important in a dog grooming salon. Robust cleaning and hygiene prevent cross-contamination, eradicates parasites and produces a safe and pleasant environment for dogs and their groomers. It is worth noting that a dog grooming salon that smells musty and looks dirty is not something that clients appreciate. If you take care of your own appearance and present a clean and attractive environment, your clients will have more confidence that you will take are of their dogs. All our salon waste is recycled wherever possible and you will see this on a daily basis. Health and Safety, and Animal Welfare Legislation is used as an integral part of all our dog grooming courses and you will become used to working with these requirements every day of your training course.
  9. An appropriate grooming tools kit is included in the fees for your course. Electric clippers, a range of clipper blades, a slicker brush, a grooming comb, nail clippers, metal comb attachments, suitable scissors from Abbfabb Scissors and an attractive tool bag are included. You will also have access to the appropriate training Dvds.

The practical assessments take place at the end of the City and Guilds Level 2 training course. There are two main assessments and to be successful you will need to carry out two basic trims on two different coat types. You will be required to trim the bodies, tails and feet. During your assessment the assessor will be evaluating your handling of the dog, how you use your grooming equipment and your final trim. These assessments are timed.

You will be assessed by one of our experienced assessors.

Abbfabb Academy of Dog Grooming Training has a solid track record of successful students. The vast majority gain a Merit or Distinction grade for the practical assessments.

The Theory Studies

Theory is a vital part of your dog grooming training course. It goes hand in hand with your practical experience. It helps you to have confidence in your work and clients are generally feel confident when they leave their cherished dogs with someone who knows what they are talking about!

To strengthen your underpinning knowledge and to help you to revise for the theory exam, you will be required to complete written assignments and worksheets. These assignments are invaluable and are a compulsory part of the City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants.

An integral part of the course involves a 90-minute online multiple-choice examination, which you will take on-site at the end of the training course. This is done to test your knowledge of basic dog grooming and the other contents of the Level 2 qualification. This is supervised by our invigilator.

Sitting the exam at the end of the training course means that you will have had plenty of time to complete the theory assignments and for revision. Please note that the online test questions vary from exam to exam and are set by City and Guilds so we have no prior knowledge of what your actual questions will be. You will not receive your final certificate unless both the practical and theory assessments have all been successfully passed.

The theory assignments cover the following topics:

Basic canine anatomy and dentition. You will learn the basic points of canine anatomy and the appropriate terminology used when grooming. You will become familiar with the various types of bite positions that dog’s have and how problems can arise.

Health and safety, and other legislation applicable in the dog grooming salon. Understanding this subject area will help make sure that you work as safely as possible for the benefit of yourself and the dogs in your care. And it will be very important that you have a working knowledge of health, safety and legislation if dog grooming salons are ever subject to licensing.

Animal Care, including health checking and how to recognise health abnormalities. You will learn about the special considerations that you should give to dogs of different life stages, and dogs with health issues. You will create a diet and exercise plan and learn about behaviour and body language. Understanding the life cycle of different parasites that can affect dogs and diseases and inoculations is covered in this assignment.

Grooming equipment, it’s uses, safety and maintenance. You will research which equipment is most suited to which breeds and coat types, how to use it safely and how to ensure you know how to keep grooming equipment clean and safe.

Preparation methods. This focuses on grooming out different coat types, ear and nail care. You will research further brushing out coats, humane de-matting and safe bathing and drying. This assignment also covers basic clipping techniques and safe use of scissors.

Canine health and recognition of abnormalities, diseases, disorders and disabilities. You will work on how dog groomers can minimise or eradicate accidents and working safely to prevent problems such as slicker brush burn and heat stroke.

Abbfabb Academy of Dog Grooming Training has an excellent track record of students passing the City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Grooming Assistants theory exam with Merit and Distinction grades.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for further information that you may find useful.

Please note that you cannot progress to the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (C&G 7863-03), unless you hold the City and Guilds ( 7863-02 ) Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants.

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