Bathe and cleanse a dog's coat and skin

work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, the risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice, organisational policies and the Veterinary Surgeons Act

maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation

check that the area where dogs’ coats are bathed and cleansed is safe, secure, clean and ready for use

select, prepare, use, maintain and clean tools and equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation, the manufacturer’s guidelines and the policies of your organisation

select, wear and maintain suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

select cleansing products suitable to the dog’s coat type, condition and client preferences, in accordance with workplace instructions

dilute cleansing products according to the manufacturers’ instructions

observe and recognise the behaviour of the dog and record it where necessary

maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work

handle and restrain the dog in a manner that does not compromise animal welfare, avoids any behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety

transfer the dog to the bath and secure it in a way that minimises stress and maintains the health, welfare and safety of all those involved in, or affected by, your work

bathe the dog according to the policies of your organisation and the product manufacturers' instructions

use water at the correct temperature and rate of water flow

cleanse the coat and skin in a way that minimises distress to the dog

remove dirt and debris from between the dogs’ toes and pads

take the required corrective action immediately should the cleansing products enter the eyes, mouth or ears of the dog

rinse all residues from the dog’s coat and skin where necessary

remove excess water from the dog’s coat prior to drying using suitable methods

recognise when observation of the dog reveals a possible infestation or abnormal condition and report this to the relevant person

transfer the dog to the correct area for the next procedure and confirm that it is safe and secure

clean, sterilise and store the tools and equipment used in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s guidelines and the policies of your organisation

complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy

your professional responsibilities as a dog groomer and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessments, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice, organisational policies and the Veterinary Surgeons Act

the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and the best way to do this, in order to ensure the requirements of the dog are met

the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this

the types of tools and equipment required for bathing and cleansing a dog’s coat and skin and how to select, prepare, use and maintain these in accordance with the relevant legislation, the manufacturer’s guidelines and the policies of your organisation

the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity

why it is important to observe and assess the body language of the dog prior to starting work and the signs to look out for

where to seek advice and guidance regarding the bathing and cleansing of a dog’s coat and skin

the coat types and their characteristics of the dogs you are working with and how the condition of the coat and skin affect the cleansing products that should be used

the different types of cleansing products available, how they work and the types of coat and conditions for which they are suitable

how to approach, handle and restrain the animal in a way that maintains animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety

the safe methods of transferring dogs into the bath and securing them

the importance of following the manufacturers’ instructions regarding the dilution of cleansing products, how to interpret these instructions, and the possible consequences of not doing so

why it is important to obtain authorisation from the client or a senior colleague before using anti-parasitic products, within the limits of the veterinary medicine’s regulation

the required bathing routine and water temperature requirements of the for the dog you are working with

the importance of preventing solutions entering the dog’s eyes, mouth and ears and why it is important that the client is informed if this happens

the signs of distress in dogs and the action that should be taken when these are observed

how to check that all residues have been rinsed from the dog’s coat and skin unless the manufacturers’ instructions indicate that this is not necessary

the methods to remove excess water from the dog’s coat prior to drying and why it is important to do this

how to clean, sterilise and store tools and equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation, the manufacturer’s guidelines and the policies of your organisation

the importance of providing suitable accommodation between the different stages of grooming work

the records that need to be kept in relation to the bathing and grooming of a dog’s coat and skin and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy

wool

wire
silk
double – long and short

smooth

normal shampoos

anti-parasitic shampoos

veterinary-prescribed shampoos

conditioners

conditioning sprays

feet, nails and pads

ear condition

mouth, teeth and gums

skin and coat

internal and external parasites

eyes

genital and mammary area

anal glands