Assess and plan dog grooming work
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, 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
select and implement hygiene and bio-security measures and confirm that they are maintained
confirm that the work area for grooming dogs is safe, secure and clean
assess how the welfare needs of the dog may be provided for while under your duty of care
observe and recognise the behaviour of the dog and record it where necessary
handle the dog in a way that maintains animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety
assess the appearance of the dog including its coat type, and its head, body and leg shape to aid the planning of the grooming work on the dog
assess the condition of the dogs coat and skin to aid in planning the grooming work on the dog
carry out a health check of the dog and report any issues to the client, including advice to seek veterinary attention if required
discuss and agree the requirements for the planned work with the client, including timescale and cost
plan the work required to groom the dog
confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional responsibilities as a dog groomer and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, 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 implementing the correct hygiene and bio-security measures when carrying out dog grooming and how these can be achieved
why it is important to observe and assess the body language of the dog and what signs to look out for
the importance of maintaining communication with all those involved in, or affected by, your work, how this should be done and where to seek advice and guidance when required
the coat types and their characteristics of the dog you are working with
how to approach, handle and restrain dogs in a manner that promotes animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety
how to assess the appearance of the dog including its coat type and head, body and leg shape to aid the planning of dog grooming
how to assess the condition of a dog's coat and skin and how to recognise common problems
how to carry out and record a dog health check
dog anatomy and physiology in order to be able to carry out a health check
the requirements of the Veterinary Surgeons Act in relation to informing clients of possible abnormalities and conditions (but not diagnosing) and the importance of referring clients to a veterinary surgeon
how to plan and agree the work to be done with the client, including the timescale and cost, and the importance of obtaining informed consent
why clipping off and rough trimming are sometimes necessary and why the age, condition and temperament of the dog may influence the decision
the importance of removing excess hair for the dog’s hygiene
required trimming methods relevant to the dogs coat
the steps that should be taken in the event of accidentally cutting the dog or yourself
the importance of planning the resources required to carry out the work including tools, equipment, materials, accommodation and suitable expertise
how to check, clean and sterilise tools and equipment and the correct methods of storage
the records that need to be kept in relation to assessing and planning dog grooming and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Scope/range
wool
wire
silk
double – long and short
smooth
round head
head with short split eyebrows
head with long split eyebrows
head with centre fall eyebrows
clean head
clean face
scissored body coat
hand-stripped basic body coat
hand-stripped advanced body coat
hand-stripped gun dog coat
clipped body coat
scissiored leg and foot shapes
scissored/clipped or combination tail
blending
client request
breed of dog
its appearance and condition
trimming method
resources
accommodation for the dog, prior to, during and post grooming
feet, nails and pads
ear condition
mouth, teeth and gums
skin and coat
internal and external parasites
eyes
genital and mammory area
anal glands
weight and condition score
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
Veterinary Surgeons Act