Style and finish a dog's coat

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

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

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

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

5. confirm that the work area for styling and finishing dog’s coats is safe, secure, clean and ready for use

6. select, prepare, use and maintain tools and equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policy

7. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

8. observe and recognise the behaviour of the dog and record this where required

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

10. style and finish the dog in accordance with the client’s requirements, the agreed plan and the type of breed

11. use the correct trimming methods for the coat type and style

12. produce the required body and neck shape

13. produce the required leg, foot and tail shape

14. produce the required head and ear shape

15. complete your work within the agreed timescale confirmed with the client, maintaining the welfare of the dog at all times

16. deal with waste in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation

17. clean, sterilise and store the tools and equipment used for styling and finishing in accordance the relevant legislation, manufacturer’s guidelines and organisational policy, and report any faults

18. transfer the dog to suitable accommodation ready for collection

19. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy

1. your professional responsibilities when styling and finishing dogs’ coats and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

2. the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence

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

4. your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

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

6. the types of tools and equipment required for styling and finishing a dog’s coat and how to select, prepare, use and maintain these in accordance with the relevant legislation, the manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policies

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

8. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done and where to seek advice and guidance when necessary

9. the Kennel Club UK coat types and their characteristics

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

11. the different types of breeds and coat types of dogs and the clipping techniques and trimming lines for each

12. how to judge the correct amount of hair to be clipped or scissored off and why it is important not to remove too much

13. how to carry out different trimming methods

14. where thinning and blending is required

15. how to achieve the required body and neck shape

16. how to achieve the required leg, foot and tail shape

17. how to achieve the required head and ear shape

18. why particular care is required when removing excess hair from around eyes, ears, anal and genital areas within the limits of your role

19. the techniques for styling and finishing

20. the timescales for the completion of activities, in accordance with workplace policy and client requirements

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

22. how to handle, store and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational policies

23. how to check, clean and sterilise tools and equipment and the correct method of storage

24. how to provide suitable accommodation for the dog between the stages of grooming

25. the records that need to be kept in relation to the styling and finishing of dogs’ coats and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy

1. clippers and blades

2. scissors

3. thinning scissors

4. stripping tools

1. wool

2. wire

3. silk

4. double – long and short

5. smooth

1. round head

2. head with short split eyebrows

3. head with long split eyebrows

4. head with centre fall eyebrows

5. clean head

6. clean face

1. scissored body coat

2. hand-stripped basic body coat

3. hand-stripped advanced body coat

4. hand-stripped gun dog coat

5. clipped body coat

6. scissiored leg and foot shapes

7. scissored/clipped or combination tail

8. blending

Current animal welfare legislation:*
*

• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act

• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act

• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)

• Veterinary Surgeons Act

Protective equipment and clothing could include:

• gloves

• apron