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ANIMAL GROOMING BAG106

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification To obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested.

Learn to Groom All Types of Animals

  • Animal groomers are in high demand, and this is only likely to increase.
  • Students studying this course will gain a solid foundation of knowledge in animal grooming - for a variety of applications, practical and aesthetic, including cleanliness and health, and showing animals.
  • Animals covered in the course include dogs, cats, cattle, horses, poultry, rabbits, captive wildlife.

 

 

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Please note, choosing offline (USB stick) will attract a 5% surcharge on top of the course fee

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Develop a Fundamental Understanding of Animal Grooming
 
Understand the theory behind animal grooming and effective animal grooming techniques

We groom animals for many different reasons:

  • Cleanliness and Health - For both the animals and the owners.
  • To Make them Look Better - Fur is trimmed, washed and even coloured, perhaps plaited and ribbons added, for animals to be presented in a competition.
  • Practical Reasons e.g. Poodles were originally trimmed to allow them to swim without wet fur dragging them down, but leaving balls of fur around joints.
  • Safety - Bird beaks might have sharp tips removed to stop them injuring other birds.
  • Conservation - Deer may have horns removed to discourage poachers.


COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Course Duration: 100 hours.

Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.

Lessons: The Animal Grooming course comprises 10 lessons as outlined, below.
 
Lesson 1.  Scope and Nature of Grooming
Introduction to grooming behaviour.  Why do humans groom animals? What animals are groomed? Generic grooming tasks, Common tools and equipment, Combs, brushes, rakes, blades and other equipment, Confidently handling animals, The industry and workplace opportunities, Workplace skills, Accessing the right information online.

Lesson 2.  Animal Biology
Skin – Epidermis & Dermis, Claws, Nails and Spurs, Hair, Horns, Hooves, Physiological control – Homeostasis, Thermoregulation.

Lesson 3.  Caring for the Skin and Coat
Animal nutrition, General nutrition, Micronutrition, Water requirements, Common skin problems in dogs and cats, Ringworm – fungal infection, Flea and flea control, Ticks and tick control, Lice and control, Mites (mange) and control, Treating skin problems in dogs and cats, Common skin problems in equines, Caring for the coat – brushing, bathing, blow drying, de-matting, clipping, trimming, Removing burrs from fur, Caring for cats – combing, brushing and bathing.

Lesson 4.  Specialised Grooming Tasks
Risks of working with animals, Selecting a suitable grooming location, Understanding animal psychology and behaviour, The flight or fight response, Environmental Influence on behaviour in zoo animals.

Lesson 5.  Handling Animals
General considerations when handling animals, Pre-restraint techniques, Physical restraint, Medical restraint – sedation, Safely handling different animals when grooming: dogs, cats, cattle, poultry, rabbits, captive wildlife, Handling Horses: Safe and Respectful, Catching, releasing, leading, tying up and working around the horse, Indicators of pain, mild fear and extreme fear, Transporting horses.
 
Lesson 6.  Grooming Dogs
Communication in dogs, Use of scent, Barking and body language, Grooming different types of dogs, Long Coat types, short coat types, single coat types, Double coat types, Smooth coat types, Wire haired coat types, Woolly or wavy coat types, Corded coat types, Bald or hairless coat types, Brushing and bathing care, Clipping and styling, Grooming procedures that can go wrong, Cutting toenails too short, Cuts or nicks when clipping, Overheating, Water trapped in the ear canal.

Lesson 7.  Grooming Exotic Animals
Grooming birds, Handling birds, Beaks, Feathers, Bathing birds, Grooming rabbits, Handling, moulting, Transporting, Grooming captive wildlife, Bathing small and large mammals, Handling large animals and exotics, Dangerous animals, Fear of humans, Issues with handling animals, Psychological effects of different handling techniques, Grooming areas

Lesson 8.  Safety in the Grooming Workplace
Safety for people and staff – workplace health and safety, First aid, Legislation and duty of care, Safety of animal owners and visitors to the premises, Protective equipment, A groomer’s personal protection, Equipment and workplace safety, Storage and disposal of chemicals, Handling Tools and Machinery, Safety with tools and equipment, Safety audit, Example of an audit checklist, Safety for animals and people, Transportation, Safety of the animal at the salon, Electrical safety – at home and the groomers, Slip risk – wet surfaces, Cat and dog allergies.

Lesson 9.  Preparing for Showing
What is animal showing? Why do people show pets? Showing dogs, Training your show puppy, Preparing for show – dogs, Days and evening before the show, The day of the show and in the ring, Showing – dress to impress, Showing poultry, Getting started – selecting your breed and buying your birds, Preparing birds for show, The day before the show, The day of the show, Showing cattle, Preparing cattle for show, In the show ring on the day.

Lesson 10.  The Business of Grooming Planning a new grooming business
The business plan, Financial planning, Long term goals, Medium term goals, Annual financial plan, Financial records, Commonly used finance related terminology, Cash flow, Make the business a success – know your market, Insurance and risks – risk analysis and managing risk, Groomers insurance.
 
HOW THE COURSE WORKS
You can start the Animal Grooming course at any time.

It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.

Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor.  The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.

WHO IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR?

This course is suitable for -

  • pet owners who want to learn more about animal grooming in their own home.
  • people interested in training in pet grooming
  • animal rescue staff
  • pet store staff
  • veterinary staff

    WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

  • Our courses are written and taught by experienced professionals, so you know you can expect a high quality of teaching and support.
  • Learn more about animal grooming and care.
  • Improve your job and career prospects by adding another skill to your bow.
  • You can start the course at any time and study at your own pace.
  • Fit your studies around your own busy lifestyle - we provide full tutor support for all the time you are studying.
  • Study where you want to - online studies offer the flexibility for you to determine where and when you study.

Any Questions?

Please click here to contact a tutor Or Request a course handbook here.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (animal)B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Masters Degree in Ecotourism. P.G.Cert. Ed. (Science). Alison's first job was in 1982 as a stockwoman, working with pigs in Yorkshire. Within a few years she of that she was working for the University of Western Australia as a Research Technician and instructor with their school of Agricultural Science.In 1989 she moved to Melbourne University as Unit Manager and Instructor in Animal Husbandry. By the mid 1990's she moved back to England to work in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing at Cambridgeshire College of Agriculture. Throughout her career, Alison has developed and delivered courses in veterinary nursing and animal sciences for vocational colleges and universities in Australia, New Zealand and Australia. She has built a high level of expertise and an outstanding international reputation as an expert in animal sciences.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.


Check out our eBooks

Animal PsychologyExplore how animals think and comare how this differs between different animals (and humans)
Horse CareThis book is an accumulation of information from biology, agricultural science and veterinary medicine. It looks to explore and explain the fundamentals of appropriate horse care aims and techniques. In doing so it will consider horsemanship as a combination of art and science.
Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Caring for DogsA book for both students and dog owners. This book has been designed to complement our dog care and pet care courses; but also to provide a sound foundation for choosing the right breed, and caring for a dog whether as a pet, or a working animal. Contents cover Breeds, Creating a healthy home for dogs, legal issues, dog biology, recognising poor health, parasites, illnesses, nutrition, reproduction, dog psychology, behavioural development, training tips, behaviour problems, grooming, working in the dog industry, and more.