Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Dog groomer standard?
Knowledge
K1: The 5 welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease
K2: The legal responsibilities a dog groomer has for the welfare, handling, and management of dogs, for example under the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the Dangerous Dogs Act
K3: The responsibilities a dog groomer has in relation to health and safety at work under regulations such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Manual Handling Operations Regulations, RIDDOR and the Health and Safety at Work Act
K4: Dog anatomy and physiology including variations within breeds, coat types, skull shapes and anatomical extremes
K5: Signs of good and poor health including those related to skin and coat conditions, parasites, disorders and zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and infections, and when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
K6: Behavioural change indicators, including signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
K7: Requirements for planning a groom and factors that would influence any modifications
K8: Dog handling and manipulation techniques, equipment, and grooming processes relevant to the dog’s temperament, life-stage, lifestyle, breed and age
K9: Dog grooming equipment and it’s use according to breed, coat type, age and anatomical features including brachycephalic
K10: Circumstances that could lead to a groom termination for example dog illness, dog behaviour, zoonotic infections and actions that should be taken
K11: Bathing routine including setting correct water temperatures, safe lifting, application and rinsing of grooming products
K12: Dog bathing and drying equipment and it’s use according to breed, coat type, age and anatomical features of the dog including brachycephalic
K13: Dog grooming products, including medicated products, their use, storage, and dilution rates
K14: Use of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising products within the workspace and disposal of waste
K15: Coat trimming techniques, and the reasons for trimming or not trimming certain areas
K16: Nail formation and growth, nail trimming techniques, and actions to be taken if bleeding occurs
K17: Principles of holding and working areas and environmental requirements according to breed, size and age
K18: Principles of equipment storage and routine maintenance including reporting of equipment maintenance requirements
K19: Variety of workplaces and workplace structures within which dog groomers operate, and the range of stakeholders they may interact with
K20: Canine first aid
K21: Principles for sharing technical knowledge with peers such as newly appointed colleagues and volunteers
K22: Communication techniques and how to adapt these for different audiences including delivering difficult customer conversations and dealing with customer complaints
K23: The importance of gathering and reporting accurate and complete information relating to all aspects of the groom, including the health and temperament of the dog
K24: Methods for collecting, recording and relaying relevant information to others
K25: Payment processes for example cash, card, and electronic
K26: The importance of customer service, and personal performance, and the impact this has on business success
K27: The principles, communication skills, and behaviours of promoting and selling products, services, and treatments; the sales cycle and retail and trade legislation
Skills
S1: Develop a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and owner
S2: Carry out a dog grooming plan to meet the individual requirements of the dog and modify as required throughout the groom
S3: Identify normal signs of good and bad health including poor skin condition and external parasites
S4: Identify when to report abnormal signs of health and advise the customer when abnormal health may require veterinary attention
S5: Recognise and adapt to behavioural change indicators and signs of relaxation, fear, aggression and stress in dogs
S6: Handle and move dogs, adapting own behaviour to meet the needs of the dog
S7: Identify and use relevant dog restraint equipment to move and handle the dog according to temperament, age, breed, and size, and in line with manual handling and lifting procedures
S8: Bathe a dog using procedures which account for breed, coat type and anatomical features, including selecting, preparing and using products according to coat type
S9: Store grooming and bathing products, including medicated shampoo, in accordance with COSHH regulations
S10: Dry a dog selecting and using equipment, methods and products which account for coat type, breed, and anatomical features
S11: Handle the dog and use nail clippers and/or scissors to trim dog’s nails.
S12: Select, handle, and use coat trimming equipment
S13: Identify factors that require the groom to be terminated early, such as illness, zoonotic infections, behaviour, stress
S14: Identify and escalate health and safety, and animal welfare concerns
S15: Maintain dog records
S16: Communicate with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders and use terminology suitable to audience
S17: Clean, maintain, store and sterilise products and equipment
S18: Clean and disinfect the work area and dispose of waste in accordance with COSHH regulations
Behaviours
B1: Takes ownership of work
B2: Welfare focussed to show respect and empathy for dogs in their care
B3: Puts safety first for themselves and others
B4: Team focussed and works effectively with others to meet work goals
B5: Respectful of others
B6: Committed to personal learning and development
Duty 1
DUTY: Collaborate with customers. Gather information on the owners’ requirements, dog’s welfare needs and grooming history. Take into account coat type, length and condition (i.e. wool, wool mix, wire, silk, smooth, double and combination coats). Manage expectations of the groom in terms of the appearance, duration and cost. Identify and agree the outcome. Record the requirements in line with salon procedures.
K1
K2
K3
K5
K7
K8
K9
K10
K13
K15
K16
K22
K23
K24
K25
K26
K27
S1
S2
S6
S9
S15
S16
B2
B3
B5
Duty 2
DUTY: Assess dog for signs of abnormal health and behavioural/ stress indicators. Take into account, breed, size, life stage, coat type and condition, pre-existing health conditions, medication, known temperament and behavioural observations. Use this information and additional findings obtained during the grooming process to develop the grooming plan. Adapt the plan, taking into account the individual dog requirements and continue to consider overall suitability for groom.
K4
K5
K7
K10
K15
K16
K23
S1
S2
S3
S5
S6
S13
S14
B1
B2
B3
Duty 3
DUTY: Handle, restrain and move dogs in accordance with the needs of the dog. For example, breed, size, age, pre-existing conditions, behaviour. Use safe manual handling techniques. Select and use suitable equipment to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the dog and groomer. Adapt the approach taken should conditions change.
K1
K2
K3
K4
K6
K7
K8
K11
K17
S2
S5
S6
S7
S11
B1
B2
B3
Duty 4
DUTY: Select grooming products according to dog needs and workplace. Take into account known allergies and sensitivities, anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial properties, fragrance and suitability to enhance the coat. Dilute and prepare the products in line with manufacturer guidelines.
K4
K7
K9
K11
K12
K13
S1
S6
S8
B1
B2
Duty 5
DUTY: Bathing dogs. Adapt techniques for different skull shapes, ear shapes and the breed. Select equipment and products relevant to the needs of the dog. Take account of skin and coat condition and presence of parasites. Establish and maintain suitable water temperature and pressure. Ensure that products are applied in line with manufacturer guidelines. Modify approach where needed.
K4
K6
K7
K11
K12
K13
S1
S2
S5
S8
B1
B2
Duty 6
DUTY: Select equipment and apply drying techniques taking account of the coat type, breed, and the dogs’ grooming plan. Adapt approach to suit the dog and its behaviour.
K4
K6
K7
K9
K11
K12
S1
S5
S6
S8
S10
B1
B2
Duty 7
DUTY: Assess nail length and use correct techniques to trim to optimum length. Avoid damage to the quick and take account of the angle of cut according to the dog, breed and exercise requirements.
K4
K7
K9
K16
S1
S2
S6
S11
B1
B2
Duty 8
DUTY: Carry out maintenance trims, safely using scissors and clippers. Safely manipulate limbs and feet during trimming of the feet and pads. Modify handling techniques according to dog temperament, breed, life stage and any relevant health issues.
K1
K2
K4
K6
K7
K9
K15
S2
S5
S6
S12
B1
B2
Duty 9
DUTY: Recognise when to terminate a groom when it is in the welfare interest of the dog, groomer, other dogs and colleagues in the salon. Monitor the dogs’ behaviour and welfare and adapt techniques, methods and equipment to maximise the dogs’ welfare.
K1
K2
K3
K5
K6
K7
K8
K10
K11
K15
K16
K22
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S13
S14
B1
B2
B3
B4
Duty 10
DUTY: Use correct manual handling techniques to transfer and move the dog to the holding area. Brief colleagues on the dog’s current state and highlight any pertinent information.
K1
K2
K3
K6
K8
K11
K17
K22
K23
S1
S2
S5
S6
S7
B1
B2
B3
B4
Duty 11
DUTY: Maintain cleanliness and biosecurity of the work environment, including the correct maintenance, storage and sterilisation of equipment. Dispose of waste materials in line with regulatory requirements. Report maintenance requirements in line with workplace procedures.
K3
K11
K14
K18
K20
S8
S9
S17
S18
B1
B3
Duty 12
DUTY: Transfer dog to client, update records, take payment, provide generic coat maintenance and product advice and feedback specific to the groom. Handle complaints and address straightforward problems in accordance with workplace processes.
K10
K13
K22
K23
K24
K25
K26
K27
S4
S15
S16
B1
Duty 13
DUTY: Deal with customer enquiries. Assimilate information (face to face, telephone, social media). Schedule bookings taking into consideration the availability of resources. Take account of grooming requirements applicable to the dog, breed, health conditions and life stage.
K13
K22
K23
K24
K26
K27
S15
S16
B1
B5
Duty 14
DUTY: Maintain working relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Share technical knowledge with peers and/ or support newly appointed dog groomers or volunteers. Comply with relevant data protection regulations.
K18
K19
K21
K22
K23
K24
K26
K27
S15
S16
B1
B3
B4
B5
Duty 15
DUTY: Respond to canine first aid situations and carry out appropriate actions. Report to owner and seek veterinary attention and escalate where required.
K1
K2
K3
K5
K6
K10
K16
K20
S3
S4
S14
B1
B2
B3
Duty 16
DUTY: Support business objectives by achieving Key Performance Indicators, customer service targets and feed into continuous improvement.
