Which level of course is right for me?

We offer a variety of course at different levels to suit your needs. As part of the Pets & Friends course, you can take part in any of the following:

Pets & Friends Assistant – You would learn how to bath, and blow dry a dog, as well as being shown how to nail clip. You would also receive training on correct handling and restraint. This course would be suitable if you haven’t got any grooming experience but are keen to learn more and begin your grooming career.This course will involve training with at least 5 different types of dog to cover various breeds and coat types.

Pets & Friends Stylist – If you are currently at Assistant Stylist level and are looking to learn how to groom and style a dog from start to finish, this is the course for you. This course would cover breeds such as Cockapoo, Shih Tzu and Lhasa. You would learn to use clippers and scissors correctly as well as gaining an understanding of required styling for different breeds.This course will involve training with at least 10 different types of dog to cover various breeds and coat types.

Pets & Friends Taster Day – This a fantastic opportunity to have a go in a dog grooming salon. You will have a chance to see how a salon works and gain some hands-on experience. This day is a great way to see if you would be interested in developing a career as a dog groomer. If you decide to complete a Pets & Friends grooming course, the fee for the Taster Day will be deducted from your course cost.

Meet our Head Grooming Trainer, Kerry Chapman. 

Kerry has been grooming with Pets & Friends for over 6 years now, with 12 years experience in the grooming industry. With a City & Guilds level 3 qualification in dog grooming, an iPet level 3 diploma in dog grooming and salon management and an iPet canine first aid qualification, Kerry has the skills and passion to help you hone your grooming skills. 

"I love grooming and training as it is so rewarding. Being able to transform a dog's appearance is something that takes a great skill set. Watching people develop within a specialist skillset is amazing, each groomer has their own strengths no 2 days are ever the same I wake up excited for the challenges ahead" 

iPET Level 3 Award in an Introduction to Dog Grooming

The qualification is suitable for you if you wish to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare, style and finish several dog breeds and understand health and safety in a dog grooming salon. The course is delivered over a minimum of 5 days practical training with additional theory to be completed at home.

You will groom at least 3 dogs to include a minimum of 2 different breeds, covering 2 different coat types over a period of 5 days.  There are no pre-requisites to starting the qualification, meaning candidates can join at level 3 without having completed a lower level (level 2) course first.

 You will be trained in practical skills such as prepping, bathing, scissoring, clipping, styling and nail trimming on several dog breeds.

Units included within this qualification are:

301: Health and Safety in a Dog Grooming Environment 

318: Prepare, Style and Finish Several Dog Breeds

The iPET Network Level 3 Award in an Introduction to Dog Grooming will demonstrate to an employer or the general public that you have a basic understanding of dog grooming principles.  You will leave with a basic knowledge base to continue learning or working in the Dog Grooming Industry. It has been designed specifically for those looking to start the journey into Dog Grooming or those who already groom dogs (as a hobby) but would like to gain a nationally recognised qualification. 

Uniquely, you are continually assessed via practical demonstration and coursework. There is no requirement to sit a formal exam in order to achieve the qualification. iPET Network designed the qualification to have an excellent balance of theoretical and practical learning. Feedback suggests that this qualification takes the pressure out of adult learning and this approach appeals to a wide range of students. We, as a Training Provider are striving to improve industry standards by ensuring you gain the required qualification and become confident and competent in dog grooming.This applies to all iPET courses. 

iPET Level 3 Certificate in Dog Grooming and Introduction to Styling 

The qualification is designed for you if you wish to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare, style and finish a selections of dog breeds, understand health and safety in a dog grooming salon and gain an understanding of heath checking, handling and canine behaviour. The course is delivered over a minimum of 15 days practical training with 2 days theory work, there will be additional theory to be completed at home.

You will groom at least 10 dogs to include a minimum of 5 different breeds, covering 4 different coat types over a period of 15 days.  There are no pre-requisites to starting the qualification, meaning you can join at level 3 without having completed a lower level (level 2) course first.

 You will be trained in practical skills such as prepping, bathing, scissoring, clipping, styling and nail trimming on a selection of dog breeds.

Units included within this qualification are:

301: Health and Safety in a Dog Grooming Environment 

302: Promote the Welfare of Dogs conforming with Relevant Legislation

304: Assess and Plan Dog Grooming Styles and Maintenance of Equipment

305: Health Checking, Handling and Canine Behaviour

317: Prepare, Style and Finish a Selection of Dog Breeds

The iPET Network Level 3 Certificate in Dog Grooming and Introduction to Styling will demonstrate to an employer or the general public that Candidates understand the core principles of Dog Grooming and have been introduced to styling techniques.  You will leave with a foundation of knowledge base to continue learning or working in the Dog Grooming Industry.

It has been designed specifically for those looking to start the journey in Dog Grooming or those who already groom dogs (as a hobby) but would like to gain a nationally recognised qualification. 

iPET Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management

The qualification is for you if you wish to gain the skills and knowledge to prepare, style and finish a range of dog breeds, understand health and safety in a dog grooming salon, practice business management and gain skills in canine emergency first aid. The course is delivered over a minimum of 30 days practical training with additional theory work to be completed at home.

You will groom at least 20 dogs to include a minimum of 10 different breeds, covering 6 different coat type but often many more, over a period of 30 days.  There are no pre-requisites to starting the qualification, meaning you can join at level 3 without having completed a lower level (level 2) course first which can be a huge cost saving to candidates.  

You will be trained in practical skills such as prepping, bathing, scissoring, clipping, styling and nail trimming on a variety of dog breeds.

Units included within this qualification are:

301: Health and Safety in a Dog Grooming Environment 

302: Promote the Welfare of Dogs conforming with Relevant Legislation

303: Customer Care and Managing Complaints

304: Assess and Plan Dog Grooming Styles and Maintenance of Equipment

305: Health Checking, Handling and Canine Behaviour

306: Prepare, Style and Finish a range of Dog Breeds

307: Canine Emergency First Aid

308: Planning the Operation of a Small Canine Business

The iPET Network Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management will demonstrate to an employer or the general public that candidates have the necessary technical skills and knowledge to successfully groom a range of dog breeds. This is a formal, regulated, nationally recognised qualification that will remain relevant throughout the Candidates career and can only be achieved by reaching the required skill level. It has been designed specifically for those looking to become professional dog groomers or those who already groom dogs (as a hobby or career) but do not currently hold a nationally recognised qualification. This approach and elements are unique to our course syllabus making the qualification a more rounded and robust qualification.