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Develop your understanding of animal welfare and care

Whether you are looking to understand your pet’s behaviour, learn how to help them in an emergency, or make your passion a profession we have short term courses to help.

Make your passion a profession

Alongside our courses for passionate pet owners, we offer professional qualifications accredited by City and Guilds to help dedicated dog lovers start a career in dog grooming or hydrotherapy.

Our small animal courses are taught by specialists at our Common Leys Farm where we have a range of species including rabbits, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rodents, and exotic pets. Each course will be a mixture of practical and theory sessions, and after training and practical demonstrations, you’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice. For our canine courses, there may be the opportunity to bring your own dog along to practice your new techniques.

Professional guidance accredited by City and Guilds

Our Animal Care and Management courses will develop your understanding of animal health, welfare, handling and care. Our animal first aid courses cover a number of commonly faced emergencies and minor injuries; giving you confidence to know how to perform wound management and CPR, or treat an injury, allergic reaction, choking, poisoning or seizure.

We offer an abundance of courses specifically about dogs. You can learn how to understand your dog’s behaviour and body language, and how to transfer this into a successful training programme.

For those after professional guidance, our City and Guilds accredited courses cover the roles and responsibilities for professional dog walkers, best practice and techniques for dog grooming, and safe and effective practice for canine hydrotherapy.

Part Time Animal Care & Management courses

An Introduction to Starting a Business in the Animal Industry - Workshop

Part Time P01704

Starting your own business or changing career path can be a daunting experience and often a bit of a maze to navigate. If you are passionate about the animal industry but need a bit of help to get your business off the ground, this short course could...

25th Apr 2026 - 25th Apr 2026

Saturday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Canine First Aid - Workshop

Part Time P01705

This dog first aid course taught by a specialist professional is perfect for owners of all dog types who want to be prepared should their dog need emergency first aid or treatment for minor injuries....

14th Mar 2026 - 14th Mar 2026

Saturday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Canine First Aid - Workshop

Part Time P01706

This canine first aid course is perfect for dog owners, pet sitters, dog groomers and dog walkers who want to be prepared should a pet need emergency first aid or treatment for minor injuries....

8th Nov 2025 - 8th Nov 2025

Saturday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Behaviour and Training

Part Time P01711

The short course is designed for dog lovers and owners. The course will be held at the Common Leys Farm campus where we have access to both classrooms and the practical facilities. These include a commercial dog grooming room and a dog agility arena....

30th Sept 2025 - 28th Oct 2025

Tuesday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Behaviour and Training

Part Time P01712

The short course is designed for dog lovers and owners. The course will be held at the Common Leys Farm campus where we have access to both classrooms and the practical facilities. These include a commercial dog grooming room and a dog agility arena....

5th May 2026 - 26th May 2026

Tuesday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming - Level 3 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01713

On this course you will gain the practical skills and knowledge that is vital for becoming a professional dog groomer. The course takes place at Common Leys Farm Campus in the purpose-built grooming room, offering a relaxed and professional environme...

16th Sept 2025 - 23rd Jun 2026

Tuesday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming - Level 3 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01714

On this course you will gain the practical skills and knowledge that is vital for becoming a professional dog groomer. The course takes place at Common Leys Farm Campus in the purpose-built grooming room, offering a relaxed and professional environme...

18th Sept 2025 - 2nd Jul 2026

Thursday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming Assistant - Level 2 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01708

This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...

19th Sept 2025 - 3rd Jul 2026

Friday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming Assistant - Level 2 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01709

This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...

20th Sept 2025 - 31st Jan 2026

Saturday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming Assistant - Level 2 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01707

This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...

17th Sept 2025 - 1st Jul 2026

Wednesday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details
Dog Grooming Assistant - Level 2 - City & Guilds

Part Time P01710

This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...

7th Feb 2026 - 4th Jul 2026

Saturday

Animal Care & Management

Common Leys Farm

View course details