Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare

Introduction

Start your professional journey with the Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare, an Ofqual-regulated qualification awarded by AIM Qualifications.

Designed for people working with, or preparing to work with, dogs, this foundation qualification gives you essential knowledge of canine behaviour, health, welfare and responsible care.

You’ll learn how to recognise normal and abnormal behaviour, understand the physical and emotional needs of dogs, prevent common health and welfare problems, provide appropriate enrichment and use positive, welfare-focused approaches to handling and training.

And you won’t be learning alone.

Alongside your online course materials, you’ll have access to 20 hours of structured guided learning with an experienced tutor, delivered through ten two-hour sessions. Each session supports a specific area of the qualification and helps you explore the theory, ask questions, apply what you are learning to real-life situations and prepare for your assignments.

Live guided learning sessions run regularly throughout the programme, allowing you to join the learning cycle as you progress through your course.

Whether you’re starting a career in canine care, already working with dogs or looking for a recognised qualification to support your professional development, you’ll gain practical knowledge you can apply in the real world.

Learning Objectives

Unit 1 – Introduction to Canine Behaviour and Training

You will learn to:

• Understand normal canine behaviour.
• Recognise factors that can influence a dog’s behaviour and welfare.
• Understand routines that can help prevent welfare and behaviour problems.
• Understand how enrichment supports canine wellbeing.
• Recognise appropriate, force-free approaches to training.
• Understand how dogs learn.
• Understand the relationship between environment, management and behaviour.

Unit 2 – Introduction to Canine Health and Welfare

You will learn to:

• Understand how to meet a dog’s basic physical and emotional needs.
• Recognise common canine diseases and disorders.
• Identify signs that may indicate illness, pain or distress.
• Understand appropriate feeding, hygiene and care routines.
• Understand responsibilities when caring for dogs.
• Recognise the importance of safe handling and management.
• Understand the human–canine relationship and its impact on welfare.
• Apply your knowledge to practical situations you may encounter when caring for dogs.

Qualification Information

This is an Ofqual-regulated Level 2 qualification, awarded by AIM Qualifications.

Qualification title: AIM Qualifications Level 2 Award in Canine Care and Welfare
Qualification number: 603/5731/9
Awarding organisation: AIM Qualifications
Level: 2
Credits: 6
Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 20
Minimum learner age: 16
Assessment: Portfolio of evidence

The qualification has been designed to provide learners with the knowledge and understanding needed to work within canine care, including kennelling, home boarding and day care.

For licensed animal activities in England, current Defra guidance requires relevant staff to be appropriately competent. This can include holding a formal Level 2 Ofqual-regulated qualification appropriate to their role or demonstrating relevant and sufficient knowledge and experience.

Licensing requirements vary according to the activity and individual circumstances, so learners should always check the current statutory guidance and requirements of their local licensing authority.

Who is the course for?

This qualification is suitable for people who are beginning or developing a career working with dogs, including those involved in:

• Dog boarding
• Dog day care
• Kennels
• Dog walking
• Pet sitting
• Dog grooming
• Dog training and behaviour
• Dog breeding
• Other professional canine-care settings

It is also suitable for existing canine-care staff who want to strengthen their underpinning knowledge and gain a nationally recognised regulated qualification.

Learners should be aged 16 or over, working at Level 1 or above and comfortable working with dogs of different breeds and sizes.

Assignments and assessments

How You Will Learn

This isn’t simply a collection of online modules for you to work through alone.

Your learning combines flexible online study with 20 hours of structured guided learning and tutor support.

You’ll have access to:

• Comprehensive online learning materials.
• eLearning activities, videos and supporting resources.
• Ten two-hour guided learning sessions covering the key areas of the qualification.
• Tutor-led explanation and discussion to help bring the course material to life.
• Opportunities to ask questions and explore real-life canine-care scenarios.
• Activities, quizzes and discussions to check and reinforce your understanding.
• Tutor support as you work towards your assignments.
• Recordings of guided learning sessions to support your learning if you are unable to attend a particular live session.

Guided learning sessions run regularly, so you can work through the programme alongside your independent study and assignments.

Assignments and Assessments

The qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your understanding of canine behaviour, health, welfare and care, and attendance at the live guided learning sessions.

There are two units with ten assignments in total.

Assessment activities include written responses and practical, scenario-based questions designed to help you demonstrate both your knowledge and your ability to apply it.

Your tutor-assessor will review your work and provide feedback throughout the qualification.

Pass / Refer

Assessment is Pass or Refer.

You need to demonstrate that you have met all of the required assessment criteria to achieve the qualification.

If an assignment is referred, you’ll receive feedback explaining what additional evidence or development is needed.

Two complimentary resubmissions are included. Further resubmissions are charged at £25.

Certification

Once you have successfully completed all required assessments and the relevant quality assurance processes have been completed, your qualification will be certificated by AIM Qualifications.

Certification times can vary because regulated qualifications are subject to internal and external quality assurance processes.

Where appropriate, Dog Business School may be able to provide confirmation of achievement while formal certification is being processed.

A regulated qualification should be more than a certificate.

We want you to finish your course with knowledge you can confidently apply when you are responsible for the care and welfare of real dogs.

That’s why we’ve combined flexible online learning with 20 hours of structured guided learning and access to experienced tutors.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the theory, discuss practical situations, ask questions and build your understanding as you progress.

Whether you’re taking your first step into professional canine care or formalising the knowledge you’ve already gained through experience, this qualification gives you a strong foundation on which to build.

Learn the theory. Explore how it works in practice. Build the confidence to put it into action.

FAQs