Level 3 Award in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare + Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs
iPet Network. Ofqual Register: 610/3440/X
AIM Qualifications. Ofqual Register: 603/4536/6
Course details
Introduction
Enhance your expertise with our dual-qualification bundle:
The AIM Qualifications Level 3 Award in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare paired with the iPET Network Level 2 Award in Canine First Aid.
This combination delivers a complete skill set for anyone working with dogs. You’ll learn to interpret canine body language, manage stress-related behaviour, and handle emergencies with calm assurance. From CPR and injury response to behaviour management, it equips you for both everyday care and crisis situations.
Whether you’re launching a licensed dog business or strengthening your professional credentials, this bundle meets DEFRA’s licensing requirements and aligns with higher-standard expectations for boarding, day care, and breeding. Both awards are Ofqual-regulated, nationally recognised, and taught by experienced practitioners who understand the realities of professional dog care.
Study flexibly online, gain two valuable qualifications, and open doors to new opportunities in the growing pet care industry.
Learning Objectives
AIM Qualifications Level 3 Award in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare
Unit 1: Canine Behaviour
- Understand canine body language.
- Recognise common behavioural issues.
- Identify signs and causes of stress and aggression.
- Understand how stress can escalate into aggression.
Unit 2: Care of Dogs in Kennels, Day Care and Home Boarding
- Understand causes, transmission, and prevention of disease in care settings.
- Apply appropriate welfare and feeding practices.
- Manage kennel entry and exit safely.
- Use PPE correctly during handling.
- Provide environmental enrichment in kennels, day care, and home boarding.
- Recognise safe play behaviour.
- Manage dogs safely in home and day care environments.
iPET Network Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs
Unit 3: First Aid for Dogs
- Define the objectives of first aid and know how to classify different types of emergencies.
- Know how to safely handle dogs in emergency situations.
- Understand how to complete a primary survey of the dog including the theory of how to take temperature, pulse and respiration rate.
- Know and understand the theory of how to conduct CPR, abdominal thrusts and the recovery position.
- Identify the signs and appropriate first aid management of wounds, bleeding and fractures including principles of applying bandages.
- Identify the signs and appropriate first aid treatment of heat-related illness (hyperthermia), water inhalation, convulsions, bloat and poisoning.
- List the requirements and contents of an emergency first aid kit for dogs.
Qualification Information
(These regulated qualifications meet the requirements of Defra and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.)
Get your Level 3 Award in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare to meet Defra’s requirements for running a regulated dog business (eg dog home boarding, day care, kennels, dog breeding) coupled with a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs
These Ofqual-regulated qualifications covers the fundamentals of canine welfare, behaviour, handling, and the fundamentals of first-aid for dogs. You’ll learn how to identify and mitigate pain, suffering, and disease in dogs, as well as how to provide them with the best possible care.
The licence criteria stipulates that the licence holder or designated manager is required to be suitably qualified, and any staff employed to care for the animals must have the competence to identify the normal behaviour of the species for which they are caring and to recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour.
Staff must “hold a formal qualification such as, a Level 2 qualification regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) appropriate for their role or to demonstrate they have relevant and sufficient knowledge and experience.”
‘To meet the “Higher Standard”, one option requires that a member of permanent, full-time staff has an appropriate Ofqual regulated Level 3 qualification.’
Here’s a link to Defra’s statutory guidance for dog day care as an example.
With this qualification, you’ll be well on your way to starting your own regulated dog business or working as a canine care professional.
Who is the course for?
This regulated qualification is for anyone who works with dogs – particularly as a:
- Dog boarder
- Dog day carer
- Dog breeder
- Dog walker
- Dog trainer/behaviourist
- Dog groomer
- Pet sitter
You do not need any prior knowledge or qualifications to study for these qualifications, although some experience or related knowledge will be advantageous.
Assignments and assessments
Learning style and content
This course is a blend of self-paced online learning, self-study recommended resources and research, video seminars, videos, ‘podcasts’, eLearning, Graphics/diagrams, multiple answers and short essay assignments.
Special consideration is provided for those requiring additional learning support (if you require additional learning support it is essential you advise us when you complete and submit your course registration form).
Assessments
Successful achievement is by a Learner presenting a portfolio of evidence that meets the assessment criteria.
Assessments require desk research from the study resources provided to assist the Learner in writing 200-500 word responses including diagrams, illustrations, tables and bullet points as necessary.
An assessment might typically ask the Learner to ‘Explain’ or ‘Describe’ a specific topic or situation, to avoid plagiarism and to provide citation references in order to support the Learner’s response.
Some of the course assessments require the Learner to select the correct options from multiple possible answers including True or False statements.
Self-Evaluation
At the end of the course, each learner is asked to complete a reflective self-evaluation of their learning experience and personal growth.
Pass/Refer
The course is taught against a prescriptive syllabus and the learner is required to evidence their understanding and application of the syllabus.
Passing the course
To achieve your qualification certificate, the Learner must successfully pass all of the course modules.
Every assignment submitted is assessed as either a Pass or Refer. A Learner is required to ultimately achieve a Pass for every assignment. Refers – or ‘Passes in Waiting’ as we like to call them, are hopefully few and far between. If an assignment receives a ‘Refer’, the learner has two complimentary ‘resits’ across the course. Additional ‘resits’ are charged at £25 per resit to cover the additional admin costs. If a Learner is unable to complete the course within the stipulated time frame, an extension may be granted but this will incur a re-registration fee.
Certification
Once all of the course modules have been successfully completed, samples of the Learner’s assignments are submitted for independent quality validation against the regulatory framework. And once validated, a certificate is issued to the learner. To manage expectations, this can take approximately 2-6 months as there are a number of different parties involved, outside of our control. If you’re applying for a licence in the meantime, ask us for an interim email confirmation of your course achievement.
Non-accredited modules
For non-accredited modules, the Learner is required to achieve at least an 80% pass threshold. On achievement, an online certificate is made available for download.
Why Choose Our Course
By combining advanced behaviour and welfare knowledge with critical first aid skills, you’ll meet DEFRA’s licensing requirements while gaining the confidence to handle any situation your canine clients might face. The Level 3 qualification demonstrates your expertise for achieving the “Higher Standard” in regulated activities like boarding, day care, and breeding, while the Level 2 First Aid certification ensures you’re prepared for emergencies. Both courses are Ofqual-regulated, nationally recognised, and taught by licensed practitioners who understand the real-world challenges of professional dog care. Study at your own pace with our flexible online platform, and earn two valuable qualifications that open doors to a rewarding career in the growing pet care industry.
Two qualifications, two awarding bodies, one bundle. The broadest credential foundation available for dog care professionals at Dog Business School.
This bundle includes the following courses
FAQs
Are these qualifications recognised in the UK?
Can I study both courses online with Dog Business School?
How much does the regulated courses bundle cost at Dog Business School?
What support will I receive during the courses?
How long does it take to complete both courses in the bundle?
Will these qualifications help me get a licence for my dog care business?
Can I claim funding or financial support for these courses?
What happens after I complete both qualifications?
How are the courses assessed?
Can I get insurance for my dog care business with these qualifications?
Should I complete the Level 2 Award in First Aid before starting the Level 3 Award?
Do I need any prior qualifications to start the bundle?
Can I use the first aid qualification to provide professional first aid services?
Is practical first aid training included in the bundle?
How long do I have access to the course materials?
Access
Entry requirements
Assessment methods
Frequently bought together
Products related to this
Got Questions?
If you have any questions about our Part Payments Plan or need assistance in choosing the right course for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Take the first step towards your rewarding career in pet care today!
Any other questions?
Still got a question? Use our web chat, or phone us on 020 8050 6826 (normal working hours)