Super Bundle - Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare & First Aid
AIM Qualifications. Ofqual Register: 603/5731/9
iPet Network. Ofqual Register:610/3440/X
Course details
Introduction
Launch your career in dog care with confidence through our Level 2 Super Bundle – the perfect starting point for aspiring professionals and the essential qualification package for meeting DEFRA’s licensing requirements. This carefully curated bundle combines the Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare with the Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs, providing you with the fundamental knowledge and recognized credentials needed to deliver professional, compassionate care in any canine setting.
From understanding canine behaviour and implementing welfare best practices to responding confidently in emergency situations, this comprehensive package equips you with the practical skills demanded by today’s pet care industry. You’ll master the essentials of disease prevention, nutrition management, enrichment techniques, and force-free training methods, while also gaining vital first aid capabilities – from performing CPR to managing wounds, poisoning, and heat-related emergencies. Every element is designed to help you recognise and respond to dogs’ needs, ensuring their safety, health, and wellbeing under your care.
Whether you’re planning to open a home boarding service, join a daycare team, or enhance your existing pet care services, this Super Bundle provides the solid foundation, official certifications, and ongoing support you need to turn your passion for dogs into a thriving, compliant professional practice.
Learning Objectives
Course 1 – Level 2 Award in Canine Care & Welfare
Unit 1: Introduction to Canine Behaviour and Training
- Understand normal canine behaviour.
- Know suitable routines to prevent welfare and behaviour issues.
- Understand how to provide canine enrichment.
- Understand appropriate canine training techniques.
- Understand the use of force free training equipment.
Unit 2: Introduction to Canine Health
- Learners will have an understanding of how to provide for a dog’s basic needs to help prevent common health problems.
- Know about specific dog breeds and reasons for selecting specific breeds.
- Understand canine disease.
- Understand common canine health disorders.
- Know basic canine needs and carer responsibilities.
- Understand the basics of human and canine relationships.
Course 2 – Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs
Unit 1: Canine First Aid
- Understand the objectives and classifications of first aid emergencies.
- Learn to safely handle dogs in emergency situations and conduct a primary survey.
- Know how to perform CPR, abdominal thrusts, and manage a dog in the recovery position.
- Identify signs and appropriate first aid management of common injuries and illnesses.
Qualification Information
These regulated qualifications meet the requirements of Defra and The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
This bundle combines two Ofqual-regulated qualifications:
• Level 2 Award in Canine Care and Welfare
• Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs
Together, they meet Defra’s requirements for anyone operating or employed in a licensed dog business, including home boarding, commercial day care, or kennels boarding. These qualifications demonstrate that you hold the knowledge and skills expected of a competent, responsible professional caring for dogs under the Animal Welfare Regulations.
The Level 2 Award in Canine Care and Welfare builds core understanding of canine health, behaviour, and welfare. You’ll learn how to identify and prevent pain, suffering, injury, and disease, and how to provide dogs with the highest standards of daily care and enrichment.
The Level 2 Award in First Aid for Dogs equips you with the practical knowledge to respond quickly and effectively to canine emergencies. It covers recognising common health problems, managing incidents, and delivering immediate first aid to stabilise a dog before veterinary treatment.
Under Defra’s statutory guidance, a licence holder or designated manager must be suitably qualified. All staff responsible for animal care must be able to:
• Identify normal and abnormal canine behaviour.
• Recognise and respond to signs of pain, injury, suffering, disease, or distress.
• Take appropriate steps to prevent or mitigate welfare risks.
The guidance states that staff should “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 demonstrate they have relevant and sufficient knowledge and experience.”
For reference, see Defra’s guidance for home boarding (as an example):
Home Boarding for Dogs – Licensing Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities
Completing this dual qualification demonstrates your commitment to high welfare standards and professional practice. It provides the recognised foundation needed to operate or work within a licensed dog care business, and prepares you to meet or exceed local authority inspection requirements.
Who is the course for?
This regulated qualification is for anyone who works with dogs – particularly in these settings:
- Dog boarding
- Dog day carer
- Dog breeder
- Dog walking
- Dog trainer/behaviourist
- Dog grooming
- Pet sitting
You do not need any prior knowledge or qualifications to study for this qualification, although some experience or related knowledge will be advantageous.
Assignments and assessments
Both qualifications are assessed through coursework and practical evidence rather than exams. You’ll complete a portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge, understanding, and practical competence against Ofqual’s regulated criteria.
The Canine Care & Welfare qualification focuses on written tasks and research assignments. You’ll answer short essay-style questions (typically 200–500 words), interpret real-life care scenarios, and show how you would apply good welfare practice in line with Defra standards.
The First Aid for Dogs qualification includes both written and practical elements. You’ll demonstrate safe handling, first aid techniques, and emergency response skills, supported by tutor feedback, video evidence, or photographs.
All work is submitted online through our secure learning platform. Each assignment is graded as Pass or Refer, with up to two complimentary resubmissions allowed.
On successful completion, your portfolio is independently quality-assured by AIM Qualifications and iPET Network. Certificates are issued once external verification is complete.
This assessment approach ensures that you graduate with the practical understanding and professional credibility expected of licensed dog care practitioners in the UK.
Why Choose Our Course
This dual-qualification pathway provides a strong, nationally recognised foundation for anyone starting or working within a licensed dog care business.
The course content is clear, relevant, and engaging, with a variety of learning materials to suit different study styles.
Our online learning platform makes it simple to study from anywhere, at any time.
Unleash your potential with expert-led training built around real-world professional standards.
This bundle includes the following courses
FAQs
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