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Animal Care

Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF)

Study canine care, welfare and behaviour online at Level 3. Awarded by SEG Awards (RQF). Ideal for dog professionals.

FlexibleDuration
OnlineStudy Method
Level 3 AwardQualification
AnytimeStart Date

Is This Course Right For You?

This course is for you if...

  • You work with dogs professionally and want a recognised Level 3 qualification in canine care and welfare
  • You're considering a career in dog grooming, dog walking, boarding, or veterinary support
  • You want to deepen your understanding of canine behaviour, body language and stress responses
  • You care for dogs in a kennel, rescue, or daycare setting and want to formalise your knowledge
  • You want a focused, achievable Level 3 qualification you can study entirely online
  • You're progressing from a Level 2 canine qualification and want to build on your existing knowledge

Your career after this course

  • Demonstrate recognised Level 3 competence in canine care and welfare to employers and clients
  • Progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare for a fuller qualification
  • Apply for roles in kennels, boarding facilities, rescue centres, doggy daycares and dog grooming salons
  • Develop your own dog care business with the knowledge and credentials to inspire client confidence
  • Progress to the Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour
  • Combine with other animal care qualifications to broaden your professional scope

About This Course

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF) is a focused, two-unit qualification designed for those who work with or care for dogs in professional or semi-professional settings and want to formalise their knowledge with a recognised, Ofqual-regulated credential. Awarded by SEG Awards, a specialist awarding organisation with expertise in the animal care sector, this qualification is listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3.

The award covers two core areas of canine professional knowledge. The first unit — Care of Canines in Settings — provides a thorough grounding in the practical care needs of dogs across different professional environments, including kennels, grooming salons, rescue organisations, doggy daycare facilities and veterinary settings. It covers disease recognition and prevention, risk management, and the principles of environmental enrichment that support canine mental health and welfare.

The second unit — Canine Behaviour — examines how dogs communicate, how fear, stress and aggression develop and escalate, and how professionals can recognise and respond appropriately to behaviour issues. This unit is particularly valuable for anyone who works closely with dogs on a daily basis, providing the theoretical framework to interpret body language signals, de-escalate tense interactions and implement appropriate management strategies.

The qualification is assessed online, with no requirement to attend a study centre. All learning materials are provided through the learndirect online platform, supported by a dedicated personal tutor who provides feedback and guidance. Assessment is conducted through written assignments that are internally marked and moderated by SEG Awards.

This Award sits below the full Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare on the qualifications framework, making it an ideal starting point for those new to formal canine qualifications, or a complementary add-on for those who want targeted, focused knowledge in care and behaviour. It is also an excellent foundation for progression to the Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour.

What You'll Study

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF) consists of two mandatory units: one covering the care of canines in professional settings, and one focused on canine behaviour, body language and behaviour issues.

2 mandatory unitsLevel 3 RQFOnline assessmentSEG Awards accredited
01Care of Canines in Settings

Develop a comprehensive understanding of what it means to care for dogs across a range of professional and commercial settings. This unit examines the care needs of canines in kennels, grooming salons, rescue centres, boarding establishments and daycare facilities, covering feeding and nutrition, exercise requirements, hygiene protocols and housing standards. Learners study the diseases most commonly encountered in canine care settings, including their transmission routes, clinical signs, prevention and the appropriate professional response to suspected illness. The unit also explores risk management — including the specific physical and zoonotic risks of working with dogs — and the principles of environmental enrichment, equipping learners with the knowledge to create stimulating, welfare-positive environments that support canine mental and physical health.

02Canine Behaviour

Build a detailed knowledge of how dogs communicate and why they behave as they do. This unit covers canine body language in depth — from subtle appeasement signals and stress indicators through to overt aggressive displays — equipping learners with the observational skills to read and respond to dog behaviour with confidence and safety. Learners examine the biological and environmental causes of fear, anxiety and stress in dogs, and the way in which these emotional states drive behaviour. The unit addresses the escalation of aggression — from early warning signals to full bite response — and introduces the aggression ladder and related models for understanding how and why aggression develops. Practical knowledge of common canine behaviour issues, including separation anxiety, resource guarding and reactivity, is developed alongside evidence-based strategies for management and referral.

What You'll Need

Open Entry — No Formal Qualifications Required

This qualification is open to anyone with an interest in canine care and welfare. No prior formal animal care qualifications are required, though experience with dogs is beneficial. The course is studied entirely online.

  • No prior formal animal care qualifications are required
  • Some practical experience with dogs is beneficial but not mandatory
  • Aged 16 or over at the time of enrolment
  • Access to a computer, laptop or tablet and a reliable internet connection
  • Ability to read and write in English to approximately GCSE standard
  • Commitment of approximately 5–8 hours of study per week

Not Sure If You Qualify?

Our enrolment advisers assess each application individually. We look at your life experience, motivation, and readiness to study — not just your qualifications.

Speak to our team — we're here to help you find the right course and funding option.

Call 0800 088 5050

How You're Assessed

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare is assessed through written assignments for each of the two units. Assessment is internally marked by your tutor and moderated by SEG Awards. There are no external examinations.

Written assignment for Unit 1: Care of Canines in Settings — no external exam

Written assignment for Unit 2: Canine Behaviour — no external exam

Assignments are marked by your dedicated personal tutor and moderated by SEG Awards

Feedback provided on each submission to support improvement and resubmission if required

Assessment can be completed online at any time that suits your schedule

Certificate awarded by SEG Awards upon successful completion of both units

Where This Course Can Take You

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare supports career progression across the dog care industry. The following roles represent typical positions for those with a Level 3 canine qualification. Salary data is indicative, based on 2024–25 sector surveys.

Dog Kennel Assistant / Kennel Manager

£20,000 – £26,000typical salary range

Work in commercial or rescue kennels managing the daily care, welfare and enrichment of dogs in group or individual housing settings. Level 3 qualifications support progression to senior kennel roles.

Dog Daycare Worker / Supervisor

£19,000 – £25,000typical salary range

Supervise groups of dogs in daycare settings, applying behavioural knowledge to manage interactions safely and maintain high welfare standards throughout the day.

Home Boarder / Dog Walker

£18,000 – £28,000typical salary range

Operate a professional dog boarding or walking service with the Level 3 Award providing the credentials that demonstrate competence and support client trust and licensing compliance.

Canine Care Assistant (Rescue / Charity)

£19,000 – £24,000typical salary range

Support the care and rehabilitation of dogs in rescue centres or animal welfare charities, applying disease prevention, enrichment and behaviour knowledge to improve outcomes for dogs in the sector.

Veterinary Support / Veterinary Receptionist

£20,000 – £26,000typical salary range

Complement clinical team roles in veterinary practices with strong canine care and behaviour knowledge, supporting client communication and animal handling in practice settings.

Dog Grooming Professional

£19,000 – £30,000typical salary range

Pair grooming qualifications with this care and behaviour award to provide a more complete professional service, managing stressed or anxious dogs during grooming with greater confidence and competence.

Ready to Unlock Your University Place?

Graduates of this course go on to universities across the UK, including Russell Group institutions. Enrol today and start your journey.

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Choose Your Payment Plan

All plans include the same full course content, dedicated tutor, and your awarding body certification.

Pay Monthly

£34.54

per month × 11 months

£9.99 deposit + £34.54 × 11 = £379.99 total

Includes

  • Pay just £9.99 deposit to start learning today
  • Spread the cost over 11 interest-free monthly payments
  • Full access to both units and tutor support from day one
  • Dedicated personal tutor for assignment feedback
  • SEG Awards certification on completion
Best Value

Pay in Full

£379.99

one-time payment

Total: £379.99

Includes

  • One single payment — no monthly admin
  • Full access to both units and tutor support from day one
  • Dedicated personal tutor assigned on enrolment
  • SEG Awards certification on successful completion
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
30-day money-back guarantee
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF) covers two mandatory units. Unit 1 — Care of Canines in Settings — focuses on the practical care of dogs in professional environments including kennels, grooming salons, rescue centres and daycare facilities. It covers disease prevention, risk management and canine environmental enrichment. Unit 2 — Canine Behaviour — examines canine body language, the causes and escalation of aggression, fear and stress responses, and common behaviour issues. Both units are studied online and assessed through written assignments.

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare is awarded by SEG Awards, a specialist Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation with expertise in the land-based and animal care sectors. The qualification is listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3, making it a recognised and credible qualification for professional development in the canine care industry.

No — no prior formal animal care qualifications are required to enrol on this course. Some practical experience with dogs is beneficial and will help you contextualise the learning, but it is not a mandatory entry requirement. The course is designed to be accessible to those who are new to formal canine qualifications as well as those who already work with dogs and want to formalise their knowledge.

The qualification is assessed through written assignments for each of the two units. There are no external examinations. Your assignments are marked by your dedicated personal tutor and moderated by SEG Awards to ensure consistency and quality. If an assignment does not meet the required standard, you will receive feedback and the opportunity to resubmit. Assessment is completed entirely online.

The Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare consists of two mandatory units and is a shorter, more focused qualification covering the core areas of care and behaviour. The Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare is a larger qualification with more units and a greater total qualification time, covering a broader range of canine care topics in greater depth. The Award is an excellent starting point or standalone qualification, while the Diploma provides a more comprehensive credential for those seeking to demonstrate a deeper level of knowledge.

Yes — the Level 3 Award provides an excellent foundation for progression to the Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare (which covers additional topics in greater breadth) or to the Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour. Learndirect offers a full suite of canine care qualifications from Level 2 through to Level 5 and beyond, supporting a clear career pathway in the canine behaviour and welfare sector.

The course is self-paced, so completion time depends on how many hours per week you are able to study. Most learners studying 5 to 8 hours per week complete both units within 3 to 6 months. Because the course is fully flexible, you can progress more quickly if you have more time available, or take longer if you have other commitments. There is no fixed deadline for assignment submission — your tutor will agree a study plan with you at enrolment.

Yes — the qualification is directly relevant to anyone who cares for dogs professionally. This includes kennel and cattery workers, dog daycare supervisors, home boarders, dog walkers, rescue centre staff, grooming salon assistants and veterinary support staff. The behaviour unit in particular is applicable across all canine care roles, providing the knowledge to safely interpret and respond to canine body language and manage stressed or anxious dogs in professional settings.

Every learner is assigned a dedicated personal tutor with expertise in animal care who will mark your assignments, provide constructive written feedback, and answer subject-specific questions throughout your studies. The learndirect student support team is also available by phone, email and live chat if you have any administrative queries. All course materials are available on the online learning platform, which can be accessed on any device at any time.

Everything Else You Need to Know

Study Support

  • Dedicated personal tutor with animal care expertise assigned from enrolment
  • Online learning platform accessible 24/7 on any device
  • Structured learning content for both mandatory units
  • Written feedback on every assignment submission
  • Student support team available by phone, email and live chat
  • Flexible pacing — no fixed deadlines or set start dates

Qualification & Recognition

  • Awarded by SEG Awards — an Ofqual-regulated specialist awarding organisation
  • Listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework at Level 3
  • Two mandatory units: Care of Canines in Settings and Canine Behaviour
  • Recognised by employers in kennels, rescue, daycare and grooming sectors
  • Foundation for progression to Level 3 Diploma and Level 4 Diploma in Canine Behaviour
  • SEG Awards certificate issued on successful completion

Fees & Finance

  • Total course fee: £379.99
  • Pay monthly from £9.99 deposit, then £34.54 per month for 11 months
  • Pay in full for £379.99 — one payment, no monthly admin
  • 30-day money-back guarantee on all enrolments
  • Pay by Klarna, PayPal, credit card or debit card
  • Enrol today and start learning immediately

Hear From Our Learners

I'd worked in a rescue kennel for two years but had no formal qualifications to show for it. The Level 3 Award gave me the credentials I needed to apply for a senior kennel role — and the behaviour unit completely changed how I interact with anxious dogs. I now spot stress signals I used to miss entirely.

Jade M.

Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF)

I run a small dog daycare business and wanted a recognised qualification to give my clients more confidence in my expertise. The SEG Awards Level 3 Award was exactly what I needed — practical, relevant and achievable while running a business. The behaviour unit was particularly eye-opening.

Ben H.

Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF)

I used this qualification as a stepping stone before enrolling on the Level 4 Canine Behaviour Diploma. The two units gave me a solid grounding in care settings and behaviour that I built on in the higher-level course. The online format was easy to fit around my part-time kennel job.

Chloe R.

Level 3 Award in Canine Care and Welfare (RQF)

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