Become a Professional Dog Carer
Whether you are a professional or just love dogs, this course is for you. You will learn about canines in depth, study their biology, health needs, breeding, behaviour, training, grooming and more.
Suitable for: dog trainers, groomers, animal/pet carers, dog lovers, shelter workers, professional dog walkers and pet shop employees.
Course Aims:
- Determine the typical daily needs of a dog, both physical and psychological. Discuss the nature and scope of services available to dog owners.
- Describe the internal and external anatomy of a dog. Explain the standard physiology of a dog.
- Identify common health issues that impact on a dog’s health, wellbeing and longevity. Determine appropriate measures to prevent problems arising or respond to problems in the first instance when they do arise.
- Describe common ailments and optional treatments for those ailments.
- Compare differentiating characteristics across breeds of dogs, including both desirable and undesirable characteristics.
- Describe how dogs are bred and how the purity of breeds is controlled. Discuss the dog breeding industry and how to operate a dog breeding business.
- Explain ways in which dogs can be trained. Discuss how to successfully operate a dog training or behavioural consultancy business.
- Explain how to groom a dog. Determine how to successfully operate a dog grooming business.
- Explain the scope and nature of a wide range of products and services involved in the dog industry.
- Determine how to successfully operate a range of different dog service businesses.
There are 9 Lessons in this course:
1. Introduction to Dog Care
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- What Dogs Need
- Food
- Water
- Physical and Psychological Environment
- Exercise
- Hygiene
- Importance of Routine
- Potential Problems and Owner Error
- Uncertainty of pack position
- Neglect
- Escaping
- Attacking other people and animals
- Physical damage
- Illness
- Which Breed is best
- Choosing a puppy or adult dog
- Outside living or inside pet
- Restricting and confining a pet
- Dealing with holidays
- Training dogs
- Socialising with other animals
- Scope of Dog care industry
2. Canine Biology
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- Anatomy
- Mouth
- Teeth
- Ears
- Eyes
- Skeletal system
- Digestive system
- Normal physiological values
- Circulation
- Respiratory rates
- Thermoregulation
3. Dog Health Part 1
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- Introduction to nutrition and feeding
- Nutritional Components
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Water
- Changing requirements through different life stages
- Growth period
- Working and high performance period
- Pregnancy and lactation period
- Geriatric period
- Feeding patterns -time controlled or free choice
- Feed products
- Commercial foods
- Medicinal/veterinary foods
- Home cooked Foods
- Snacks and treats
- Foods to avoid
- Common nutritional disorders
- Allergies
- Poisoning
- Preventative health
- Diet supplements
- Immunisation
- Worms, tick and flea prevention
- Exercise
- Dental care
- Skin and Nail Care
- Basic First Aid Equipment
- Assessing the Situation in an Emergency
- What to do… (in accidents or at specific times)
- Basic Resuscitation and CPR
4. Dog Health Part 2 -Illnesses and Treatments
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- Introduction
- Haemobartonellosis
- Babesiosis
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Aortic Stenosis
- Heart Failure
- Heart Murmurs and Arrhythmias
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Heartworm
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Giardia
- Intestinal Worms
- Enteritis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
- Hypothyroidism
- Postpartum Hypocalcaemia (Eclampsia)
- Conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Ear mites
- Deafness
- Anaphylactic Shock
- Lupus
- Hip Dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Epilepsy
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM)
- Canine Distemper
- Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)
- Asthma
- Mange
- Ringworm
5. Dog Breeds
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- Gundogs, Hounds, Pastoral, Terriers, Toy, Utility, Working
- English Setter
- Irish Setter
- German Pointer
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Cocker Spaniel
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Beagle
- Dachshund
- Greyhound
- Irish Wolfhound
- Bassett Hound
- Australian Cattle dog
- Border Collie
- German Shepherd
- Old English Sheep Dog
- Corgi
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Parson (Jack) Russell Terrier
- Australian terrier
- Scottish terrier
- Chihuahua
- Bichon Frisé
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Dalmatian
- Poodle
- Schnauzer
- Shih Tzu
- Alaskan Malumute
- Great Dane
- Mastiff
- Newfoundland
- St Bernard
6. Breeding
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- Introduction
- Female Reproductive System
- Male Reproductive System
- Sexual Behaviour
- Mating Interaction
- The Management of Reproduction
- Desexing/Neutering/Spaying/Castrating
- Pregnancy and birth
- Parturition (Labour)
- Suckling
- Weaning
- Factors Influencing Puppy Size
- Puppy Development
- The breeding industry
- ‘Back-yard’ Breeders & Breeding for fun
- Illegal Commercial Puppy Breeding Enterprises (Puppy Mills)
- Breeding for Profit
- Legislation and Licensing
7. Dog Behaviour and Training
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- Understanding dog behaviour
- The Importance of Training
- Practical training techniques
- Technique for Recall
- Technique for Sit (in front)
- Technique for Sit (at the side)
- Technique for Stand (Beside)
- Technique for Leave
- Technique for Down/Lay
- Technique for Stay (beside)
- Technique for Heeling
- Behaviour Problems Present Opportunities for Business
- Attributes of Successful Dog Trainers
- Practical for Business Start-up
8. Grooming
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- The Importance of Grooming
- Grooming tools and equipment
- What to groom, why and how
- Skin
- Bathing
- Coat (hair)
- Brushing
- Claws (nails)
- Teeth
- Teeth brushing
- Ears
- Professional grooming
- Long haired dog breeds
- Short hair breeds
- Other breeds
- Styles and clips
9. Other Dog Services
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- Health and related services
- Training and related services
- Day care and long term stay services
- Assistance dog services
- Professional dog handling
- Retail related services