Learn how to care for the practical daily needs of a dog!
Have an interest in learning more about your pet dogs? Or want to get started in the dog care industry?
Learn how to provide
effective care for those needs either as a dog owner or a professional
working in the industry. Understand the different goods and services
within the canine industry.
This is a solid introductory course which covers a wide range of dog care topics.
Learn about the following areas of canine care:
- Dog breeding
- Behaviour and training
- Nutrition and feeding
- Health care
- Exercise
- Canine anatomy and physiology
Lesson Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
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Introduction to Dog Care
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What Dogs Need
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Food
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Water
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Physical and Psychological Environment
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Exercise
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Hygiene
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Importance of Routine
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Potential Problems and Owner Error
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Uncertainty of pack position
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Neglect
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Escape
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Attacking other people and animals
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Physical damage
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Illness
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Which Breed is best
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Choosing a puppy or adult dog
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Outside living or inside pet
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Restricting and confining a pet
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Dealing with holidays
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Training dogs
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Socialising with other animals
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Scope of Dog care industry
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Canine Biology
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Anatomy
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Mouth
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Teeth
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Ears
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Eyes
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Skeletal system
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Digestive system
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Normal physiological values
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Circulation
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Respiratory rates
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Thermoregulation
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Dog Health Part 1
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Introduction to nutrition and feeding
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Nutritional Components
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Carbohydrates
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Proteins
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Fats
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Minerals
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Vitamins
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Water
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Changing requirements through different life stages
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Growth period
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Working and high performance period
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Pregnancy and lactation period
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Geriatric period
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Feeding patterns -time controlled or free choice
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Feed products
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Commercial foods
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Medicinal/veterinary foods
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Home cooked Foods
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Snacks and treats
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Foods to avoid
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Common nutritional disorders
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Allergies
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Poisoning
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Preventative health
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Diet supplements
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Immunisation
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Worms, tick and flea prevention
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Exercise
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Dental care
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Skin and Nail Care
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Basic First Aid Equipment
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Assessing the Situation in an Emergency
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What to do... (in accidents or at specific times)
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Basic Resuscitation and CPR
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Dog Health Part 2 -Illnesses and Treatments
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Introduction
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Haemobartonellosis
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Babesiosis
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Von Willebrand’s Disease
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Aortic Stenosis
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Heart Failure
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Heart Murmurs and Arrhythmias
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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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Heartworm
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Vomiting
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Diarrhoea
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Giardia
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Intestinal Worms
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Enteritis
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
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Diabetes Mellitus
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Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
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Hypothyroidism
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Postpartum Hypocalcaemia (Eclampsia)
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Conjunctivitis
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Glaucoma
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Cataracts
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Ear mites
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Deafness
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Anaphylactic Shock
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Lupus
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Hip Dysplasia
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Osteoarthritis
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Epilepsy
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Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM)
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Canine Distemper
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Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)
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Asthma
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Mange
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Ringworm
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Dog Breeds
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Gundogs, Hounds, Pastoral, Terriers, Toy, Utility, Working
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English Setter
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Irish Setter
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German Pointer
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Golden Retriever
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Labrador Retriever
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Cocker Spaniel
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Hungarian Vizsla
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Beagle
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Dachshund
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Greyhound
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Irish Wolfhound
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Bassett Hound
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Bassett Hound
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Australian Cattle dog
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Border Collie
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German Shepherd
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Old English Sheep Dog
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Corgi
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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West Highland Terrier
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Parson (Jack) Russell Terrier
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Australian terrier
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Scottish terrier
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Chihuahua
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Bichon Frisé
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Pomeranian
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Pug
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Dalmatian
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Poodle
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Schnauzer
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Shih Tzu
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Alaskan Malumute
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Great Dane
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Mastiff
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Newfoundland
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St Bernard
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Breeding
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Introduction
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Female Reproductive System
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Male Reproductive System
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Sexual Behaviour
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Mating Interaction
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The Management of Reproduction
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Desexing/Neutering/Spaying/Castrating
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Pregnancy and birth
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Parturition (Labour)
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Suckling
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Weaning
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Factors Influencing Puppy Size
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Puppy Development
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The breeding industry
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‘Back-yard’ Breeders & Breeding for fun
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Illegal Commercial Puppy Breeding Enterprises (Puppy Mills)
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Breeding for Profit
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Legislation and Licensing
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Dog Behaviour and Training
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Understanding dog behaviour
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The Importance of Training
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Practical training techniques
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Technique for Recall
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Technique for Sit (in front)
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Technique for Sit (at the side)
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Technique for Stand (Beside)
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Technique for Stand (Beside)
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Technique for Leave
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Technique for Down/Lay
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Technique for Stay (beside)
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Technique for Heeling
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Behaviour Problems Present Opportunities for Business
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Attributes of Successful Dog Trainers
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Practical for Business Start-up
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Grooming
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The Importance of Grooming
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Grooming tools and equipment
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What to groom, why and how
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Skin
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Bathing
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Coat (hair)
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Brushing:
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Claws (nails)
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Teeth
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Teeth brushing
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Ears
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Professional grooming
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Long haired dog breeds
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Short hair breeds
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Other breeds
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Styles and clips
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Other Dog Services
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Health and related services
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Training and related services
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Day care and long term stay services
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Assistance dog services
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Professional dog handling
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Retail related services
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Determine the typical daily needs of a dog, both physical and psychological. Discuss the nature and scope of services available to dog owners.
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Describe the internal and external anatomy of a dog. Explain the standard physiology of a dog.
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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.
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Describe common ailments and optional treatments for those ailments.
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Compare differentiating characteristics across breeds of dogs, including both desirable and undesirable characteristics.
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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.
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Explain ways in which dogs can be trained. Discuss how to successfully operate a dog training or behavioural consultancy business.
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Explain how to groom a dog.
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Determine how to successfully operate a dog grooming business.
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Explain the scope and nature of a wide range of products and services involved in the dog industry.
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Determine how to successfully operate a range of different dog service businesses.
CANINE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The dog industry is a lot bigger than what many people might realize. People spend a lot of time and money on dogs, and opportunities for working in this industry are diverse.
Consider the following:
Working in a Pet Shop
Pet stores are like any other shop, a retail outlet for products. Dogs are a big part of the pet industry, but you do need to deal with other animals as well.
To be a successful pet shop owner, manager or employee, you need to be able to sell merchandise, from pet food and toys to cages, fish tanks, leashes and the pets themselves. Obviously you need to know about caring for different animals in order to keep the animals you are selling in good condition; and advise customers on the products they might buy. Some pet shops may be more caring for the animals than others.
Some pet shops (or departments in other stores) may sell non living products that relate to pets; without selling the actual pets. Some pet shops specialize in the type of pets they sell (eg. An Aquarium shop).
Working in an Animal Shelter
Animal shelters may be either run by government (eg. A municipal council), or a community organisation such as a charity. They may undertake some or all of the following tasks:
- Animal rescue of abandoned, mistreated or injured animals
- Controlling stray or feral animals
- Licensing or registration of domestic animals
- Enforcing laws relating to animals
- Relocation of abandoned animals through adoption programs
- Relocation of wild animals
- Euthanasia and disposal of dead animals
A lot of the work involves dealing with the public This may include people who have mistreated animals, others who are regretfully in a position that requires them to surrender their animals; the general public who report strays or nuisance animals, and people visiting the shelter to register pets.
Part of the work also involves caring for animals (feeding, watering, exercising and grooming), ans part is dealing with administrative tasks behind a computer or desk.
Becoming a Dog Groomer
Grooming is an important part of dog care and, in some cases, it may become part of a daily task. If you love animals and care for their appearance, comfort and health, then here’s the job for you.
As a Dog Groomer, you will care for both, the hygiene and cleanliness of a dog, as well as earning a living from doing what you love.
Being a Dog Groomer can be quite rewarding as you are in constant contact with the dog creating, therefore, a closer bond as you are handling and caring for the dogs best needs. You will be gratified by knowing the dog is clean and by decreasing its chances from various health problems such as thrush, scratches, infestation, parasites on the skin, and other skin problems, as well as a general health check making sure its free from any cuts, heat, swelling, lameness or temperament changes which, in turn, can be an indication of illness.
As a Dog Groomer you will be in charge of keeping the dog’s coat, nails, skin and health in optimal conditions to satisfy the owner’s desires, as well as giving the owner advice on the dogs general care and diet for maintaining its health.
Other Jobs with Dogs
Walker
Boarding Kennel Operator
Veterinary Assistant
Trainer or Behaviour Consultant
Racing Dog Trainer
Dog Handler - e.g. sniffer dogs, sheep dogs and other working dogs
BUILD A BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING BUSINESS
Behaviour Problems Present Opportunities for Business
Some dogs exhibit behavioural problems at some point in their lives. You should know that an unwanted behaviour is often a symptom of an underlying problem and the unwanted behaviour that is displayed is the dog’s way of coping with the problem.
It is important to remember that the behaviour may be unwanted for us but may be completely natural for the dog. Therefore, when thinking about the behaviours of dogs you should have an understanding of natural dog behaviour and dog’s instincts. The natural behaviour of dog shouldn’t be ignored but can be controlled.
As a rule, all dogs that display a behavioural problem should first be checked by a vet to make sure that there are no physical ailments that may be causing or exacerbating the behaviour.
Setting up your own dog training or dog behavioural business can be all that you dream it can be but it takes a lot of hard work setting up a successful business. It also takes thorough knowledge of dogs and your own professionalism.
Some of the benefits of starting your own dog training consultancy business include:
- an opportunity work with the knowledge you have accumulated from study and/or industry experience
- an ability to enjoy the freedom and independence of doing something you’re passionate about
- the possibility of achieving high financial reward
- the flexibility to take on cases or assignments that are stimulating and rewarding, and conversely the option of
- refusing to do something you don't enjoy
- the chance to meet new people in other companies and industries
- the satisfaction of working with the best resources you can find
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS - CANINE HEALTH CARE
Digestive problems in dogs can not only be detrimental to the animal; but can also, very often, lead to the owner becoming sick as well. Prevention is obviously always best; and this starts with understanding possible problems.
Vomiting
Vomiting is not a disease or disorder in itself; it is a clinical sign of some type of digestive disturbance or as a result of another disease or disorder. Occasional bouts of vomiting can be considered normal but if the vomiting persists and is accompanied by severe or bloody diarrhoea, lethargy, weakness, depression, pain or fever then this is a sign that something is seriously wrong and veterinary attention is required. Vomiting can be caused by something the dog has eaten (e.g. rotten food), ingestion of toxins, adverse reactions to drugs or an allergic reaction to something in the environment.
Vomiting can cause dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, muscle weakness, tremors, inflammation of the esophagus, aspiration pneumonia and severe malnutrition. Treatment includes identification and removal or treatment of the initial cause of the vomiting. Fluid and electrolyte therapy may also be required in serious cases.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is similar to vomiting in that it is a clinical sign rather than a disease itself. Diarrhoea can be a sign of a mild digestive upset or of something more serious e.g. food poisoning or ingestion of other toxic materials. Acute and chronic diarrhoea can be life threatening, particularly in puppies or older dogs. If the diarrhoea lasts longer than a couple of hours, contains blood and the dog appears to be in pain and has a fever then veterinary attention is required immediately. Treatment in this case will include identification and appropriate treatment for the underlying condition causing the diarrhoea as well as fluid and electrolyte therapy. Mild cases can be treated at home by removing food for a period of 12 hours and then re-introducing small amounts of bland food (e.g. chicken and rice). Probiotics can also be a useful addition to improve the overall health of the affected dog’s intestines.
Giardia
Giardia intestinalis and Giardia duodenalis are single celled protozoan parasites, which inhabit the affected dog’s small intestine, causing clinical signs of Giardiasis. The protozoa attach themselves to the intestines and multiply. They may be directly swept through the intestines and appear in the infected dog’s faeces or they may develop into a tougher more durable ‘cyst’ form, which is again passed in the dogs faeces but is able to survive for long periods in the external environment. Dogs are infected by ingesting the cysts from contaminated water and the environment. Infected dogs may not show any clinical signs of Giardiasis, but they can still shed the protozoa from their systems, spreading the infection to other healthy animals. Infection and subsequent illness is more commonly seen in younger animals. Signs of infection include: chronic or intermittent diarrhoea that may appear ‘fatty’ and slimy, accompanied by a very foul smell. Weight loss is also possible if left untreated.
The condition is treated with anthelmintic drugs. A vaccine against infection is available in the USA, but it is generally not thought to be particularly effective.
Intestinal Worms
Dogs frequently suffer from infestations of intestinal parasites – commonly known as worms. The most common types are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Each different type of worm has its own specific lifecycle and can damage a dog’s health in different ways. Clinical signs of an excessive worm burden include: diarrhoea, vomiting, poor coat condition, weight loss and general lethargy. Some types of worms can remain in a dogs system and no outward signs of infestation will be apparent. Intestinal worms can be treated with anthelmintics (de-worming medication). Regular use of appropriate anthelmintics every 3 months is recommended.
AFTER YOUR STUDIES?
Graduates will leave this course with more knowledge and a greater understanding of how to care for dogs. Even more important though; they will look at dogs differently, and through observation and interaction they will continue to learn about caring for dogs well beyond the duration of the course.
This course will give you a greater awareness of what dogs need to experience a greater state of well being; and your ability to care for dogs will thus grow not only throughout these studies, but also beyond.
You will become more capable at managing dogs, whether your own dogs, or those owned by someone else.
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