Lesson Structure: Dog Care BAG105

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. What Dogs Need
   • Food
   • Water
   • Physical and Psychological Environment
   • Exercise
   • Hygiene
   • Importance of Routine
   • Potential Problems and Owner Error
   • Uncertainty of pack position
   • Neglect
   • Escape
   • 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
   • Anatomy
   • Mouth
   • Teeth
   • Ears
   • Eyes
   • Skeletal system
   • Digestive system
   • Normal physiological values
   • Circulation
   • Respiratory rates
   • Thermoregulation
3. Dog Health Part 1
   • Introduction to nutrition and feeding
   • Nutritional Components
   • Carbohydrates
   • ProteinsFats
   • 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
   • 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
   • 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
   • 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
   • 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
   • 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 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
   • 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
   • Health and related services
   • Training and related services
   • Day care and long term stay services
   • Assistance dog services
   • Professional dog handling
   • 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.

Learning Goals: Dog Care BAG105

• 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

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. 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 cleaniness 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