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​Canine Behaviour Shelter Course - FODS Shelter Initiative

Practical & Theoretical

​Langebaan - Western Cape
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We are delighted to announce the next shelter coming aboard in the Canine Behaviour Shelter Course and this time it will be hosted at Langebaan Animal Care in Langebaan. These courses are the first of its kind in SA and will provide an excellent foundation for anybody working in shelters or considering doing so. The Theory is done over  a 6 month period and consists of both practical and theoretical sessions and presented by professionals in the canine field. There will be 6 Practical session.  (click here for full CV).

These courses are aimed at providing education to those involved in shelters such as Volunteers - people walking shelter dogs - people looking at working or volunteering in a shelter - or for people that just want to know about dogs in general. The knowledge and the tools provided will improve the life of the dogs in shelters and as dogs will be better behaved, the chances of them being adopted will be improved. Students will also learn the tools to supply knowledge to new owners with all the basic information they will need to get off to a good start with the new addition to the family.

Students will receive certification on successful completion of the course which will be made up of the practical and theoretical sections.   

The course consists of the following:-
Your Time Investment
  • Practical - you are looking at 6 sessions on Friday, Saturday, Sunday 27th, 28th, 29th October and Friday, Saturday, Sunday the 3rd, 4th and 5th November.  These will be held from 9.30a.m. until approximately 2.30p.m.
  • Theoretical - the course is presented on-line and is very user friendly. At the end of each section there are a few questions to answer relating to the section you have just completed. At the end of each module there is a simple quiz based on the material you have just read. There is no research required or heavy assignments to complete. Theory opens in June 17 and you have 6 months to complete same. 
Booking is limited to 10 participants (plus 2 people from shelter) and will be done on a first come, first booked basis, so book early to avoid disappointment

Your Financial Investment

As this course is concentrated on dogs in shelters it will be offered at a special price, being R1800 which will be payable at R300 per month with no interest being charged – your initial payment will be a deposit of R300 to reserve your place and the balance of R1500 payable on a monthly basis of R300 from the end of the month following your deposit or by arrangement. Attendance will be limited to 10 participants (plus 2 from shelter) so that all participants receive the attention they deserve, so do book early to avoid disappointment. 


​Starting 2017

​Dates and contents for practical sessions


The practical sessions will be held from 9.30a.m. to approximately 2.30 - 3.30p.m.

​
Friday 
Saturday
Sunday 
Friday 
Saturday
Sunday

October 
October 
October ​
November
November
​November
27th
28th
29th
3rd
4th
5th

Prac 1 
Prac 2

Prac 3
Prac 4
Prac 5
Prac 6


Shelter Initiative Practical Contents -
​
Comprehensive notes are given on all the Practical Sessions

Dog Language - October 27th 2017
No dogs
The 5F’s of Behaviour ; How dogs communicate ; Calming Signals Signs of stress - Further Notes -  Signs of possible reactive behaviour ; Common reasons why dogs bite ; You Tube Video on dog attacking a person.  

Basic Exercises - October 28th 2017
Working with own dogs

Balance Lead, Super Balance Lead,  On lead Recall, Free Walking, wait, and Down , Stand, Bite Inhibition, Leave Exercise, Changing Jumping Up, Swap Exercise. By working with their own dogs, participants can gain the necessary skills which will make working with the dogs in the shelter much easier.  

Tellington TTouch - October 29th 2017 
Working with your own dogs

History : What TTouch is comprised of : Basic TTouches. Noah's March, Ear work, Llama, Tarantulus, Zig Zags, Chimp & Baby Chimp, Clouded Leopard, Abalone, Lying Leopard, Python Lifts, Mouth and Tail Work. Not only does your own dog benefit from the TTouch, it gives you a chance to practice your new skills before working on dogs in the shelter. 

Shelter Session 1 - Friday 3rd November 2017
working with shelter dogs  

Safety, Calming Procedures - (calming dogs from outside the run ; calming dogs from inside the runs ; getting dogs to sit quietly and politely while collar and lead put on ; helping dogs to remain calm with exiting the run) Balance Lead, Super Balance Lead, On Lead Recall, Free Walking,  Elements of TTouch brought in. 

Shelter Session 2 - Saturday 4th November 2017
working with shelter dogs

Further practice based on work done previous session, plus Sit, Down, Stand, Bite Inhibition, Leave, Changing Jumping Up, Wait. Introducing strange dogs with minimum stress

Shelter Session 3 - Sunday 5th November
working with dogs in shelter in the morning
Morning - Working with fearful dogs - building confidence, desensitizing to people, objects etc. Preventing and changing resource guarding with Swap and Food Bowl Exercises
Afternoon - Away from shelter. How to prevent Separation Anxiety in shelter and change same, desensitizing a dog to a muzzle, using a head halter for professional pullers. Putting together a session for new owners prior to dog going home, ongoing assistance, questions and answers in general.


Theory – the theory section of the course is presented online. At the end of each section there is an assignment to be completed, and there are several quizzes throughout the course and a final quiz at the end of the course. Students work at their own pace and have 6 months to complete the course. Theory starts 1.6.17
Shelter Initiative Theory

General
Aims :Procedures : Visitors to the shelter : One Dog per Run : Daily Elimination Program : Daily chew toys and stimulation : Daily walks and human interaction for at least the selected dogs : Stimulation for long term residents : Volunteers

Long Term Confinement
General : Common Behaviour Problems found in shelters : Possible Solutions 

Mental and Physical Stimulation 
General : Sense of Smell : Mental Stimulation and Games to Play  


Chew Toys 
Chew Toys : How to use and stuff a Busy Buddy or Kong : Stuffing Recipes : Liver Bread Recipe


Understanding Dogs Part 1 
The Dog's Senses : The Psychology of Dogs Emotions


Understanding Dogs Part 2  
Dog Language : Can amputation of a tail affect a dogs behaviour and calming signals? : How humans can misunderstand dogs behaviour : How misconceptions could have arisen.  


Quiz 1 - 6 - testing your knowledge 

Canine Development Theory 
Socialization & Habituation : Pack Rule Theories


Learning Theory  
How Dogs Learn : Other Training Methods : Lure & Reward Methods : Using Lure/Rewards : Fading the Reward : Cue's Signals, Commands: Classical Conditioning : Reward Training : Aversives 

Quiz 7 - 8

Potential Owners 
Points for clients before adopting : Free E-books : Meet your Match Questionnaire 

Breed Related 
Breeds that tend not to get along : Will any existing dogs tolerate a new addition? : One or Two Pups : Breeds

Quiz 9 - 10

Theory & Puppies Part 1 
Inoculations :Sterilization : Picking Puppies Up 



Theory & Puppies Part 2 
Dogs in Complexes :The Importance of Puppy School :  Socialization


Unbalanced Pups 
Signs of potential problems and important factors to consider :  Unbalanced Pups – how does this behaviour happen?


Quiz 11 - 14 

Adolescence Physically what to expect : Behaviour : How to get through adolescence 
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Children and Dogs 
General : Preparing the child for interacting with dogs ; Preparing the dog to interact with children

Approaching strange dogs : In the case of a possible dog attack. : What is the best dog for kids?

Choosing a dog 
Questions to be asked : Assessment inside the run : Assessment outside the run ; 5 Tips for choosing a dog : Some tips for adopting shelter dogs for owners

Separation Anxiety 
Definition of Separation Anxiety : How does this develop between dogs : How does this develop between people and dogs : How to resolve and prevent in the shelter environment ; Preventing Separation anxiety when dog goes to the new home : Signs that Separation anxiety may be developing.


Quiz 14 - 17 

Compassion Fatigue 
What is Compassion Fatigue :  Some reasons contributing towards Compassion Fatigue :  Points indicating that stress levels may be out of control Preventing Compassion Fatigue


Honeymoon period of 3 weeks 
General : The Honeymoon Period : House Rules 


After Adopting a New Dog 
New shelter dog is not settling down : Behaviour Problems commonly seen in shelter dogs  


Quiz 18 - 20

Shelter - Additional Theory
The shelters will be given additional theory sections such as Assessments, Working with Volunteers. Various Questionnaires to assist in Matching Dogs and Owners and for Potential Adopters to complete.
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