FODS ACADEMY
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​PUPPY INSTRUCTORS COURSE
The course takes place over approximately 3 - 12 months, and this will depend on your own experience with dogs. 

Cost of Course is R6250 which can be paid by way of a deposit of R500, followed by up to 6 consecutive monthly payments. No interest is charged. Should you wish to make full payment up front, a discount of 15% is awarded. On successful completion of the course, you will receive a Diploma as a Fods Puppy Instructor. ​
​PRACTICAL SESSIONS 

You will start off learning and becoming proficient in all the basic exercises and assisting in the actual Puppy Classes. As you become proficient, you will start to work with clients on a one-to-one basis, eventually being able to run classes by yourself. 

Classes are hosted by Charmaine du Toit (qualified canine behaviourist) and take place on Sunday mornings - dates will be given after registration. Classes take place at Mutt Manners Puppy and Dogs School, in the Modderfontein area in Gauteng, which is 5 minutes away from Greenstone shopping centre. In order to qualify, it is essential that students attend all the practical sessions

Basic Exercises - Practical Sessions including Theory : -

​Tips for Clients : How to reward a pup : Fading : General Exercise Points : Sit Exercise : Down : Stand : Basic Recall : Watch : Collar Grabbing : Off : Finished : Beginner Wait : Preventing Pulling : Bite Inhibition : Swap Exercise : Leave Exercise : Excite/Settle : Elevation Exercise

Goals for Puppy School - Practical Session 

Here you will be taught how to put Goals in place for your own Puppy School as to what you want the pup to have learnt by the time it completes the course. It is essential to have a plan and schedule in mind, of what you want to achieve. 

Initial Session for Clients - Practical Sessions including theory

We work in a slightly different manner from most Puppy Schools simply because we are qualified behaviourists and know the importance of the client and pup starting off with a clean slate and bringing in all the behaviours that are necessary to ensure that the pup is a well balanced, well behaved member of the family, rather than encountering problems at a later stage. Our Initial session with clients is without the pup. Clients are given all the basics they will need to help ensure a well behaved pup. Once you become proficient with the Theory, you will host this section (under supervision) yourself. 

Questionnaire - Practical

It is essential to get as much information on the pup and client as possible, so that we can attend too, and eliminate any potential problems. You will be shown how to scrutinize a Questionnaire for possible problems. 



THEORY - in addition to above. 

House Rules for Pups - Practical included in Initial Session for Clients, 

You will learn all the basic House Rules that are required - these really build a solid foundation as they are based on how dogs interact between themselves. Bringing in these exercises leads to a stronger bond between the client and pup, mutual respect, and most importantly, the pup will learn to trust the owner. 

Location Separation Anxiety

Here you will learn how to build up the pup's confidence to being left alone at places scuh as the vet, groomers, kennels etc. 

Avoiding Separation Anxiety

Gives you all the tools you need to know to prevent separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is one of the hardest behaviours to change, and knowing how to prevent it will give you and the client valuable skills to ensure that the pup is confident at being left alone at home. 

Exercise Related, Puppy School and Vaccinations

In this section, you will learn about a pups Growth Plates, what exercise they should, and should not engage in, both at home and puppy school.  You will also learn the importance of Free Play and how it should be done. Knowledge of vaccinations if included in this section. 

Mental Stimulation and Appropriate Chew Toys

The Importance of mental stimulation is often overlooked, and makes for a happy and well balanced pup. This section gives you all the knowledge of which mental stimulation if of higher value and the important of appropriate chew toys. In addition to being a natural behaviour, chewing helps dogs to release stress and provides mental stimulation and prevents boredom.

Sterilization 

Sterilization is a very important aspect and there are many views on what age etc that it should be done, or even if it should be done at all. This section will give you the various aspects, discusses the benefits and disadvantages, as well as cover aspects such as mounting (humping), and the myths surrounding sterilization. Also includes whether behaviour changes are likely to occur when the dog is sterilized. 

Toilet Training and Scent Rolling

Discussed aspects such as bladder development and  control, how to successfully toilet train a pup and what to do in the event of any 'accidents'.

Development Stages

Discusses the various development stages from birth, and what occurs, as well as information on One Event Learning. 

Emotional Intelligence

Covers emotional intelligence in dogs, including whether they do feel emotions such as guilt, empathy etc. 

From Wolves to Dogs

Covers the dogs history from wolves, Pack Rule Theories, Dominance Theory & Rank Reduction Programs and the More Modern Theories, that we ourselves use. 

Learning Theory. 

Covers How Dogs Learn, Other Training Methods, Training - Lure and Reward, the 4 Pillars, Using Lure and Reward, Fading the reward, Cue's, Signals and Commands

Learning Theory

The 4 Quadrants, Punishment and Aversives

Understanding Dogs

Included are understanding the Dog's Senses, the Psychology of Dogs Emotions & The Importance of dogs to people

Dog Language

In order to really understand a dog we need to know what it's body is indicating, as this is the main manner in which dogs communicate. Included are The 5 F's of Behaviour - How Dogs Communicate - Calming Signals - Signs of Stress - Signs of Possible Reactive Behaviour, and some basic examples of wolves interacting.

Also included are the following sections :- Can amputation of a tail affect a dog's behaviour and the manner in which its body language may be affected - How humans can misunderstand dog behaviour - How misconceptions could have arisen. 

Dog Knowledge 

This section covers Kennels or Home Care when owner away - Teaching a pup to swim - Dogs in complexes - Car Sickness - Doggy Day Care

Children and Dogs

General information on children and dogs is given, as well as : - Preparing a child for interacting with dogs - Preparing a dog to interact with children - Approaching strange dogs - Parents helping children and dogs to be successful - In the case of a dog attack - What is the best dog for kids - Preparing and existing dog for the arrival of a baby to the home. 

Breeders

Included : Why we need breeders of purebred dogs - Nature or Nurture - Breeds that are not always compatible - Breed Groups - Temperament/Puppy Testing - Canine Genetic Disease Testing - DNA Testing – why it’s a good idea to know the breed make-up - Some additional breed knowledge - Hypo Allergenic Dogs - Oldest Dog Breeds - Extreme Dog Breeding – changes seen in dogs over last 100 years - Unusual & Rare Dog breeds

Choosing the Breed
 
Will any existing dogs tolerate a puppy? - Where to purchase your pup - What to look for in a pup - One or Two pups – Tips for two pups - Singleton Pups 

Pups Arriving Home

How to Plan for a Successful Homecoming - How to make the home safer.

After the pup comes home
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Toilet Training - Bladder Development and Control - Accidents in Toilet Training - Scent Rolling - Feeding the Pup - How much and how often - Food Bowl Exercises - Furniture

Further Pup Theory

Dealing with Tantrums - Calming your pup down - Putting on a Collar and Lead - Collar or Harness?

Prevention of Behaviour Problems - Part 1

Preventing :- Separation Anxiety - Resource Guarding - Jumping Up

Prevention of Behaviour Problems - Part 2
Preventing Excessive Barking - Preventing Digging in inappropriate areas - Preventing Begging 

Prevention of Behaviour Problems - Part 3

Preventing excessive Licking - Reactive behaviour when pup hugged -Dealing with 2 pups’ together

Adolescence
   
General - Physically what to expect - Second  Fear Period - Further behaviour changes that may occur - How to get through adolescence
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Considerations for Clients

General - Points for clients to consider - Owners Responsibility - Choosing the Breed

Dealing with Clients
 
Giving you tools to build a great relationship with your clients and overcome potential problems. 
Basic Communication - Listening Blocks - Patterns - Objections - Common human body language - Dealing with conflict - 

Setting up your own Puppy School

Assistance is given on Goals, Planning, Keeping Registers, Premises to consider, Marketing