
We are delighted to announce the next stage in the Canine Behaviour Shelter Course and this time it will be hosted at Wollies Animal Shelter in Pretoria North. This is the first of its kind in SA and will provide an excellent foundation for anybody working in shelters or considering doing so. The course is presented over a 6 month period and consists of both practical and theoretical sessions and presented by professionals in the canine field (click here for full CV).
This course is aimed at providing education to all people involved in shelters or looking at working in a shelter. 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.
Successful students will receive certification of successful completion of the course which will be made up of the practical and theoretical sections.
We are delighted to announce the next stage in the Canine Behaviour Shelter Course and this time it will be hosted at Wollies Animal Shelter in Pretoria North. This is the first of its kind in SA and will provide an excellent foundation for anybody working in shelters or considering doing so. The course is presented over a 6 month period and consists of both practical and theoretical sessions and presented by professionals in the canine field (click here for full CV).
This course is aimed at providing education to all people involved in shelters or looking at working in a shelter. 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.
Successful students will receive certification of 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
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 starting 1st Febraury 2017. Attendance will be limited so that all participants receive the attention they deserve, so do book early to avoid disappointment.
The actual course will start 1st March 2017 and booking is essential and on a first come, first booked basis – maximum of 10 students. Dates are below and the practical sessions will take place at Wollies Animal Shelter in Pretoria North
- Practical - you are looking at 9 sessions over the 6 month period of 2 hours each.
- 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.
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 starting 1st Febraury 2017. Attendance will be limited so that all participants receive the attention they deserve, so do book early to avoid disappointment.
The actual course will start 1st March 2017 and booking is essential and on a first come, first booked basis – maximum of 10 students. Dates are below and the practical sessions will take place at Wollies Animal Shelter in Pretoria North
Starting 2017
Dates for practical sessions
Sundays - 9.30a.m. - 2.00p.m.
Dates for practical sessions
Sundays - 9.30a.m. - 2.00p.m.
April
June July August August September September October October |
30th
4th 2nd 6th 20th 3rd 17th 8th 21st |
Practical Session 1
Practical Session 2 Practical Session 3 Practical Session 4 Practical Session 5 Practical Session 6 Practical Session 7 Practical Session 8 Practical Session 9 |
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. The course includes several video clips including one on the basic exercises. Link to Theory included in course
Module A
Understanding Dogs The Dog's Senses : The Psychology of Dogs Emotions Canine Development Theory Socialization & Habituation : Learning Theory How Dogs Learn : Other Training Methods : Lure & Reward Methods : Using Lure/Rewards : Fading the Reward : Cue's Signals, Commands: Learning Theory Operant Conditioning : Classical Conditioning : Punishment : Aversives : Extinction : Reinforcers :: Timing : Learning Plateau :Important Points for Handlers : Positive Reinforcement : Quiz - testing your knowledge on Module A Module B Breeds and Breeders Points for clients : Owners Responsibility : Choosing the Breed : Breeds Breeds and Breeders Breeds that tend not to get along : Will any existing dogs tolerate a puppy? : Nature or Nurture : What to look for in a pup : One or Two Pups : Puppy Testing : General Theory & Puppies Inoculations : Crate Training : Sterilization : Auditory Habituation : Picking Up Puppies : Grooming & Handling : Importance of Exercise General Theory & Puppies Chewing and Toys : Dogs in Complexes : Free Play : The Importance of Puppy School : Car Sickness : The First Few Days : Toilet Training : Pups Crying at Night Quiz - testing your knowledge on Module B Module C Preventing Behaviour Problems in Pups Prevention of Separation Anxiety : Prevention of Jumping Up : Prevention of Excessive Barking : Prevention of Digging in inappropriate areas : Preventing Begging " Preventing Reactive behaviour when a pup is hugged : Preventing excessive licking Adolescence Physically what to expect : Behaviour : How to get through adolescence Quiz - Testing your knowledge on Module C Module D Physical and Mental Stimulation to improve the dogs quality of life A variety of games and suggestions to improve a dogs quality of life, both in and out of the shelter Why do Behaviour Problems Occur? Dogs Needs :Possible contributing causes of problem behaviours : Pain or Illness : Fear : Selection : Social : Training : Changes in environment or circumstances : Exercise and Life Spaces : Stimulation and Enrichment : Additional factors regarding problem behaviour to be considered : More factors with reference to interaction between dog and owner : Lack of behaviour After Adopting a New Dog The first few weeks with new shelter dog : Giving a shelter dog a home Choosing a Shelter Dog ; * 5 Tips for Adopting Shelter Dogs Adoption and related stress and anxiety : My new shelter dog is not settling down – why – what do I do? Behaviour Problems commonly seen in shelter dogs Quiz - Testing your knowledge on Module C Module E - Practical Sessions - comprehensive notes included where applicable and please note that the order of the practical sessions may be changed around to suit. Practical 1 - Understanding Dogs
Practical session 2 - Fearful Dogs
Practical session 3 - Basic Exercises with Puppies Puppies – all basic exercises – sit, down, stand, walking on lead with balance lead/super balance lead, bite inhibition, leave, preventing jumping up. Practical session 4 - Basic Exercises with Older Dogs Adult dogs - sit, down, preventing pulling, leave, recall, changing jumping up. Various equipment to use. Working with dogs that wont move on lead, Meet & Greet Practical session 5 - TTouch TTouch session 1 Practical session 6 - TTouch TTouch session 2 Practical session 7 - Introducing Dogs & Dogs and Cats a. Introducing dogs to other dogs b. Establishing is dog is cat friendly and introducing a dog to an existing cat. Practical Session 8 - Review Review and practice session of all learnt Session 9 - House Rules House Rules and working with a new owner and basic exercises. Quiz - Testing your knowledge on Module E as well as proficiency in the practical sections |