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
Learn the science of dog care as you learn about anatomy, physiology, nutrition and heath.
Consider practical strategies for breeding and develop an opinion about breeding overall. Recognise breeds and their characteristics and apply relevant practical training tips to work with those breeds effectively.
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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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Escaping
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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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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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De-sexing/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.
How to Control Fleas -Tips from our course tutors
Fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) are wingless external parasites with mouth parts for biting. They are blood sucking. They have four life stages: eggs, larva, pupa and adult. They can lay up to 20 eggs at once; female adult fleas will lay approximately 500 eggs in their short lives. The eggs and larvae will stay out of daylight, so when treating for fleas it is important to treated that all crevices and dark areas also.
Flea Collars provide us with a shortcut attempt at controlling fleas; however, these may contain many noxious and potentially life-threatening chemicals. Not only are these bad for the dog, but also for any humans, especially children, exposed to the collar.
A safer approach is to create a natural flea repellent collar by using essential oils. Select an absorbent collar, there are many suitable ones available. Using only 100% pure essential oils, add a drop or two of rosemary and rose geranium to the collar. The collar will absorb the oil and no other collar is required. Remember that essential oils can be very strong, so start with only 1 drop and see if the dog can tolerate it. Build this up to two drops if successful. This is a simple do-it-yourself flea collar; there are also many commercially available natural flea collars.
Flea Powders like the flea collars, there are many herbal flea powders available, always check the ingredient to make sure there are no ingredients that may have adverse effects. It is also possible to make your own herbal flea powder, keeping in mind that the powder does not kill the fleas; it just makes it uncomfortable for them to stay, so put your animal outside after applying the powder so that the fleas do not just jump off into your house. A simple herbal flea powder can be made from powdered herbs. Commonly used herbs include rosemary, fennel, wormwood, rue, yellow dock and eucalyptus. Apply sparingly, using your hand or a comb to brush it into their coat.
De-fleaing the house and outdoor areas is essential. Indoors you will need to repeatedly vacuum the house, destroy the vacuum bag immediately after use or keep a flea collar in the vacuum bag. After this you will need to wash all bedding, cushions and throws in the hottest water possible. Alternatively, we have seen the emergence of flea “bombs” (insecticides) which are very effective but humans and all animals need to be removed the environment during their use. Normally it is safe to return to the treated environment after 2-3 hours.
The next step is important - sprinkle diatomaceous earth around, in, and under all soft furnishings including rugs, cushions and animal bedding. The diatomaceous earth works by scratching the flea’s exoskeleton causing dehydration and death. Again, after a few days, repeat this process remembering to dispose of the vacuum bag and reapply the diatomaceous earth again. Outdoors you will need to sprinkle the diatomaceous earth under bushes and in shady areas, as well over the lawn. Reapply after about 1 week.
HOW CAN THIS COURSE HELP YOU?
It will give you a better understanding of the needs of dogs (both working dogs and pets).
It will enable you to better care for one of the farm's greatest assets.
It may enable you to find work in caring for dogs when owners are away.
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