DogWise

 

This course is accredited as a Continual Professional Development course by the South African Veterinary Council.

SAVC CPD  ACCREDITED: CPD points for SAVC accredited courses are only  valid for qualified veterinarians and           para-veterinary personnel in South Africa.

A certificate course for Vets, Vet nurses, dog trainers and in fact anyone starting off in the Animal Behaviour and Training world who would like to know more about dogs, the human/canine relationship and training.

This course will equip you to run exceptional puppy and dog training classes.

Students with no prior experience in this field may enrol for this course.

Students can enrol at any time.

Our understanding of canine behaviour and the various relationships that we enjoy with our dogs is advancing rapidly. This constantly updated course is designed to provide the very latest information for those keen to study dogs and apply their new understanding in a professional capacity.

For example, what makes a successful dog training class? Fulfilling what the owners want – a sociable and well- trained dog where both get the very best out of the relationship.

Introduction to Canine Behaviour and Training

If you want to know…

  • Basic, essential dog training techniques; the core of any successful class.
  • How to motivate owners.
  • How to run successful puppy and dog training classes.
  • How to accommodate special needs dogs or owners into your training classes.

If you are already running a training class, or thinking of starting one, then this course is for you. Packed full of fresh and practical techniques, advice and ideas that cut to the quick of running great dog training classes, this course will give you the resources you need to kick-start your business.

This fifteen or eighteen-month course can be completed by anyone who wants to gain an insight into how to structure and run successful dog training classes.

 

WHAT THE STUDENT WILL LEARN

Unit 1:

We explore the history of man’s relationship with dogs through the ages. This includes a comprehensive study of different breeds and types of dogs, their domestication, and original function as working dogs, as well as the subsequent changes occurring due to selective breeding and the impact this is having on modern dogs and owners. This unit also explores the pet’s physical and behavioural development, as well as the impact crucial early learning has on their overall behaviour.  We discuss dominance – the myths, the misconceptions and the damage this old-fashioned belief system wreaks on the emotional well-being of our companion animals.

Unit 2:

In Unit 2 we investigate the importance of training – including focusing on important questions like why people should do training, the various details involved in establishing not only the type of class, but also the training methods employed as well as why motivational training is fast becoming the preferred technique applied. This unit also focuses on important practical aspects such as choosing a venue, home visits vs. class training, puppy vs. adult training, etc.

Unit 3:

Unit 3 focuses on the owners and their role in training. We explore various teaching and learning styles, and how to ensure that the client’s needs are fulfilled.  This unit also includes how to assess dogs and deal with special dogs as well as owner expectations and use motivation and progression to accomplish your goals in both the class and private training lesson scenarios.

Unit 4:

This unit addresses how dogs learn and factors affecting learning.  Learning theory, Clicker training and the effects of diet on behaviour are considered. Basic neurophysiology (the study of nervous system functions) forms part of this in-depth unit.  Here, the student is also introduced to the subject of Emotionality – the foundation aspect of COAPE’s unique and leading approach to behaviour therapy.

Unit 5:

Training vs. behaviour is the focal point of this unit. We discuss complicated dogs and difficult owners as well as various techniques of dealing with both in the training and behaviour context.  We touch on the extremely complicated subject of aggression and students get their first set of case histories to evaluate and process.

Unit 6:

Unit 6 comprises a study on 8 dogs, of which full details are given. The student needs to bring together everything learned in the course so far to discuss the motivations for, and what is now maintaining of the various behaviours, and the owner’s role in situations as well as responses to instructions given.

Unit 7:

This unit comprises a Special Study where the student arranges to assist a client with an adult dog who has a basic behaviour challenge, for example jumping up, barking, digging. The student is asked to research and compile a report detailing the origin of the challenging behaviour, , their proposed modification approach and the progress made to date on the case. (NOTE No aggression cases are allowed at this level.)

STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE TO DO THE 12 MONTH THEORY COURSE OR GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE PRACTICAL ADD-ON COMPONENT TO DOGWISE.

PRACTICAL ADD-ON TO DogWise:

Consists of 3 units – one per month:

Month 1: Assessing the adult dog in a shelter environment/assessing a friends adult pet dog (not your own dog). The student is given a practical self-study assignment to assess the role of the environment on behaviour and evaluate the dog, based on what has been learned in the course.

Month 2: Training a shelter dog/a friends pet dog. The student is encouraged to select a suitable dog to train, either an untrained pet dog or a dog in the care of the shelter. The student will be expected to monitor and report on the dog’s progress.

Month 3: Changing Behaviour – Students can select a dog from a shelter/ a friends pet dog that is experiencing a experiencing behaviour challenges. The aim of this assignment is to help the dog and person to resolve the challenges over a period of one month.

The student’s assignment will include designing and implementing a basic behaviour modification program to meet the specific needs of that individual animal with an end view of resolving the behavioural challenges and thus increasing the pet’s chances of a long and successful life as a companion in a human home.   

COAPE has included a second, optional alternative for each of the practical units, to assist students who are unable to access shelters or people with dogs. We have compiled detailed video recordings which cover the same topics for you to analyse, making it possible to complete this course anywhere in the world.

COAPE prides itself on always keeping up to date with the latest developments in the fields of Animal Behaviour and Training and including this knowledge in all our course material. Therefore, any content changes will be incorporated into existing students’ course material, allowing them to have access to updated material as it becomes available. 

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH DOGWISE?

  • Learn how to successfully run a dog training facility, including information about the administrative requirements involved in managing a training facility like a dog training school.
  • Understand your dog better and learn how to improve your relationship through positive reinforcement and clearer communication, along with understanding type specific needs for individual dogs.
  • The successful completion of DogWise qualifies you to enrol for the COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour or the COAPE Diploma in Dog Behaviour.

 

COURSE INFORMATION

Tutors and markers:

  • Carla Van Rooyen
  • George van Huyssteen
  • Renee Venter
  • Taryn Joshua
 

Course Type:
Correspondence online.

Course Format:

The course is hosted on our dedicated Learning Management System (LMS) where you will find all your course material, resources, quizzes and recorded tutorials. For each new unit you will be given access to the relevant material on the LMS, which you can conveniently view online. Your assignments consists of different parts for each unit, all of which are to be completed on the LMS.

Once you have completed your assignments and submitted them on the LMS, they are marked by one of our dedicated, highly experienced markers and sent back to you via the LMS.

We host live group tutoring sessions for students, which are always available as recordings on the LMS if a student is unable to attend. If needed, students are also able to book one-on-one tutor sessions and have access to a very active private WhatsApp group, as well as a dedicated COAPE DogWise Student Facebook support page to encourage networking.

Course Duration:

  • The duration of DogWise Correspondence only is 12 months, with a maximum timeframe of 24 months if the Do-it-in-your-own-time option is chosen. 
  • The duration of DogWise with Practicals is 15 months, with a maximum timeframe of 27 months if the Do-it-in-your-own-time option is chosen. 

Students can enrol for this course at any time: a new DogWise Group begins the 2nd Wednesday of every month and students are given 2 months from the date of enrolment to order and start reading the books on the compulsory reading list before they are required to complete assignments. Once the course has started the student has compulsory hand-in dates for assignments which will be communicated through to each student via the LMS.

If the Do-it in-you-own-time option is chosen, students can enrol at any time and complete their assignments in their own time as long as they complete the course in the maximum allowed timeframe. 

 

Reading List:

Please note that there is a required reading list which you will receive once via the LMS you have enrolled. The price of the books is NOT INCLUDED in the course fee. It is the student’s responsibility to source and obtain the books before their course assignments start. A number of the books are available on Amazon Kindle or e-Book, which may prove more cost-effective.

 

Abilities Required for This Course:

  • This course contains practical assessment activities which involve sight, hearing, observation and physical interactions/handling skills.
  • Students must be computer literate, have the use of a computer with internet access and be able to operate basic programs such as Microsoft Word.
  • A good command of the English language is essential.

 

Pricing & Enrolment