If you’re a dog lover or are considering buying or adopting a dog, the Certificate of Dog Care is a complete care guide that will provide you with information on how to choose the right dog and how to keep your best friend happy and healthy.
This online dog care course covers all of the essential factors to consider when caring for and owning a dog, including basic dog care, dog breeds, selecting the right dog for you, biology of dogs, basic health, dog psychology, grooming and working with dogs.
This course is an excellent resource for households with dogs or for those wanting to work with dogs in a professional capacity, such as dog groomers, dog trainers, dog carers, dog walkers or animal handlers in veterinary care settings.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Introduction to dog care
- What dogs need
- Food
- Water
- Physical and psychological environment
- Exercise
- Hygiene
- Importance of routine
- Potential problems and owner error
- Uncertainty of pack position
- Neglect
- Escaping
- Attacking other people and animals
- Physical damage
- Illness
- Which breed is best
- Choosing a puppy or adult dog
- Outside living or inside pet
- Restricting and confining a pet
- Dealing with holidays
- Training dogs
- Socialising with other animals
- Scope of dog care industry
Unit 2 - Canine biology
- Anatomy
- Mouth
- Teeth
- Ears
- Eyes
- Skeletal system
- Digestive system
- Normal physiological values
- Circulation
- Respiratory rates
- Thermoregulation
Unit 3 - Dog health part 1
- Introduction to nutrition and feeding
- Nutritional components
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Water
- Changing requirements through different life stages
- Growth period
- Working and high performance period
- Pregnancy and lactation period
- Geriatric period
- Feeding patterns -time controlled or free choice
- Feed products
- Commercial foods
- Medicinal/veterinary foods
- Home cooked Foods
- Snacks and treats
- Foods to avoid
- Common nutritional disorders
- Allergies
- Poisoning
- Preventative health
- Diet supplements
- Immunisation
- Worms, tick and flea prevention
- Exercise
- Dental care
- Skin and nail care
- Basic first aid equipment
- Assessing the situation in an emergency
- What to do… (in accidents or at specific times)
- Basic resuscitation and CPR
Unit 4 - Dog health part 2 - illnesses and treatments
- Introduction
- Haemobartonellosis
- Babesiosis
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Aortic stenosis
- Heart failure
- Heart murmurs and arrhythmias
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heartworm
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Giardia
- Intestinal Worms
- Enteritis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Cushing’s Disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
- Hypothyroidism
- Postpartum Hypocalcaemia (eclampsia)
- Conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Ear mites
- Deafness
- Anaphylactic shock
- Lupus
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Epilepsy
- Canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM)
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine tracheobronchitis (kennel cough)
- Asthma
- Mange
- Ringworm
Unit 5 - Dog breeds
- Gundogs, hounds, pastoral, terriers, toy, utility, working
- English Setter
- Irish Setter
- German Pointer
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Cocker Spaniel
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Beagle
- Dachshund
- Greyhound
- Irish Wolfhound
- Bassett Hound
- Australian Cattle dog
- Border Collie
- German Shepherd
- Old English Sheep Dog
- Corgi
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Parson (Jack) Russell Terrier
- Australian terrier
- Scottish terrier
- Chihuahua
- Bichon Frisé
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Dalmatian
- Poodle
- Schnauzer
- Shih Tzu
- Alaskan Malumute
- Great Dane
- Mastiff
- Newfoundland
- St Bernard
Unit 6 - Breeding
- Introduction
- Female reproductive system
- Male reproductive system
- Sexual behaviour
- Mating interaction
- The management of reproduction
- Desexing/neutering/spaying/castrating
- Pregnancy and birth
- Parturition (labour)
- Suckling
- Weaning
- Factors influencing puppy size
- Puppy development
- The breeding industry
- ‘Back-yard’ breeders and breeding for fun
- Illegal commercial puppy breeding enterprises (puppy mills)
- Breeding for profit
Legislation and licensing
Unit 7 - Dog behaviour and training
- Understanding dog behaviour
- The importance of training
- Practical training techniques
- Technique for recall
- Technique for sit (in front)
- Technique for sit (at the side)
- Technique for stand (beside)
- Technique for stand (beside)
- Technique for leave
- Technique for down/lay
- Technique for stay (beside)
- Technique for heeling
- Behaviour problems present opportunities for business
- Attributes of successful dog trainers
- Practical for business start-up
Unit 8 - Grooming
- The importance of grooming
- Grooming tools and equipment
- What to groom, why and how
- Skin
- Bathing
- Coat (hair)
- Brushing
- Claws (nails)
- Teeth
- Teeth brushing
- Ears
- Professional grooming
- Long haired dog breeds
- Short hair breeds
- Other breeds
- Styles and clips
Unit 9 - Other dog services
- Health and related services
- Training and related services
- Day care and long term stay services
- Assistance dog services
- Professional dog handling
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- Twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application. Fees Apply.
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
Yes! The cost for printed materials for this course is $50 per unit. Total cost for optional printed materials is: $100.00. Printed materials are optional and not required to complete the course. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online via our e-learning system.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Dog Groomer
- Dog Carer
- Dog Trainer
- Household Dog Owners
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