Welcome to Reaseheath College · Welcome to Reaseheath College 2 Course ... Module 2 – Learning Theories 1 ... 13. Setting up a Small Canine Business

Welcome to Reaseheath CollegeReaseheath College is a leading specialised land based college based in Nantwich, Cheshire.

The College has 330 hectares of farms, parklands, lake, woodland and sports facilities, and has over 2,000 full time students and nearly 7,000 part time students from all over the world.

OFSTED inspectors have repeatedly confirmed that all areas of our work are good and outstanding. The college has been awarded Beacon College status and was the first college in the North West to receive the Training Quality Standard in recognition of our excellent partnerships with industry.

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Contents

Welcome to Reaseheath College 2

Course author and Tutor 4

The Canine Studies Programme 5

Studying via Distance Learning 6

Assessment and Support 7

Progression 8

Course Information:

Canine Care and Welfare 9

Canine Nutrition 10

Dog Training Theory 11

Canine Psychology and Behaviour 12

Canine Anatomy and Physiology 13

Setting up a Small Canine Business 14

Individual Modules 15

Other Canine Courses 16

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Course Author and TutorThe Canine Studies programme is run by Hazel Shimmin who is a full time Curriculum Leader and Lecturer at Reaseheath College. She is a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour (Companion Dog) and runs our practical dog training classes as well as lecturing on various other canine courses.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE:Jane Richardson Val Hynes Lisa Gee Jayne Caywood Jo Halden

PhD Animal NutritionBSc (Hons)Animal Behaviour and Welfare RVNBEd (Business Studies)Artist

Course Author / TutorHazel Shimmin KCAI (CD) BA(Hons) PGCE

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The Canine Studies ProgrammeThe Canine Studies programme is aimed at both dog owners who want to understand more about their dogs and professionals. It consists of a range of individually accredited canine courses to allow candidates to study any one course or any combination of courses to suit their personal requirements. All the Canine Studies courses are accredited through OCN and at Level 3.

The courses we offer currently include:Canine Care and Welfare

Canine Nutrition

Canine Anatomy and Physiology

Dog Training Theory

Canine Psychology and Behaviour

Setting up a Small Canine Business

Each course is 6 credits at level 3, which is equivalent to 42 hours work at A level standard.

Assessment is optional and you only need to submit work if you want to take the accredited route – alternatively you can take the courses just for your own interest.

There are no pre-requisites for undertaking any of the courses. However we want to enrol candidates who will benefit from the course and have a good chance of success. If you wish to discuss your own circumstances and the suitability of the courses for your needs, then please contact the office.

The cost for each course is £210 +£25 for the accreditation which covers the OCN registration and certification fees if you choose to take the assessments.

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Studying via Distance LearningThe Canine Studies course is distance learning and is paper based. Each course consists of between 5-7 modules. The first two modules will be sent out to you on enrolment and each time you complete and submit a module’s work the next module will be sent out to you. This way you should always have one module you are working on and one in waiting. However, if you prefer to receive all the modules up front this can be arranged.

All the courses have a comprehensive reading list, which includes more professional books than can be found in the ‘high street’. Whilst it should be possible to complete the course just from the course notes and your own experience, many people do wish to read around the topics in more depth. The more you put into the course, the more you will benefit.

Distance learning enables you to study in your own time, from home, at your own pace and around other commitments. There are no time restrictions or deadlines for completion. However your tutor will want to keep in touch with you and offer any support or guidance you need throughout the course. You can start the courses at anytime.

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Assessment and SupportSupport is available throughout your course. You will be able to access your tutor via phone or email for support throughout the course additionally, if you are local, you can access the resources available in our library.

At the end of each module there will be an assessment task for you to complete – these vary for courses / modules but may include reports, short answer questions, case studies etc. There are no exams or dissertation style projects for any of the courses. It is not necessary to reference at this level, however, many people who have already worked to a higher standard may choose to reference within the text reference. It is always useful to include as a minimum a bibliography of your sources.

Your work can be submitted either by email or by post. You will receive detailed feedback on the work you submit. The work will be marked as either a Pass or a Refer and is not graded further. In the case that your work is referred, the feedback will clearly state what is required for you to bring it up to a pass and you will be able to resubmit your work.

Your work will then be internally moderated by another tutor in the college and externally moderated by a representative from OCN before your certificate is issued. This rigorous process ensures that quality is maintained and that the certificate you earn is valued.

All the Canine Studies courses are subject to the college’s normal appeals procedure should you not agree with the result. Firstly, any issues should be discussed with your tutor as usually further explanation enables agreement to be reached. However, if this is not the case then your work can be referred firstly to the internal moderator and finally to the external moderator.

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ProgressionAll the courses are theoretical but will give you the opportunity to relate the theory to your practical experience and provide a nationally recognised qualification. However, if you want to work with dogs it is important to also have evidence of good practical experience and recognisable achievements. This can be gained by working with your own dogs, assisting at dog training classes or volunteering at your local rescue centre or kennels.

Whilst there is currently no legislation governing qualifications for people working with dogs, ideally professionals should develop a portfolio of both knowledge and qualifications and demonstrable practical skills and experience to have the credibility to work effectively and ethically. All the courses support evidence for the Kennel Club Accredited Instructors Scheme.

At the end of the course, possible job opportunities could include:Dog walkingPet sittingDog TrainerKennel Assistant / ManagerDog Groomer

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Canine Care and WelfareThe Canine Care and Welfare course is a good introductory course for anyone with limited experience of dogs or concerned about undertaking formal study.

The course gives you a good insight into all areas of dog ownership and covers general care and welfare, choosing and living with a dog / puppy, exercise, feeding, training, behaviour, health care and the responsibilities of dog ownership.

Module 1. Dog Ownership – Choosing a dog, Living with a dog, the law etc

Module 2. The Puppy – bringing up a puppy, development stages, socialisation

Module 3. Care of the Dog – Feeding, Exercise, grooming, training, travelling, the older dog

Module 4. Preventing Problem Behaviour – Management, preventing specific problems e.g. separation anxiety, destruction, aggression, attention seeking behaviours etc

Module 5. Health Care –Vaccinations, parasites, neutering, common health problems, first aid

For further information or to book a course, please contact Hazel at [email protected] or 01270 613166/613192

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Canine NutritionThe Canine Nutrition course will give candidates a good understanding of the dog’s nutritional requirements and how these can be met through his life. Different feeding regimes and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed so that owners can make informed decisions about what would be best for their dogs.

Module 1 – Digestive System

Module 2 – Nutrients – Source and function - protein, carbohydrate, fats, water, vitamins and minerals

Module 3 – Feeding requirements through life e.g. puppies, young dogs, working dogs, breeding dogs / old dogs

Module 4 - Types of feeds - commercially prepared – tinned, dry etc, home prepared, raw

Module 5 – Feeding for Health and Behaviour -allergies, role of diet in health, disease and behaviour


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Dog Training TheoryThe Dog Training Theory course provides candidates with sound principles of dog training and looks in detail about how dogs learn, considering both classical and operant conditioning. Different training methods are considered and applied in the context of teaching the dog basic obedience.

Module 1 – Basic Principles of Dog Training and Equipment

Module 2 – Learning Theories 1 – Classical Conditioning – conditioned emotional

responses, behaviour modification techniques

Module 3 – Learning Theories 2 – Operant Conditioning – antecedents,

consequences, shaping and chaining, behaviour modification techniques

Module 4 – Training Methods and stress in training – Positive methods, Clicker

training, causes signs and coping with stress

Module 5 – Applied Dog Training – Companion dog / Obedience


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Canine Psychology and BehaviourThe Canine Psychology and Behaviour course is one of our most popular courses, but whilst there are no pre-requisites, we usually advise candidates that they need to have a good grasp on general training principles and learning theories (operant and classical) in order to make the most of this course. This is covered in the Dog Training Theory course – so you may wish to consider undertaking that one first.The Canine Psychology and Behaviour course looks at the how our dogs have come to live with us and how we need to ensure we meet their needs to avoid problem behaviours. Specific problems are considered in detail, looking at their causes, prevention and behavior modification techniques.

Module 1 – Classification, Evolution and Domestication

Module 2 – Wolf / Wild Dog Behaviour and its Implications in Understanding and Treating Dog Behaviour, Dominance Theory

Module 3 – Problem Behaviour – Causes and Prevention

Module 4 – General Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

Module 5 – Aggression – Causes and Treatment

Module 6 – Separation Anxiety – Causes and Treatment

Module 7 – Other Behavioural Problems –Housetraining, Destruction, Barking, Appetitive Problems, Hyperactivity, Compulsive Disorders, Fears/Phobias


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Canine Anatomy and PhysiologyThe Canine Anatomy and Physiology course provides a good general understanding of the biology of the dog, covering the major systems. (digestive system is covered in the Nutrition course and the reproductive systems are covered in the Breeding course).

Module 1 – Anatomy and Conformation – points of the dog, location and function of major organs, conformation and movement

Module 2 – Cardio – Respiratory System – composition of the blood, circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system

Module 3 – Support and Movement – Bones and skeleton, muscles, tendons and ligaments

Module 4 – Systems of Control – Endocrine system, function of hormones, nervous system, the brain

Module 5 – Sense of the Dog – sight, hearing, smell, taste, feel / touch


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Setting up a Small Canine BusinessThe Setting up a Small Canine Business course will help anyone thinking of a career change or anyone already working in a small canine business but wants further advice. The course will help you to explore your ideas, how to market and promote your business, prepare financial documents, construct accounts, manage staff and produce a business plan.

Module 1 – The Business Idea – becoming self employed, business structures, developing your business idea

Module 2 – Marketing – marketing strategy and planning, market research, legislation and selling

Module 3 – Finance – source of finance, financial records

Module 4 – Human Resource Management – recruitment and selection, training and development, employment legislation and Health and Safety

Module 5 – The Business Plan – producing a viable business plan


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Individual ModulesSeveral individual modules form the courses are now available to study independently. These can be used as a bite-size introduction to studying at level 3 via distance learning or where specific knowledge is needed. If the assessment work is undertaken at the end of the module, successful candidates will receive a Reaseheath College certificate to record their achievement.

The modules available to study individually are:

•The Puppy – bringing up a puppy, development stages, socialisation

•Health Care –Vaccinations, parasites, neutering, common health problems, first aid

•Feeding requirements through life - puppies, young dogs, working dogs, breedingdogs / old dogs

•Learning Theories Classical Conditioning – conditioned emotional responses,behaviour modification techniques, Operant Conditioning – antecedents, consequences, shaping and chaining, behaviour modification techniques

•Classification, Evolution and Domestication of the Dog

•Aggression in the Dog – Causes and Treatment

•Separation Anxiety in the Dog – Causes and Treatment

•Senses of the Dog – sight, hearing, smell, taste, feel / touch

•Setting up a Small Canine Business – becoming self employed, developing theBusiness Idea and initial considerations

The cost for each of these courses is £40, which includes the module material, reading list, tutor support, assessment and college certificate on successful completion.

Any candidates then wishing to sign up for the full course will have the amount already paid deducted from the course total.


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Other Canine CoursesReaseheath College also offers a range of other canine related courses. These vary from term to term but include the following:

Practical Dog Training (Evenings)Companion Dog TrainingKennel Club Good Citizens Dog SchemeAgility for Fun

One Day Courses (Saturday)Your New PuppyCare and WelfareCanine CommunicationAvoiding Dog Behaviour ProblemsWorking with rescue DogsBringing your Rescue Dog HomeIntroduction to Showing and Ringcraft

In addition, some of the Canine Studies accredited courses are offered each term as a taught evening course.

Please contact the office for further details of current courses.

Reaseheath College Reaseheath Nantwich Cheshire CW5 6DF

01270 613166 / 613192

Documents

Welcome to Reaseheath College · Welcome to Reaseheath College 2 Course ... Module 2 – Learning Theories 1 ... 13. Setting up a Small Canine Business