Canine First Aid

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This course will equip you with the necessary education and training, enabling you to make informed decisions about your dog's health and perform emergency first aid when required.

We believe that by completing this course, you will not only feel more prepared and knowledgeable but also have the ability to respond effectively and efficiently during critical situations. Throughout the course, we will guide you through various practical scenarios and theoretical concepts, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of first aid techniques specifically tailored for dogs.

You will learn how to identify symptoms, administer immediate care, and take appropriate steps to alleviate your dog's discomfort or stabilise their condition.

Moreover, our program emphasises the importance of recognising and addressing emergency situations promptly and safely. We will provide you with the tools and knowledge to assess the severity of a situation and act accordingly, allowing you to provide the best possible care for your beloved best friend.

Enroll in our canine first aid course today and take the first step towards ensuring the health and safety of your dogs.

Sally Gutteridge has been a full-time educational writer since 2015, holding a variety of canine certifications up to level 6. She is a former professional Dog Trainer with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, a former instructor with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and has much rescue experience. Sally is a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. and an award-winning graduate of The Writers Bureau. Sally lives in Staffordshire with her ever-patient husband and three rescued, cheeky terriers.

Mastering Canine Health Assessments: Gain proficiency in performing health checks and understanding your dog's vital signs, a fundamental step in identifying health issues promptly and ensuring their wellbeing.
Safeguarding Your Environment: Learn the essentials of pet-proofing your home to prevent accidents, and compile a comprehensive canine first aid kit, ensuring you're prepared for any emergency.
Alleviating Discomfort: Acquire the skills to recognise signs of pain in your dog and provide first aid for minor cuts and wounds, mitigating their discomfort and preventing further complications.
Emergency Bandaging and Burn Care: Discover the techniques for applying bandages correctly and treating burns, an indispensable part of immediate care that protects your dog from infection and aids in the healing process.
Combatting Temperature Extremes: Understand the critical methods for managing life-threatening conditions such as heatstroke and hypothermia, ensuring you can stabilize your dog's temperature and prevent organ damage.
Tackling Bites and Seizures: Equip yourself with the knowledge to handle insect bites, stings, allergic reactions, and seizures, conditions that can escalate quickly without proper first aid intervention.

Emergency Response Tactics: Delve into the strategies for responding to road traffic accidents and dog attacks, learning to act swiftly and effectively to minimize injury and maximize the chance of recovery.
Life-Saving Techniques: Become adept at emergency procedures such as clearing airway obstructions and performing canine CPR, crucial skills that can mean the difference between life and death.
Water and Electrical Safety: Explore first aid responses to less common but equally dangerous situations like drowning and electric shock, preparing you to act with confidence in these critical scenarios.
Emergency Muzzle Fabrication: Learn how to make an emergency muzzle, a vital skill for managing an injured dog who may react aggressively due to fear or pain.
Bone Injury Management: Understand the steps to address broken bones, including how to make and apply a temporary splint to immobilize injuries and prevent further harm.
Hemorrhage Control: Develop the expertise to control bleeding and recognize signs of internal bleeding, enabling you to take immediate action to reduce blood loss and stabilize your dog before professional help arrives.

Foot and Nail Care: Discover how to treat broken nails and foot pad wounds, as well as burn injuries to the paws, ensuring your dog's mobility and comfort are swiftly restored.
Ear and Hearing Preservation: Learn to identify and treat common ear problems like otitis and hematomas, preventing discomfort and potential hearing loss.
Eye Care Emergencies: Gain insights into first aid care for various eye issues, protecting your dog's sight and alleviating pain with effective treatment strategies.
Gastrointestinal Troubles: Master the management of vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and the dangerous condition known as GDV, enhancing your ability to provide prompt and effective care for digestive disturbances.
Toxicity Challenges: Understand how to respond to different poisoning scenarios, including the ingestion of chocolate, equipping you with the knowledge to act quickly and reduce the risk of serious health consequences.

Revision Quizzes: Test your canine first aid knowledge as you study with interactive revision questions after each topic.
Tutored Assessments: Each module includes 5 questions with feedback from a Canine Principles tutor to guide you through your learning journey.
Canine Principles Certificate of Achievement: Display your new skills with pride and use the built in feature to share across social media platforms.
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) learning log to track progress: Download your CPD learning log to monitor and evidence your study.
Issuance of a CPD Certificate of Completion: Get an accredited certificate from the CPD Standards Office, including CPD hours
Participant feedback: Your chance to let us know what you think.

On successful completion of this programme, you will receive a downloadable Canine Nutrition and Wellness Expert certificate.

All Canine Principles certificate holders are pre-approved for a CPD Membership with the National Institute for Canine Ethics , an ABTC Member Organisation.

As a Canine Principles student, you are eligible for a Totum Pro student discount card, with great savings on big brand shops, travel and more.

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Canine Principles e-learning platform allows instant access to your course.

Access on-demand videos, course e-books, notes and class discussions on the move

Pick up where you left off on any device for a seamless learning experience

Boost your confidence, master the field, become a certified professional

No Wi-Fi? No Problem! Download your course books and study materials for offline study

Sign Up Today on your mobile then access your course on your laptop, tablet and smartphone at any time

Canine Principles e-Learning platform can be accessed instantly from any device with an internet connection.
Modules can also be downloaded for offline study.
Courses are written or recorded in English.
The minimum age for access to this course is 16 years.

We're confident that Canine Principles provides an amazing educational experience, with accurate and up to date course materials and friendly tutor support. We want you to be completely satisfied with your choice to enrol on any of our online dog courses. If you're not completely satisfied, we will provide a full refund within 14 days of enrolment, no questions asked.

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Canine Principles is a trading name of
CANINE PRINCIPLES LTD
Registered Company Number 11458645
VAT Registration Number: GB300008875
CPD Provider Registered Number: 60082
The CPD Standards Office

Welcome to Canine Principles

Thank you for enrolling on your learning experience. Your enrolment includes entry to the Canine Principles Facebook Study Group which is a highly positive group, filled with a vast range of experience. It would be great to have you join us.

Canine Principles welcomes students of all ability, experience and previous education. Whether you are a seasoned professional who wishes to further their personal development or an enthusiastic beginner with a passion for dogs, your self-paced study will be supported and guided with the same care and attention.

We appreciate it can be difficult and even daunting taking on a new study route. Education should be an enjoyable experience where the student is encouraged to thrive in their chosen field. We are far less concerned about grammar, spelling and formatting than we are about understanding the course material and demonstrating your knowledge of dogs.

Please don’t worry if you haven't studied for a while, you’re here now and that’s great. We aim for you to find this learning experience empowering and enlightening. With this in mind, we have prepared a short guide to help you achieve the most from your study.

Each individual has their own strengths, weaknesses and acquired skills that will help or hinder in their study. This guide is intended as an example of best practice that can easily be included in your current study routine.

Best Wishes,

Sally Gutteridge

Canine Principles Director of Studies

Get Some Exercise
In 2014, A University of Illinois Study, led by Dr. Chuck Hillman, found that as little as 20 minutes of exercise can lead to better cognition and memory, and higher scores on tests and examinations. This is great news for dog owners and something that you can definitely take advantage of as a daily walker.

Limit Distractions
Distractions can easily break our train of thought or pull us away from study all together. Find a suitable place to study that is conducive to learning. Set some time aside, ask for some privacy and turn off your phone.

Stay Hydrated
Dehydration contributes towards fatigue and poor memory. A 2012 study, conducted by the universities of East London and Westminster, found that results improved by an average of 10% when students kept hydrated throughout exams.

Read Out Loud
In 2015, Professor Victor Boucher of the University of Montreal completed research that suggested you are 50% more likely to remember information that has been read aloud than reading to yourself. You can either find a quiet place to read aloud to yourself or read directly to a friend or family member.

Teach as You Go
A step beyond reading aloud is to describe the lesson to somebody else. Try and make the subject understood and invite questions. If you don’t have the answer to the question, you have a new area of understanding to explore and study which will help to further your knowledge in a given subject.

Make Notes and Diagrams
Keep a pen and paper close to hand and be ready to note down specific areas of interest. Even if you are not artistic, a quick diagram that only you understand is a great aid to the memory and allows you to process the information in a different way.

Research
Even when you feel that you have fully understood a subject from the course material, take some time to research further by looking online, reading books or talking to others who are involved in the subject. The study group is a great place to meet like minded people who are also learning new topics.

Review
Going back over previous course topics and modules, with the benefit of newly acquired knowledge, can help us to understand the connection between subjects. If we only focus on one subject in isolation, the connection may never be made.

Create Flash Cards
Flashcards are a great way to test your knowledge. Write a subject on one side of the card and then explain the subject on the opposite side. You can either draw the cards randomly and test your own knowledge or ask a friend to help.

Each course will have a unique grading system, dependant on the number of questions and exercises available.

Assessments will begin by advising the maximum possible score for each section and how this score can be achieved. Every module has an overall pass mark of 80%. Whilst the pass score is 80%, any assessment that scores below this will be returned with constructive feedback. Feedback is intended to describe where further marks can be achieved. You can re-submit a revised assessment to improve your score.

Assessments that score between 80% and 100% will also be returned with feedback, however, there will be no further grading as the threshold for passing the module has been met.

Each assessment will be marked and returned within 3 - 5 days of receipt by your tutor. If you have submitted an assessment and have not received any correspondence within 4 days, contact us here, via email or the study group to confirm the assessment has been received.

Plagiarism is defined as:

“the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own”
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/plagiarism accessed online February 2018

Canine Principles has a duty of care to identify and deter plagiarism in order to comply with accreditation standards.

Before marking, all work is checked against Copyscape, an online plagiarism detection service. To avoid plagiarism, all work should contain original writing with the exception of small quotes and properly referenced research.

External research is a great way to improve your knowledge on any subject. Often, a course subject will be focused on the specific area that is relevant to the type of course. A course that covers the topic of scentwork may describe the scenting ability of a dog in great detail, whereas a course that covers dog training in general may only include a foundation knowledge of the same subject. For this reason, external research can provide an invaluable way of expanding on specific course subjects.

When you choose to include external research as part of your assessment, it is important that the work is clearly referenced. If you have previously studied at a higher level, you will be aware that there are many ways to reference your research. For the purpose of Canine Principles assessments, we are happy for you to include your references at the end of each answer.

References from online research can be included as a link to the source of the information:

Example:

...During a stressful experience, the canine immune system will begin to shut off nonessential functions in order to maximise the chances of survival. “The body sees no point in digesting food when danger is upon it. Neither does it place emphasis on fighting disease, for it is putting all that effort into fighting the threat on life itself, so the immune system shuts down.”...

(https://canineprinciples.com/fear-dog-physical-illness/ accessed online Feb 2018)

References from printed publications can be included in the following format:

Example:

A common mistake made by dog owners is to misinterpret canine communication in a way that suits our own style of communication and body language. “Anthropomorphism, the attribution of Human characteristics to non-human creatures – to phenomena such as weather, and even inanimate objects like rivers and mountains – is an intrinsic part of human nature.”

(John Bradshaw, In Defence of Dogs P.148)

In both examples, the external research is highlighted as a quotation and clearly referenced.

The following section includes 3 different answers to the same question. All of these answers are correct, however they will each vary in the level of demonstrated understanding.

Question: Describe how you would apply an emergency improvised muzzle to a dog, for the purpose of performing first aid safely.

i. Create a large loop in a bandage and slowly slip it over the dog’s muzzle. Tighten the loop so the dog’s mouth remains closed and he can’t open it. Pass the ends under the chin, knot again and then tie behind the ears to secure it.

This answer describes the correct process of applying an emergency muzzle. The method is correct; however, no consideration has been given to safety. To improve on this, and answer the full question, we can include more detail...

ii. Slowly approach the dog, talking gently. Create a large loop in the gauze bandage and slowly slip it over the dog’s muzzle. At this point, it is best to stand behind the dog. Tighten the loop so the dog’s mouth remains closed and he can’t open it, not so tight as to cause pain. Pass the ends under the chin, knot again and then tie behind the ears to secure it.

This answer has improved and includes personal safety advice. We now have a correct answer that covers the whole question. To demonstrate our understanding of the subject, we can go one step further and cover the whole subject in greater detail.

iii. Any injured dog, no matter how gentle they are normally, can bite when painful or panicked. Unfortunately, an injured animal is highly likely to bite, even if you are trying to help them. You may also be in a situation where you need to help a strange dog during an emergency. It is a useful and important skill to be able to muzzle a dog in an emergency situation. Some people will carry a muzzle in their car for emergency situations. However, you can also use a shoelace or gauze bandage. Slowly approach the dog side on, talking gently to reassure them. Be mindful of the dog’s body language and communication efforts while he is experiencing pain. Create a large loop in the gauze bandage and slowly slip it over the dog’s muzzle. At this point it is best to stand behind the dog to prevent direct eye contact. Tighten the loop so the dog’s mouth remains closed and he can’t open it, not so tight as to cause pain. Pass the ends under the chin, knot again and then tie behind the ears to secure it. NEVER apply a muzzle if the dog is struggling to breathe or vomiting.

This final version is an excellent demonstration of the whole subject. We have added information about the subject of emergency muzzles and included advice for keeping the dog free from additional pain or suffering.

You will receive positive, personal feedback from tutors who are always available to answer any questions and guide you through your learning experience. If you ever have any questions about course material or assessments, you can contact us here via email or through the study group.

Students are also encouraged to support each other, through access to a private study group where discussions and new information are shared daily.

Students are also encouraged to support each other, through access to a private study group where discussions and new information are shared daily.

Canine Principles offers both self-paced and time sensitive courses.

Self-paced - All CPD Diploma Courses, CPD Certificate Courses, Workshops, Webinars and Self Study Courses are completely self-paced learning with no deadlines for assessments or completion.

Qualifications - All regulated qualifications inherit a 2 year registration period. The cost of registration is included with initial enrolment. When the 2 year registration period expires, students may re-register for an additional registration fee. Fees vary by course, please contact us for details.

CPD Courses
Upon successful completion of your course, you will receive 2 certificates. The first certificate is supplied by Canine Principles and the second is supplied by the CPD Standards Office. All Certificates are available to download on successful completion and marking of the final exercise.

Qualifications
Upon successful completion of your course, you will receive 2 certificates. The first certificate is supplied by Canine Principles and the second is supplied by AIM Qualifications, an independent awarding body. Both certificates will be available as a digital downloads only.

All Other Courses & Workshops
These courses come with a single Canine Principles digital certificate of completion.

You will receive positive, personal feedback from Tutors who are always available to answers any questions and guide you through your learning experience. Tutors will respond to assessments within 48 hours (72 hours during weekends)

Students are also encouraged to support each other through built in student community and private Facebook Study Group. where discussions and new information are shared daily.

Thank you!

Canine Principles courses are externally accredited and have been reviewed by the accrediting body for quality and content.

Qualifications Canine Principles is an AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group recognised centre and has been approved to deliver AIM Qualifications. AIM Are an awarding body recognised by Ofqual.

Registered Provider Number: 161711
Each qualification carries an 8 digit qualification number that can be referenced against the existing qualification framework.

CPD courses are accredited by the CPD Standards Office.

All students must be aged 18 years+

Courses are assessed at the end of each module.

Qualifications Each module of a regulated qualification course, typically includes 2-4 written exercises and represent the module as a whole. Word counts and referencing guidelines are made clear for each assessment. Tutors will score assessments based on the agreed learning objectives. Students must keep an evidence file of all assessments for external auditing purposes.

CPD Courses The format may vary, dependent on the course. Typically, each module of a certificate course includes 5 - 10 revision questions and a single exercise.

Self Study Courses These courses are assessed via multiple choice quizzes.

Enrol on your chosen course directly from the course overview page.

Enrolled courses can be accessed anytime via the student dashboard. Once you are logged in to you account, select your course and you will be taken directly to the learning materials.

Online elements require an internet connection and suitable device.

Course books can be studied online or downloaded for offline reading.

Solutions to common account issues:

Course(s) not showing on dashboard
Skill-Hub courses are only available while there is an active subscription. Check your account to show the most recent payments and membership expiry.

Occasionally, students have more than one account as they have signed up for a free course or newsletter with a different email. Contact us using the form to solve this issue.

Email not recognised
Check all spelling is correct. Check the email account for previous correspondence from Canine Principles. If everything seems normal, contact us using the form to solve this issue.

Password Reset
You can manage your password here.

Manage subscription
You can manage your subscription settings directly from your student account page.

We welcome students of any age*, education or previous experience. Occasionally, our courses will require some prior learning. This will always be made clear in the course description.

(*All students must be aged 18 years+)

Canine Principles Skill-Hub is a monthly/annual subscription learning service. Membership allows unlimited* access to all self-study courses, workshops and webinars. Some courses and workshops are exclusive to the Skill-Hub, including the Skill-Hub members area, including presentations, interviews and webinars from a variety of Canine Professionals.

The 3 day free trial requires credit/debit card details to begin. Your card will be billed automatically when the trial expires and every month subsequently.

You can manage your subscription here.

We currently have students and graduates from over 30 countries worldwide. Online learning allows us to support all students, no matter where in the world you may be.

All courses are online study. You will not need to travel for assessments.

All Courses are written in the English language.

AIM qualifications only apply to students from the UK.

Canine Principles offers both self-paced and time sensitive courses.

Self-paced - All CPD Diploma Courses, CPD Certificate Courses, Workshops, Webinars and Self Study Courses are completely self-paced learning with no deadlines for assessments or completion.

Qualifications - All regulated qualifications inherit a 2 year registration period. The cost of registration is included with initial enrolment. When the 2 year registration period expires, students may re-register for an registration fee. Fees vary by course. Please contact us for details.

Canine Principles pledges to teach only kind, force-free, positive methods that promote mental and physical well-being for dogs, in line with current scientific research. Our courses occasionally discuss the use of other training methods, with the intention of providing education in why these approaches are ineffective and harmful to learning.

You will receive positive, personal feedback from Tutors who are always available to answers any questions and guide you through your learning experience. Tutors will respond to assessments within 72 hours (98 hours during weekends)

Students are also encouraged to support each other through built in student community and private Facebook Study Group. where discussions and new information are shared daily.

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Boost Your Knowledge Of Canine First Aid

Education, Confidence And Preparation For Common Injuries And Emergency Situations

Do You Know How To Treat A Dog In An Emergency First Aid Situation?

Empower yourself to handle emergency first aid situations.

Sally Gutteridge

What's in the Course?

Basic First Aid & Emergency Response

Handling Major Emergencies

Specific Conditions and Care

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Welcome Back

Your Canine First Aid Course Is Waiting...

Canine First Aid

CPD Accredited Certificate

Updated For 2024

Boost Your Knowledge Of Canine First Aid

Education, Confidence And Preparation For Common Injuries And Emergency Situations

Do You Know How To Treat A Dog In An Emergency First Aid Situation?

Empower yourself to handle emergency first aid situations.

Sally Gutteridge

What's in the Course?

Basic First Aid & Emergency Response

Handling Major Emergencies

Specific Conditions and Care

Course Completion

Certificate of Achievement

NICE Membership

Student Discounts

Course Bundles Available

Anatomy+Nutrition +First Aid +Pharmacology

Save Over £140

Ready To Learn

What methods will I learn?

Who can join the programme?

Are there any course requirements?

How is the programme assessed?

Is this course accredited?

How many CPD hours will I gain?

2 Ways to Enrol

Choose a payment option to suit your CPD budget.

Single Payment

£99

Spread the Cost

£33.33

14 Day Satisfaction Guarantee

Recommended For You

Follow Us

Exclusive News & Offers

Canine Principles#Dog Skills For Humans

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