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Pet Related Education Courses - Animal - Canine - Equine - Listings
There are a number of individuals and organisations offering pet related
educational courses for owners and pets / animals.
Pet Related Courses 2009
January
February
How To Have A Calmer Dog
Friday 27 February 2009
at
All Saints Church Hall Complex
Chapel Green, Church Road,
Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1ED
Sheila Harper
Following on from her one-day course in Crowborough last year on how to reduce
stress in dogs, Sheila Harper presents a brand new seminar. This time she will
consider some of the more practical aspects of reducing hyperactivity and having
a calmer dog.
Every aspect of the time spent with a dog can make a difference to the overall
balance and well-being of the individual. You cannot tell a dog to calm down
or teach him by training, but by working towards reducing stress levels and improving
the bond between you a state of calmness and confidence can be achieved..
Learn more about how dogs communicate, implementing our philosophy in your interaction
with dogs. Learn an innovative, gentle and positive approach to understanding
and working with dogs.
Join us to find out more about
• handling techniques to promote calmness
• lead work to avoid pulling and consequently health issues
• calming strategies
• quiet yet stimulating games and activities to build self-confidence
• how enrichment can provide a dog with coping strategies
• why choice can make a real difference
• how to form a true partnership promoting trust and self-esteem
Have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of various types of equipment
and their effects on the dog’s well being and ability to communicate with
other dogs.
The day will also include some practical demonstrations on enriched environments,
nose work games, lead work and calming handling techniques and body work.
-~O~-
Living with a Dog with a Past
28 February & 1 March 2009
at
Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Rake, Nr. Liss GU33 7JA
Sheila Harper
£99.00 (No handler places)
Living with a dog with a troubled past or even an unknown past can be both
challenging and rewarding, depending upon our expectations and demands. It is
vital to consider how much we are prepared to take the time to understand him
as an individual and to recognise his specific needs.Introducing a new dog into
the home can be a sensitive time for the dog and for other family members whether
they have two legs or four.
Despite even the most careful planning, expectations
may not match reality. As well as helping you to understand your dog and his
past, Sheila will give you some pointers to consider, particularly in relation
to stress management for all and possible strategies to make the transition as
smooth as possible.
This course will also endeavour to cover:
• Needs including exercise and nutrition
• Enrichment
• Building relationships
• How to build a balanced life for your dog
• When to start training and what form it should take
• How to deal with common behaviour problems
• What these dogs can bring us
You will be taken on a journey looking at a range of issues from behaviour
to health, from needs to fulfilment, culminating in the examination of what having
a dog with a past is all about. Included are practical suggestions to ensure
that the dog becomes a happy member of the family.
Whether pet owner or professional involved with re-homing, this course provides
a fascinating insight into why dogs behave as they do and how common mistakes
can be avoided.
Sheila has shared her life with a number of “difficult” dogs during
the last 20+ years. She has learned a huge amount from each one through trials
and tribulations to joy and delight - this knowledge she can now pass on to you.
March
April
Lead Aggression &
Canine Communication
18th and 19th April 2009
At
Milland Valley Memorial Hall, Iping Road, Milland, GU30 7NA
Turid Rugaas
£125.00 (No handler places)
Presented by Turid Rugaas, one of the worlds leading experts on dog behaviour
who has made a huge impact throughout the world with her insight into canine
communication and understanding of dog behaviour. Essential knowledge for anyone
who has anything to do with dogs either on a professional basis, such as vets,
behaviourists, dog trainers and those working in rescue kennels, or for pet owners.
The
body language of dogs is often misunderstood and misinterpreted and our interaction
can lead to conflict or even confrontation. By nature dogs are conflict solvers,
and correct handling is extremely effective with dogs showing defensive behaviours,
normally labelled by most of us as aggressive. Simply by using the correct body
language we can help reduce a build-up of stress, consequently helping fearful,
excitable and hyperactive dogs. Learn what you dog is thinking, learn how to
communication with him and make a start on solving your problems!Many dogs for
example, are quite happy off lead but often their behaviour seems to deteriorate
once they are on lead as they often lunge, bark and can be difficult to calm
down.. Why do they behave in a manner that society perceives as unacceptable
and what can we do to help them to change their behaviour?Turid will deal with
these questions during these two days and the following topics will also be discussed
in more detail:
• How to recognise body language and signals
• When working on lead, how does the handler influence situations?
• How does the way in which the dog is handled influence on-lead behaviour?
Turid now spends most of her time spreading her message worldwide. She is
president of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe, an organisation devoted to teaching
through kindness and respect.
-~O~-
May
June
The Kingdom of Scent
Exploring the World through your Dog’s Senses
5th, 6th and 7th June 2009
Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Rake, Nr. Liss, GU33 7JA
Anne-Lill Kvam
£180.00 (Handler places £15.00 supplement)
Scent work is one of the most enjoyable ways for all dogs to spend their time
and encouraging them to engage their natural instincts allows us to see our best
friends in a new light. Only through observing the capabilities of the dog at
work can we begin to have any understanding of just how well adapted they are
for survival and social co-operation. Did you know that your dog’s sense
of smell is so finely tuned that he can detect two grains of sand in a beach
500 metres long by 50 metres wide by 50 centimetres deep? How incredible is that!
So, what is “scent discrimination”? Quite simply, it is the ability
to discriminate between smells or to pick one scent among others.. A drugs dog
can recognise the smell of a certain drug amongst the scents of food, sweat,
leather, oil, tobacco, practically anything, in fact. Do you have a food allergy?
You can teach your dog to detect, for example, traces of gluten, soya or peanuts
in your food. Or in these days of the “credit crunch“, how about
you and your dog teaming up to search for truffles - could be a nice little earner!!
Whether you are a professional or a pet dog owner wanting to share fun activities
with your dog, why not join us for a stimulating and unforgettable three days?
All ages and abilities will be catered for and don’t worry if you think
your dog doesn’t know that he’s got a nose - there will be help at
hand!
Anne-Lill runs her own dog training school in Norway, situated on a wooded farm.
She is in high demand throughout Europe and Japan as a stimulating speaker and
her new book, “Kingdom of Scent” is one of our best sellers. Not
only has Anne Lill trained dogs in search and rescue, but she also spent two
and a half years in Angola training dogs to detect land mines. She has an unusual
gift, a real passion for her work and a wonderful understanding of how dogs learn
and how best to teach them. Anne-Lill understands their body language and takes
into account how dogs feel. This in itself gives her a distinct advantage over
other trainers, and means that she can achieve results with dogs that other professional
would be hard-pressed to emulate.
July
An Invitation to Play!
4th and 5th July 2009
Christina Sondermann
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0QZ
You are invited to come and play with us this weekend! This course is based
on Christina’s hugely successful book “Playtime for your dog”.
Playing with your dog not only enhances the bond between you, but also forms
and important part in the development of his well-being by building self confidence,
on top of which it’s fun!
This course will help you discover games and activities that both you and your
dog can enjoy on an everyday basis with little financial outlay and no previous
experience. Amongst other ideas, you will
• Be amazed at your dog’s sense of smell
• Surprise him with amusing chew games
• Master a living room agility course
• Turn your walks into exciting adventures
The ideas are easy to do, can be integrated into your normal life without
much time needed for complex training. Everybody, two or four-legged, who enjoys
joint activities can join in independent of height, fitness or knowledge. Suitable
for all ages of dogs, from puppies to old age.
Christina Sondermann has worked with deas on how to provide for and fulfil dogs’ needs
for many years now. She is involved with dog friendly, stress free training methods
and creating a harmonious relationship between dogs and their owners with her
internet project www.fun-with-dogs.com She organises seminars and workships for
dog owners and trainers, and also works as an author for a dog magazine.
-~O~-
How to be a Dog Detective
18th and 19th July 2009
At
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0QZ
Sally Askew BSc (Hons), C&G SAN, GEOTA Cert, MBTER
Aimed at all the budding Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watsons out there, no matter
how much detective work you have already undertaken! Bring along your magnifying
glass and deer stalker (you can leave your pipe at home!) to unearth the mysteries
behind dog behaviour. Gather together the tools you need and find out how to
collect the evidence to make a thorough investigation into canine behaviour and
misbehaviour.
What happens when our dogs “commit crimes”? Is it intentional? Is
it behaviour we can expect? Or could there be reasons behind it that mean that
they might not be able to help acting in this way? When problems arise, we tend
to search for the most obvious solutions and then become frustrated when we only
get a limited response. Join Sally to find out why this is. Often we see short
term improvements but then the pattern of behaviour begins to slip back. Sally
aims to explore the reasons behind this.
Take bullying, for example. Did you know that this behaviour could arise from
a mineral imbalance? Or that it could be learnt from inappropriate play? And
how can we help a dog who is either a bully or who has been bullied? What about
a dog that won’t perform in the ring? Could there be more to this than
just being “stubborn”?
Let’s search for the clues and analyse the evidence together! It’s
important to be thorough and to look at every possible angle in order to understand
the underlying cause of any problems rather than looking at the symptoms.
This course will include the role of many of the following when making deductions:
social contact; socialisation; health; nutrition; mineral balance; relationships;
training; mental stimulation; breed; body work.
Sally has worked tirelessly over the past few years to improve the lives of dogs
physically, emotionally and behaviourally. With interests in complementary therapies,
health and behaviour she has a whole toolbox to draw on, along with a real empathy
for dogs. Sally is a qualified teacher and trainer of people and dogs. She is
a full member of the PDTE and the APDT, a qualified Bowen Technique practitioner
for humans and dogs and a member of the Guild of Essential Oil Therapists for
animals. She is a human nutritionist and is one of the few outside of the veterinary
profession to have a qualification in small animal nutrition. Sally offers a
truly holistic approach to living with dogs.
August
Meat and Two Veg? - A Guide to Canine Nutrition
1st and 2nd August 2009
Sally Askew BSc (Hons), C&G SAN, GEOTA Cert, MBTER
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0QZ
Many of us are now becoming aware that if we feed our dogs better food they
are more likely to live a longer and healthier life. Unfortunately, there are
so many conflicting opinions as to how to feed our dogs to best satisfy their
needs and to keep them in optimum health it can be very confusing. We now know
that the food we feed our pets can also affect their behaviour, yet many dogs
are being put through unnecessary behavioural modification programmes when they
really need dietary help. This workshop will guide you through some of the nutritional
mazes and should provide one of your best investments towards your dog’s
health and may even promote better behaviour!
This course is for anyone who wants to find out more - whether you are a pet
owner, vet, trainer or behaviourist or work with rescue dogs. Topics are likely
to include as many of the following as Sally can cover in the time
* Facts on diet and well-balanced diets
* Problems arising from feeding the wrong diet
* Comparisons between commercial, home prepared and raw food diets
* Factors to consider in choosing the right diet for your dog
-~O~-
Canine Activity Holiday
6th - 10th August 2009 inclusive
At
The Lamp Room, Museum of Cannock Chase,
Valley Road, Hednesford, Staffordshire WS12 1TD
Sheila Harper
A fun learning holiday that you can share with or without your dog, surrounded
by like-minded people, staying in local accommodation.
This could be entitled, “Training for Life” - stress-free activities
including natural obstacle courses, walks, fun nose work, tracking, training
your dog to help you, fun and games and much more! Activities may included a
treasure hunt, or an organised dog walk on Cannock Chase.
Learn more about how dogs communicate, implementing our philosophy in your interaction
with dogs. Learn an innovative, gentle and positive approach to understanding
and working with dogs.
We have been running similar events since the mid-1990’s. They provide
a unique opportunity to extend your knowledge, learn new techniques or to enjoy
each other’s company at a slow, relaxed pace in an informal atmosphere.
Make new friends or meet old ones, exchange ideas, network, relax and socialise.
Our holiday will be held in English but we often have international flavour with
previous visitors coming from as far afield as the USA and Israel. Whether you
are a handler or spectator you are bound to have a great time!
The day usually runs from 10am to 5pm although we may leave one afternoon free
to allow you to explore the local area. Demonstrations or short theory sessions
are interspersed with practical sessions and coffee breaks.
For any partners not intending to join in with the holiday there is a whole host
of things to do in the area. From historic buildings such as Lord Lichfield’s
estate, Shugborough Hall, museums and gardens to theme parks, shopping, playing
golf, or just relaxing, this area is brimming with ways of spending time. There
is a variety of walking/biking / horse riding terrain, ranging from forest, hills
and heath land to canal towpaths and more gentle landscape. We can provide a
guide to the area beforehand upon request.
Various types of accommodation are available, ranging from dog-friendly camping
to cottages or B&B. Further information will be sent with confirmation of
your place.
Venue: The Museum of Cannock Chase is situated right next to Cannock Chase, an
ideal area for dog walking, and which is beautiful at any time of year
-~O~-
Canine Activity Holiday
Exploring your dog’s natural abilities
13th - 17th August 2009 inclusive
At
The Lamp Room, Museum of Cannock Chase,
Valley Road, Hednesford, Staffordshire WS12 1TD
Sheila Harper
Calling all dogs!!
Bring along your humans and show them what you can do! This Activity Holiday
is designed to explore your natural instincts and abilities with all sorts of
challenges, puzzles and problem solving activities in an informal, relaxed and
thoroughly enjoyable setting.
As every self-respecting dog knows, your sense of smell is truly amazing - but
does your owner appreciate this? All kinds of nose work from tracking, searching
and scent discrimination help to occupy and stimulate you as nature intended.
In a true partnership between dog and human engaged in nose work where each trusts
the other, an intense collaboration emerges providing a balanced team striving
to achieve a united goal.
All your other senses will be challenged too, so if nose work is not your forte,
don’t worry there will be plenty of other things that you can excel at
and amaze your human! For those of you who are lacking in self confidence this
holiday will really boost your self esteem and prove to you what a great dog
you are!
You may even have the chance to increase your social network (you never know,
your human may even make friends too!)
So, use your best powers of persuasion and get your human to book early for what
we know will be a fun time. We look forward to seeing you all!
This part is for the humans:
We have been running similar events since the mid-1990’s. They provide
a unique opportunity to extend your knowledge, learn new techniques or to enjoy
each other’s company at a slow, relaxed pace in an informal atmosphere.
Make new friends or meet old ones, exchange ideas, network, relax and socialise.
Our holiday will be held in English but we often have international flavour with
previous visitors coming from as far afield as the USA and Israel. Whether you
are a handler or spectator you are bound to have a great time!
The day usually runs from 10am to 5pm although we may leave one afternoon free
to allow you to explore the local area. Demonstrations or short theory sessions
are interspersed with practical sessions and coffee breaks.
For any partners not intending to join in with the holiday there is a whole host
of things to do in the area. From historic buildings such as Lord Lichfield’s
estate, Shugborough Hall, museums and gardens to theme parks, shopping, playing
golf, or just relaxing, this area is brimming with ways of spending time. There
is a variety of walking/biking / horse riding terrain, ranging from forest, hills
and heath land to canal towpaths and more gentle landscape. We can provide a
guide to the area beforehand upon request.
Various types of accommodation are available, ranging from dog-friendly camping
to cottages or B&B. Further information will be sent with confirmation of
your place.
Venue: The Museum of Cannock Chase is situated right next to Cannock Chase, an
ideal area for dog walking, and which is beautiful at any time of year
September
Building Relationships
5th and 6th September 2009
At
Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Rake, Nr. Liss, GU33 7JA
Gerd Koehler
£99.00 (Handlers £15.00 supplement)
The dogs in our lives can be friends, partners, helpers and teachers but as in
all relationships misunderstandings and stress can arise. Although we have a
lot in common with dogs, both species perceive the world around us in different
ways.
To build a deep and stable relationship with our dogs, we need to understand
how the dog experiences the world in which we live and try to understand his
communication both with us and with his own species.
The theoretical and practical themes during this weekend will cover, amongst
others:
• How dogs experience the world
• Suggestions as to how to work towards having a balanced, stable relationship
• What kind of activities can help to build trust between dogs and humans?
• How to educate and train dogs without destroying trust and friendship?
• How to build trust with rescue or re-homed dogs
• How to help dogs suffering from insecurity and fear after having previous
bad experiences with people or other dogs
• How to build confidence in order to improve the chances of rehabilitation
As humans we have a choice but our dogs do not have this luxury. It is our responsibility
to make sure we do everything we can to understand their world.
Gerd Koehler -
Gerd Koehler has been involved with human communication for many years. His cats
and dogs have taught him to read even subtle body signals enabling him to understand
human body language more clearly. Gerd lives in Germany working in animal shelters
and dog clubs where he trains people to communicate with dogs. He also works
as an animal photographer where his love of all creatures is very much apparent.
Gerd has completed the IDTS in Germany with Sheila Harper and is a member of
the PDTE. He uses dog friendly and stress free training methods.
October
Help! I Can’t Cope!
An Introduction to Stress in Dogs
2 October 2009
At
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST16 0QZ
Sheila Harper
A one day course designed to increase awareness of the issues surrounding
stress in dogs. It is important to appreciate both the physical and mental affects
of stress in dogs and to understand the contributory factors. From dogs that
have difficulty competing, to those that become sound sensitive or reactive with
other dogs, it is important to examine the issues that result in this behaviour
and to offer strategies to help them live a more balanced life.
Do you have a dog who is a “Jekyll and Hyde” character - can behave
beautifully in some situations and be a nightmare in others; hyper-active, pacing
up and down and however much exercise and play you give him he never seems to
tire out and is rarely able to settle; is always on the go - demanding and determined
to get your attention? Or, do you have a dog that has shut down and retreated
from the world; has high energy one minute and then flops the next; has little
or no tolerance, no energy and doesn’t like being touched; is also sight
and sound sensitive, barking at or reacting to anything and everything?
Other pointers to possible stress issues are:
• Dogs that bite the leash, jump up or bite trouser legs or feet
• Dogs with skin allergies, digestive problems or other illnesses that never
seem to clear up, or those that are always at the vets
• Dogs that chase shadows, flies or dig at light patches, or those that
are constantly licking their feet or chasing their tail.
Often just a few minor changes can made a huge impact to the dog’s ability
to cope and also can build up our relationship with dogs. Sheila offers a real
insight into the reasons behind such extreme behaviour ranges including a number
of useful tried and tested practical strategies for making life easier for you
and your dog. Unique techniques that have proven to be extremely effective have
been developed over the years.
This course is theoretical although case studies will be used along with video
footage and some discussion or group work. Included will be practical techniques
for reducing conflict, strategies for management and problem solving, stress
reduction and handling techniques. We will help you maximise your dog’s
learning potential.
-~O~-
Canine Aggression
3rd and 4th October, 2009
At
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0QZ
Sheila Harper
As behaviour advisors and trainers we have been working with defensive dogs
for years on a regular basis with a huge amount of success. With an ever-increasing
number of methods constantly presenting themselves we have a reputation for approaching
this subject from a different aspect each time, using gentle methods to encourage
appropriate behaviour.
Our approach works for real dogs in the real world. We take care to understand
the needs of each dog and provide an appropriate programme according to those
needs..
We begin with putting the dog in a position to learn, building trust whilst reducing
the likelihood of reactivity. Working outside the dog’s critical distance
from the feared object - be it human or unfamiliar dog - allows the dog to build
confidence in his abilities to cope without suppressing the fear and offering
choices improves his coping strategies.
Some information presented will reflect that included in previous seminars of
this nature but we aim to include a number of case studies in addition. Whenever
dealing with behaviour problems of any kind, we always assume an holistic approach
within the limits of our skills and knowledge. An adage by which we live is “First,
do no harm.”
The following is implicit in our work:
• Understanding the dog, its needs and aggression from the dog’s point
of view
• Sympathetic consideration of the emotional state and feelings of the dog
• First-aid for decreasing aggression
• Techniques to prevent escalation of unwanted behaviours
• Teaching alternative behaviours and allowing the dog to make appropriate
choices
• Developing observational skills
• Handling skills to avoid conflict and to manage difficult situations
• Coping mechanisms and levels at which the dog can cope for optimum learning
• Stress reduction programmes
Focus will be on the theoretical during this course although slides and video
footage will feature prominently in the material presented and will provide a
basis for analysis.
-~O~-
Rescue and Rehoming
10th and 11th October 2009
At
Rake Village Hall, Brewells Lane, Rake, Nr Liss, GU33 7JA
Sandra Lockwood
£99.00 (No handler places)
This course is for anyone interested in the challenges and joys of rescue dogs.
Find out how to make the transition between homes as easy as possible and about
the importance of environment and contact, whether it be in the kennel or home.
Each rescue dog has specific needs and it is essential that staff and new owners
do their utmost to fulfil these needs and consequently to improve life quality
both for the dog and the owner.
This course is suitable for pet owners considering or already owning a rescue
dog, as well as for professionals working in a rescue environment and wishing
to find examples of good practice or even to network.
Course content is likely to include:
• Admissions into kennels, priorities
• Home to home and foster homes
• Housing for life quality - environmental enrichment
• Choices: cleanliness or quality time for dogs
• Stress management and recovery time
• Good practice and its unexpected rewards
• Re-homing - benefits and pitfalls
• First impressions - are they important, for whom and why
• Progressing at the dog’s pace
• The role of volunteers
• Thought provoking case studies on the initial assessment of dogs
Sandra Lockwood -
Sandra runs the pioneering Millstream Animal Shelter in Manchester. She is committed
to providing the best possible experience for the animals in her care and works
tirelessly to educate people on how to successfully rehabilitate animals and
help them become happy family members. Sandra completed the IDTS with Sheila
in 2000 - 2002, taking her newly gained knowledge on stress reduction and environmental
enrichment back to the animal shelter. Subsequently making sweeping changes throughout
Millstream, she has created an environment that provides the best possible psychological
and physical care that is unrivalled even by the best-known and most highly-funded
rescue kennels world-wide. Her work also involves educating the public on how
to keep a happier, healthier dog. She guides prospective owners to choose the
right dog for their circumstances, provides follow up support for both them and
their dog, and also sets up foster homes for puppies and older dogs.
-~O~-
Solving Behaviour Problems
16th , 17th and 18th October 2009
Sheila Harper
Little Haywood Village Hall, Chilwell Avenue,
Little Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0QZ
A much requested course that offers the opportunity to consider how behaviour
problems can be analysed and considerations that should be taken into account.
It is intended that this course will provide a more practical aspect to solving
problems and those attending will be guided towards working together in groups
to discuss video footage and various case studies. Although genuine case histories
may be provided by Sheila, it is also hoped that there will be two real life
case studies presented for students to work through.
So, what really is a behaviour problem? Sheila will guide you through the reasons
behind these challenges and the possible stress issues. Solving the problem means
looking for the root cause and not just reacting to the symptoms, but it is important
to understand the difference between the symptoms and the root cause. Once the
whole process has been thoroughly explored then a programme can be set up to
teach both dog and owner to work towards a better relationship and understanding.
Where appropriate, the following will be included:
• Information gathering
• Considering various lines of enquiry
• Observation and assessment of the dog, its emotional state and stress
issues
• Examination of the relationship between dog and owner
• Analysis of information
• Considering the necessary skills required by the dog and the handler
• Strategies for helping clients
• Specifying the steps necessary to achieve the desire alteration in behaviour,
analysing their likely effect, with a few thoughts on “quick fixes” and
their long term effects.
• Teaching alternative behaviours
• Practical handling strategies
November
December
Pet Related Courses 2010
January
To get your course listed please send the details to us via e-mail. There
is an admin fee of £10.00p per listing - we will raise an invoice, payable
prior to listing. This offer includes one image (supplied by you) and one hyper-link
to a website of your choice.
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