DOG CARE

Understand Dogs: Care, Behaviour and Management

Develop a deeper understanding of dogs, their needs and the principles of responsible care. Explore dog behaviour, health, management and the unique relationship between humans and canines.

This knowledge can help you provide better care for your own dog, create more suitable living environments, or build skills for working with dogs professionally.

Dogs are intelligent animals that have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, but they are not simply “small humans”. They experience the world differently, with unique senses, instincts and behaviours. Understanding these differences is essential for effective communication, training and care.

Whether your goal is to become a more informed dog owner, pursue professional development, or work towards a career or business involving dogs, this course provides valuable insights into the needs and characteristics of our canine companions.

Understanding dogs more fully allows you to create healthier, safer and more enriching environments — including dog-friendly gardens and spaces designed around their physical and behavioural needs.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction – The Nature and Scope of Dog Care
2. Canine Anatomy and Physiology
3. Nutrition and Preventative Health
4. Canine illnesses and Treatments
5. Dog Breeds
6. Canine Breeding
7. Understanding Dog Psychology and Training
8. Grooming Dogs
9. Dog Industry Enterprises and Opportunities

Aims

• Determine the typical daily needs of a dog, both physical and psychological. Discuss the nature and scope of services available to dog owners.
• Describe the internal and external anatomy of a dog. Explain the standard physiology of a dog.
• Identify common health issues that impact on a dog’s health, wellbeing and longevity. Determine appropriate measures to prevent problems arising or respond to problems in the first instance when they do arise.
• Describe common ailments and optional treatments for those ailments.
• Compare differentiating characteristics across breeds of dogs, including both desirable and undesirable characteristics.
• Describe how dogs are bred and how the purity of breeds is controlled. Discuss the dog breeding industry and how to operate a dog breeding business.
• Explain ways in which dogs can be trained. Discuss how to successfully operate a dog training or behavioural consultancy business.
• Explain how to groom a dog.
• Determine how to successfully operate a dog grooming business.
• Explain the scope and nature of a wide range of products and services involved in the dog industry.
• Determine how to successfully operate a range of different dog service businesses.

What Should You Feed Dogs?

Providing the right nutrition is essential for maintaining a dog’s health, energy levels and overall wellbeing. A dog’s dietary needs change throughout its life, with puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs requiring different levels of nutrients to support growth, maintenance and ageing.

Understanding Dog Nutrition and Food Allergies

Some dogs can develop food sensitivities or allergies, which may result in symptoms such as itchy skin, skin irritation, ear inflammation, digestive problems or discomfort in the paws. Common dietary triggers may include ingredients such as beef, wheat, soy and corn.

Identifying potential food allergies may involve an elimination diet under appropriate guidance or consultation with a veterinary professional to determine the most suitable dietary approach.

Choosing the Right Dog Food

Commercial dog foods are available in many forms and should be selected based on the individual dog's age, health, activity level and nutritional requirements. Veterinary advice can be valuable when choosing an appropriate diet, particularly for dogs with specific health concerns.

Dog food is generally available in two main types:

Dry food

• Convenient to store, measure and feed
• Often more economical
• Can support dental health through chewing
• May not suit dogs with certain sensitivities, depending on ingredients

Wet food

• Often higher in moisture, helping support hydration
• Can be highly palatable for many dogs
• May be suitable for dogs with particular dietary preferences or needs

Understanding a dog’s nutritional requirements helps owners make informed feeding choices that support long-term health and wellbeing.

Making your own dog food

It is perfectly fine for people to provide their dog with homemade food. However, they have to be prepared to put effort into ensuring their dog’s daily nutrition needs are being met.   Raw bones rather than cooked bones should be used.  It may be wise to consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist first to understand exactly what the dog requires. People should also be aware of any medical conditions their dog may have before giving them homemade food.

It may also be a good idea to start off making homemade dog treats before switching a dog entirely over to homemade food.  Once on homemade food, the owner should keep an eye out for any changes in skin, coat, weight and overall health – as these can be an indication of a nutrient insufficiency.

More to Dogs than Diet Though

Dog care obviously involves more than just feeding them though. This course helps you understand the full scope of things that should be considered and addressed when keeping a dog. By studying this course, you will understand different breeds and how the behaviours and needs vary from one breed to the next. Some breeds do have a tendency to develop certain health problems more than others; and some breeds are in a wide range of ways, easier and cheaper to care for than others.

How Will You Benefit?

• Follow your passion
• Fast track business or employment opportunities in dogs
• Study a course developed by veterinary and animal science professionals
• Save time -don't waste time and money traveling to classes
• Take control over when and where you study
• Take control over your speed of learning - halve the time to qualify if you want.
• Access to a team of tutors who work with animal science and veterinary care from across both Australia and the UK
• Develop a deeper understanding of dogs, and make better decisions about their management and care
• Develop connections with the pet industry, and see opportunities that may otherwise pass you by
• As a graduate, receive free career and business advice from our staff -yours for the asking.

Employment Prospects

• Pet shops
• Kennels
• Dog walking
• Dog Grooming
• Dog training
• Animal rescue
• Pet products -leashes, dog food, etc

Business Opportunities

• Buy or start up your own
• Part time or full time
• Low start ups may include dog walking, doggie day care
• Grooming or training
• Manufacture or buy in products to sell at online or at local markets
• People who love their pets will pamper them. Your business opportunities are only limited by your understanding of dogs and your ability to imagine ways an owner might pamper them.

Why Study with ACS?

Design your own learning pathway.

Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time. 

Receive prompt, expert support from our team of committed and friendly tutors.

Your learning is our priority. We are flexible and adaptable to meet your educational needs!