How long are the courses?
The full day, DOGSAFE™ Canine First Aid - Part 1 course is 8 hours in length, including morning, lunch and afternoon breaks.
Our DOGSAFE™ Canine First Aid - Part 2 and Operation Find Fido™ workshops are each 2 1/2 hours in length including breaks.
The DOGSAFE™ for Puppies and DOGSAFE™ Bare Bones workshops are each 2 hours in length with plenty of breaks for the pooches.
Where are the courses held?
Between Dogsafe Head Office and our network of Dogsafe Authorized Instructors, we have courses in many area. Please see our Find A Course webpage for full details. If you do not have a course in your area, why consider becoming an Authorized Instructor?
How far in advance should I register?
There is no deadline for enrollment, however, the courses generally fill up quickly, especially in the fall and spring, so to avoid disappointment, register early to reserve your space. Please ensure that you have checked your calendar, as registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable once payment has been received.
What is the minimum age for students?
Our age guidelines have been set due to the mature subject matter of the course topics (bodily injuries to dogs, death in dogs, realities of emergencies, worst-case scenarios, etc), hands-on skill level requirements, concentration demands of an 8 hour course and academic level of the final course test.
Students need to be 14 years of age or older to attend on their own in the DOGSAFE Part 1 course and 16 years of age for any course or workshop where dogs are also in attendance - we're sticky on these age limits.
Students should be a minimum of 10 years of age to attend with an adult - we may make exceptions to this after discussion with a parent, please call us.
Please contact the individual DOGSAFE Instructor for further details and information.
I just want to buy the course manual, can I do that?
You bet! Please remember that reading a canine first aid handbook is not a replacement for supervised, hands-on learning in a classroom environment but we do understand that such training is not available in every area.
Our DOGSAFE course manual is a comprehensive 126 page handbook that is a priceless reference. The cost is $18.95 CDN plus tax and shipping/handling. We ship via Canada Post to anywhere in Canada or USA. We can provide a shipping/handling quote prior to shipping once zip or postal code is provided.
Do you have a distance education option?
Not yet. We strongly believe that canine first aid is a skill that needs to be learned in an environment that allows hands-on practice with realistic canine manikins while under the supervision of an experienced instructor. However, we also believe in win-win situations and we've certainly had a lot of requests for a distance education option. So, we are currently brainstorming how we can accomplish our requirements in a distance format. Please check back about this development or sign up for our blog newsletters here.
Can my dog come too?
The full day, DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid - Part 1 course is for people only so your dog gets the day off school. We believe that whenever you are with your dog, your focus should be 100% on them and since our DOGSAFE™ Part 1 course is very comprehensive, we will need your full attention. We use canine manikins where you can practice emergency skills that you cannot practice on live dogs.
However, we do feel that it is important to have supervised practice on your own dogs, so we also offer a DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid Part 2 Workshop -- both you and your dog attend. This is a fun 2 1/2 hour workshop where you practice all the skills you learned in Part 1, on your own dog. Bring your camera!
Prerequisite: DOGSAFE™Part 1.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes! After successful completion of the hands-on practice and written test, you will receive a frame-ready certificate that you can be proud to show your clients, friends and pooches. Certificates are valid for three years. All dog professionals, will also receive a DOGSAFE™ Certified jpeg logo for display on their websites, brochures and business cards as well as a complimentary listing on our Find A Certified Dog Professional webpage.
I have two dogs, can they both come?
Sorry, just one dog per handler. This is for the safety of everyone in the class, including students and dogs.
My dog is very rambunctious, can she still come?
Yes! We recommend that you fully exercise your dog before the workshop which will help her be successful. Working with a wiggly, higher energy dog will give you a good idea of the realities of dealing with a dog who might not want to be muzzled, restrained and bandaged! We always respect the limitations of the dog however, and take multiple breaks to chill out.
What if my dog doesn't like other dogs?
The DOGSAFE™ Part 2 workshop is about hands-on practice for you and your dog in a calm environment. Dogs are permitted to greet, if appropriate and with approval of the owners, but face-to-face greetings are not necessary and there is no off-leash play. If your dog requires more physical space to feel comfortable, we can usually accomodate this. In extreme cases, we can usually arrange visual barriers for your dog in order to reduce visual stimulation. DOGSAFE™ instructors are very experienced in canine behaviour and dog handling skills; they are there to assist you and your dog in any possible way. Please contact the individual DOGSAFE Instructor to discuss your particular situation. Limitation: if your dog has a history of bites to another dog or human, they will not be permitted to attend. Please call us to discuss your particular concerns further.
What do you require regarding vaccinations?
Generally, for dogs-are-welcome workshops, we will request that all dogs have vaccinations for canine distemper, canine parovirus and rabies within the last three years. We also accept serum antibody titer tests. We feel strongly that individual dog owners should be responsible for their own decision regarding vaccinations based on risk assessment of their dog's activities and health, upon discussion with their dog's veterinarian. If you choose not to vaccinate your dog, please contact the individual Dogsafe Instructor to discuss. Please refer to our Vaccination Information webpage for further details.
Can't I just read a book about finding lost dogs?
We understand that everyone's time is precious, however, we strongly believe that people learn best when auditory, visual and tactile learning styles are all addressed. Learning thru seeing, listening, moving, doing and touching is more memorable. And most importantly, we help you design and make the most effective lost dog flyers and posters in advance. Many people have good intentions to do this on their own but most just simply--do--not--get--it--done on their own!
Especially for dog professionals, attending the course and receiving the Operation Find Fido certificate is a way to promote to your clients that you are committed to safety -- much more credible than simply saying, "I read a book".
I am taking a puppy class already, what will I learn here that is different?
This workshop will add to your puppy's socialization by introducing your puppy to even more new experiences such as body handling, vital sign assessment and safety training such as drop it/leave it and door manners which is more effective if you train them right away. We will also teach you how to assess your puppy for illness, home safety and where to go for help. This gives you confidence and peace of mind so you can just enjoy your little bundle of fur.
When do you offer DOGSAFE for Puppies, it's not on the calendar?
Our most popular courses are DOGSAFE Canine First Aid Part 1, DOGSAFE Canine First Aid Part 2 and Operation Find Fido. As a result, we do offer DOGSAFE for Puppies occasionally, however, we require a minimum number of students. If you are interested in registering for DOGSAFE for Puppies, please contact us and let us know ... if we reach our minimum, we will contact you and proceed with final registration including payment.
How is this workshop different than the full day DOGSAFE Part 1?
DOGSAFE Canine First Aid Part 1 is a full day comprehensive training class where we not only introduce the topics of first aid but teach you what to do in response. The Bare Bones workshop does not cover first aid response, assessment or treatment but will teach you how to assess the baseline health of your dog and how to decide whether you need veterinary intervention. This is the bare bones basics that every dog owner should know. If you are interested in learning how to respond to a canine first aid situation, please register for the DOGSAFE Part 1 course.
How often do you offer the Bare Bones workshop?
Our most popular courses are DOGSAFE Canine First Aid Part 1, DOGSAFE Canine First Aid Part 2 and Operation Find Fido. As a result, we do offer the DOGSAFE Bare Bones workshop occasionally, however, we require a minimum number of students. If you are interested in registering for the DOGSAFE Bare Bones workshop, please contact us and let us know ... if we reach our minimum, we will contact you and proceed with final registration including payment.
Can I organize a private course for a group of friends?
Absolutely! If you have a group of friends that are interested in learning about canine first aid, why not organize a private DOGSAFE™course or workshop? All private courses are held on-site at your suitable location Please contact Dogsafe Head Office or individual Dogsafe Instructors for details.
Can I organize a private course for my customers or staff?
You bet! We love teaching private classes as the group dynamics are awesome since everybody already knows everybody else. Please contact Dogsafe Head Office or individual Dogsafe Instructors for details.
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