Isn't it funny how we all say we want to do something yet sometimes we don't do it? What's really going on? Every single dog owner or dog professional we've met thinks canine first aid is a great idea. Why then, do some people not attend our courses right away? Hmmmm...beats us! We have identified some common excuses though. Can you relate to any of these?
10. I don’t have time.
We all have limited time, so it’s really a question of what are your priorities? What do you want to spend your time on? Our 8 hour course is the equivalent of watching 4 dvd movies, cleaning the house on 4 weekends, 3 appointments for a haircut/colour, shopping on 2 Friday nights or 1 day at work. Is your dog, or your clients' dogs, as important as these?
9. The course is too far away.
If the only veterinarian to treat your dying dog was 45 minutes away, would you drive there? Of course you would! We view our courses as equally life-saving. Again, priorities. Many people will drive across multiple cities to follow their regular hairstylist even. Our convenient north Burnaby location is just off the highway and you won’t have rush hour traffic for a weekend course. Even students coming from Chilliwack take at most, 45 minutes. Is your dog, or your client's dog, worth 45 minutes of your time?
8. My vet is just around the corner.
Excellent! But that won’t help you when an accident occurs elsewhere, or if an injury occurs when the clinic is closed or if your dog is choking and you have only seconds to take action. We also address situations such as cut paws that you can handle on your own without even going to your vet clinic ... and that saves you time AND money.
7. I already have human first aid.
Excellent! While the principles of first aid will be the same, the techniques are different. How will you approach a dog that doesn’t want your help? How will you restrain a dog so you don’t get bit? What are the normal vital signs for a dog? How can you calm down a dog in a way that a dog will understand? How does a dog convey that he is in pain, besides the obvious yelping or growling? Canines need canine first aid ... same reason that dogs go to veterinarians and not human doctors.
6. I don’t have the money.
We all have limited money, we totally hear you. It comes back to priorities and the question becomes what do you want to spend your limited funds on? DOGSAFE courses are the equivalent of a dinner for two, a haircut and colour, a pair of jeans, tank of gas and a carwash, facial and manicure or a month of internet service. Is your dog as important as these? Vet appointments are expensive and even a simple limp may be hundreds and hundreds of dollars. You will learn how to handle minor injuries on your own and skip a vet visit altogether...saving you both money and time.
Regret is insight that comes a day too late.
- unknown
5. I don’t know my schedule or I'll do it later.
We are all busy. Hesitation in committing to a course date is another display of what your priorities are. This is your dog ... the one you love, the one who makes you laugh with his goofy antics, the one who makes you smile when he tilts his head just so when you speak in a high-pitched voice, the one you hang out with.
4. I’m a vet assistant / animal health technician.
Excellent! You will have some great knowledge as a base. Are you prepared to respond to a canine emergencies outside your work? Do you believe in on-going education in your field? We have had many vet assistants and techs attend our courses and the feedback has been extremely positive.
3. I love dogs, but don’t have one right now.
If there was a hurt dog on the side or the road, or in the park, would you like to know how to help him? Of course! -- you are a “dog person”. We’ve had many people without dogs attend our courses for that reason alone, or they want to help a friend's dog, or a neighbour's dog, or their own cat (since principles are the same).
2. I get all freaked out even thinking about it.
We hear you. It can be pretty scary to think about your dog getting seriously hurt. But avoiding fears does not make them go away. If you freak out just thinking about it, how will you handle a real situation? Your dog will need you. We will teach you how to go from “freaked out mode” to “confident, knowledgeable mode” in one day.
1. I don’t think I'll ever need it.
I am sure you don’t think you’ll have a fire in your house… yet you have smoke alarms and house insurance. Or you don’t think you will have an auto accident…yet you've been taught how to safely drive a car and have car insurance. Or you don’t think you will have an accident or illness while on holidays yet you get travel vaccinations and have travel medical insurance. Why? Because house fires happen, out-of-country illnesses happen, car accidents happen – every single day. Dogs become injured and ill -- every single day too.
Join our courses and workshops today to learn how to prevent accidents and respond to them so you can then forget about worrying and just go out and have fun with your pooch!
