Has anyone done any of the Animal Care College courses? I am interested in starting the Intro to Canine Psychology with a view to then completing the Intermediate and Advanced. I am worried that I will not be able to do it, it is 5 years since I last worked and being busy with 2 small children and 2 dogs my brain feels very drowsy! Would be great to hear from someone who has done one of their courses or similar, especially when working it around other commitments. We are hoping to have a new pup in December too!

Thank You!

Hayley

Hi,

I have never done any of the courses from this college but I studied 3 years at an Agricultural College doing Animal Science and I found the psychology part really interesting, this was a full time course though. With regards to home study, you have to be really commited and self motivating, I have just completed my financial adviser exams, it took me just over a year to do all three exams and I found it really difficult to make time to study (as I was working a 9 hour day too ;) ) you have to be really strict with yourself and make time each day to study. Financial Adviser exams are quite tediously boring anyway so thats why I always found 101 better things to do :D :D Im sure you will find your course much more interesting.

Best of luck and keep us updated on how it goes, I wouldnt mind doing something like that - after the mortgage adviser exam that is :rolleyes:

Claire :)

Hi Hayley, 3 years ago i did a diploma in animal care, i have two kids and work mornings too at boarding kennels, it is hard especially when you only have a certain time to get all your assignments done and there's the house to keep and hubby and kids to look after but i managed, i think you just adapt yourself accordingly. At the moment i'm doing my city n guilds in dog grooming and find it easier if i do my written work at night when their all in bed, then there's no distractions. Good luck if do decide to do it and i'm sure you'll be fine :)

i did a course with them back 1993,it was hard you got to set a side the time and a day to do the work i use to studie and find the work on tuesday night then,sunday afternoon and eveing writing it up.it took 6 months to do my course and i did it in that time,with work two dog,and a family.that was the first i have done any course from when i left school in 1974.
i do know quite a few people that start some of their course and didnt finshed them,50% will drop out at sometime a long the way.

but good luck with it.

Hi I started this course last month and have just finished my first unit, my tutor is very helpful if I have any enquiries and when she returned my marked works she included lots of helpful tips and additions, I would recommend it if you have the time.

Hi,there is a website offering lots of different courses relating to dogs,covering all aspects,cant quite remember but i think it was on the GSD helpline site which i think belongs to the breed council.I think these are courses that you can do at home and would be ideal for those with kids as you could do it at your own leisure,i think you get proper qualifications at the end but dont quote me on this,will have another look for you and let you know.

Hi,I did the judging diploma waaay back in 1983 i loved every moment of it..........everyone was so friendly and helpfull and the residential weekends were superb..i learned so much.It has been invaluable both as a judge and as a dog owner/breeder.I would recomend wholeheartedly the canine college
P.x

Thanks everyone! I am pretty sure I am going to go for it, just waiting for the college to send some forms etc, then I can apply. I am getting to the point now where I need a bit more in my life than looking after the kids, much as I love them! Dogs have always been my life and will be for as long as I am able, it will be great to learn more about the inner workings and an added bonus if I could make them my future career in some way.

Thanks again all!

Hayley x

I did the original "Canine/Human interface" by John Fisher, in fact i was one of the last students to do it before it became the "Think dog" course. It was with the ACC and was a fantastic intro to the world of behaviour but you have to bear in mind it doesn't make you a behaviourist! <g> Some people do the course and think that's it, when there is so much more to learn :)

I am very keen on behaviour and went on to do some other courses, and started to attend seminars and so on. Its addicitve i find LOL!!!

I am sure you will enjoyo it - i found the tutors are happy to have different views etc as long as you can really back up what you have written!

Best wishes
Lindsay
X

Hi there,

Is this the Animal Care College in Ascot? I am thinking of doing either the equine psychology course or the canine psychology course there but havn't got round to sending off for the forms yet :rolleyes: Do you happen to know what type of "special study" is required on the canine course as I noticed it isn't part of the equine course.

Thanks :)

Hi Ice

I have yet to receive the forms for the course, so not sure about the special study, but they are normally of your own choosing with some help from your tutor, obviously need to be linked to the course though.

I hadn't forgotten about getting the agility Malamute owner's number, she has only just started training again after a back op (her, not the dog) and haven't managed to catch her yet - we are in different classes, will try again tomorrow if you still want it

Take Care

Hayley

(Which canine psych course were you thinking of doing? I think I am going to start with the Introductory course, see if I can get back into the swing of studying before I embark on one with too many time constraints - we should have our new pup in December, so should be busy!!! :))

Hi Hayley,

I would like to do the Canine Behaviour Psychology and Training Short course but you have to have studied Canine psychology before, so probably either introductory or intermediate (I'd like to do the intermediate but not sure if you have to do the introductory first :) ) I've just finished a Degree so the studying side shouldn't be a problem :)

It would be great if you could still get the number for me, I'd love to have a chat with her.

Good luck with your new pup! Which breeder are you hoping to get them from?

Ice

Ice

I will get the number tomorrow if she is there. We are getting our Cattle Dog from a breeder in Anglesey. Luckily she is one of the best breeders of ACD's in the country, breeding for working ability and temperament as well as conformation, so should be a good dog. He was one of six born last Sunday so providing the hearing tests are ok we will have a new pup in December! I am soooo excited!

Hayley

I can't remember the criteria for the Special Study, but i agree, as long as it is relevant to dogs that is fine. As the course was about behaviour, i decided to do a consultation with a friend for mine, and her farm bred BC who hated being handled and having his eyes treated, and was generally a bit snappy. I had him whilst she was on holiday and so it was an ideal situation. I did get him to accept having his eyes treated so that was one good little bit of experience - but you could do something other than a behavioural consulation i am sure :)

Would love to hear how you get on with the course..... :)

Lindsay