Level 3 Diploma in Canine Studies

Level 3 Diploma in Canine Studies

Course Synopsis
This Quality Assured Level 3 Diploma course is perfectly suited for those with an interest in dogs, either in an employment capacity, or simply for pleasure. The Level 3 Diploma in Canine Studies will be awarded by Oxford College to those students who pass the final online examination.

Course Content


Module 1 - Introduction to Canine Studies
This first unit of the Diploma in Canine Studies course will go through how the dog has changed over time, through its ancestors and the story of domestication. The first unit will provide students with the foundation knowledge required for further studies related to dogs and begin too provide answers to the manner in which dogs behave. The reasons why humans care for them in the way that they do is also examined. It covers the following:

• Taxonomy - how dogs are classified and categorised and how they fit into the animal kingdom
• The origins of canines, and the various theories as to how they evolved
• The history of domestication of the dog
• The links between dogs and wolves, and the similarities and differences between them
• The ways in which humans used dogs in the past, and the ways in which we continue to use them today, for working purposes and for sport and leisure

Module 2 - Canine Anatomy and Physiology
This unit will cover the anatomy and physiology of canines in much greater detail providing students with an extensive knowledge of their structure.

It examines the main body systems of the dog, including the following:

• skeleton
• muscles
• nervous system and sensory organs
• endocrine system
• circulatory system
• respiratory system
• immune system

Please note: The digestive system and reproductive systems are not covered within this unit. They will be discussed in more detail within the units on nutrition and reproduction at a later stage.

Module 3 - Nutrition
This section focuses on canine nutrition. Nutrition is more than just eating food, but is the science of food and of nourishing the body. The bodies of all mammals are built and maintained using the nutrients that are consumed in their diet, and dogs are no exception to this, therefore a crucial topic that needs to be considered. In order to maintain healthy physiological systems, and have plenty of energy, dogs must consume a diet containing the correct nutrients in the correct quantities, so a knowledge of nutrition is important for anyone involved in the care of canines to ensure their well being.

This unit introduces the following:

• The structure and function of the canine digestive system
• The particular nutritional requirements of the dog, and understand how the various nutrients affect the functioning of the physiological systems
• A knowledge of the levels of protein and fat in the diet, according to age and lifestyle
• Monitoring the effectiveness of a dog's diet
• The health problems associated with incorrect feeding
• Foods that are poisonous to dogs
• Ailments of the digestive system

Module 4 - Canine Diseases
Diseases can vary considerably in terms of their ferocity, some harmful and obvious, others more subtle. There is an endless list as to the causes and number of diseases that could be potentially harm a canine. They can be divided into two groups; infectious and non infectious.

Not every disease can be covered in detail within this unit. Students will learn about those that are most common and will be introduced to the following areas:

• The disease causing organisms - bacteria, fungi and viruses, and the difference between them
• The main internal and external parasites that affect the dog
• The signs and modes of transmission of the main infectious diseases affecting the dog
• The signs of some degenerative diseases that dogs may suffer from

Canines can also suffer from genetic diseases which have not been touched upon in this module, they will covered in a later unit.

Module 5 - Canine Health and Veterinary Care
In this unit students will look at how some of the previously mentioned diseases can be diagnosed and treated, and what measures can be adopted to the prevent such diseases from occurring and what can be done to promote good health of the dog and prevent many problems.

The following issues are covered:

• The diagnostic methods and medicines used for a range of canine diseases
• The diagnostic methods, treatment and prognosis for injuries affecting the canine
• The legal restrictions placed upon the veterinary profession and lay people
• The application of First Aid to a dog
• Some of the technological equipment used in small animal veterinary practice

Module 6 - Canine Genetics
This module covers the science of genetics and how the knowledge can be put to use when selecting dogs for breeding. The process of evolution is explained to students and explains how dogs and wolves have naturally evolved over millions of years, due to the process of natural selection to become the creatures that they are today.

By the end of this module, you will have been introduced to:

• The terminology of genetics
• The process by which genes are passed from parent to offspring
• Genetic mutations
• The difference between natural selection and artificial selection
• Theories of evolution
• Some common genetic disorders in the dog

Module 7 - Reproduction
This section focuses on the reproduction process for canines. Following on from the previous unit on the genetics of the dog, this unit looks at how this knowledge can be put to use when choosing suitable dogs and bitches for breeding. It covers the physiology of reproduction and the care of the newborn puppies. The following topics are examined:

• The reproductive anatomy of the dog
• The reproductive anatomy of the bitch
• The oestrus cycle
• Conception and development of pregnancy
• The process of whelping
• The development of neonatal puppies
• The different methods of insemination - natural and artificial
• Problems associated with pregnancy
• Problems associated with the birth

Module 8 - Behaviour Part 1
The study of canine behaviour and why dogs do the things they do is a massive subject area to study and must be split up into two segments. Canine behaviour encompasses many branches of science, such as biology, neuroscience and psychology. The first half explains why dogs behave in the way they do, and covers normal canine behaviour, and explains how dogs learn what they are taught by their human owners and from their own actions.

The following topics are discussed:

• The similarities and differences between wolf behaviour and domestic dog behaviour
• How genes play a part in behaviour, and the differences between breeds
• How dogs learn, and the different learning theories
• The areas of the brain associated with various aspects of behaviour
• The senses of the dog and how these affect behaviour
• The effects of diet, hormones and health on behaviour
• The effects of previous experience on behaviour
• Stereotypical behaviour
• How the knowledge of how dogs learn can be used during training

Module 9 - Canine Behaviour Part 2
This section looks at problem behaviour in dogs. Anyone with a pet dog, or anyone who trains dogs or wishes to learn more about their behaviour will find this unit of particular interest and very useful. It will cover:

• The types of behavioural problem that are commonly reported in pet dogs
• Some of the possible reasons why problem behaviour may occur
• Some of the techniques we can use to go about finding out the cause of the problem
• An idea of some of the ways that behaviour can be altered, either through training the dog, changing the owner's behaviour, or by means of veterinary treatment

Module 10 - Working with canines
This last unit of the course takes a look at the canine industry sector. Issues such as working with canines will be discussed including the following areas:

• The various organisations involved with dogs and research
• The types of jobs available working with dogs
• The law with regards to working with dogs
• The laws relating to ownership of dogs
• Running a canine business - the regulations, insurance requirements, presenting a good image to clients or customers
• Setting up a boarding kennels Breeding dogs