Pawsitive Pals: 5-Week Self-Paced Dog Care and Training Adventure
This 5-week dog care and training course covers essential topics from basic obedience to advanced tricks, emphasizing positive reinforcement techniques and responsible pet ownership. It offers a blend of theoretical and practical training.
What's included
5 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1 hour per week. 1-2 per weekProjects
1-2 throughout the classCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
Welcome to "Pawsitive Pals," a comprehensive 5-week self-paced journey into the exciting world of dog care and training! This course is designed for young dog enthusiasts aged 10-14 who are eager to deepen their understanding of canine companions and develop valuable training skills. What Will Be Taught? Over the course of five engaging modules, learners will explore: -Canine Care Basics: Understanding and meeting the fundamental needs of dogs -Decoding Dog Behavior: Interpreting canine body language and communication -Training Fundamentals: Mastering positive reinforcement techniques -Advanced Skills and Enrichment: Learning fun tricks and creating engaging activities -Responsible Ownership and Community Involvement: Understanding the broader aspects of dog ownership Course Structure and Teaching Style This self-paced course is structured to provide a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Each week's module includes: -Engaging Video Lessons: Bite-sized, animated videos explain key concepts in a fun, easy-to-understand manner. -Practical Assignments: Hands-on activities allow learners to apply their knowledge with their own dogs or stuffed animal stand-ins. -Virtual Dog Park: An online forum where students can share experiences, ask questions, and connect with fellow dog lovers. Teaching Approach Our teaching approach is rooted in positive reinforcement - just like the training methods we teach! We believe in making learning fun, interactive, and tailored to each student's pace. The course uses a variety of teaching tools including: -Animated explainer videos -Real-life training demonstrations Learner Interaction While this is a self-paced course, we've built in numerous opportunities for interaction: -Peer interaction through moderated discussion forums -Ability to submit demonstrations for personalized feedback (limited to one per week) Unique Course Features Paw Points System: Students can earn points for completing lessons, and assignments, Doggy Diary: A downloadable journal template for students to track their learning and their dog's progress. Certificate of completion: Upon course completion, students receive a certificate that showcases their new skills. This course is designed to be flexible, allowing students to learn at their own pace while still providing structure and opportunities for interaction. By the end of the course, learners will have a solid foundation in dog care and training, setting them on the path to becoming responsible, knowledgeable dog owners or perhaps even future professional trainers!
Learning Goals
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand and meet the basic needs of dogs
Interpret common dog behaviors and body language
Syllabus
2 Units
5 Lessons
over 5 WeeksUnit 1:
Lesson 1:
Introduction to Dog Care and Understanding Dog Behavior
Basic dog needs: food, water, shelter, exercise
Proper nutrition and feeding schedules
Grooming basics
Health and safety: recognizing signs of illness, importance of veterinary care
Canine body language and communication
Different dog breeds and their characteristics
Socialization importance
Introduction to positive reinforcement training
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Basic Obedience Training I
Teaching basic commands: Sit, Stay, Come
Proper use of treats and praise in training
Leash training basics
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Advanced Training and Enrichment
Teaching tricks: Shake, Roll over
Introduction to agility training concepts
Mental stimulation and puzzle toys
1 assignment
Unit 2:
Lesson 4:
Basic Obedience Training II
Review and reinforce previous commands
New commands: Down, Leave it, Wait
Introduction to clicker training
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental Guidance:
Animal Safety: This course involves hands-on activities with dogs. While we emphasize safety throughout, parents should supervise all interactions between children and dogs to prevent any accidents.
Sensitive Topics: The course briefly discusses animal health issues and the importance of spaying/neutering. While presented factually, some children may find these topics sensitive.
Online Interaction: The course includes moderated discussion forums and optional live Q&A sessions. Parents should review our online safety guidelines with their children before participating.
Physical Activity: Some training exercises involve physical activity. Children should be supervised to ensure they're exercising safely with their dogs.
Emotional Content: While rare, discussions about animal welfare may include mentions of animal neglect or abuse. These topics are handled sensitively but may be upsetting to some learners.
No graphic content or mature themes are included in this course. All video content is rated G (General Audience). No third-party accounts are required for participation.
If you have any concerns about course content, please contact the instructor for more information.
Supply List
Full course handouts will be provided.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
- 5 years of experience in professional dog training, including work with various breeds and addressing different behavioral issues.
- Current 4-H leader in dog-related projects
- Experience working with children in educational settings, demonstrating an understanding of age-appropriate teaching methods and youth engagement strategies.
Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$9
weekly or $45 for all content5 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 11-14