Course Overview
Dogs Matter – Canine First Aid (Advanced) is a comprehensive 3.5-hour practical workshop designed to help dog owners and carers respond confidently and effectively in emergency situations. With accidents able to occur in an instant, this course equips you with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to care for your dog and keep them safe until professional veterinary help is available.
Throughout the session, you will build a deeper understanding of your dog’s health and wellbeing, learning how to recognise normal vital signs and identify when something is wrong. The course covers preventive care to help keep dogs healthy, as well as how to respond to the most common canine emergencies.
You will gain practical experience in applying first aid, safely restraining and muzzling a dog, and performing canine CPR when critical action is required.
This advanced workshop explores a wide range of emergency scenarios, including wounds and bleeding, choking, seizures, poisoning, insect bites and stings, fractures, heat exposure, burns, and scalds. Emphasis is placed on calm decision-making, safety for both handler and dog, and providing appropriate care until a veterinarian can take over.
By the end of the course, you will feel more confident, prepared, and capable of recognising and managing a dog in need of urgent care. The session is engaging, experiential, and informative, and participants will leave with practical skills, increased awareness of dog health issues, and a take-home goodie bag.
While this is an advanced-level course, it remains accessible to those new to canine first aid. Questions are encouraged, and the pace is designed to keep you engaged and supported.
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney, including Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
Topics include:
- Keeping your dog healthy with preventive care
- Locating a dog’s body parts and applying first aid and CPR
- Checking your dog’s vital signs
- Preparing for the most common pet emergencies
- Responding to critical situations, including:
- Restraining and muzzling for safety
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Wound and bleeding management
- Choking
- Seizures
- Poisoning
- Insect bites and stings
- Fractures and other injuries
- Heat exposure, burns, and scalds
Course outcome
At the end of the session, you will feel more confident and better equipped to recognise and manage a dog requiring critical care, and to assist the dog until veterinary support is available. The experience is practical, rewarding, and enjoyable.
What you need to know
Entry requirements
Students should either currently own a dog or have previously owned a dog, with an interest in learning more about canine health and emergency care.
What you need to provide
- Notepad and pen