Being our dog’s caregivers we have a lot to think about regarding their health and welfare; our dogs are a huge part of our families and we of course want them to be safe and happy.
We look at things we are able to work on such as our dog’s diet and nutrition, grooming, nail care, weight management, exercises and home environment and these can all really contribute to our dogs being comfortable, fit and pain free.
But there’s another level to our dog’s care which is preventing injuries as well as having an understanding of how to recognise when our dog is unwell or what may be hurting if they have an accident during play or out on a walk.
First Aid training aimed at Dog Owners provides information about a host of different injuries and acute illnesses as well as how to help our dogs during a medical emergency to be able to then safely transport our dogs to the vets for more thorough treatment.
I’ve attended Canine First Aid training regularly for over 10 years, partly due to being a Dog Trainer and working with a lot of dogs, but mostly to ensure my own dogs are are as safe as possible. Each time I attend I receive a brilliant recap and refresher as well as learning about any updates in legislation or methods.
I find the training a great mixture of informative and fun and feel so confident about taking my dogs to places and working with dogs too!
It was also important while I had Aero; an assistance dog puppy in training who unplanned ended up living with us for 22 months while training. Having a dog under my care that isn’t actually my own dog holds a new level of responsibility and having the up to date information about First Aid for dogs ensures I could continue Aero’s training in public places and enjoy her being a puppy and teenager with the back up of being able to tend to her if she were to become injured, hurt or fall unwell.
Canine First Aid training can be attended in person and sometimes online too – we host them in person once a year and our next Canine First Aid Training afternoon at time of writing is being hosted at Dog Training For Essex & Suffolk in Ardleigh on Saturday 21st June 2025 at 9.30am until 4pm so you can be assured that your dog’s training team are up to date on their first aid skills!
Why not take a look at what is included in Canine First Aid Training – it’s not just for Pet Dog Owners but also perfect for people working with dogs such as Groomers, Walkers, Boarding, Trainers, Foster Carers and more!
https://calendly.com/dogtrainingessexsuffolk/canine-first-aid-cpd
For more information you can contact us about our sessions running at our premises annually on Text/What’s App 07809 117912, email us or check our social media for adverts.
I have honestly used some of the skills I’ve learnt from Canine First Aid Training with my own dogs in the past; When Cassie tore a claw and the emergency vet’s bandage fell off as we walked out of the vet’s front door I redid it myself in the car and it stayed on overnight and until Cassie’s check up with my usual vet the next day.
I’ve also needed to help with a dog choking on a small bone they swallowed whole rather than chewing – the dog was fine and visit to the vets afterwards confirmed all ok but it was scary even with the knowledge of what to do to help!
First Aid training is not intended as a way to treat our own dogs and never see a vet, but more to help in an emergency when you are not able to get to a vet quickly or on the way to the vet. For example if you were on a walk on country fields and nowhere near a road to try and get help and half an hour walk from your car but your dog injures themselves on barb wire or lands badly after jumping over a fallen tree. Yes, you’ll be going to the vet once you’re back to your car but you need to get there!!
Or you believe your dog has ingested something poisonous and are heading to the vet but need to know how to help your dog as best possible – what would you need to tell your vet?
Here’s what is covered in the sessions we host by Rachel Bean RVN, who runs her Canine First Aid literally around the world and includes the team at Noel Fitzpatrick’s practise (Supervet) and wildlife rehabbers in Kenya (Not your average Canine First Aid Course, its very comprehensive, interactive, emotional and thought provoking. The CPD is an excellent balance of theoretical and practical learning to ensure Candidates have the knowledge required should they ever be faced with an emergency first aid situational.) ;
🌟 how to treat injuries
🌟 dressing wounds
🌟 allergic reactions
🌟 stings
🌟 poisoning
🌟 choking
🌟 seizures
🌟 CPR
🌟 hypothermia
🌟 and much more.
Wherever you go for your Canine First Aid training I urge you to look into it. You’ll find it interesting, enjoyable and will give you peace of mind while with your dog at home, on walks, on holiday and more.
If you work with dogs and have never considered canine first aid training then ask yourself why not? What would you do in an emergency while walking someone else’s dog? Or while caring for a dog you are grooming? During a massage or physio work? In a class? Trust me it makes a huge difference!
