Communication Workshop
This is an interactive workshop for adults held onsite the DSPCA in Rathfarnham. We will be looking at specific cases of communicating and working with dogs throughout the 4 hours.
Ideal for dog walkers, doggie daycare employees, shelter or rescue workers & volunteers, groomers, pet owners, people with children, people who use the dog park with their own dog, people who own dogs that resource guard, people who have nervous dogs.
Minimum age of 17 years.
You are not required to have a dog to participate in this workshop, for practical parts we will use DSPCA dogs.
Topics Covered:
- Canine Communication
- Reading canine body language
- Interpretations play-styles
- Monitoring stress
- Identifying the dog’s emotional state
- The importance of human body language
- How to approach a nervous / fearful or aggressive dog
Locations, Dates and Booking
Saturday 8th November 2025, 10.00AM – 3.00PM
DSPCA, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Dog Trainer Course
Canine Behaviour & Training Course
Turn your passion for dogs into the first step toward a career working with them.
This 16-week introductory course gives you a solid foundation in canine behaviour, learning theory, and humane dog training methods, combining engaging theory with guided practical sessions.
As part of the course, students will also receive a Pet First Aid Certificate, an essential qualification for anyone working with animals.
You’ll explore how dogs think, learn, and communicate. From domestication and breed differences to behaviour models and common challenges, all while developing practical training skills.
Ideal for anyone considering a future in dog training, animal care, or canine behaviour, this course helps you decide if a professional path with dogs is right for you and prepares you for further hands-on training.
Successful students may progress to assisting with our Dog Training Classes, where many of our team began their careers!
Fee: €950
Duration: 16 weeks, 2 hour per week
Assessment: Combination of theoretical and practical
Prerequisites: None
Award: DSPCA Certificate
Topics Covered:
- Study Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Evolution & History
- Canine Communication
- Canine Learning
- Dog Training
- Problem Solving
- Canine Aggression
- Health & Physiology
- Class Design & Layout
- Dog Breeds
- Working Service Dogs
Locations, Dates and Booking
Tuesday 27th January – 12th May 2026, 6PM – 8PM
DSPCA, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Pet First Aid
Pets have accidents the same as us humans and as pet owners we should know what to do should the worst happen.
Pet first aid is not aimed to replace veterinary care but it will help you to recognize an emergency, calm your pet and reduce the risks of delayed treatment.
Learning pet first aid should be fun and informative and will give you the skills to deal with a pet emergency should it arise.
This course is ideal for any pet owner or pet professionals. It covers the main first aid subjects for Dogs and Cats but this information is also suitable for most other animals.
Understanding basic first aid for your pet will give you the skills to assist them and prevent them from getting worse before professional help is given by your vet.
Fee: €155.00
Duration: Half Day Training Course.
Students receive 4 CPD hours certification & an accredited Pro Trainings certificate validated for 3 years.
Topics Covered:
Introduction to Pet First Aid
- Introduction to the course
- Pet First Aid Course Overview
- Endorsed pet first aid certificate option
- Pet first aid and the law
- The vet and your role in first aid
- When is Veterinary Care Required
- Keeping your pet safe in an emergency
- Car Accidents
- Pet Proofing your home
- How pets show pain
- Checking your pet’s health and finding out what is normal
- Taking a Pulse
CPR, Pet Accidents and First Aid
- What to do if your cat has an accident
- Breathing and respiratory problems
- Pet CPR Introduction
- Pet CPR
- Pet CPR Practical Demonstration
- Drowning and Treatment
- Shock
- Pet fractures treatment
- Spinal injury and moving an injured pet
Medical Conditions & Illnesses
- Types of Bleeding
- Dressings, bandages and controlling bleeding
- Pet wrap bandages
- Paw Problems
- Nail and Claw Injuries
- Bandaging the Ear
- Bandaging the tail and tail injuries
- Bandage aftercare
- Dog Digestive Process
- Vomiting in Animals
- Dehydration in pets
- Pets and Illnesses
- Hypothermia Treatment
- Choking Overview
- Choking
- Snake Bites on Pets
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Insect Stings
- Fly Strike
- Seizures and Epilepsy
- Alabama foot rot
- Blue-green algae
- Diabetes
- Stings on animals
- High Temperatures and Heatstroke
Locations, Dates and Booking
Sunday 25th January 2026, 10.00AM – 3.00PM