International Open Academy courses are designed for everyone - no formal qualifications are required to get started!
These courses are a practical, affordable option if you want to:
Here is the list of all International Open Academy courses related to pets. Take a look below the list for more details on each!
Are you ready to embark into the world of canine fashion? Would you like to create toys and games for your kitty? Have you been searching for the perfect halloween costume for Fido but just can't find it? Then this is the course for you!
In this course, you'll learn how to create fun, functional and fashionable clothing items for your pet. You'll also be taught dozens of ways to create toys from simple household items that are perfect for playing - and bonding - with your pet.
This course is for any creative pet parent who wants to spoil their beloved pet while saving money! There is no better way to keep costs down than to make your own items, especially when you can easily repurpose common household goods and create amazing fashion and fun toys!
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” This is as true for our pets as it is for us. But with so many different diets and formulations on the shelves, the world of pet food may seem baffling and overwhelming.
This highly digestible course will help you understand your pet’s dietary needs and give a solid grounding in pet nutrition. The course helps you understand food labeling, how much and when to feed, and not forgetting our smaller furry (and scaly) friends as we pick a path through the maze of pet nutrition.
Food glorious food! You’re on safe ground spotting a steak is not a cabbage, but can you tell proteins, carbohydrates and fats from vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants? Learn nutritional aspects such as:
A dog has different nutritional needs to a cat, which is different to a rabbit. Indeed, don’t stop there because birds, fish, and reptiles all have specific needs. Learn about:
It’s official: Lean animals live longer.
Learn how to assess your pet’s weight and then diet them for longer life:
Food choices cut both ways: It causes ill health and it can cure it. Learn:
An appropriate, good quality diet is vital for our pets’ health and longevity but do you truly what you’re feeding them? If you can’t put your hand on your heart and say “Yes,” then this course helps you to ask, and answer, the right questions about feeding.
Learn how to switch diets without upsetting your pet’s tummy, and weigh up the pros and cons of various diets such as:
Learn the crucial importance of an unprocessed high fiber diet to your rabbit’s health and well-being. Also, how to feed the following for optimal health:
This course will be of great interest to animal lovers and professionals in the pet care industry who would like to better understand the nutritional needs of animals, how to properly care for pets, and to any learner who is interested in pet care as a future industry to work in. This is also a great resource for those who would like to own animals and want to provide the highest level of care for their pets.
Every pet owner or professional working with animals should know how to perform first aid. From cut pads, insect stings, and snake-bites, to chocolate poisoning, traffic accidents and choking, the unexpected can and does happen to the pets in our care. This comprehensive course equips you with the expertise to handle these situations and many others besides. In addition, you learn how to assess the patient and prioritize the most life-threatening problems.
This course is ideal for:
We look at life with a pet from their point of view as well as yours. This course helps you understand what’s behind actions, reactions and dispositions. We outline behaviour modification advice and training that respects your pets’ natural instincts and inherent natures. To lighten things up, we also include guidelines for tricks and games.
This course teaches you a comprehensive range of approaches and disciplines including how to:
This course takes you through all the skills and knowledge you need to be able to step into pet owners shoes in their absence. As well as learning how to care for all kinds of needs in different species of animal and fish, you’ll be educated on things like safety and security, handling a crisis and when to look for help.
We’ll also give you a head start on how to turn your training into a business, with useful advice like:
Those interested in exploring the fulfilling and challenging career of pet sitting, dog walking, and animal training. Whether a pet owner or someone interested in the pet care industry, this course will allow the learner to reach new levels in pet care.
“Care of the Older Pet” is an invaluable guide for the concerned pet parent who wishes their senior pet to get the most out of life.
This course is all about keeping your pet healthy, happy, and active into their senior years.
Old dogs and old cats are more prone to health problems and this course helps you understand the signs and symptoms, as well as treatment options. But “Care of the Older Pet” doesn’t shy away from tackling important issues such as judging quality of life and knowing when to say that final goodbye.
This course gives you an understanding of the aging process in cats and dogs, and practical tips on how to give them a comfortable, stimulating, and enjoyable old age so they stay fitter for longer.
You’ll learn coping strategies for pets with disabilities such as blindness, deafness, and loss of mental ability. It alerts you to the special needs of senior pets in areas such as diet, exercise, grooming, and healthcare.
The course includes a module on pain management, arthritis, and adapting the home to help the older pet with mobility problems.
When your furball is injured, you would do anything to help. You want to relieve the pain. It hurts to see them limping or walking stiffly, agonizingly slowly.
What’s the best way to help? How can you put the spring back in your pet’s step?
Animal physical therapy is a hands-on, natural rehabilitation treatment to get those muscles and limbs working again. In this online course, you will see how physiotherapy uses physical methods - massage and exercise - to restore lost movement.
You’ll be shown the correct techniques to treat different parts of the body. Enjoy quality, hands-on time with your dog or cat as you massage away pain and exercise limbs to restore strength.
Confidently complement the work of your vet or animal physiotherapist to offer at-home treatments for your own pets to ease:
It’s fun for both of you and helps your furball feel better. We will walk you through everything you need to know about Animal Physical Therapy in easy-to-understand, jargon-free language.
For immediate, natural relief for pets, study this course now.
Learn practical training skills, how to correct bad behaviors, and advanced training techniques for making you and your dog happy
Get inside your dog’s mind to reap the results of reward-based dog training. Through an understanding of dog psychology you move onto motivating your best buddy using rewards and how to cope with bad behavior, as well as learning a lexicon of basic commands.
Included in the course is how to crate train and how to clicker train. In addition you’ll understand the motivation behind problem behaviors such as barking and digging, and learn how to correct them. And finally, the ‘Advanced commands’ teaches you vital training cues that give you control in tricky situations.
This course will be of great interest to animal lovers and professionals in the pet care industry who would like to better understand the behaviour of dogs, how to properly care for and train dogs, and to any learner who is interested in pet care as a future industry to work in.
This is also a great resource for those who would like to own dogs and want to provide the highest level of care for their pets.
Learning what’s normal and what’s behind unusual or undesirable behavior really helps to get to grips with it. In this course, you’ll also discover how to treat habits and reactions that are not good for your pet or for you, like:
Would you like to train your pet not to …
Once you understand what’s normal for an animal and why pets behave as they do, you’ll find it easier to find a solution. It is possible to resolve or vastly reduce the most disruptive behavior. Don’t waste another day with an unhappy pet situation – start this course today and get back to that warm, fuzzy in-love-with-my-pet feeling.
We love our pets!
This course will be of great interest to animal lovers and professionals in the pet care industry who would like to better understand the behaviour of animals, how to properly care for pets, and to any learner who is interested in pet care as a future industry to work in.
This course is taught by certified professional dog trainer, Ian Stone, who has over 10 years experience working in animal welfare. He will guide you step-by-step through fundamental concepts, basic training commands, behavior problems, as well as some games and tricks! Whether you have a puppy, newly adopted dog from a shelter or an older dog who needs some behavioral training - everything in this course can be applied to canine friends of any age!
This course is for anyone who wants to build a stronger bond with their pet and provide the highest level of training to improve their life. Whether you just brought home a new puppy, adopted a shelter dog or live with an older dog who never got properly trained this course is perfect for you.
Dog grooming has come a long way since the 1st century BC when dogs were sheared like sheep. It wasn’t until the 18th century Paris that the idea of clipping for fashion, rather than function, came into being. But with Holly and Hugo you have the latest clips for reference, and will never be lost for style, whether your client is a Poodle or a Samoyed.
When setting up a grooming business the course helps you:
Decide what equipment to buy
Learn how to safely restrain animals
Keep yourself safe
Keep you clients safe
Maintain good hygiene practises
Understand the correct way to shampoo and bathe dogs
Clip claws without tears
Know the traditional clips for different dog breeds
Enroll today and unleash your inner groomer!
In this course, you will know all the steps to safely prepare a dog for grooming. Learn:
Health and safety procedures for you, your staff and your furballs
How to handle dogs before, during and after grooming
Common skin, eye, ear and teeth disorders to look out for
Equipment you'll need to clip, cut and comb hair
How to properly wash dogs with different hair types - long, curly or short
Grooming needs of different pedigrees and mixed breeds
First-aid techniques you may need as it's better to be safe than sorry
This course will be of great interest to animal lovers and professionals in the pet care industry who would like to better understand the grooming of dogs, how to properly care for the dogs in your care, and to any learner who is interested in dog grooming as a future career.
This course is of benefit to anyone with an interest in animal health, working with animals, or wondering if a career in the veterinary environment is right for them. It includes an overview of how veterinary practice works, health and safety, basic anatomy and physiology, animal handling techniques, first aid, and coping with emergency situations as well as emotional issues such as euthanasia.
Anybody who comes into regular contact with animals be that in a kennel, rescue center, or a vet clinic, benefits from learning and understanding key aspects such as:
Veterinary terminology
Handling dogs, cats, small mammals, and exotics
Animal psychology – interpreting signs of stress or pain
Handling the fractious animal safely
How to gently restrain animals for minor procedures
The importance of disinfection and disease control
Monitoring inpatients, such as taking vital signs and record keeping
Basic animal anatomy and physiology
Health and Safety regulations
Feeding animals – both healthy and sick
The Role of VSA within Veterinary Practice: When you are in an unfamiliar environment, a veterinary practice can seem a busy, confusing, and intimidating place. The course equips you with information to help you find your feet quickly and make the most of the experience.
The structure of veterinary practice
Different roles within the veterinary team
Confidentiality and professionalism
How to learn on the job
People skills such as dealing with anxious clients and booking appointments
Understanding common procedures
Be familiar with commonly used equipment
The Emotional Side Pets are family members, and when faced with a hard decision in the best interests of their pet’s welfare, many owners become very emotional. The course helps you understand how to deal with this distress, what to expect when a pet is euthanized, and the practicalities involved afterwards. Handling Emergencies There may be occasions when you are faced with a pet in urgent need for emergency treatment. The course teaches you how to act whilst waiting for help to arrive
Assessing the patient
The principles of resuscitation
Emergency stabilisation of haemorrhage, breathing difficulties, fractures etc.
First aid
Your role during an emergency
Working with animals is a hugely rewarding career. Whether you aspire to work in veterinary practice or at a shelter, or wish to investigate the commitment involved, this course gives a sound grounding in the core skills involved.
Anybody who comes into regular contact with animals be that in a kennel, rescue center, or a vet clinic, benefits from learning and understanding key aspects such as:
Veterinary terminology
Handling dogs, cats, small mammals, and exotics
Animal psychology – interpreting signs of stress or pain
Handling the fractious animal safely
How to gently restrain animals for minor procedures
The importance of disinfection and disease control
Monitoring inpatients, such as taking vital signs and record keeping
Basic animal anatomy and physiology
Health and Safety regulations
Feeding animals – both healthy and sick
Anybody who comes into regular contact with animals be that in a kennel, rescue center, or a vet clinic would benefit from this course. Those who are considering a career as a Veterinary Technician would be able to get a glimpse into the challenging and rewarding work in the Veterinary and Animal care industries.
This in-depth course covers everything you need to know to start a successful career as a dog walker! You’ll expand your knowledge of dog training and psychology while gaining useful skills. Through this course, you will learn how to safely interact with all temperaments of dogs, from reading body language to calming anxiety. Take your love of dogs and turn it into a money-making business! Working towards an accredited course will show your customers that you’re the best person for the job.
In this course, you’ll learn basic and advanced principles of dog walking, from equipment safety to breaking up dog fights. Our in-depth modules on training and psychology will keep your charges safe, and make dog walking a walk in the park! You’ll also find a full module covering the first aid that every pet professional must know. Finally, we teach you how to set up your own dog walking business, from finances to advertising. Overall, you will gain professional skills to boost your career by studying an internationally-recognized ICOES and CPD course.
This course is ideal for pet sitters, dog walkers and other professionals who want to impress their current clients and attract new ones. If you’re interested in turning your passion into a profitable career or gain a competitive edge over rival businesses through increased knowledge of animal behavior and business planning, then this is the course for you!
This course will empower you to be your own dog behaviorist and training guru. When you work hands-on with your dog on training and obedience, it strengthens your bond and builds trust. Trainers and schools are expensive, stressful, and don’t always give you long-lasting results – because your dog is performing as opposed to learning. When you can correct your dog’s behavior, teach them new skills, and give them challenges, your dog will have more respect for you as a leader, and more love for you as an owner.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to work directly with your dog to fix those bad behaviors, and you’ll recognize signs of future problems. We want you to have a long and happy life with your doggy pal, so enroll today and start working your magic!
Our online course is suitable for everyone, of any experience level, and will teach you strong leadership skills and obedience tips that anyone can master.
We start by training YOU as an owner. We’re going to show you how your behavior, energy, the tone of voice, and body language affects your dog – both positively and negatively.
Then you’ll get inside your dog’s head to understand what’s causing their bad behavior. Is it a natural instinct? A response to change in their environment? An emotional reaction? Dogs are complex and think differently than humans.
You’ll learn how to interpret and recognize dog psychology, communication, and body language to understand what your dog is trying to express
We’ll take you through correcting many different types of behavior problems, starting with the “WHY” before we teach you the “HOW”.
You'll learn how to properly socialize your dog so they play nice with others - with other dogs, pets, and humans.
You’ll be able to reform your dog’s emotional issues, such as aggression, anxiety, fear, and insecurity, and fix the bad behaviors that come as a result of these issues – destruction, biting, soiling, guarding, howling, etc.
We’ll also show you how to improve your dog’s obedience so they walk nicely on lead, come when they’re called, and can follow basic commands. You’ll learn effective teaching methods using dog training collars, clickers and crate training.
Has your dog suddenly developed a bad habit that you just can’t fix?
Does your dog show signs of social anxiety, fear, or aggression?
Is your dog suddenly soiling inside the home or having issues with housebreaking?
Is your dog destructive when left alone, or shows signs of separation anxiety?
Does your dog have issues with dominance, guarding, or biting?
Is your dog having trouble with recall, walking on lead, and basic obedience?
Everything you need to know about cat and kitten care, including how to choose the right cat, training, nutrition, grooming and healthcare. A complete overview for anyone who works with cats, is thinking of getting a cat, or already owns one.
Pick the Right Cat: Understand what type of cat (ie purebred vs shelter, adult vs kitten, indoor vs outdoor animal) is best for you and feel confident about choosing the pick of the litter
Introduce Cats: Know cat body language and the no-hiss way to introduce a new cat to your existing fur-friends
Keep your Cat Healthy: Understand basic cat facts such as the preventative healthcare your cat needs and how to keep them physically and mentally fit and well
Be Confident about Cat Food and Feeding: Make informed decisions about feeding your cat for optimal good health
Grooming and Coat Care: Feel confident about clipping claws and keeping your cat’s coat in pristine condition
Cat Communication: Understand what cat body language is telling you about their mood and how this can help you get along together
Prevent Boredom: Know how to channel a cat’s natural instinct to climb and scratch, in order to prevent boredom and the cat from becoming destructive
Cat Behavior: Understand the importance of play for a cat’s well-being, and how a cat uses their senses to read the world around them
Litter Box Best Practice: House soiling can sour a good relationship, so learn how to make a litter box irresistible to decrease the chance of inappropriate toileting.
Whether you are a first time owner or experienced cat guardian, this course is purr-fect if you want to:
Understand the essentials of feline preventative healthcare, including the latest news on heartworm in cats.
Have an appetite to understand cat food and feeding, such as what to feed, how, and when for optimal good health.
Learn practical cat facts such as how to groom, clip claws, and bathe your cat
Decode cat body language, behavior, and communication into something you understand
Prevent boredom and channel antisocial behaviors, such as climbing or scratching, into less destructive activities
Uncover the secrets of good cat litter box habits so that house soiling becomes less likely
Taking your dog for walks conjures up wonderful images of romping through parks and enjoying quality time together.
But what if you secretly dread walking the dog? Do you find excuses not to head outside for much-needed exercise for you and your furball? Your dog pulls so hard on the leash you fear he’ll pull your arm off. Walking the dog is hard work!
Not only that, leash pulling is hazardous because:
Your pooch could pull extra hard and pull you over
You’re not in control of your four-legged friend who could:
jump up at strangers
leap out at cars
lunge forward and eat something nasty off the ground
If the leash is attached to his collar, your furball can hurt his throat, gag and choke whenever he pulls
Constant pulling can cause injury to your shoulder or back
With our friendly dog trainer Ian Stone, you’ll soon have your puppy or older dog under control. In his easy-to-follow videos, you’ll learn how to teach a dog to walk on a leash. That means:
You’ll feel confident walking your better-behaved dog
Your furball will know you’re keeping him safe and trust you more
You’ll enjoy spending more time with your pooch because walks become more pleasurable
Your dog is healthier because they are getting more exercise; enjoying more mental stimuli from exploring new places; and is too tired to get bored (and we all know the chaos that bored dogs can cause!)
Walking your dog is fantastic for your health too. Dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week compared with 168 minutes per week for non-owners, according to a Canadian study
Other dog walkers will want to know your dog leash training secrets because your dog is so good on a leash
Enjoy a happier, healthier relationship with your dogs. Start dog leash training with Ian Stone now.
Course ContentFun dog training techniques to teach a dog to walk on a leash. In this course you’ll:
Meet the trainer and have an overview of the dog leash training course
Get the equipment you need before you start dog training, including different types of harnesses and leashes to find the right ones for your pooch
Use food to teach your dog
Handle different training stages before taking your dog for a walk, including:
walking with your dog and with the leash over the shoulder
moving on to walking with the leash in front of you
the correct way to hold a leash
teaching your dog heel-sits - the power move when you’re out in public
teaching your dog to say hello to people who want to pet him while you’re out and about
Then you get to use this training outside, where your dog has more distractions
Find out how to make walks mentally and physically stimulating as well as dynamic and fun
With dog trainer Ian Stone by your side, you’ll enjoy quality time with your dog while together you learn leash training.
All dog guardians who want walks to be fun, not frustrating. Build a stronger trust between you and your dog while enjoying lots of healthy exercise together
Whether you have a new puppy, adopted a shelter dog, or live with an older dog who does not walk nicely, this course is perfect for you
Everyone who walks dogs from time to time. Out-of-control dogs can be a danger to themselves, other people and traffic. Loose leash training helps to keep them safe
People who work or volunteer in animal rescue centers or shelters. Dogs pulling on the leash is one of the most common behavioral problems and could be the reason why a pet ends up in a shelter. Well-trained dogs are more likely to find their happy, forever home
Dog walkers and pet sitters can win the admiration of their clients by training furballs to walk politely on a leash
You may have stumbled upon an injured or orphaned animal in your backyard or on a nature hike, or you may live in an area that frequently sees forest fires, oil spills, storms, or deforestation. In all these cases, knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation or wild animal rescue can be crucial to saving an animal’s life. You don’t need any prior veterinary knowledge, as this course will start with the basics and cover a lot of groundwork. You’ll learn about responsible wildlife interaction, animal anatomy, and physiology, how to treat injuries in birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, how to assist in environmental disasters, and how to safely handle, transport and release wildlife.
Whether you just love animals and want to be more involved, or you are looking to volunteer or work in a park, nature reserve or zoo, we’ll equip you with the knowledge and training to prepare you for wildlife rehabilitation.
By the end of this course, you’ll come away knowing the fundamentals of wildlife rehabilitation.
We’ll show you exactly what a wildlife rehabilitator does in their day to day work
You’ll be able to identify animals in distress and know when to step in
You’ll learn animal physiology and basic anatomy for a variety of animal classes
We’ll teach you to assess animals and identify symptoms and causes of distress
You’ll be able to treat common injuries such as broken limbs and wings
We’ll prepare you for environmental disasters, such as oil spills or forest fires
We’ll show you how to safely handle, restrain, transport, and release wildlife
And you’ll learn what you can do to assist in your community
It’s important to note that this course is not equivalent to professional certification as wildlife rehabilitator, but it’s an excellent place to start if you have a personal interest in this area or are thinking of a career in animal care, zoology, parks and recreation, or veterinary science.
You love animals and want to do what you can to help
You are looking for a way to feel more connected with nature
You’re okay with getting your hands dirty!
You’re considering a career working in a park or wildlife rehabilitation center
You want to educate others about interacting with wildlife
This course is brought to you by a dog owner who had a lot of concerns and problems when it came to feeding her dog due to an illness. She wanted to share her recipes with the world and help other dog owners to provide yummy treats for their lovable pets without causing them harm. The recipes in this course are versatile and can be altered based on your dog's needs.
how to make over 100 treats that'll save you money and be healthier for your dog
what ingredients to avoid when feeding your dog
more about your dog's nutritional needs
how to provide more variety in your dog's food
if your dog has any apparent allergies or sensitivites
This course is for anyone who has a dog with health problems, such as diabetes, weight problems, allergies, sensitive stomachs and for anyone who just wants to provide better nutrition for their dog that is safer and tastier (and that'll save you money)!
Every pet owner knows how intriguing and complex animals can be. Each creature is endearingly individual and full of surprises.
Taking care of all aspects of a pet’s life can be a tricky business. Cats can be spirited and mysterious. Dogs can be untameable but adorable. Before we get you to the hands on part of their personal care we spend a lot of time taking you through their psychology so you fully understand their habits, instincts and development first.
4 legs, 2 legs or no legs at all!
All kinds of pets need specific care for their type and we include care on many commonly loved creatures:
For rabbits & guinea pigs we help you understand the living environment and exercise that’s ideal, take you through common problems and diseases and how to give the best care.
As well as how to care for hamsters, gerbils, mice & exotic rats, we help you understand their behaviour and how breeds differ.
Birds need special understanding, from small to large, parrots to birds of prey. Learn about traits, common diseases and how to prevent spread.
Keeping fish as pets needs careful attention. Discover best practice so you maintain clean and healthy species.
For those of you who love reptiles, we delve into the world of snakes, lizards, turtles, terrapins & tortoises and outline some common challenges & solutions.
Once you can see things from a pet’s point of view, you’re better equipped to give them a comfortable life and develop a harmonious relationship that’s fulfilling for you and them.
Get started today and awaken your animal instincts!
What’s normal behaviour for a dog?
What level of understanding does my young cat have?
Are certain traits specific to some breeds?
What is my puppy trying to communicate to me?
What do those strange cat sounds mean?
We’ll also give you good insight into what can cause a pet to be unhappy or stressed with topics like:
Eating disorders
Excess scratching
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Soiling
This course will be of great interest to animal lovers and professionals in the pet care industry who would like to better understand the behaviour of animals, how to properly care for pets, and to any learner who is interested in pet care as a future industry to work in.
This is also a great resource for those who would like to own animals and want to provide the highest level of care for their pets.
Now is your chance to put into action a career working with animals! This course is ideal for anyone with an aptitude for animals who wishes to turn their dreams into reality. It will help you discover where your strengths and talents lie and then brainstorm jobs that match your capabilities.
You will learn how to uncover employment opportunities you hadn’t previously considered, and how to apply for those jobs to maximize your chances of success. From brainstorming a vague idea to uncovering amazing opportunities, this course also helps you achieve your aim by learning how to research your chosen path.
Know that there is huge competition for positions within the animal or pet sector, and to maximize your chances it’s essential to impress. To do this you’ll discover how to hone your portfolio and letter of application to create an outstanding impression with the interview panel, selection committee or prospective client.
In addition, you’ll find a comprehensive directory of careers in the animal health, pet, and animal-related sectors; what those jobs entail and the qualifications needed. From understanding how to apply to vet school and increase your chance of receiving an offer, to training as an animal nutritionist through to a zookeeper, a Career with Animals has so much to offer you. This course will help those with a genuine calling to work with animals to reach that goal.
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International Open Academy courses are designed for anyone with an interest in learning. No formal qualifications are required to study with us. Our courses are suitable if you want to learn new skills, start a new career, or if you’re already working in a particular industry and wish to upgrade your talents and enhance your resume.
To receive certification, you must:
Complete every page of the course
Score at least 55% on the exam at the end of the course
For further details, please visit https://internationalopenacademy.com/accreditation
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