Frequently asked questions
Here are selection of frequently asked questions, if you would like to ask us
a question please contact us.
Their standards for accreditation are stringent and Think Dog! is proud to be a Laser Learning Recognised Centre, which in turn is regulated by Ofqual.
The courses we offer are made up of 'bespoke' units. This means they have been written specially for our Programmes and are not available anywhere else or through any other provider. (Occasionally, bespoke units are called by the (terrible!) name 'unregulated'. This does NOT mean that they aren't fully accredited - the term is used simply because they are not bound to Ofqual’s regulations on the design of Units.)
Our Units are accredited to exactly the same quality standards as Ofqual Units, and are judged by the same very strict external educational criteria. They are the equivalent in level and credit value and are judged as such by all industry standards.
Our other courses can be taken as stand-alone courses or in combination, or with Masterclasses and practical workshops.
We know that the world of training and education titles and qualifications can be complicated, and the jargon doesn’t help!
Our accredited courses are made up of ‘Bespoke’ Units: this is because they are unique to us at ThinkDog! in content and structure.
Our Units are accredited to exactly the same quality standards as Ofqual Units, and are judged by the same very strict external educational criteria. They are the equivalent in level and credit value and are judged as such by all industry standards.
Unfortunately (we believe!) bespoke units are sometimes referred to as ‘unregulated’ – which is very misleading. The term is used simply because they are not bound to Ofqual’s regulations on the design of Units.
You can be assured that our accredited courses are quality assessed to exactly the same standards and levels as Ofqual and other equivalent providers – and that they have been designed with the specific needs of those in the canine profession who need to demonstrate a high level of behavioural and training understanding.
This information is taken directly from the Laser Learning site (January 2019):
“Laser Learning Awards (LASER) is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications in England. This means that we have to meet a very stringent set of conditions of regulation to make sure that all the qualifications we issue have been delivered, assessed and awarded correctly.
Some of our qualifications and other courses are called bespoke or ‘unregulated’ which means that they are not regulated by Ofqual – but it doesn’t mean there are no quality standards attached to them. In fact, we apply the same set of quality standards to all our provision, it just may ‘look’ different in some cases, and being unregulated means we can be more flexible in designing the courses. We can also approve courses which are unique to a certain company and not available to anyone else.”
These vary between courses.
For example:
- Think Dog! Certificate is accredited at Level Two, 12 credits.
- Think Dog! Intermediate is accredited at Level Three, 12 credits.
Visit Laser Learning (OCN South East Region Ltd) website for more info on credits, or give us a call for a chat about specific courses.
The three remaining instalments will then be taken automatically at 30 day intervals after this. (Note: ThinkDog! Practical is split into deposit two instalments only). Your payment details are held securely and are not seen by us.
Answer. In small bites.
Here are the top tips that we have discovered to get you going. Tackling the work in small stages is sensible – after all, it’s how you would start to train a dog to do something new.
Once you are started, there’ll be no stopping you.
- Re-read the Course Notes again. No, this isn’t prevarication – it’s preparation.
- Read one of the books from the course recommended reading list, and make notes in it as you go – ideas that you have while reading, topics that you need to explore more, opinions that you agree or disagree with. (Use post-it notes if you can’t bear to write on your books..)
- Read the question carefully.
- Now, here’s the big one! Write down what pops into your mind immediately. If someone asked you this question in the pub or in the park, what would you say? These notes do not have to be coherent. They do not have to be structured. They just have to be your thoughts. Write as many as you can. Construct a mind map if this suits you. Ask yourself, “What do I really think about this?”
- Now, go through your recommended reading texts, and your course notes, and note down any references you think would help to support (or contradict with) your ideas.
- Now you are ready to re-order your notes, adding references as you go, and making the whole piece readable. Many people find this easier if they imagine telling someone, then writing down what they would say.
We have had visually impaired and blind students happily complete courses and those with dyslexia or other difficulties too.
We have had students submit work by video, and those who supplied photographic portfolios of their work.
Just call us to have a chat, or e-mail us, so that we can help you to enrol confidently on a course. We will do everything we can to help.
Your work is marked on ideas and content – not on grammar or spelling!
We love students to use their experience and understanding, not just rely on factual regurgitation. It’s your opinion that counts and although you need to support this, we are more interested in hearing what you have to say than marking work based on ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.
And rest assured. If your work doesn't quite meet our requirements on the first Unit, we will call you and have a friendly and constructive chat which will give you guidance on how to add to your work. We don't just let you fall without a safety net!
Professional organisations such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) offer membership – and working towards this is certainly to be recommended. Check out their websites for their membership criteria. Think Dog! is also part of the consultation process set up by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, ABTC, who are attempting to form regulatory guidelines for the industry.
Many of those currently practising in this profession started with the Think Dog! courses – including Sarah Whitehead – so taking your first steps en route to a new career in this way is an excellent start.
Walking dogs as a volunteer in rescue shelters can be very useful, as can training your own dogs to a high standard, and in different disciplines.
On-going experience can also be had by helping out trainers with their classes or by shadowing behaviour specialists if you have one willing to help in your area. Overall, the types of student that we welcome in our puppy and dog training classes are those who are prepared to work hard in an ‘apprenticeship’ capacity: sweeping up and making the tea if necessary! We all started there, and a show of genuine effort and love of the subject goes a long way when asking for experience under someone else’s wing.
These are recommended, not compulsory, but most students benefit greatly from a wide range of reading about the subject.
The books that we recommend are generally inexpensive (around £6.50 for the most popular texts) and in most cases can be easily obtained from Amazon.
With this in mind, it's best to try more than one source if you can't find what you are looking for. However, we would never expect you to pay more than cover price for a book on the list - contact us if you have any doubts before purchasing.
Reaching the Animal - Mind Karen Pryor
ISBN 978-0743297769 (2009) Scribner Book Company
Dogs - A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution - Raymond and Lorna Coppinger
(Originally published 2001). Scribner. Any edition.
The Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson
ISBN 0-9684207 (1996) Lasar Books.
Dominance - fact or fiction? - Barry Eaton
ISBN: 978 0 9533039 4 6 (2008. Booklet) (£6.75 from www.dogtrain.co.uk)
For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend
- Patricia McConnell
978-0345477156 (2007) Ballantine Books
PS. It nearly killed me to restrict this list to five!
Reading widely around the subject keeps you aware of as many different views on a subject as possible. This means that you can take these theories and make decisions for yourself on which fit with your experiences, research and beliefs.
While it might seem bewildering at first to read that one author believes in – say – using prong collars to train dogs, while another leading voice condemns their use as cruel, this sort of open discussion generates ideas, opinions, and research – which can only be a good thing for the dogs we want to help.
All our courses encourage you to form opinions of your own – and they don’t have to be in line with ours, or your personal tutor’s. However, they do need to be supported by external evidence –whether this is in research form or referencing of other people’s work in the field.
Referencing can sometimes be a little daunting for those who haven’t done it before, but here is a useful guide.
If you want to chat, we do ask that you try to call between 9.30-1.30pm on weekday mornings. This is not because we drink tea and eat biccies in the afternoon, but because we are out doing the job that we talk about so much – seeing cases and training. If you can’t call during these hours, don’t worry, go old-school and leave us a message on the answer machine, or send us an e-mail and we’ll make a time to call you when it’s more convenient.
If it’s a simple fact-based question, then e-mail is excellent – we try our best to respond by the next working day.
We’ve all been there, and here’s what you need to know.
- The first part seems hardest because it feels like a step into the unknown.
- Once you have made a start, you will feel much better and motivation will return, and increase dramatically.
- We are not judging your grammar, presentation, spelling or anything else that school has a habit of making us worry about.
In order to get you started, take action! Call us, if that will help, or go to ‘Tips to get you started’ below.
Our accredited awards
We know that the world of training and education titles and qualifications can be complicated, and the jargon doesn’t help!
Our accredited courses are made up of ‘Bespoke’ Units: this is because they are unique to us at ThinkDog! in content and structure.
Our Units are accredited to exactly the same quality standards as Ofqual Units, and are judged by the same very strict external educational criteria. They are the equivalent in level and credit value and are judged as such by all industry standards.
Unfortunately (we believe!) bespoke units are sometimes referred to as ‘unregulated’ – which is very misleading. The term is used simply because they are not bound to Ofqual’s regulations on the design of Units.
You can be assured that our accredited courses are quality assessed to exactly the same standards and levels as Ofqual and other equivalent providers – and that they have been designed with the specific needs of those in the canine profession who need to demonstrate a high level of behavioural and training understanding.
This information is taken directly from the Laser Learning site (January 2019):
“Laser Learning Awards (LASER) is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications in England. This means that we have to meet a very stringent set of conditions of regulation to make sure that all the qualifications we issue have been delivered, assessed and awarded correctly.
Some of our qualifications and other courses are called bespoke or ‘unregulated’ which means that they are not regulated by Ofqual – but it doesn’t mean there are no quality standards attached to them. In fact, we apply the same set of quality standards to all our provision, it just may ‘look’ different in some cases, and being unregulated means we can be more flexible in designing the courses. We can also approve courses which are unique to a certain company and not available to anyone else.”
Specific information for those who wish to comply with DEFRA guidance, eg. for home boarding / dog day care.
DEFRA states in their Animal Welfare Licensing Home Boarding for Dogs Guidance:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/762467/animal-welfare-licensing-home-boarding-for-dogs-guidance.pdf
- Suitable and sufficient training of people responsible for the care of the animals must be demonstrated to have been carried out in the following areas:
Dog welfare, including recognising poor welfare and understanding the 5 welfare needs;
- Dog handling;
- Dog behaviour;
- Cleanliness and hygiene;
- Feeding and food preparation;
- Disease control;
- Recognition and first aid treatment of sick animals.
- Training must be a minimum of an OFQUAL regulated level 2 qualification in a relevant subject, or clear evidence of knowledge and experience. (eg, ThinkDog Part 1, Certificate, accredited at Level 2)
Higher Standard
- A person responsible for the care of the dogs with a relevant OFQUAL regulated Level 3 qualification must be present during the working day. (eg. ThinkDog Part 1, Certificate together with ThinkDog Part 2, Intermediate, accredited at Level 3 or the Talk Dog course accredited at Level 4)