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Canine Nutrition and Feeding for Beginners

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional / Short course
  • Course Fee:

    £99

  • Start Date(s): Wednesday 19 June / Wednesday 2 October 2024
  • Duration: Four weeks, online via Microsoft Teams
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

This course aims to help anyone interested in canine nutrition to understand the basic biological and nutritional principles of feeding the domestic dog.

Dog food and feeding is currently one of the most hotly debated subjects in the dog world, with a huge range of dietary options and advice freely available from many places. As a result, determining fact from fiction and good from bad advice is increasingly difficult for many.

In this course, you will be introduced to the essentials of canine nutrition and help you navigate the nutritional maze. You will learn about areas such as the digestive anatomy and physiology of the dog, what nutrients dogs need, how to identify canine nutrition fact from fiction and explore applied nutrition.

If you have either a personal or professional interest in canine nutrition, and are looking to understand the basic biological and nutritional principles of feeding the domestic dog, then this course is perfect for you.

What you’ll study


On this course you will learn about:

  • the nutritional biology of dogs
  • nutrients and nutrition
  • feeds and feeding
  • feeding for life stages and activities.

How you’re taught

This course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams, over four weeks. Online classes will be held on Wednesdays, from 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm.

Online delivery

This course will be taught online only, using Microsoft Teams.

Please note that you will not need an account with Microsoft in order to access this training. You will be emailed a web link to directly enter the online course from, which can be viewed in a web browser or in the Microsoft Teams app if you already have this installed.

Step-by-step instructions on how to access the training will be provided but if you have any questions before booking, please do not hesitate to contact us.

These online sessions (total of eight hours) will include seminars, discussion points and practical skills development in reading and considering feed labels.

What you'll gain

By the end of the course, you will have an awareness about the fundamentals of canine nutritional science, along with how to apply that knowledge at a beginner’s level.

You will feel more confident in the choices you make for you and your dog, whatever their age, breed/type and activity level.

If you attend more than 80% of the course, a Certificate of Attendance will be emailed to you in a PDF format.

Tutor profile – Dr Jacqueline Boyd

Jacqueline is passionate about making the world a better place for dogs and their people, through enhancing peoples’ understanding of what dogs really need and how humans can help them.

Jacqueline holds a first-class BSc (Hons) in Zoology (Parasitology), an MSc (with distinction) in Animal Nutrition and a PhD in Genetics, where she examined aspects of insulin signalling and their impacts on development. For eleven years, Jacqueline was a university lecturer in Animal and Equine Science delivering modules on a wide range of subjects from genetics to nutrition and undertaking research into the kinematics of agility dogs.

During that time, Jacqueline obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and her Certified Humane Education Specialist qualification, while continuing to be involved in curriculum design and evaluation.

Jacqueline currently writes, coaches and consults on all aspects of Canine Science and works as a Nutritional Consultant in the pet food industry. This means that Jacqueline has both academic, educational and industry experience in the subject area, making her ideally qualified to provide an in-depth but applied introduction to the subject.

Jacqueline has also lectured on aspects of animal health and welfare in Morocco and Jordan through her voluntary work with the UK-based charity SPANA, and she is regularly involved with the Kennel Club as a guest speaker at key canine events, including Crufts. Living with, working and training her five cocker spaniels in a range of canine disciplines, means that Jacqueline also has a robust understanding of the practical realities of the dog world from a personal perspective, adding to the “real-word” applications of her experience and course delivery, as well as keeping her very firmly grounded and smiling a lot!

How you’re assessed

There is no formal examination or assessment for this course. However, there will be an opportunity for participants to undertake a multiple-choice, self-assessment at the end of each session, to test your knowledge and understanding if desired.

Campus and facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £99. Payment is due at the time of booking.

How to apply

Book your place via the NTU online store.

For further information, please telephone +44 (0)115 848 4591 or email brackshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk.