Time and time again, a behaviourist’s caseload is plagued with touch sensitivity, handling issues and severe anxiety or even aggression focused towards vets or groomers or the dog’s caregiver. However, this is often discussed secondary to a long list of other issues, and ultimately, the issue ends up being swept under the carpet until the next time it raises its ugly head. This pattern can repeat over the years, with vet visits simply being managed with sedation or increasingly more severe restraints.

So we say, the pattern stops here.

With easy to follow resources, these issues don’t need to keep being ignored. They can be worked and you can have fun whilst doing it.

Co-operative care training involves:

Explaining to an animal predictable outcomes via clear training sequences

Clear training plans create predictability and clarity to otherwise alien concepts such as nail clipping, restraint for blood draw and injections, muzzling and examination.

Encouraging the animal to become a willing, active participant in the handling procedure, reducing the need for coercion and force, and in some instances sedatives.

Commonly, start cues or consent positions are used

£189 for the course alone.

£149 for assessment at a later date

The assessment process costs £149 (or £100 if purchased with your course)

After your course you will take a multiple choice test.

You must then submit x3 case studies with video evidence.
Each case study will be submitted with a Case Study Information Sheet, which will require some brief explanation of what the case involved and how it was progressed.

This is down to the individual practice. We advise that these are booked in blocks of x6 or x12, to ensure your client books a sufficient number to be effective.

The average cost of a CCC would be £20.

After completing your assessment you will automatically go on the register for one year.

After that there is a renewal fee of £35.

You also must attend a practical workshop or a refresher webinar (hosted quarterly), within each registration year as CPD.

Yes there will be some available. These sessions are shared with veterinary professionals.

These will only be available to those who are on the register or have signed up to the course.

You can advertise Confident & Co-operative Clinics where you can work with your clients on these skills.

How much you charge will depend on your area and business.

You will be able to use the downloadable resources.

You will be able to advertise via the register and display the logo on your website once you are registered.

You will need t gain some experience. If you do not own a dog to train yourself, ask a colleague if you could practise with their dog. Saoi

Shadowing more experienced clinic nurses can also be helpful.

You could also attend some in person practical workshops.

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for practical training.

You may need to refer on to a suitably qualified professional if:

You feel the ‘human end of the leash’ is struggling, especially if timing is consistently off. In this case referral to a dog trainer would be helpful.

You are concerned for the clients safety - in which case an ABTC registered CAB would be the best person to refer to.

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