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Courses >
Health Care, Nutrition, & Fitness > Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction
 This course is the definitive guide to the principles of sound dog breeding. If you're a veterinary assistant or preparing to become one, this course will help you understand the essential facts so you can knowledgeably converse with clients on the complexities of canine reproduction.
Candidates for a breeding program need to be assessed not only for conformation, but also for health. They need a thorough reproductive examination and they should be screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye diseases. Once selected, individual dogs are prepared for breeding with the help of proper nutrition, good parasite control, and appropriate vaccination programs.
By studying the hormonal cycle of the female dog in depth, the optimal time for breeding, for both natural mating and artificial insemination, can be identified. When a female fails to conceive, it is important to understand the potential causes. She may be suffering from infertility, but so may the male dog. You'll find out why.
Once the female has been confirmed pregnant, her needs must be met and preparations made for whelping (by knowing what is normal, when to intercede, and when to seek professional help). Postpartum complications in the female must be considered and close attention given to the needs of the puppies to ensure they reach weaning time in good health.
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Jeff Grognet.
 Jeff Grognet has been a companion animal veterinarian for 25 years. He was a pioneer in the field of veterinary assistant teaching, developing his first course almost 20 years ago. The overwhelming success of his veterinary receptionist/assistant college courses led him to expand his teaching into other areas in high demand, including pet first aid, and alternative medical therapies for companion animals. He practices with his wife at a Veterinary Hospital in BC, Canada. Jeff has published a large and diverse number of articles over the last 20 years. He is a regular contributing author to several magazines as well as a weekly newspaper columnist.
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Requirements:
Internet access, e-mail, and and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser. The only other requirement is an interest in responsible breeding practices that promote the health of breeding dogs and their puppies.
Syllabus:
All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.
| Week One |
| Wednesday - Lesson 01 |
In our first lesson, you'll learn how to select parents for your breeding program by using blood tests, radiographs, and physical examinations. I'll give you a primer on genetic disease and then finish by telling you all about management of the breeding pair, specifically vaccinations, deworming, and nutrition.
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| Friday - Lesson 02 |
How well do you know the female dog's anatomy? Besides learning the difference between the uterus and the oviducts, we'll look at the physical abnormalities that plague the female dog. You'll also find out how to diagnose infections and how those infections can impact fertility.
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| Week Two |
| Wednesday - Lesson 03 |
Today, we'll turn our attention to the male dog. He's a far more important contributor to the gene pool than the female. We'll delve into reproductive diseases that strike the male, such as cryptorchidism and Brucellosis, and conclude with a look at maladies such as testicular and prostatic disease that strike the geriatric male.
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| Friday - Lesson 04 |
When is the right time to breed a female dog? Though this is a simple question, the answer eludes many people. Today, we'll examine the reproductive (estrous) cycle of the female. You'll discover myriad ways to pinpoint the most productive time to breed.
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| Week Three |
| Wednesday - Lesson 05 |
In this lesson, we'll explore two methods of breeding—natural and artificial. You'll be able to tell when there are problems with natural mating. When we look at artificial insemination, you have to know how to collect and evaluate semen to ensure the male is fertile. We'll cover how to do this as well as techniques for insemination.
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| Friday - Lesson 06 |
By now, the female has been bred and you expect a pregnancy. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen every time. In today's lesson, we'll focus on reasons for infertility in the female, such as pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.
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| Week Four |
| Wednesday - Lesson 07 |
We'll now turn our attention to the hormonal fluctuations that influence fertility. We'll examine silent heats, persistent estrus, and a variety of other abnormalities. We'll even go over a few problems with sexual behavior.
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| Friday - Lesson 08 |
In this lesson, we'll review some of the important reasons for male infertility. You'll begin by finding out why the male may not want to mate, such as having arthritis in his spine. Next, we'll look at semen production and the negative effects of such things as prostate infections. We'll conclude the lesson with a review of a male reproductive examination.
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| Week Five |
| Wednesday - Lesson 09 |
Assuming everything has gone right, you now have a pregnant dog and you have to take care of her. What should she be fed? Should she be vaccinated? What diseases could strike her during this time? We'll look at two specific examples you need to watch for—diabetes and pregnancy toxemia.
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| Friday - Lesson 10 |
Finally, it's puppy time! In today's lesson, you'll learn what to expect during whelping. You'll know what's normal and when to suspect complications. Of course, our lesson wouldn't be complete without examining how to solve a whelping problem. You'll learn what you can do and how a caesarean is done.
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| Week Six |
| Wednesday - Lesson 11 |
Many people breathe a sigh of relief once the puppies are born, but for some dogs, this is when the problems really begin. Today's topic is postpartum disease. These diseases include mastitis, metritis, and hypocalcemia—a condition where the blood calcium drops to dangerous levels.
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| Friday - Lesson 12 |
This final lesson is all about puppies. We'll look at the importance of the first drink of milk. You'll find out how to evaluate if they're getting enough food, and what to do if they aren't. We'll also look at how to keep them warm so they aren't chilled. And we'll conclude this lesson and the course with an itinerary that shows you what to do for the first six months of a puppy's life.
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To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Student Reviews:
"Doc, I really enjoyed this class and learned more than I ever imagined. thanks, Evelyn I plan to breed my dog soon so this class was very helpful and informative. I will be using what I learned in this course to assist me during the upcoming breeding process."
"I absolutely loved this course. It helped to give me a good foundation for my breeding program just what I was looking for at just the right time. Before this course ended I signed up for another one by Dr. Grognet."
"I enjoyed this class from beginning to end. I cannot wait to take another class with Jeff Grognet. He makes learning seem effortless with his easy to read and easy to understand lessons. I would recommend this class to anyone who has an interest in canine reproduction, whether it is professional or just a desire to learn more about their faithful companion. You will not be disappointed!"
"I enjoyed this course and I also put some of my knowledge to work last week when I took my bulldog in to see if she was ready to breed. I told my vet I was taking a class, and he let me make a decision on her progress. Then, he told me I was actually correct."
"I have really enjoyed this class. I have been in the dog industry for over 50 years and with this course I learned things that I never knew. Thank you for offering this class."
"I hope to become a Veterinary Assistant as a second career after I retire from teaching elementary school in two years. This class was very interesting to me and easy to fit into my busy schedule. I enjoyed Dr. Jeff's teaching style, presenting basic information clearly and concisely and then giving resources for further investigation."
"I really enjoyed the class. I thought the lessons were interesting and informative. The stlye was great. I found Jeff's writing to be very entertaining. I will be signing up for more classes soon! I have already recommended this class to other breeders. Thank you!"
"This course was very helpful. I have bred my Golden Retriever twice, luckily with little or no complications. I feel that if I'm going to be a serious breeder I need courses like this one to know what to do. I will be taking Becoming a Veterinary Assistant also."
"Wonderful course, I feel more confident in beginning breeding my dogs. Thank you for providing such a great opportunity to learn about veterinary care online."
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
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