What some of our students say about the various courses
Nicole Pallet - Boot Camp for those that have already undertaken a course on canine behaviour and want more practical experience.
The Purely Practical Bootcamp was an experience and a half!!! It's nothing like any course I've ever taken. Scotty's knowledge and wisdom was genuine and invaluable. The one on one time with Scotty allowed us to ask questions on behavioural concerns that we were unsure how to handle and receive feedback that made sense. If considering to do this course I wouldn't think twice. The practicals were real, with real dogs, which makes learning unforgettable! Be ready for mind blowing information and a whole lot of fun.
Carmi Vermaak - Boot Camp for those that have already undertaken a course on canine behaviour and want more practical experience.
The FODS Practical Boot Camp was a truly empowering experience. It is a great privilege to learn from Scotty & her amazing team. The notes are very comprehensive & the hands-on practical sessions are absolutely inspiring. My highlight was working with an extremely fearful dog & seeing how the techniques used built trust & helped her to become the amazing dog she is meant to be. The Boot Camp is a must-do for any beginners behaviourist/trainer looking to enhance personal knowledge & to build confidence in dealing with different behavioural scenarios.
Thank you FODS for providing this incredible platform to learn & grow!
Kimbaleigh Cuthbert – Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I completed my course with Scotty in 2016 and have been working in the behaviour field ever since. The course was incredibly helpful in being able to assist clients not only in behavioural consulting but also in my dog training school. The course gives students a detailed understanding of all the theory necessary to understand dogs, how they think and how they learn. In addition, the course offers many practical ways of handling specific behavioural problems while giving enough room for students to add their own input, dependent on the respective circumstance. Scotty invested a lot of time into mentoring me, and was and still is available to assist me if help is ever required. The course not only increased my understanding of canine behaviour and equipped me to become a canine behaviour advisor, but also equipped me to handle clients and to communicate and explain the modifications to them at the consultation as well as in detailed behaviour reports. The material learnt in this course is invaluable in this field and I would highly recommend it to anybody with the desire to work in the canine behaviour industry.
Channel Prinsloo - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I found Friend of the dog’s course on the ABC (The animal behaviour consultants of SA) website and decide to go for it.
In my experience this has been one of the most fun and enriching courses. You know the saying if you are having fun you learn. This is exactly how I would describe this course, I learned but I had fun doing it.
Scotty is always there with solutions to a problem, a guiding hand and love for the job and the animals that you can see. I loved the practical classes where you can gain hands on experience before stepping out in the field. Scotty shares all her experience which in turn helps you further your own knowledge. The best thing is Scotty does not leave you to sink or swim after the course is completed, she helps you where she can.
We aren’t just Scotty’s pupils we are part of her family. For anybody considering going into this field I would strongly suggest this course.
Mary van der Merwe - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
In an attempt to help our own very cute tail chasing (turned into a ‘spinning’) Bull Terrier, I discovered that I could qualify myself as a Dog Behaviourist and promptly went and did a 2 year Dog Behaviour course, walking away as a qualified dog behaviourist with very limited practical knowledge and no confidence to actually make use of the qualification. I then became involved with a rescue organisation and was asked on 2 occasions to assist dogs with problems. The first one I baffled the poor owners with a bunch of scientific words and drew little pictures to explain what I expected them to do and off I went, feeling not very pleased with myself. The second one was a food bowl aggression where I did so badly with all my theoretical knowledge that I phoned the owners the next day and asked them to forget everything I said but to please just separate the dogs at feeding time (talk about egg on my face!), I felt really bad this time round and decided that was the end of my behaviour sessions.
Then I discovered Friends of the Dog who were giving a Canine Behaviour course for shelter dogs and I joined up to do that. This was so much fun and I learned so much within those 6 months that I decided to continue and do their Canine Behaviour Foundation Course.
These courses have opened up a whole new world for me in Dog behaviour.
The CBFC is an huge amount of work but well worth every minute spent, I am thoroughly enjoying it and cannot wait to get out there working.
Scotty and Charmaine share their incredible knowledge and give support and encouragement all the way.
For anyone looking to do a Canine Behaviour course I definitely recommend, do it through Friends of the Dog.
Noleen Fourie - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I was mesmerized from the first moment I started my course. So many of us grow up with dogs, and therefore think that we know dogs – how wrong we are! This course opened up a glorious new world for me – a world in which I can really understand the special dogs that share my life. During the course Scotty was always there to help and teach – sometimes to the point where I felt like I was getting more than what I paid for.
Upon completion you are armed with a solid foundation in canine behaviour, as well as practical experience which forms an integral part of the course. Setting up a business and handling clients form part of the course, not to mention continued mentorship after qualification. You are never alone when you em‘bark’ on your new career!
Casey-Jade Malone - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
I started the Canine Behaviour Foundation course 2 years ago with Friends of the Dog. I must say that the course is very thorough and well put together.
Not only is the work of the highest standard, Scotty and Charmaine show a passion for Canine Behaviour that I have never seen before. They are both wonderful teachers and mentors and I honestly believe that this course is one that will only continue to produce talented and passionate behavourists. Something we really need in South Africa. The theory is comprehensive and the practical sessions fun and enlightening. I highly recommend the course to anyone with a passion for canine training and behaviour. And I would definitely refer FODS graduates to dog owners who require a behaviour consultant.
Friends of the Dog Shelter courses is one of the best animal welfare initiatives that I have experienced.
With Shelters so full to the brim and volunteers often in short supply, it is incredibly important for volunteers to have the tools that they need to ensure that the shelter animals have the best chance of adoption.
It is very hard to work with multiple dogs and dogs with behaviour issues. FODS shelter course trains volunteers and instructors and equips them with the knowledge of how to teach basic obedience, get dogs to walk calmy on a lead, get dogs in a run to calm down so that handling becomes a lot easier. The Course helps volunteers understand body language, calming and stress signals better and that can really prevent situations where reactivity can occur. This course gives volunteers the best chance at success when interacting with these dogs and as a result more dogs will have a better chance at succeeding and ultimately being adopted, and staying adopted. If you want to volunteer at shelters, this is the course for you.
Alyson Kingsley-Hall - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I have found the FODS Canine Behaviour Advisor course to be incredible and am enjoying it so much.
The course is incredibly comprehensive from start to finish, in a class of its own and so well formulated and presented.
The assignments are challenging and really reinforce the content learned as well as teaching students to think laterally.
The addition of practical sessions are invaluable and it’s amazing to see the theory in action.
Scotty is always available for any questions and provides ongoing support and encouragement.
I don’t believe there is any other course that comes close to this one.
I can’t recommend this course highly enough and only wish that I had done it sooner.
Anne Calvert - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
Having completed the CBF Course I have learnt so much about a subject I am passionate about. This course is the best place to start for anyone who wants to pursue a career working with dogs or just wants to expand their knowledge and understanding of dog behaviour and their needs. Thanks Scotty, my dogs salute you.
Shelter course
A great course which really delivers results! It was amazing to see how positively the dogs responded to the changes that were brought in. Stress levels decreased and before the end of the course, they were impressing everyone with their new found skills and improved behaviour which is a big step towards getting them home.
Elizabeth Pienaar - Correspondence Course
"I had the pleasure of doing the correspondence course that Friends of the Dog has to offer. The course allowed me to obtain various knowledge about the intricacies of dogs and how to best understand, as well as approach them. I was able to do the course in my free time which is ideal for those who cannot commit full time. Scotty is incredible, she is always available, willing to help, provide valuable feedback and goes out of her way to help her students achieve.
My experience in total was extremely enjoyable and knowledgeable. I would recommend it to anyone who is passionate about dogs."
Stefanie Le Roux - Shelter Course
The Shelter course was an eye opening experience, which gave the most exquisite insight in to how a dog works in relation to people, other dogs, and their environment. Not only has it been tremendous in assisting me with my own dogs, but it has given me a far greater understanding of the dogs I work with daily at Fallen Angels Animal Rescue.
Learning on this course has been so rewarding, and has made me far more confident in handling and reading dogs. My bond with my own dogs has become stronger, as has my bond with the rescue dogs at Fallen. I have even been able to extend my knowledge to other dog owners, and it is wonderful to assist others in getting a better understanding of their own companions too.
Helena Prinsloo - Shelter Course
The Shelter course has a multlple purpose. First you get to work with behaviourists you can really look up to! You get to work with the wonderful people doing awesome work at the shelters, get to know them and new friendships are formed. You get to work with the lovely animals and see how they develop and what changes you can make for them, which is very rewarding, and then of course you learn and see what a difference the work can make for the shelter and the animals. The learning is practical and theoretical. Enjoy it. You CAN make a difference!
Dawn Ineson - Shelter Course
Dear Scotty and Charmaine, I would like to say huge thank you for the most awesome weekend I have had in ages; for your willingness to part with information; for your calm and caring manner in which you presented and handled the course and situations and for giving me the courage and confidence to continue with another course.
I really learnt a lot this weekend and am looking forward to using as much information as I can remember in the way forward.
Thanks once again, may you continue with the work you are doing and empowering others to better understand those that have no voice.
Amanda Currie – Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
If you love dogs and what to learn and understand more about them then I can highly recommend the course. I did the course and found the course material to be of the highest quality. They provide the latest research, and there practical session are structured in such a manner that you are part of the class and you always leave the class with a wealth of information that you understand. They take the time to make sure each of the students understand the work, may it be theory or practical.
The Purely Practical Bootcamp was an experience and a half!!! It's nothing like any course I've ever taken. Scotty's knowledge and wisdom was genuine and invaluable. The one on one time with Scotty allowed us to ask questions on behavioural concerns that we were unsure how to handle and receive feedback that made sense. If considering to do this course I wouldn't think twice. The practicals were real, with real dogs, which makes learning unforgettable! Be ready for mind blowing information and a whole lot of fun.
Carmi Vermaak - Boot Camp for those that have already undertaken a course on canine behaviour and want more practical experience.
The FODS Practical Boot Camp was a truly empowering experience. It is a great privilege to learn from Scotty & her amazing team. The notes are very comprehensive & the hands-on practical sessions are absolutely inspiring. My highlight was working with an extremely fearful dog & seeing how the techniques used built trust & helped her to become the amazing dog she is meant to be. The Boot Camp is a must-do for any beginners behaviourist/trainer looking to enhance personal knowledge & to build confidence in dealing with different behavioural scenarios.
Thank you FODS for providing this incredible platform to learn & grow!
Kimbaleigh Cuthbert – Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I completed my course with Scotty in 2016 and have been working in the behaviour field ever since. The course was incredibly helpful in being able to assist clients not only in behavioural consulting but also in my dog training school. The course gives students a detailed understanding of all the theory necessary to understand dogs, how they think and how they learn. In addition, the course offers many practical ways of handling specific behavioural problems while giving enough room for students to add their own input, dependent on the respective circumstance. Scotty invested a lot of time into mentoring me, and was and still is available to assist me if help is ever required. The course not only increased my understanding of canine behaviour and equipped me to become a canine behaviour advisor, but also equipped me to handle clients and to communicate and explain the modifications to them at the consultation as well as in detailed behaviour reports. The material learnt in this course is invaluable in this field and I would highly recommend it to anybody with the desire to work in the canine behaviour industry.
Channel Prinsloo - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I found Friend of the dog’s course on the ABC (The animal behaviour consultants of SA) website and decide to go for it.
In my experience this has been one of the most fun and enriching courses. You know the saying if you are having fun you learn. This is exactly how I would describe this course, I learned but I had fun doing it.
Scotty is always there with solutions to a problem, a guiding hand and love for the job and the animals that you can see. I loved the practical classes where you can gain hands on experience before stepping out in the field. Scotty shares all her experience which in turn helps you further your own knowledge. The best thing is Scotty does not leave you to sink or swim after the course is completed, she helps you where she can.
We aren’t just Scotty’s pupils we are part of her family. For anybody considering going into this field I would strongly suggest this course.
Mary van der Merwe - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
In an attempt to help our own very cute tail chasing (turned into a ‘spinning’) Bull Terrier, I discovered that I could qualify myself as a Dog Behaviourist and promptly went and did a 2 year Dog Behaviour course, walking away as a qualified dog behaviourist with very limited practical knowledge and no confidence to actually make use of the qualification. I then became involved with a rescue organisation and was asked on 2 occasions to assist dogs with problems. The first one I baffled the poor owners with a bunch of scientific words and drew little pictures to explain what I expected them to do and off I went, feeling not very pleased with myself. The second one was a food bowl aggression where I did so badly with all my theoretical knowledge that I phoned the owners the next day and asked them to forget everything I said but to please just separate the dogs at feeding time (talk about egg on my face!), I felt really bad this time round and decided that was the end of my behaviour sessions.
Then I discovered Friends of the Dog who were giving a Canine Behaviour course for shelter dogs and I joined up to do that. This was so much fun and I learned so much within those 6 months that I decided to continue and do their Canine Behaviour Foundation Course.
These courses have opened up a whole new world for me in Dog behaviour.
- The fellow students are an amazing group of people all doing the course for the same purpose of helping dogs and their owners, every single one is supportive of each other.
- There is an incredible amount of practical knowledge shared, practiced and demonstrated with live dogs.
- The course doesn’t only look at behaviour but also basic training eg. Sit, down, stand etc. What is really great is that this is demonstrated and we each have an opportunity to try it ourselves and demonstrate it to our fellow students
- We even learn to ‘speak dog’ so to speak! Learning about body language and how to observe the dogs we are working with and understand them better.
- We are taught to understand why we are doing what we recommend to a client and to actually be able to demonstrate to the client what we are talking about, this makes a huge difference if one thinks about success rates.
The CBFC is an huge amount of work but well worth every minute spent, I am thoroughly enjoying it and cannot wait to get out there working.
Scotty and Charmaine share their incredible knowledge and give support and encouragement all the way.
For anyone looking to do a Canine Behaviour course I definitely recommend, do it through Friends of the Dog.
Noleen Fourie - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I was mesmerized from the first moment I started my course. So many of us grow up with dogs, and therefore think that we know dogs – how wrong we are! This course opened up a glorious new world for me – a world in which I can really understand the special dogs that share my life. During the course Scotty was always there to help and teach – sometimes to the point where I felt like I was getting more than what I paid for.
Upon completion you are armed with a solid foundation in canine behaviour, as well as practical experience which forms an integral part of the course. Setting up a business and handling clients form part of the course, not to mention continued mentorship after qualification. You are never alone when you em‘bark’ on your new career!
Casey-Jade Malone - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
I started the Canine Behaviour Foundation course 2 years ago with Friends of the Dog. I must say that the course is very thorough and well put together.
Not only is the work of the highest standard, Scotty and Charmaine show a passion for Canine Behaviour that I have never seen before. They are both wonderful teachers and mentors and I honestly believe that this course is one that will only continue to produce talented and passionate behavourists. Something we really need in South Africa. The theory is comprehensive and the practical sessions fun and enlightening. I highly recommend the course to anyone with a passion for canine training and behaviour. And I would definitely refer FODS graduates to dog owners who require a behaviour consultant.
Friends of the Dog Shelter courses is one of the best animal welfare initiatives that I have experienced.
With Shelters so full to the brim and volunteers often in short supply, it is incredibly important for volunteers to have the tools that they need to ensure that the shelter animals have the best chance of adoption.
It is very hard to work with multiple dogs and dogs with behaviour issues. FODS shelter course trains volunteers and instructors and equips them with the knowledge of how to teach basic obedience, get dogs to walk calmy on a lead, get dogs in a run to calm down so that handling becomes a lot easier. The Course helps volunteers understand body language, calming and stress signals better and that can really prevent situations where reactivity can occur. This course gives volunteers the best chance at success when interacting with these dogs and as a result more dogs will have a better chance at succeeding and ultimately being adopted, and staying adopted. If you want to volunteer at shelters, this is the course for you.
Alyson Kingsley-Hall - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
I have found the FODS Canine Behaviour Advisor course to be incredible and am enjoying it so much.
The course is incredibly comprehensive from start to finish, in a class of its own and so well formulated and presented.
The assignments are challenging and really reinforce the content learned as well as teaching students to think laterally.
The addition of practical sessions are invaluable and it’s amazing to see the theory in action.
Scotty is always available for any questions and provides ongoing support and encouragement.
I don’t believe there is any other course that comes close to this one.
I can’t recommend this course highly enough and only wish that I had done it sooner.
Anne Calvert - Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
Having completed the CBF Course I have learnt so much about a subject I am passionate about. This course is the best place to start for anyone who wants to pursue a career working with dogs or just wants to expand their knowledge and understanding of dog behaviour and their needs. Thanks Scotty, my dogs salute you.
Shelter course
A great course which really delivers results! It was amazing to see how positively the dogs responded to the changes that were brought in. Stress levels decreased and before the end of the course, they were impressing everyone with their new found skills and improved behaviour which is a big step towards getting them home.
Elizabeth Pienaar - Correspondence Course
"I had the pleasure of doing the correspondence course that Friends of the Dog has to offer. The course allowed me to obtain various knowledge about the intricacies of dogs and how to best understand, as well as approach them. I was able to do the course in my free time which is ideal for those who cannot commit full time. Scotty is incredible, she is always available, willing to help, provide valuable feedback and goes out of her way to help her students achieve.
My experience in total was extremely enjoyable and knowledgeable. I would recommend it to anyone who is passionate about dogs."
Stefanie Le Roux - Shelter Course
The Shelter course was an eye opening experience, which gave the most exquisite insight in to how a dog works in relation to people, other dogs, and their environment. Not only has it been tremendous in assisting me with my own dogs, but it has given me a far greater understanding of the dogs I work with daily at Fallen Angels Animal Rescue.
Learning on this course has been so rewarding, and has made me far more confident in handling and reading dogs. My bond with my own dogs has become stronger, as has my bond with the rescue dogs at Fallen. I have even been able to extend my knowledge to other dog owners, and it is wonderful to assist others in getting a better understanding of their own companions too.
Helena Prinsloo - Shelter Course
The Shelter course has a multlple purpose. First you get to work with behaviourists you can really look up to! You get to work with the wonderful people doing awesome work at the shelters, get to know them and new friendships are formed. You get to work with the lovely animals and see how they develop and what changes you can make for them, which is very rewarding, and then of course you learn and see what a difference the work can make for the shelter and the animals. The learning is practical and theoretical. Enjoy it. You CAN make a difference!
Dawn Ineson - Shelter Course
Dear Scotty and Charmaine, I would like to say huge thank you for the most awesome weekend I have had in ages; for your willingness to part with information; for your calm and caring manner in which you presented and handled the course and situations and for giving me the courage and confidence to continue with another course.
I really learnt a lot this weekend and am looking forward to using as much information as I can remember in the way forward.
Thanks once again, may you continue with the work you are doing and empowering others to better understand those that have no voice.
Amanda Currie – Canine Behaviour Foundation Course and Shelter Course
If you love dogs and what to learn and understand more about them then I can highly recommend the course. I did the course and found the course material to be of the highest quality. They provide the latest research, and there practical session are structured in such a manner that you are part of the class and you always leave the class with a wealth of information that you understand. They take the time to make sure each of the students understand the work, may it be theory or practical.