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.

A new section of each course starts monthly. 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.

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 lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

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.

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 and is a regular contributing author to several magazines.

“ 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. ”