Training cources

Training Courses

Fluffs-n-Tufts & Puppies In Balance Pet Care & Training was formed with the vision of offering you the most up to date information on all pet care. Based on the principles of Tellington TTouch we offer all aspects of support and training for your Companion Animals. Our Trainers are all experts in their field, which guarantees you the best possible qualification.

We offer a number of different animal related courses. If you want to work with animals but don't have the qualifications, money and time to study full-time, then have a look at what we offer. The courses are designed to help those who want to start a career working with dogs, as well as those who just want to increase their knowledge and stay up to date with modern training techniques.

There are a great deal of different paths you can follow when working with animals. It could be working for or at an animal shelter, in rescue or for a charity. Becoming a dog walker or a pet house sitter, an animal behaviourist, dog groomer or running your own doggy day care or boarding kennels. The choices are unlimited.

The more you learn the more you are able to follow your dream.

Below are some of the courses we offer:

TTouch for Companion Animals - Cats and Dogs

The Tellington TTouch Method is a unique approach to animal training and care that was developed by internationally known author and teacher, Linda Tellington-Jones. The foundation of this method is a specific form of bodywork known as TTouch®, which induces a state of relaxation and increased body awareness in animals and people alike. The TTouch Method is based on a philosophy of mutual respect and cooperation and serves as a unique system of nonverbal communication with animals.

The Goals of TTouch Include:

Influencing positive behavioral changes
Promoting well-being through reduction of stress
Deepening the relationship and fostering clear communication between people and animals

The workshop includes:

Discussions on TTouch ideas and philosophy
How to work through positive reinforcement rather than dominance and force
Observation
Many of the TTouches
The use of body wraps as well as leading and ground work.

The workshop is held over one and a half days and the cost is R750/person. There are also specialized TTouch workshops for Groomers, Shelter workers and Caregivers who may not be interested in doing any of the applicable specific courses listed below.

Grooming Courses from Beginners to Advanced

The Advanced Course is dedicated towards starting your own business; the Styling Course does not have the Business Management or the TTouch modules. The Beginners Course only has washing and basic styling training with the exclusion of cats.

We are able to structure the courses around what you want and we require you to do at least 25 hours of grooming under the guidance of our instructor. This can be done on Saturdays or any other day of your choice, except Sundays & Mondays. That is, however, not enough for you to become competent in all styles of cutting for both dogs and cats. You can stay with us as long as you want, otherwise you can complete the hours in a grooming parlour of your choice and send us the hours that you have worked. It is obviously best if you can do your hours here under the expert guidance of our tutors. You can start as soon as it suits you.

There is also the theory side that needs to be covered and this can be done in the afternoon of the day you are doing some of your hours. We try to structure the course around your needs, so that you get exactly what you need from the course. It is a very hands-on practical course.
The Advanced Course is suitable for, but not confined to:

Individuals who want to open their own grooming business
Members of the public who wish to enrich their knowledge of grooming
Staff of Veterinary Practices who require further knowledge of grooming practices and procedures

The Advanced Course includes:

Shop management
Marketing techniques
Dog types, personalities and handling
Health and safety considerations
Observation
Grooming Equipment
Grooming tools and how to use them
Grooming supplies
Grooming
External parasites
Coat types
TTouch Techniques
First aid and special care for dogs & cats.

Course Times: Tuesday - Saturday, 08:30 - 16:30
Course Cost: The full course fee is R8,050.00 inclusive

After the course you will write a theory and practical exam. The practical exam will entail brushing, washing and drying 3 dogs. A strip or style cut will also be required depending on the original requirement.

You will need at least 40 hours of practice before the exam date, either at a Grooming Salon or an Animal Shelter, which must be signed off by the student’s supervisor. These practical hours will count as part of your final marks. You will also be required to design a business plan which will contribute towards your final marks.

Upon a satisfactory pass in both theory and practical exams, you will receive a Fluffs-n-Tufts Certificate of Advanced Grooming.

The Styling Course is suitable for, but not confined to:

Individuals who want to open their own grooming business
Members of the public who wish to enrich their knowledge of grooming
Staff of Veterinary Practices or Grooming Businesses who require further knowledge of grooming practices and procedures

The Styling Course includes:

Dog types, observation, personalities and handling
Coat types
Health and safety considerations
Grooming Equipment
Grooming tools and how to use them
Grooming supplies
Grooming & Styling of dogs and cats
External parasites

Course Times: Tuesday - Saturday, from 09:00 - 15:30
Course Cost: The full course fee is R5,750 inclusive

The practical exam will entail brushing, washing, clipping and drying 3 dogs & 1 cat. A strip or style cut will also be required.

You will need at least 40 hours of practice at Fluffs-n-Tufts under the supervision of our tutors before the exam date. These practical hours will count as part of your final marks.

Upon a satisfactory pass in both theory and practical exams, you will receive a Fluffs-n-Tufts Certificate of completion in Styling for Dogs and Cats.

The Beginner’s Course for Groomers is suitable for, but not confined to, those seeking employment at:

Grooming establishments
Kennels
Veterinary Practices
Show breeders who have multiple show dogs and require trained staff for basic grooming assistance on a day to day basis
People with multiple dogs

Students must have:

An understanding of the English language
A genuine love of dogs
Stamina

The Beginner’s Course for Groomers includes:

Common Breed identification and dangers to avoid
Basic Anatomy of the dog - including eyes, ears, hips and paws/pads of feet
Parasites - how to identify them and preventative treatments (fleas & ticks)
Nutrition
Basic First Aid
Washing, Brushing and Drying
Nail clipping
Hygiene

Course Duration: The course will be run over a period of 3 weeks.
Course Times: Tuesday – Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Course Cost: The full course fee is R2,932.50 inclusive

The Practical exam consists of an examination and the brushing, washing, drying, and nail clipping of 3 dogs.

Puppy Class Instructor Training Course

These workshops are ideal for someone who has always dreamed of working with dogs and will provide you with all the information necessary to start your own Puppy classes, as well as all the relevant behavioural information.

Our courses are the only practical course on the market that offer you the chance to observe and assist, allowing you to get extensive hands-on experience in established puppy class schools the whole time you are learning. All our instructors are highly qualified in all aspects of running hugely successful schools and will share their knowledge and experience with you.

The courses are designed for you to do your internship practicals on a Thursday and/or Saturday and then attend lectures on a Sunday. You are then able to assist in a school every week on whatever day(s) that particular school has classes.

The theory lectures cover all the important information on how and why puppies and dogs do what they do, how to deal with these problems and most importantly how to assist the client to be the best they can be.

Puppy Class Instructor Training Course includes:

Observation
The principles of Clicker training – why it is such a successful way of training
What equipment is the best to use on a particular puppy or dog
Health
Grooming
Public relations
How to use TTouch in your classes
How to market and make your school successful.

In a nutshell these courses offer you the opportunity to have a hands on experience whilst learning, so you are able to apply everything you learn as you learn it, under the watchful eyes of a highly qualified Instructor. What better way to make sure you are able to apply everything you have learnt?

These courses are available in Gauteng & Cape Town.

Course Duration: The course will be run over a period of 4 months
Course Type: 2 x theory modules and 2 x practical modules
Course Venue: Fluffs-n-Tufts Animal Care Center, 2 Sangster Rd, Magaliessig
Course Cost: The full course fee is R 5,750.00 inclusive

Adult Dog Obedience Instructor course.

The Adult Dog Instructor Course is a follow on from the Puppy Instructor Course and is for puppies and dogs from the age of 5months upward.

At this age it is recommended that the dogs continue training to prevent the problems that come with adolescence and beyond.

The training at this age is different to puppy training as a lot more knowledge and control is needed for both the human handler and the dog.

If the Puppy Instructors course has been completed with Puppies In Balance then the cost of this course is R2750 inclusive.

Care Givers, Shelter Workers and Kennel Hand Course

The Caregivers, Shelter Workers and Kennel Hand Course is Suitable for, but not confined to:

Domestic Workers in a household with dogs
Shelter workers
Dog Walkers
Kennel Hands
Vet Assistants

In our Pet Caregivers Course for Dogs, you will learn how to look after the dogs in your care and be able to alert their owner if there is a problem, as well as how to deal with basic problems.

The Caregivers, Shelter Workers and Kennel Hand Course includes:

Observation Skills
Information on Equipment (leads, collars, harnesses, etc.)
Basic Grooming: washing, brushing and drying.
Parasites
TTouch workshop, with Handling and leading skills
Basic Dog Training
Introduction to First Aid
Health and Safety for both Human and Animal

Course Duration: The course will be run over a period of 3 months
Course Venue: Fluffs-n-Tufts Animal Care Center, 2 Sangster Rd, Magaliessig
Course Cost: The full course fee is R4250.00 inclusive