Donkey care induction day (stage 1)

This course is aimed at the new donkey owner and covers all aspects of looking after a donkey including:

• theory and practical sessions on field management
• theory and practical sessions on stable management.

Donkey health care day (stage 2)

This follows on from the donkey care induction day and covers first aid for donkeys, including:

• how to recognise if your donkey is unwell,
• when to call the vet,
• how to treat minor wounds,
• foot care,
• body scoring
• ageing by the examination of donkeys' teeth.

There are theory and practical sessions.

Introduction to donkey behaviour (stage 4)

This course will help you to discover why donkeys do what they do. How donkeys communicate to each other and how to begin to understand their language. You will learn the importance of body language, positive and negative reinforcement, how to identify the reason behind a behaviour and how to formulate a shaping plan.

Introduction to donkey behaviour:
intermediate level(stage 5)

This is a course for those people who have previously attended the Stage 4 course. It will focus on both donkey and human behaviour. The day will include; increasing patience, variable schedules of reinforcement, eight methods of changing behaviour, the importance of good timing, dealing with extinction bursts and spontaneous recovery, shaping behaviour, creating trust and confidence.

Introduction to clicker training (stage 6)

This is a course for those people who have previously attended the Stage 4 training course. It focuses on using the science of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement to train donkeys. The day will include:

• the history of clicker training,
• the science of clicker training,
• tools, rules and safety for clicker training,
• when not to use clicker training,
• how to start clicker training,
• solving problems using clicker training, and
• how to remove the clicker from training.

If you are interested in attending one of the courses, please contact us or telephone 01395 597644.

Training course dates

Stage 1: Donkey care induction day