About the course

Group dog environments require thoughtful balance between disease prevention, physical safety, learning outcomes, and operational practicality. Vaccination protocols are essential, but they are only one layer of effective risk management.  This course examines how health and safety risks actually present in group dog settings and how to evaluate them using practical, evidence-based decision making rather than rigid rules or fear-driven policies. Participants will review routes of disease transmission relevant to shared dog environments, realistic vaccination timelines for puppies and adults, intake considerations for incomplete histories, and the appropriate role of titers. The session also addresses cleaning and disinfection strategies, space design and class flow logistics, enrollment models, and operational choices that influence both disease exposure and injury risk.  Drawing from veterinary science and real-world group operations, this program emphasizes layered risk reduction and collaborative decision making. Attendees will leave with implementation tools and policy frameworks that support defensible vaccination requirements, clear client communication, and safer, more intentional group systems. This educational program is intended for dog training professionals, facility owners and managers, instructors, daycare and boarding operators, pet care professionals, and support staff working in shared dog environments.  A live Q&A session will be held on November 8, 2026. The session will be recorded, and the recording will be available to participants within 10 days.

Linda Randall

Linda Randall, DVM is a practicing veterinarian, professional dog trainer, and educator whose work integrates veterinary medicine, behavior science, and ethical decision-making. A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she currently practices companion animal medicine and behavior at Seville Animal Hospital, with a focus on the medical contributors to behavior. Linda is also the owner of One Smart Dog, a full-service dog training facility in Ohio offering positive reinforcement training for family dogs and puppies, agility, and scent work. She holds credentials including Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) and TAGteach Level 3, and is known for integrating learning theory with veterinary insight. Linda’s work focuses on the interconnectedness of health, behavior, and environment, with an emphasis on translating complex medical and behavioral science into practical, humane decision-making. Her teaching is grounded in trauma-informed care for people and trauma-assumed care for animals, with attention to function, context, and safety, particularly in cases shaped by stress or adverse experiences. She presents nationally and internationally on trauma-informed practice, the intersection of veterinary medicine and animal training, and system-level influences on behavior, and regularly speaks to veterinary hospitals, shelters, rescues, and training facilities on infectious disease awareness, zoonotic risk, and preventive care standards. A Distinguished Alumna of both Earlham College and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Linda is widely regarded as a thoughtful, engaging, and trusted educator.

Curriculum

7 Chapters · 15 Lessons

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      Support

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      Course Description and Learning Objectives

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      Course Materials

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      Module 1: Introduction & Overview of Risk in Group Dog Settings

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      Module 2: Vaccines & Entry Protocols

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      Module 3: Cleaning & Disinfecting

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      Managing Risk Workbook: Cleaning & Disinfection Schedules

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      Module 4: Stress, Group Structure & Your Business

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      Just For Fun

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      Activity: Risk Evaluation

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      Instructor Review: Risk Evaluation

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      Activity: Space Planning

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      Instructor Review: Space Planning

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      Live Q&A with Dr. Linda Randall

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      Congratulations Course Complete!

A Veterinarian's Perspective

Go beyond cleaning protocols with evidence-based guidance on disease transmission, vaccine recommendations, facility hygiene, and practical risk reduction strategies. Learn not just what to do, but why it matters, so you can make informed decisions for your own programs.

Build a Safer Program

This isn't just theory. Through practical exercises and a downloadable workbook, you'll evaluate your own facility, policies, client communication, traffic flow, and operational procedures, leaving with an action plan you can implement immediately to reduce risk.

Learn With Your Peers

Join a live Q&A with Dr. Randall to discuss real-world scenarios, ask questions specific to your facility, and learn from the experiences of other professionals working with groups of dogs. The session will be recorded, so you'll have access to the discussion even if you can't attend live.

What people are saying

Insights from across the Small-Paws community, from veterinary professionals and trainers to animal care staff, volunteers, and caregivers, all bringing this learning into everyday practice.

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As a veterinarian and instructor Dr. Randall is the perfect person for this topic! She not only has an extensive medical background, but is excellent at explaining and presenting concepts to pet guardians in an approachable manner. She is an avid learner keeping up with the latest in research and is progressive in her treatment of animals and people skills.
Tara G.

CPDT-KA, FFCP

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 I really enjoyed this course. Disease prevention is such an important topic, but it's often reduced to conversations about vaccines without looking at the bigger picture. I appreciated how practical and realistic the information was, and how the course focused on balancing safety, health, and day-to-day operations in group dog settings. As a veterinary technician, I found the content especially valuable because it provided evidence-based information along with actionable tips, resources, and strategies that professionals can actually implement. There were so many useful takeaways around risk assessment, client communication, cleaning protocols, and creating systems that support both canine and human safety. This is information more people in our industry should be talking about.
Tabitha Kucera

RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP

 Thoughtful, evidence-informed learning for people who care for animals

CEUS: 2.5 KPA, IAABC, PPAB, CCPDT

$45.00

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