Canine CPR is a real thing - and this is where you can learn how to do it

The Virginia-based trainer travels around the country to teach the world-recognised first aid course which also educates on how to stop a dog choking, control serious bleeding and stabilise a fracture.

"We get people from all walks of life on our courses, including pet owners, canine professionals to veterinary nurses. More and more people want to learn how to help their dogs if the unthinkable happens," she said

"We teach dog lovers how to deal with canine emergencies, so that they can help their beloved pets to have the best chance of survival in an emergency situation.

We regularly get feed back from past students who have successfully used their training.

Carole also teaches Yoga for Dogs which is becoming increasingly popular, especially as a means of communication.

"Ultimately, the real dog yoga involves teaching dogs to hold specific body postures, expressions and actions that stimulate the nervous system and help the dog to become or remain calm.

"We teach each dog a set of 30 postures and actions and it helps to increase the dog and human vocabulary and create a better understanding of each other.

Dog yoga also increases body awareness, muscle control and communication with the owner and other dogs.

"It's ideal for dogs that for whatever reason cannot be exercised or struggle around other dogs."

Carole used to rescue over 100 dogs each year but now concentrates on rehabilitating dogs and is often the last chance saloon for dogs who have bitten people.

"When cats bite or scratch, it's accepted as cat behaviour but when a dog uses its teeth, no-one cares why, only that it did, with often dire consequences for the dog.

We spend 20 years training our children but dogs are often left untrained and when they behave inappropriately, the dogs often find themselves being surrendered to local rescues or dog pounds.

"It's Important that owners have access to training classes they can attend with their puppies and dogs to get the best start in the life together and learn the skills needed to have a happy and fulfilling relationship.

"Dogs use body language to communicate and give off lots of subtle signs when they are not happy.

"If these signs are missed or ignored, the dog's behaviour will escalate and someone may end up being bitten.

"The dogs that come to me are on their last chance before they are put down.

"People of often ask what do we do when the dogs arrive here? The answer is simple, we let them be, to just be them selves and settle.

"They are often devastated at the loss of their home and family and need time to recover from that loss. We then start a program of training to help them build up their confidence and self control.

"The dogs are always in charge of how quickly the training progresses, this in itself helps them regain confidence in humans and human judgment.

When we are happy that the dogs are in a better place, we look to rehome them with great care. Sometimes things go wrong between owner and dog simply because it was the wrong dog in the wrong family situation.

"It is imperative when choosing a pet to research the breed you are interested and decide if that dog will suit your family situation. Puppies are always cute when they are small but it's a different story when they grow to full height".