SPPOT offers a range of accredited vocational learning for Volunteers, take a look at the courses below.

Every person who comes to SPPOT has different support needs, but everyone who comes to SPPOT learns how to care for dogs properly and ethically, in ways that suit them.

SPPOT’s founder drew on ten years’ professional experience in social care and ten years as a qualified dog trainer, to develop the accredited training programme over six QCFW levels from Entry Level 1 through to Level 3.  All staff and volunteers complete core units in “The Care & Welfare of Dogs & Puppies”, “Training Dogs” and “Vocational Dog Walking”. A range of training can be completed after core training with new units added regularly.

Training with SPPOT is fun and fully inclusive, with no requirement to read or write or to speak out loud to a group. 

Training can be delivered in a standard, ‘start and finish’ style for those who want to get out walking dogs in the community as soon as possible or embedded into daily life at SPPOT in a work-based learning style.

Once trained, all participants join the wider SPPOT Volunteer Team, (with support staff or independently) walking dogs for community-based customers and providing dog daycare within our Accredited Training Service.

The training enables people to become Volunteer Dog Walkers and Daycarers, supported by SPPOT who will continue to train, support, equip and insure each person in whichever way suits them best.

Every course offered by SPPOT is intended to benefit dogs too, by promoting kind, effective methods of training and handling. We teach up to date, ethical, and scientifically proven techniques.

Please note that all training places are subject to meeting the access criteria and funding being arranged. Completion of our training course is a requirement of becoming a member of the SPPOT Team.

 Trainees will learn the essentials of dog and puppy care and welfare through working with dogs at SPPOT DHQ.

Trainees learn foundation dog handling and training skills through reward-based training, including clicker training which is suitable for people of all abilities.

Trainee Volunteer Dog Walkers learn all about walking dogs for customers. Trainees can have complete this unit while doing the Care & Welfare and Dog Walking unit.

Trainee Dog Daycarers will learn all about high quality dog daycare. They can complete this unit alongside the others.