Are you prepared if you find a beagle bleeding, Chihuahua choking or a pug with no pulse?
Otago Polytechnic's School of Veterinary Nursing in Dunedin is offering people free courses to learn first aid for dogs.
Lecturer Audrey Campbell said first aid for dogs was taught in the curriculum and for the past three years to community groups in Dunedin.
The polytechnic had opened the canine first aid classes to Dunedin residents.
''There isn't any reason anybody couldn't rock up to the vet nursing and be taught the basic skills to keep their dog alive.''
A course would be held if six people were interested, Miss Campbell said.
The skills taught include how to control bleeding, the latest resuscitation techniques and how to help a choking dog.
For the hands-on course, real dogs as well as a dog mannequin were used for displaying life-saving techniques.
Community groups which had completed the course included Southern Regions Sled Dog Club, Dog Rescue Dunedin, Otago SPCA, St John, New Zealand Red Cross and firefighters from Dunedin Central Fire Station.
''We had these big burly firemen having to breathe in a mannequin,'' Miss Campbell said laughing.
Technician Lauren McIntyre said the firemen enjoyed the class because it taught skills they could use in their work.
''They find so many animals in fires that are unresponsive,'' Mrs McIntyre said.
Miss Campbell said the polytechnic was providing the course to the public free of charge because it had philosophy that if it saved a dog's life, it was all worth it.
