Working in Canine Behaviour

Pathway Summary
Pathway Details
Fees & How to Enrol

Working in canine behaviour requires extensive understanding of the way dogs tend to act, and react, to a variety of stimuli. This pathway has been designed to provide students with the knowledge they’ll need to understand, control and modify canine behaviour.

This pathway is made up of the following areas of study:

  • Intermediate and Advanced Canine Psychology
  • Canine Behaviour Counselling
  • Health, Safety, Legal and Associated Issues – FREE with this pathway

Level: QLS Level 4 Fees:

£995 £696.50
Pay 12 monthly payments of £84.58 £59.70

***Saving you compared with taking these courses individually***

Entry Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this pathway. As a general guide, we recommend students looking to take one of our pathways should have some experience in their chosen field. However, we strongly believe open study should be just that. If you want to challenge yourself, our tutors will be on hand to help.

Our Support Promise

You can phone or email your tutor at any point during your course – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.

You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

What You’ll Learn

Intermediate Canine Psychology

Unit 1 

The dog’s brain:

  • The physical and mental development of the puppy
  • How early experiences affect behaviour
  • How dogs learn

Unit 2 

Natural behaviours of the dog:

  • What owners expect
  • Why and how owners seek to change some behaviours
  • The psychological and physiological effects of neutering

Unit 3

Canine senses and communication:

  • How they compare and differ from those of the human
  • Verbal and body language
  • Learning to read the signals

Unit 4

The intelligent dog:

  • Mental stimulation
  • The importance of play

You will also complete a Special Study on a topic of your choice, relevant to the course.

Advanced Canine Psychology

Unit 1 
The Modern Dog/Human relationship:

  • The dog as companion
  • Owner attitudes
  • How lifestyle affects behaviour

Unit 2 
Training past and present:

  • Early training methods
  • Modern methods explained
  • Using training aids and the role of the instructor

Unit 3
Normal dog behaviour:

  • The way the dog learns
  • Stress and how it affects behaviour

Unit 4
Diet:

  • Modern feeding methods
  • Additives and preservatives
  • Modifying diet and how it may affect behaviour

Unit 5
Health and Behaviour:

  • Common problems
  • How health affects behaviour
  • Common behaviour problems
  • The development of drug therapy
  • Real life case histories

Canine Behaviour Counselling (Theory)

Unit 1 

  • The work of the Behaviour Counsellor
  • The needs of the owner
  • Popular owner misconceptions
  • Dogs and their natural behaviours
  • What is ‘normal’?
  • Modern lifestyles and their effects on behaviour

Unit 2 

  • Canine communication methods
  • Breakdowns in communication between owner and dog
  • Stress and its effects
  • How neutering affects behaviour

Unit 3

  • The nutritional needs of the dog
  • Does diet affect behaviour?
  • Making changes and monitoring effects
  • Health and behavioural changes

Unit 4

  • Common behavioural problems – their causes, treatments and resolution
  • Continuing support for the owner
  • The need for confidentiality
  • Telephone advice

You will also complete a Case Study on a topic of your choice, relevant to the course.

Health, Safety, Legal and Associated Issues

Unit 1

  • Customer Service and Care
  • Client Distress
  • Personal Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • Prevention of Ill Health and Accidents
  • Risk Assessment
  • First Aid
  • Legal Issues
  • Environmental Issues
  • Insurance

Certification

On successful completion of this course you’ll receive the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 4 from Quality Licence Scheme when you complete this course**.

Quality Licence Scheme endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.

You will also receive the Animal Care College Certificate* in Working in Canine Behaviour, graded to show the standard you have reached. There are no exams.

* The Animal Care College Certificate will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

** QLS registration fees included.

Study Length

There are no deadlines for this pathway. Simply study in the comfort of your own home, and in your own time.

Distance learning is designed to be flexible, but as a guide, students who can spend 4-6 hours a week studying tend to complete a single unit within a month.

What's Next

This pathway can help you progress in your career in the animal care sector.

Once it’s completed, you may wish to further your study. If that’s the case, we’d suggest:

If you are looking to set up your own business then you should consider obtaining insurance cover. Further information is available on request.

You can get in touch with one of our tutors, or contact our support team from 9am - 5pm.

Course fee & how to enrol

This career pathway combines 4 of our individual courses, providing students with a clear and comprehensive path towards a career in animal care. What’s more, when you take this pathway, you’ll save, compared to taking each course on its own. Plus, you’ll get a free unit worth £195 £136.50.

There are two ways you can enrol

Pay the total course fee of £995 £696.50 in one sum and receive a £50 voucher towards the cost of your next course

or

Pay 12 monthly payments of £84.58 £59.70 (£20 administration fee included)