Applied Canine Behaviour and Training

Are you ready to transform your passion for dogs into a rewarding career in canine behaviour and training?

This Higher Education Certificate offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience relating to canine behaviour and training, designed to promote positive reinforcement training techniques equipping the next generation of canine behaviourists. Apply knowledge of training to canine behaviour, essential for effective training.

On this programme, you will have opportunities to acquire basic knowledge of canine behaviour, training, and health and wellbeing whilst in the comfort of your own home through the online nature of the programme. You will also study learning theory, developing knowledge of a range of training techniques and investigating the inner workings of the anatomy and physiology of canines, underpinning your skills to start your career in this sector.

Key features of the programme include:

• Industry-ready knowledge, applying theoretical skills to professional situations.

• Practical skill development, planning effective training sessions catering to the dog's individual needs.

• Developing professionalism, equipping you with the tools to be successful in the industry, enhancing career progression.

Join our passionate community of aspiring dog behaviourists turning your passion for dogs into a meaningful career. At University Centre Bishop Burton, you will gain the knowledge, skills and experience needed to make a real difference in the dog training sector such as a behaviourist, dog walker or training instructor, or progress to the FdSc Applied Canine Behaviour and Training level 5 programme.

What will I study?
Year 1:

• Academic Professional Skills

• Principles of Canine Psychology and Basic Training

• Professional Skills in the Industry

• Canine Health and Wellbeing

Year 2:

• Canine Development

• Progressive Dog Training

Learning and Teaching Approach
Blended learning is a flexible approach to education that combines online and in-person classroom experiences. You will attend interactive online lectures accompanied by asynchronous tasks, and you are encouraged to join on-campus for block weekends for in person sessions. Alternative online options are available for those students unable to attend in person.

To complement all theory lectures, students have asynchronous seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. Online webinars focus on facilitating a student centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the webinar lecture sessions.

What is the contact time?
Lectures are delivered online in three-hour sessions per week in the evenings, 6-9pm. On occasion, this may be split over two evenings. You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week. In addition to the three hours in class, you will have additional asynchronous tasks set each week which need to be completed at a time to suit you during that week.
In total, contact time will be approximately eight hours a week to include lectures, seminars, asynchronous sessions and support sessions. Additional to this you will book individual tutorials with your Programme Leader. You will have four individual tutorials in an academic year.
You are also expected to carry out private study in addition to contact time (as a guide, each 20-credit module requires 200 hours of study time inclusive of lecture time), which equates to approximately 10 hours of study per week over the duration of the module, of which you will be taught two modules per semester. Attendance is also required at block sessions. You are encouraged to attend onsite at University Centre Bishop Burton, however alternative online options are available for those students unable to attend in person.

Dates for 2026/27 will be confirmed in due course.