The Pet Experience offers a number of courses designed for prospective Dog Trainers and Canine Behaviour Counsellors – or just for anyone looking to learn more about their own dog or about dog psychology in general.
Due to recent television programmes and increasing media coverage, the subject of dog psychology and behaviour has become more and more popular, which means there are many different courses available in this area at the moment. It can therefore be difficult to know which course to undertake if you are thinking of a career in this field or would simply like to understand dogs much better. Due to my years of practical experience working as a Dog Trainer and Behaviourist I am able to provide a unique perspective in this fascinating subject. I teach many different training techniques and explain a variety of behaviour counselling methods so that you can learn how to apply the right method to each individual dog and their owner.
The Training courses range from basic puppy training skills through to very advanced levels of dog obedience and trick work. You will also learn how to become a Dog Training Instructor and run your own dog training school as part of The Pet Experience network.
The Behaviour courses offer a chance to learn more about canine psychology and deal with all behavioural problems, from excessive greeting to severe aggression. As with the Dog Training Instructor courses there is also a chance to become part of The Pet Experience network as a Canine Behaviour Counsellor.
So, whether you just want an insight into your dog’s mind or you want to take the first step to a career in Dog Training and Behaviour – we have a course that is right for you. Primarily, the courses are run online so you can work at your own pace. However, some practical workshops are essential to demonstrate practical techniques and these will be held in Weymouth, Dorset.
Foundation Training Course:
Essential Skills in Puppy Training and Basic Dog Obedience
This course is designed to teach you how puppies experience the world, how they communicate with us and other animals, and how we should communicate with them. The course covers all the basic obedience commands whilst also dealing with specific puppy basics such as house-training, mouthing, chewing and much more. We also look at how different breeds may need different handling due to instinctual drives and motivations.
For people wishing to become a qualified novice dog training instructor the entire course must be completed to a high standard (Modules 1-8 inclusive). On successful completion of the course you will have the opportunity to set up your own dog training school (for Novice level training only) and work under the established name of The Pet Experience (annual fee applies). We will provide set lesson plans, advertising copy for leaflets and a support package for PR and promoting your new business. Course fee £400
For anyone simply wishing to improve your knowledge and expertise with puppies and basic dog training skills the course can be undertaken with Modules 1-4a only. Course fee £225. NB: This would not provide an instructor qualification but you will still receive a Puppy Skills certificate.
- Module 1: How puppies learn
- Module 2: Puppy basics
- Module 3: Breed specific drives & differences
- Module 4: Training basic obedience skills
- Module 4a: Half-Day Practical Workshop *
- Module 5: Trainer to Handler communication skills
- Module 6: Trouble-shooting and motivating clients
- Module 7: Setting up your ‘Pet Experience’ training school
- Module 8: Running successful Novice dog training classes
The majority of the course can be completed at home with course-work sent and returned via e-mail. The practical workshop runs for 4 hours (1pm – 5pm) and is necessary to demonstrate specific techniques with Novice level dogs.
Advanced Training Course:
Dog Obedience Training – Intermediate to Advanced Level
Practical Workshop for Instructors only *
Applicants for this course must have successfully completed the Foundation Training Course (modules 1-8 inclusive) and have a Novice Dog Training Instructor qualification from The Pet Experience. This course is designed specifically for existing Pet Experience Instructors to further develop their training skills and enhance their business. The full course is a 2 Day practical workshop which teaches you how to train intermediate and advanced dog obedience skills with established set lesson plans and certification for your clients.
It is possible to attend this course as a 2 day back-to-back workshop or, if you prefer, to split the course and attend Days 1 and 2 at different times. Workshop dates will be provided once you have successfully completed the Foundation Training course.
DAY 1 10.30am – 4.30pm
- Module 1: Bronze
- Module 2: Silver
- Module 3: Gold
- Module 4: Running successful courses, trouble-shooting and motivating clients.
The Day 1 Workshop looks at practical obedience work, good socialisation skills and a high standard of control both on and off lead. The Gold level in particular is designed to be primarily taught in an outside environment and has high emphasis on off-lead control in ‘normal’ off-lead dog walking situations. Course fee £165
DAY 2 10.30am – 4.30pm
- Module 5: Diamond
- Module 6: Platinum
- Module 7: Obedience Display Teams
The Day 2 Workshop looks at very advanced level obedience training plus the more ‘fun’ aspects of working with dogs such as teaching tricks and managing a successful display team to promote your club at Dog Shows and other events. Course fee £165
To receive your Dog Training Instructor qualification from The Pet Experience the course must be completed to a high standard. On successful completion of the course you will have the opportunity to add Intermediate to Advanced level classes to your existing training school. As before The Pet Experience will provide set lesson plans, advertising copy for leaflets and certificates etc. plus a support package to help you in promoting your growing business.
Foundation Behaviour Course:
Dog Psychology and Behaviour Counselling
Modules 1-4 of this course will discuss basic dog psychology and address how dogs think differently from humans and what this means in terms of how they behave towards us and towards each other. We will concentrate on canine communication methods, the concept of Pack Leadership plus how and what it means to actually achieve this position. The course will also reveal the different drives and motivations apparent in a dog’s “personality” and teach you how to assess each dog (and owner!) as an individual. You will learn about canine nutrition and how different breeds have different exercise and training requirements. Finally, we will look at the most common dog behaviour problems which occur both inside and outside the home and discuss why these issues arise and how to resolve them.
Modules 5-8 concentrate on giving you the necessary skills to become a fully qualified Canine Behaviour Counsellor and you will then have the opportunity to work under the established name of The Pet Experience (annual fee applies). You will learn how to be a good listener and teacher to your clients, how to write a good Behaviour Modification Plan and how to deal with the most difficult of individuals – both dogs and their owners! Ultimately, we will teach you how to set up your own business under the banner of The Pet Experience and you will receive a support package covering all aspects of advertising, PR and professional responsibilities.
Course fee: £450
- Modules 1-3 can be completed as a stand-alone course for anyone wishing to have a better understanding of dog psychology and behaviour. Course fee £175. NB: This would not provide a Canine Behaviour Counsellor qualification but you will still receive a certificate in Basic Dog Psychology.
- Module 1: Basic Dog Psychology & how to be a Pack Leader
- Module 2: Drives, needs and motivations
- Module 3: The importance of correct Diet and Exercise
- Module 4: Common Behaviour Problems and how to resolve them
- Module 5: Understanding your clients and gathering information
- Module 6: Preparing your Behaviour Modification Plan
- Module 7: Trouble-shooting: Difficult dog / difficult client
- Module 8: Setting up your canine behaviour counselling business as part of The Pet Experience
This course can be fully completed in your own time with course-work sent and returned via e-mail. To receive your certification the course must be completed to a high standard.
Advanced Behaviour Course:
Practical Dog Walking Skills
Applicants for this course must have successfully completed the Foundation Behaviour Course (modules 1-8 inclusive) and have a Canine Behaviour Counselling qualification from The Pet Experience. This course is designed specifically for existing Pet Experience Canine Behaviour Counsellors to further develop their counselling skills and enhance their business. The majority of the course can be completed at home with course-work sent and returned via e-mail. The practical workshop runs for 4 hours (1pm – 5pm) and is necessary to demonstrate specific techniques in a hands-on environment working with real dogs.
The course is designed to compliment your existing training and will cover in detail all issues commonly encountered when walking dogs, from persistent pulling on the lead to difficult recall problems such as chasing, scenting or over-friendly dogs who jump up at strangers or rush to every dog they see. We will also look at fear-based problems like ‘spooking’, refusing to walk and traffic phobias. Although you will have learnt about these behaviours in your Foundation course this advanced course will ensure your expertise and develop your skills to a much higher level.
Course fee £275
- Module 1: Heelwork on lead – pulling prevention and anti-pulling tools.
- Module 2: Heelwork off lead
- Module 3: Basic Recall
- Module 4: Common recall issues and how to resolve them
- Module 5: Distance control tools – how and when to use them
- Module 6: Common fear-based issues and how to resolve them
- Module 7: Practical Workshop *
Advanced Behaviour Course:
Dealing with Aggressive dogs
Applicants for this course must have successfully completed the Foundation Behaviour Course (modules 1-8 inclusive) and have a Canine Behaviour Counselling qualification from The Pet Experience. This course is designed specifically for existing Pet Experience Canine Behaviour Counsellors to further develop their counselling skills and enhance their business. The majority of the course can be completed at home with course-work sent and returned via e-mail. The practical workshop runs for 4 hours (1pm – 5pm) and is necessary to demonstrate specific techniques in a hands-on environment working with real dogs.
This course is an in-depth look at all types of aggression in dogs and how to resolve it. A career in dog behaviour means you will meet many aggressive dogs and in these situations you will need to be able to stay calm and confident regardless of the situation you may be faced with. On this course you will techniques in breaking up dog fights, how to use the right tools for the right dogs and how to help your clients have the confidence they will need when working with an aggressive dog. From mild fear-based aggression to extreme red-zone cases this course is a must for anyone wishing to understand aggression in dogs.
Course fee: £325
- Module 1: Aggression to other dogs
- Module 2: Aggression to people
- Module 3: Red-zone aggression
- Module 4: Re-socialising an aggressive dog
- Module 5: Equipment and training tools
- Module 6: Confidence boosting for dogs and clients
- Module 7: Practical Workshop *
* For all workshop courses light refreshments will be provided. For all workshops which run for more than 4 hours there will also be a 1 hour lunch break with lunch provided. Please let me know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
