Course Overview

This course has been designed for dog owners who are eager to learn more about their canine companions and for people who work with dogs and wish to extend their knowledge base and enhance their skills.

Over a three-week programme you will learn about how the dog evolved to exist alongside humans, how the dog learn and communicates, and how to apply basic learning theory to best understand how to begin to successfully train dogs in your care.

The course has been developed with and will be delivered by a qualified behaviour practitioner with a wealth of industry experience.

The sessions will take place at our Cannington campus for 3 hours on a Monday evening for three consecutive weeks. Tea and coffee will be provided at each session.

Units of study/what is involved:

• Myth busting – hierarchy & pack theory
• Basic learning theory
• Operant and classical conditioning
• Punishment and reward
• Desensitising dogs
• Practical problems and solutions
• Introduction to clicker training.

Upon completion of this course, we encourage you to join our intermediate canine behaviour course which will run the following month.

Assessment Methods

There is no formal assessment, however a Bridgwater & Taunton College certificate will be issued upon successful completion of each week of the programme.

Progression Options

Candidates who enjoy and complete this programme may wish to consider joining the next short course in the series which will explore canine behaviour in more depth. Details available from course tutor upon completion.