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How to become a Dog Training Instructor

We offer a range of courses to support your journey towards becoming a professional dog training instructor and beyond. Our two-year Dog Training Instructors Level 4 course is recognised by the ABTC, and covers the theory assessment for APDT membership and prepares you for the required practical skills assessment to gain full APDT membership.

For continued professional development our one-year Advanced course sharpens skills for those already training.

In 2025 we will be launching more exciting courses that will support your training journey, either from the very beginning or adding to existing professional skill sets.

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Course Options - We offer two courses, either live online sessions or in-person residentials

Our Two-Year Foundation Dog Training Instructor Level 4 ABTC Recognised Course is ideal for those new to teaching dog training classes. It has been recognised by the ABTC Programme Recognition Committee as meeting in full the Knowledge and Understanding for the Animal Training Instructor standard, therefore upon successful completion a certificate of achievement will be issued demonstrating that you have met the ABTC-ATI Level 4 criteria.

Animal Behaviour - 10 credits

  • Body language

  • Breed specific behaviour 

  • Tellington Touch

  • Scentwork

  • Practicals

 

Animal Health & Welfare - 10 credits

  • Health problems in dogs

  • Equipment

  • Punishment

  • Ethics

  • Exercises

  • Handling 

  • Practicals

 

Animal Husbandry Management and Welfare Legislation - 5 credits

  • Legislation

  • Class Planning

  • Risk Assessment

Animal Learning and Training - 30 credits

  • Learning Theory

  • Schedules

  • Progressing exercises

  • Class planning

  • Teaching a novel behaviour

  • Practicals

 

Communication and Instruction - 20 credits

  • Communication

  • Presentation

  • Teaching exercises

  • Relevance to the real world

  • Adapting exercises

  • One to One Training

  • Review

  • Practicals

Our One-Year Advanced Course is for those with over one year of experience teaching dog training classes who want to continue their professional development and/or brush up and improve their skills.
 

Course Delivery
Courses are delivered across two long weekends per year, comprising a mixture of theory and practical skill sessions. 

Completing each weekend's reading list and passing assignments are requirements for both courses to gain a certificate. Foundation course Part One may be taken as a stand alone course, however, in order to complete the ABTC-ATI criteria you must attend and pass both years.

 

Reading List and Resources
Your course fee includes access to the hardcopy APDT's Students’ Library.

Dedicated peer groups are available for each student cohort. 

 

Additional Information
For more details, visit our FAQ section. If you still have questions, feel free to email us at education@apdt.co.uk.

Course Dates

2025 Residential Courses

Location: Moulton College, Northampton, NN3 7RR.

Accommodation and meals included.

Weekend One:

Thursday, April 10, 2025:

Registration opens from 17:00 and the course starts promptly at 19:00.

Friday, April 11, 2025 to Sunday, April 13, 2025:

All courses 09:00 to 17:00 each day.

Weekend Two:

Thursday, August 14, 2025:

Foundation Part One course starts at 13:30. 

Foundation Part Two course starts at 15:00.

Advanced course starts at 19:00, participants may choose to attend the Foundation Part Two course at 15:00 as a optional session.

Friday, August 15, 2025, and Saturday, August 16, 2025:

All courses 09:00 to 17:00 each day.

Sunday, August 17, 2025:

All courses 09:00 to 16:00.

Moulton College Stewart House
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2025 Online Courses 

Weekend One:

Thursday, May 15, 2025: 

Evening, times variable.

Friday, May 16, 2025, to Sunday, May 18, 2025:

09:00 to 17:00 daily

Weekend Two:

Thursday, September 4, 2025:

Foundation Part One course starts at 13:30. 

Foundation Part Two course starts 15:00

Advanced course starts in the 19:00. 

Friday, September 5, 2025, to Sunday, September 7, 2025:

09:00 to 19:00 daily.

*times are for guidance only 

Dog Training Instructor Course

Courses

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Foundation Course

    The full course is split into two parts and taught across four long weekends.

    • Part One – for anyone who would like to become a Dog Training Instructor. You do not need to have any prior experience of instructing.

    • Part Two – for people who have successfully completed Part One course in the past three years.


    Advanced course – for instructors who have been instructing for at least a year*.

    *If you have been instructing for at least a year we assume you will have a good knowledge of learning theory, presenting, teaching basic exercises and running and managing a class. These will not be taught on the course (although you will have a homework assignment on them). If you do not have this experience, or are not sure if this is the best course for you, please contact education@apdt.co.uk to discuss.

    • The Foundation Part One and Foundation Part Two courses are designed to give you the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to become a Dog Training Instructor.
      Dog Training Instructors teach people to train their own dogs, so although the course includes dog training (you can’t teach an exercise if you don’t know how it works and why a method might not suit all dogs), it focuses on how to teach people, make presentations, and deliver and manage classes.

    • The Advanced course helps people with at least one year of teaching dog training classes brush up/improve their skills.

    • Neither course equips you to deal with behavioural or health issues in dogs, but will give you the knowledge when and where to refer on.

    • Two long weekends of teaching.

    • Marking of homework assignments and either a certificate of attendance or, upon achieving the required grades, a certificate of completion. 

    • The residential course includes accommodation in halls of residence at Moulton College. All rooms are single occupancy and en-suite. It also includes dinner on Thursday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Refreshments are also included.

    • All courses are live and allow for engagement directly with the tutor, and classmates in real-time.

    • Support network via dedicated social media groups outside of the classroom.

    • The APDT allows for all reasonable adjustments to be made in accordance with our DEI policy. 

  • Both courses:
    A dog is not essential for participation
    or completion of either course.

    Residential:
    You are welcome to bring your dog if they are comfortable around other dogs and people, and enjoy new environments, but will be expected to stay in your vehicle during classroom sessions. You may be able to work with dogs from other students or tutors on the residential course.

    Online:

    It may be beneficial to have an animal with you to work with during the practical sessions. 

    Please note: Dogs (except Assistance Dogs) are not allowed in the refectory or the bar during evening sessions. You are responsible for your dog’s welfare, including waste disposal. Your dog must be kept on a lead on campus unless directed otherwise by a tutor.

    • There is a reading list of books to accompany the course.

    • You will be set written questions at the end of each weekend to be submitted for marking upon a set deadline.

    • Written assignments are mainly in the form of essay questions (1000–2000 words approximately).

    • You will be issued with a form to log your guided learning hours.

    • No, there is no final exam, assessment occurs throughout the course.

    • All courses 2025: You will be given a certificate showing the level of course you have passed 

    • Foundation Part Two (after 2025): You will be given two certificates, one confirming you have passed the full APDT dog training instructors course* and another showing that you have completed the Knowledge and Understanding required for the ABTC Animal Training Instructor’s role standard.
      *This fulfils the written Theory membership assessment of the APDT. You will be required to complete the oral before being able to take the Practical Skills assessment for Full membership. 

    • You can find out more about applying for membership of APDT here

    • If you have been assisting an APDT member (for at least three months) you will be entitled to a 10% discount off the Foundation Part One or Advanced course fee.

    • There is no discount available for the Foundation Part Two.

    • APDT members are entitled to a 10% discount off the Advanced course.

Please contact the education team education@apdt.co.uk if you have more questions.

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