Instructor Courses FAQ’s

Please find a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the APDT Instructors’ courses

Are all three courses the same?

We run three courses so that we can better match the content and delivery to the experience and knowledge of the attendees.

  • Foundation – for anyone who would like to become a Dog Training Instructor. You do not need to have any prior experience of instructing.
  • Advanced – for instructors who have been instructing for at least a year*.
  • Part Two – for people who have successfully completed the Foundation course in the past five years.

*If you have been instructing for at least a year we assume you will have a good knowledge of Learning Theory, presenting, teaching basic exerices 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 email the Education Team to discuss.

What do the courses cover?

The Foundation and Part Two courses are designed to give you the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to become a Dog Training Instructor. Please note that this is not the same as a Dog Trainer (who works directly with a dog) or a Behaviourist.

Dog Training Instructors teach people to train their own dogs in basic skills, 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.

The courses do not equip you to deal with behavioural or health issues that dogs may have, although it will help you identify them and know where to refer them on to.

*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 email the Education Team to discuss.

What do I get for my money?

Two x full three day weekends (plus Thursday evening on both weekends, and Thursday afternoon of the second weekend for the Foundation course), a certificate of attendance, marking of homework assignments and a certificate of completion if successful. Plus ongoing support via a private Facebook group.

The Online courses are taught ‘live’ ie you are in the (virtual) classroom with the tutor and your fellow students, and can ask questions and take part in discussions during the sessions.  Very occasionally – for a specialist/optional session  like Marketing – we may have to use a recording of a previous session.

In addition, 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.  Tea, coffee and biscuits are also included.

Please note it does not give you membership of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.  Full membership of APDT is attained by assessment which requires substantial practical experience. For details please see https://apdt.co.uk/how-to-become-a-member/

However, if you successfully complete the Part Two course (which you can take if you pass the Foundation course) you may become a Student Member, so that you can keep in touch while you gain the necessary experience to apply for APDT Membership.

It is also worth noting that dog training instructing is an unregulated profession, as such there are no universally recognised qualifications for anyone. Currently, there is a lot of work going on to change this, but as yet the industry remains unregulated.

 

Do I have to attend both weekends?

Yes, you will need to attend both weekends to get a full understanding of the subject.

Can I do one weekend of the Foundation Online course and the other from the Foundation Residential course?

Sorry, this is not possible.

What are the dates of the weekend?

Residential Foundation, Advanced and Part Two: 

Thursday 10 April (evening) – Sunday 13 April 2025

Thursday 14 August (lunch time for Foundation, afternoon for Part Two and evening for Advanced) – Sunday 17 August 2025

Online Foundation, Advanced and Part Two:

Thursday 15 May (evening) – Sunday 18 May 2025

Thursday 4 Sept (lunch time for Foundation, early evening for Part Two and evening for Advanced) – Sunday 7 Sept 2025

 

 

Can I take the Foundation course and the Part Two in the same year?

No, sorry you can’t. You need to have completed the Foundation course by the time the Part Two starts, which isn’t possible in the same year.

 

What times will we be working?

Residential an Online courses

The course will start on the Thursday evening of the first weekend at 7.00pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday classes will be from 9.00am – 5.00pm each day.

Residential courses

Registration for the Residential courses is 5.00pm – 6.00pm on weekend one

Foundation will start at 1.30pm on the Thursday of the second weekend;  Part Two (and Advanced – optional session) will start Thursday afternoon (3.00pm ) with Friday, Saturday classes from 9.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday is 9.00am – 3.45pm (approx)

Registration for the Residential Foundation course is 12.30 – 1.00pm on the second weekend; for Residential Part Two and Advanced course is 3.00pm on the second weekend.

Online course

Registration is at first session – timetable will be sent ahead of the course.

Foundation will start at 1.30pm on the Thursday of the second weekend; Advanced and Part Two will start Thursday afternoon (6.30pm Online) with Friday, Saturday classes from 9.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday is 9.00am – 3.45pm (approx)

Both weekends will include some optional evening sessions.

Is the course theory or practical?

The course is mainly theory, but will include practical sessions.  There is a lot to understand about dogs, people and planning that needs to be covered in theory sessions.

Is the course 'in person' or 'on line'
For the past few years we have offered online courses as well as the in person (residential) courses when restrictions allowed. 
We are offering both formats in 2025.
 
We have delivered several online courses, and the format has been very successful.  Some of our students had not taken part in on-line learning before and were surprised how accessible it was.
If you have not used/are not familiar with zoom, we can arrange a practice session before the course starts.
Do I need to have a dog?

You do not need to have a dog. We will have practical sessions over the weekend, so if you have a dog they will have the opportunity to enjoy some training.

If you are attending the Residential course you may have the opportunity to work with dogs belonging to other students or tutors.

Can I bring my dog to the Residential Course?

As long as your dog is comfortable working around other dogs and people, and is happy to go to new places and stay on their own in your vehicle while you are in classroom sessions, then you are welcome to bring them.

Your dog will be able to join you in your room at night.  They will have a practical session each day.

If you do want to bring your dog you must make sure that you can keep your vehicle at a comfortable temperature.  We never know what the weather will do, so you will need to bring warm weather protection – such as reflective covers and cool mats – as well as a bed and anything else they might need if it is chilly.

During the day the classroom sessions take place on the main campus at Moulton.  The car park is behind a security barrier and is regularly patrolled by tutors to keep an eye on the dogs.

There is a thirty minute break morning and afternoon, and an hour at lunch time to give you time to see to your dog as well as grab a cup of tea or something to eat.

Your dog is not allowed in the refectory or the bar (where we have evening sessions).  During this time they can stay in your room if they are comfortable doing so.

You are responsible for your dog at all times during the course, including clearing up after they toilet, and disposing of the waste appropriately. They must be kept on lead whilst on the College campus, unless you are instructed to remove the lead by a tutor.

 

What do I get if I pass the course?

You will be given a certificate showing the level of course you have passed (Foundation or Advanced)

Please note: none of our dog training instructor courses give you membership of APDT. Nor do you need to attend a course to apply for membership assessment.

If you would like to find out about applying for membership of APDT, please go to https://apdt.co.uk/how-to-become-a-member/

Do I need to read any books?

Yes, you will receive a reading list when we confirm your place on the course. Reading these books is an important part of the course and will help you get a fuller understanding of the subject.

You will need to read all these books by the deadline for the final homework at the end of the course.

You may already have some of the books or may want to buy them, but your initial deposit will include the cost of membership of the APDT Students’ library until the end of 2025, where they will be available to borrow (for three weeks) to students with a UK address. You just need to pay the postage to return the books to APDT.

All the books are in the library, but obviously the same book cannot be available to everyone at the same time!

Will there be homework?

Yes, you will have homework following each weekend which must be returned to the tutors by a set date. The homework mainly requires essays – 1000–2000 words each. There are homework assignments after each weekend.

Why do you set homework? I would much prefer just to listen to people talking!

We feel that homework is very important. It is a good way to check that you have understood the subject based on information received on the course and reading/research on the subject. Although some of our students don’t like the idea of homework, they all agree (having completed it) that it is very useful and helps them to understand the subject better. Honest. 

Is there an exam at the end of the course?

No, there isn’t. During the course the Tutors will assess how you are doing. If we feel – or you feel – that you are struggling with a subject, we will discuss this with you and give you the help and support you might need to master the topic.

Your homework will be marked and you are required to reach a minimum standard for each of your essays in order to pass the course.

I passed the APDT's Foundation course in the past five years and want to take the Advanced course. Should I apply for the Advanced or the Part Two?

Please apply for the Part Two.

A few sessions in the Advanced course are duplicates of the Foundation course. If you have already passed the Foundation course in the past five years there is no point you sitting through those sessions again. Therefore, we substitute the duplicated sessions from the Advanced with different sessions for the Part Two course. The certificate you get if you pass the Part Two course is exactly the same as the Advanced.

How much is the course?

Residential courses (cost includes accomodation and meals at Moulton College):

Foundation and Advanced – £1825

There is a discount of £150 off the price of Foundation and Advanced courses available for APDT members and their assistants

Part Two – £1625

Online courses:

Foundation and Advanced £1270

There is a discount of £150 off the price of Foundation and Advanced courses available for APDT members and their assistants

Part Two – £1095

 

Do you offer a discount to APDT members or their Assistants?

Yes. If you are a member of the APDT you will receive £150 discount off the Advanced course. If you have been assisting a member (for at least three months) you will be entitled to a discount of £150 off the Foundation or Advanced course fee.

There are no discounts available for the Part Two as we have already discounted the cost for everybody.

Do you take credit card payment?

Yes, you can pay by debit or credit card via the Stripe payment link on the course page. 
If the card has a different name on the account to the one used in your application please let us know so we can match payment with application form.

Can I pay for the course in instalments?

Payment by installments are accepted, but full fee must be paid by the due date.

Please remember that no money can be refunded after the due date.

If you make an instalment payment please let the Education Administrator know via email to .  They will confirm receipt once the APDT office has received the payment.

How will I know I have been accepted?

Once we have received your application form and been notified that your deposit has been received in the APDT account we will e-mail you a confirmation of your place. 

Please allow at least three working days for this email to be sent.

 

What happens if Covid restrictions are re-introduced - or for another reason - APDT cannot offer the Residential courses?

Much as we hope that we have seen the last of the restrictions on mixing with people we don’t know what the future might bring. IF the Government, the College or other authorities say that we can’t host the residential course you will have three options:

1 – We will invite you to take the course (same dates) delivered on-line. You will be refunded the difference in price.

2 – You will be invited to move your payment to a course (either one or two weekends, depending on when the change occurs) in 2025

3 – We will refund outstanding course fee  ie If the course has not started you will receive a full rebate; if you have completed one weekend and we are unable to host the second weekend, you will be refunded half of your fee.

 

How do I apply for a place on one of the courses?

Please go to the page appropriate to the course you want to apply for. Once you have checked the terms and conditions you can pay your deposit – either residential or online.  Once accepted you will receive an automatic email from Stripe with a link to the application form.
Please complete that form on the day you pay your deposit.

Once the APDT office confirms that your deposit has been received you will be sent an email confirming your place on the course.  Please allow at least three working days for this email to be sent.

It says that the course I want is full. Do you have a waiting list?

Please email to register your interest. Please let us know which course you are interested in when you email.

Details of courses being offered in 2025 will be published on the website in October.

 

I have another question, who do I ask?

Please contact the education team via e mail,   if your question is not answered above.

APDT Courses

FOUNDATION COURSE

Our Foundation Course is for people who have little or no experience of dog training instructing.

PART TWO COURSE

Our Part Two course is for people who have successfully completed the Foundation course.

ADVANCED COURSE

Our Advanced course is for instructors with at least one year’s experience of teaching classes.

COURSES FAQ's

FAQ's and Information to help you make an informed decision about which course is right for you.

Check out the full range of APDT courses

FOUNDATION COURSE

Our Foundation Course is for people who have little or no experience of dog training instructing.

PART TWO COURSE

Our Part Two course is for people who have successfully completed the Foundation course.

ADVANCED COURSE

Our advanced course is for instructors with at least one year’s experience of teaching classes.

COURSES FAQ's

FAQ's and Information to help you make an informed decision about which course is right for you.