Canine Behaviour Consultant Course

Laura Ryder, IMDTB KPACTP CPDT-KA FFCP

Laura has worked as the Head Dog Trainer and Behaviour Consultant for a busy veterinary clinic for over 25 years. She is a Fear Free Certified Professional and Member of the Fear Free Speakers Bureau. She holds her Certificate IV in Dog Behaviour Training and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment is a full member of IMDT, APDT and PPG.

She has presented both locally and overseas to the AVA, VNCA, IMDT, APDT (USA) and PPG on a wide range of dog behaviour and training topics.

Fiona Cowie, IMDT

Fiona also has over 20 years’ experience in the industry, including 14 years as a detection dog handler with two government departments. She has also run a successful dog training business and is passionate about supporting new dog trainers entering the industry.

Fiona holds a Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Dog Training and Behaviour and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She is also a full member of IMDT and PPG.

Both Fiona and Laura are passionate about professional development and have completed numerous industry recognised courses.

Guest Video Presentations

The course also includes guest video presentations by leading international experts:

• Dr Chris Pachel
• Dr Zazie Todd
• Sarah Fisher
• Dr Amy Cook
• Dr Tamzin Furtado
• Dr Zoe Devine
• Debbie Martin
• Kim Brophey
• Jade Fountain
• Dave Brice
• Tania Chappelle
• Madeline Buck
• Dr Jess Beer

This is a 6-month online course. You will participate in:

• • Online learning from home (Approx. 20 hours per week)
  • Compulsory fortnightly Zoom (virtual) classroom sessions

You will also be required to purchase the mandatory course reading, “Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses – 2nd edition” authored by Debbie Martin and Julie Shaw

Credit transfers

Students with eligible credit transfers may apply however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for ALL Zoom classroom sessions and therefore full course fees will apply.

Students must:

• Have completed the Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training with AVT
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be available to participate in ALL Zoom classroom sessions
• Have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer or laptop. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online in your own time, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies

Dog and client accessibility

To complete the practical components of this course, students will need to source THREE case studies. For each case study, the student is required to analyse, design and implement a behaviour change program requiring the application of current best practice animal learning theory, methodologies and concepts with particular attention to animal welfare.

Each case study will consist of an individual dog and carer team. The student must provide an initial consultation and at least one follow up training session for each case study. The student is required to film ALL sessions as an integral part of their assessments. Consults may be held in-person or via Zoom online platform.

Case Study 1 – Problematic Behaviours: This case study requires the student to work with a dog and carer on a common problematic behaviour. The behaviour issues addressed are ‘normal’ for the species / breed, however deemed problematic within the dog’s current environment. 

Case Study 2 – Co-operative Care: This case study requires the student to work with a dog and carer on a co-operative care task. The dog may have low FAS (preventative training) or higher FAS (behaviour modification) towards the selected husbandry task.

Case Study 3 – Complex Behaviour: This case study requires the student to work with a dog and carer, in collaboration with another qualified animal care professional (GP vet, Physiotherapist, Veterinary Behaviourist etc). The behaviour problem is required to be complex in nature, with the dog requiring specialised care.