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Short Course

Canine Behaviour Consultant Course

Deep Dive into Complex Canine Behaviour

Are you ready to deep dive into the science of dog behaviour? Our Canine Behaviour Consultant Course is designed to empower you to confidently take on more complex and challenging client cases, enhancing your consultation skills in a supportive and collaborative environment. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with other industry professionals, gaining insights and mentorship from experts in the dog behaviour and training industry.

In this 6-month online course, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to design strategies in collaboration with industry professionals to modify behaviour, build on your conditioning techniques, and communicate effectively in challenging situations. You’ll explore scientific research studies that will guide you to skillfully implement practical behaviour and training solutions. You’ll also develop your critical analysis skills and dive into current research studies, preparing you to apply the latest scientific insights to your training.

This course focuses on enhancing your presentation skills, enabling you to be at the forefront of your industry and confidently present to professional audiences. You’ll learn to network, work collaboratively and provide consultancy services with fellow industry professionals such as veterinary behaviourists, veterinary staff, rescue organisations, physiotherapists, special interest groups and professional industry bodies.

This course is ideally suited for dog trainers working or seeking to work collaboratively with veterinary behaviourists on complex cases, ultimately improving the lives of the dogs you work with. By the end of this course, you’ll be well-equipped to handle more complex cases with confidence, ensuring you provide the highest standard of care and ethical training.

Course snapshot


Duration:
6 months

Classroom time: Fortnightly Zoom sessions

Online study time: Approx. 20 hours per week

Application status: Register interest

Prerequisite: Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training with AVT

Best suited to: Those seeking support and mentorship from industry professionals, along with advanced skills, knowledge, and expertise in addressing problematic and complex dog behaviours

Canine Behaviour Consultant Course - Australian Dog Trainer
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Course outline

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.

What will you learn?

Our Canine Behaviour Consultant Course includes five units of competency covering topics relating to dog behaviour and consultation skills. You will become competent in:

  • Understanding and interpreting animal behaviour
  • Assessing animal behaviour effectively
  • Collaborating with clients and industry professionals
  • Developing conditioning, training and management programs to address animal behaviour issues
  • Applying current best practice animal learning theory, methodologies and concepts
  • Reviewing animal welfare in behaviour change programs, behavioural husbandry and enrichment programs 
  • Identifying and supporting potential improvements in canine behaviour management
  • Analysing and implementing practical behaviour and training solutions based on scientific research studies
  • Presentation skills for communicating with professional audiences
  • Providing consultancy services to industry professionals, including veterinary behaviourists, veterinary staff, rescue organisations, physiotherapists special interest groups and professional industry bodies
Perth Dog Behaviour consultant course

The skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied in a range of roles from trainers to animal handlers. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.

Course outcomes

Our graduates can go on to a wide range of roles across the animal behaviour and animal training industry. 

Job outcomes

Graduates from this course can go on to careers such as:

  • Dog Behaviour Consultant
  • Animal Trainer (self-employed or working for an organisation)
  • Puppy Class trainer
  • One to one pet dog training consultations
  • Group Dog Class Trainer
  • Trainer in an animal rescue/shelter
  • Shelter Worker
  • Assistance Dog Trainer
  • At home enrichment Provider
  • Walk and Train Dog Trainer
  • Trainer in an animal boarding facility
  • Trainer in an animal services facility (day-care, veterinary clinic, etc)
  • Trainer or handler for a government organisation
  • Educational role within the animal care industry

Skills outcomes

Some of the skills you will be able to apply once completed include:

  • Analytical skills for designing and implementing behaviour change programs
  • Critical analysis skills for research studies
  • Ability to work with both personal clients and industry professionals
  • Advanced communication skills for challenging situations
  • Networking and collaboration skills
  • Problem-solving skills for addressing a range of issues in animal care

Course content

Our Canine Behaviour Consultant Course contains the following five nationally recognised units of competency:

  • ACMBEH501 Work collaboratively to manage complex animal behaviour
  • ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
  • ACMBEH401 Develop, monitor and review behavioural husbandry strategies
  • BSBINS302 Organise workplace information
  • BSBSTR301 Contribute to continuous improvement
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Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an AVT Certificate of Completion and a Statement of Attainment.

What makes this course different?

  • Study with the Best

    Professionally written and delivered – this course is written and presented by industry experts Laura Ryder IMDTB KPA CPDT-KA FFCP and Fiona Cowie IMDT.

  • Supportive Learning

    Fortnightly Zoom classroom sessions, support and mentoring and additional assistance from our Student Support team.

  • Stress-Free

    You will follow a structured study timetable to ensure you stay on track. Our Trainers and Assesors will follow your progress and provide feedback.

  • 6 Month Course

    This course is a deep dive into canine behaviour. You will enjoy the flexibility of studying online and gain skills to collaborate more with other industry professionals.

  • Industry Leading Knowledge

    We develop and deliver our own tailored course material, so you get the latest and most up-to-date knowledge.

  • Continued Learning

    This course is designed as the next step after completing the Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training with AVT.

What students are saying about this course

Fees & inclusions

Total course fees: $2,995

Payable via our monthly payment plan. Initial payment of $1,195 plus 4 x $450 monthly payments and includes:

  • Learning guides (Downloadable)
  • Workbook (Downloadable)
  • Dedicated student support
  • Support from AVT Trainers
  • Assessments and Certificate
  • Membership in Private Facebook Group 

*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. 

If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details. 

Register interest

Course Dates

Be notified about future intakes

FAQs

General Information – FAQs Canine Behaviour Consultant Course

Live attendance at all Zoom virtual sessions is compulsory for the successful completion of the course. These sessions are designed to be interactive virtual classrooms where essential course material is covered and important discussions take place.

This course contains a number of accredited units of study which do not amount to a full qualification. Students who successfully complete all course requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and a Statement of Attainment for the following nationally recognised units of competency: 

The Canine Behaviour Consultant Course is completely delivered online via Zoom. There is no practical intensive workshop for this course.

Currently, this course is only available for AVT graduates of the Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training qualification as we build upon the specific units, curriculum and methodology they have previously learnt with our Trainers and Assessors. They have developed a thorough understanding of our philosophy, which is essential for continuing on to more advanced topics. Graduates from other programs might have covered similar content but under different frameworks and terminology, which may not align seamlessly with our course structure.

 

Why choose AVT?

Dedicated Animal Care College

AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 25 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!

Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

Outstanding Track Record

A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 93% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 95% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT.

Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

Safe and Supported Learning

Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They're approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.

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