Combined Canine Behaviour Management Diploma (RQF) Levels 4, 5 and 6.

The level 4 diploma will cover the following:

Unit 1: Canine Anatomy and Behaviour

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the canine skeletal system
• Understand the canine muscle system
• Be able to assess canine locomotion
• Understand how to manage a number of medical conditions affecting canine anatomy
• Be able to assess changes in canine’s behaviour that may indicate pain or discomfort
• Understand the influence of canine anatomy on behaviour problems

Unit 2: Canine Behaviour Problems

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand common canine behaviour problems and their outcomes
• Know how to improve problem behaviours
• Understand the consequences of long term kennelling
• Understand the methods of managing rescued canines
• Understand the role of alternative therapies in behaviour management
• Know about humane training equipment used in canine training

Unit 3: Canine Guardians

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the role of canine guardians
• Understand the influence of compatibility in canine ownership
• Understand the impact of lifestyle on canine behaviour

Unit 4: Canine Learning Theory

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the principles underpinning canine behaviour
• Understand classical and operant conditioning
• Understand the various rates of reinforcement in canine behaviour training
• Understand the roles of conditioning in canine behaviour modification
• Understand the various methods of canine training
• Understand how canines learn

Unit 5: Canine Nutrition

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the sources of major nutrients in the canine diet
• Understand the functions of major nutrients for canines
• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the canine digestive system
• Understand the nutritional value and impact of canine nutrition

Unit 6: Canine Physiology

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the canine circulatory system
• Understand the canine respiratory system
• Understand the canine nervous system
• Be able to assess motor activity
• Understand the canine urinary system
• Understand the canine lymphatic system
• Understand the canine skin system
• Understand the canine reproductive system

Unit 7: Canine Play and Exercise

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the impact of too much and too little play on canines
• Understand the impact of too much and too little exercise on canines
• Understand the role exercise can play in changing problem behaviour
• Understand the importance of mental stimulation and enrichment in preventing and changing problem behaviour

Unit 8: Influences on Canine Behaviour

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the role of external and internal influences on canine behaviour
• Understand the influence of medical conditions on canine behaviour
• Understand the role of canine stress on behaviour

Unit 9: Managing a Dog Training Class

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the business requirements for managing dog training classes
• Understand the necessary skills for delivering dog training classes
• Be able to plan a dog training class programme

The level 5 diploma will cover the following:

Unit 1: Canine Evolution

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the fundamental principles of canine evolution
• Know the origin of ‘Canis Familiaris’
• Understand the role of domestication on canine behaviour and training
• Understand Ethology and Behaviourism and their relevance to canines

Unit 2: Measuring Canine Behaviour

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to use essential tools for data collection to measure behaviour
• Understand how to apply data to manage behaviour
• Understand the use of functional analysis
• Understand how to create a learning environment for canines

Unit 3: Practical Training Unit

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to recognise the emotional state of canines
• Be able to recognise potential gait problems by analysing canine movement
• Be able to create a supportive connection with an individual dog
• Be able to apply a harness and lead using force and fear-free methods
• Be able to assess the correct method of training for an individual dog
• Be able to use force and fear-free methods at all times
• Be able to teach loose lead using force and fear-free method
• Be able to demonstrate an effective client relationship as a Canine Behaviour Practitioner

Unit 4: Understanding Canine Behaviour Change

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the principle components of behaviour change programmes
• Understand the application of learning theory in behaviour cases
• Understand strategies for dealing with categories of aggression

Unit 5: Understanding Canine Needs

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand canine emotional and physical needs
• Understand the needs of rescued canines
• Understand the human element in canine behaviour patterns
• Understand the importance of play and exercise for canines
• Understand the importance of socialisation for canine development

Unit 6: Understanding Canine Stress and Anxiety

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of socialisation for canine development

Unit 7: Understanding Multiple Canine Management

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to manage multiple canines
• Understand how to recognise problem behaviour in multi canine households

Unit 8: Understanding Normal and Maladaptive Aggression in Canines

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand normal and maladaptive aggression in canines
• Understand categories of aggression and their functionality in canine behaviour
• Understand the use of canine communication in behaviour management and training
• Understand aggressive communication in canines
• Understand the importance of bite inhibition and early recognition in canine behaviour training
• Know the risk factors associated with human-canine aggression

Unit 9: Understanding the External Environment

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the role genetics play in the development of canine behaviour
• Understand the implications of the dominance myth in canine behaviour training
• Understand instinctive and learned behaviour in canines
• Understand external influences on behaviour response

Unit 10: Understand external influences on behaviour response

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the behavioural biology of canines
• Understand the behavioural biology of aggression in canines
• Understand the role of emotions in canine behaviour
• Know the role medical conditions can play in aggression

Unit 11: Working Canines

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the roles of working canines in human society
• Understand the welfare concerns for working canines

Unit 12: Working with Canine Aggression Cases

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Know how to recognise cases of aggression in canines
• Know the principles for working with aggressive canines
• Understand the ethics of working with aggressive canines
• Understand the competencies required to work with aggressive canines
• Understand the role of the behaviour practitioner in managing aggressive behaviour in canines

The level 6 diploma will cover the following:

Unit 1: Canine Cognition and Consciousness

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how human beings learn
• Understand how animals learn
• Understand how early learning can affect canine development
• Understand the theory of the canine mind

Unit 2: Canine Development

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the behavioural implications of puppy development
• Understand the behavioural implications of life stages on the development and behaviour of canines

Unit 3: Canine Health and Behaviour Patterns

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand veterinary terminology associated with health and behaviour in canines
• Understand the signs of ill health and common conditions that influence canine behaviour
• Understand the impact of physiology on canine behaviour
• Understand the consequences of medical disorders on canine behaviour
• Understand the role of nutrition on canine health and behaviour
• Understand the role of psychopharmacological intervention in the treatment of common behavioural disorders
• Understand the role of complementary therapies in canine behaviour management

Unit 4: Consulting and Canine Behaviour Management

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to implement behaviour change programmes for canines
• Understand a range of principal professional roles of working with dogs
• Be able to apply a range of professional skills, techniques and practices of working with dogs
• Be able to use effective coaching skills in canine behaviour management
• Be able to manage investigations and interventions to safeguard the welfare of canines
• Know professional, ethical and other issues arising from consultations
• Understand the role of professionals in the treatment of behavioural disorders

Unit 5: Human-Canine Bond

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand canine behaviour problems as viewed by society
• Understand the impact of legislation on public perceptions of canine behaviour problems
• Know the categories of canine ownership and their purposes
• Understand legislation related to the human-canine bond
• Understand the impact of the human factor on the human-canine bond
• Understand the concept of canine as Family and Anthropomorphism

Unit 6: Nature Versus Nurture

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the nature versus nurture debate in respect of genetic predisposition in canines
• Understand the influence of nature versus nurture on behaviour management of canines
• Understand the role socialisation plays in canine learning
• Understand other influences on canine behaviour

Unit 7: Practical Canine Behaviour Training

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to identify the behaviour and body language of dogs
• Be able to demonstrate teaching skills for training dogs
• Be able to teach resilience in rescue dogs
• Understand the individual learning needs of a dog
• Be able to implement a tailored training plan for an individual dog
• Be able to use force and fear-free training methods at all times
• Be able to critically analyse training methods demonstrated
• Be able to analyse own training techniques and reflect on own skills

Unit 8: Research Methods in Canine Behaviour Management

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the application of the principles of design in data collection and analysis
• Understand the principles of qualitative research for different types of research questions
• Understand the role of single subject studies and case studies on the advancement of science
• Be able to conduct in-depth case studies
• Understand the use of qualitative data methods in research
• Be able to perform simple tests of association using qualitative data
• Understand the use of different forms of control and balance in research design
• Understand the ethical issues relating to the use of human and nonhuman subjects in research
• Be able to use research methods in canine behaviour management

Unit 9: The Language of Dogs

Upon completion of this unit you will:

• Understand canine social structures
• Understand canine body language
• Understand the role of canine non-verbal communication
• Understand canine verbal communication and vocalisation

Each diploma will be assessed based on the requirements of the course.

Level 4 Diploma – you will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence and complete a practical demonstration/assignment.

Level 5 Diploma – you will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence and complete a practical demonstration/assignment.

Level 6 Diploma – you will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence and complete a practical assessment. Learners must also complete 4 days of practical training to achieve the practical unit within this qualification.