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

At the start of the course, learners should have already achieved a Level 3 qualification in canine behaviour or another relevant area of study, be aged 18 or above and want to work in the canine care sector. As you progress through each course you will gain the skills and knowledge required to take the next academic step up.

Total study time for each course is as follows:

Level 4 Diploma – 420 hours

Level 5 Diploma – 496 hours

Level 6 Diploma – 490 hours

*You will have access to the course for 36 months only. You can purchase course extensions.

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.