APDT, UK Pet Dog Training

                                            Instructor’s Courses 2012

 

Foundation: if y ou have had little or no experience of dog training instructing

 

Advanced: for instructors with at least one year’s experience of teaching classes

 

Dates: 29 March until 1 April 2012 and 30August until 2 September 2012

(Thursday evening, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

Students must attend the college on both weekends to complete the course

 

Cost: £960 per student, including accommodation and meals

 

Venue:   Moulton College, Northampton

 

The courses will be accredited by National Open College Network (NOCN)

 

Foundation course to include:

•   Class planning – venue, exercises, equipment                                
•   Learning Theory - Understanding how a dog learns
•   Presentation  - delivering your message in a professional way
•   Communication - how to make sure that what you say is understood by your owners
•   Challenging dogs and owners - how to deal with some common problems in class
•   Equipment - what is available, what should you recommend (or avoid) and why
•   How to teach various exercises - basic exercises explained, and how to progress them
•   Diet - understand what is in various dog foods
•   Teaching the disabled owner - how to adapt exercises to the physical needs of your owners
•   Plus other subjects

 

Advanced course to include:

•   Progressing exercises - taking it to the next level, and ensuring the dog really understands
•   Stress in dogs and owners - recognising stress, dealing with it and avoiding it
•   Diet and effects on behaviour - 'you are what you eat' and so is your dog. 
•   Health problems - be aware of a dog's health problems, and avoid adding to them
•   Training the assistance dog - fun exercises for dog and owner
•   Breed specific challenges – understanding the need for different approaches
•   Reviewing the class - are your classes the best they can be?
•   Plus other subjects

 

CLICK HERE FOR APDT CODE OF PRACTICE

 

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM - FOUNDATION

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM - ADVANCED

'After completing the Foundation Course I felt it a natural progression to complete the Advanced course. I found both the weekends and the essay writing challenging, enjoyable and very useful. I learned new things and was reminded of things I had learned previously but had forgotten. A course well worth enrolling in'.

 

FAQ’S

 

Who can attend the course?

The Foundation course is suitable for anyone who would like to become a Dog Training Instructor.  You do not need to have any prior experience of instructing.

The Advanced course is for instructors who have been teaching for at least a year.

 

Does either course give me membership of APDT, UK?

No.  Application for membership is via APDT assessment only. For details please see APDT website http://www.apdt.co.uk/dog_trainer_membership.asp

 

Do I have to attend both weekends?

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

 

Is the first weekend Foundation and the second weekend Advanced?

No, each course comprises two weekends. The foundation and advanced courses are run on the same weekends but are taught separately (although the evening sessions are shared).

What times will we be working?

The course will start after registration and dinner on the Thursday evening.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday classes will be from 9.00am – 5.00pm each day.

 

Is the course residential?

Yes. We are holding the course at Moulton College, Northamptonshire and the cost of a room in the Halls of Residence (all en suite), dinner on the Thursday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday are included in the cost of the course.  The meals are served cafeteria style, lunch is served as a buffet in the learning area.  Vegetarian options are available.  If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know so that we can notify the College catering staff.

 

Is the course theory or practical?

The course is mainly theory but will include a practical session (about an hour and a half) on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  There is a lot to understand about dogs, people and planning that must be covered in theory sessions.

 

Do I need to bring a dog with me?

No.  Although there are practical sessions where we do use Student’s dogs to add a touch of ‘realism’, it is not necessary for all Students to have a dog with them.

 

Can I bring my dog with me?

Yes, as long as (a) your dog is happy to stay in your vehicle during the day (b) you have facilities in your vehicle to keep the dog cool if the weather is hot and keep him warm if the weather is cold and (c) he is not aggressive towards people/other dogs you are welcome to bring him. 

You will be able to take your dog into your room at night, but please make sure he has his own bed.

You will be responsible for your dog whilst you are at the college and will need to bring dog food as that is not included in the cost. 

Your dog must be kept on lead while on the College grounds. 

We have scheduled generous breaks (half an hour mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and one hour lunch break) to allow you time to exercise your dog regularly through the day and still have time for a chat with your colleagues.

 

Is the course accredited?

The course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN). 

 

Do I need to read any books?

Yes, you will receive a reading list when we confirm your place on the course.  Reading the books is an important part 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 library until the end of October 2012, where they will be available to borrow.  (All the books are in the library, but obviously the same book will not 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 eight essays plus another homework required in total. Six assignments are required after the first weekend, the remaining three after the second weekend.

 

How much is the course?

The course costs £960 per student. We require a £65 deposit to secure your place. This deposit is not refundable. 

The balance of the course fee (£895) must be paid by 1 March 2012.

No fees can be refunded after 1 March 2012.

Membership of the APDT library will start once we confirm your place on the course.

 

Can I pay for the course in instalments?

Once you have paid your deposit, if you would prefer to pay the balance in three stages that will be fine, but all fees must be paid by 1 March 2012.  Please remember that no money can be refunded after 1 March 2012.

I do not have a UK Bank account - how can I pay?

You can pay by bank transfer in £ sterling (please contact us for payment details) or you can send a sterling bankers draft. Sorry, we cannot accept payment in Euros as it costs us too much in bank fee/exchange rates.

 

How do I apply for the course?

Please complete the registration/experience form and send it, with your cheque for £65 to

the address on the form.

 

How will I know I have been accepted?

When we receive your deposit, and completed application form, we will e-mail you a confirmation of your place. If all places have been taken we will contact you to see if you would like to go on a waiting list.  In this case we will not cash your deposit cheque until a place becomes available.

 

Do you take credit card payment?

Sorry, we cannot accept credit/debit cards.  We would appreciate payment by cheque, bank transfer or PO. Details can be found on the application form.

 

I have another question. What should I do?

If your query has not been answered, please e-mail info@apdt.co.uk. Your mail will be passed to the education team.