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Become a Certified Dog Training Instructor

ABTC-Recognised
2-Year Instructor Course
Online or Residential Format


Develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to run classes, work with clients, and grow a career that reflects your values.

Take the first step toward becoming a registered Animal Training Instructor (ATI).

Dalmatian walking on red lead with person

A Trusted Path to Professional Animal Training Instructor Registration

If you’re passionate about dogs and want to help people train them using kind, ethical methods, our two-year Instructor Course is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re exploring a new career or formalising your existing experience, this course will support you every step of the way — combining practical learning, evidence-based theory, and clear pathways to recognised professional status.

The APDT ATI Instructor Course is a structured training programme recognised by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). It meets the full Knowledge & Understanding requirements for registration as an Animal Training Instructor (ATI).

Graduates are eligible to:

  • Apply directly for the APDT practical assessment, having completed the ABTC Knowledge & Understanding requirement

 

By completing and passing this course, you will have fulfilled the initial theory stage of the APDT assessment process. This means you can bypass the full written application and proceed straight to the practical assessment for Full Membership.

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All Full Members are listed in our national directory of trusted dog trainers and can manage their own listing

What You’ll Learn:
Our curriculum is built around five key modules, each blending academic foundations with real-world application:

Animal Behaviour - 10 credits

  • Reading canine body language

  • Breed-specific behaviour

  • Introduction to TTouch and scentwork

 

Animal Health & Welfare - 10 credits

  • Canine wellbeing and behaviour

  • Ethical decision-making and equipment use

  • Handling skills

 

Animal Husbandry Management and Welfare Legislation - 5 credits

  • Welfare legislation

  • Class planning and risk assessment

Animal Learning and Training - 30 credits

  • Learning theory and reinforcement

  • Teaching new behaviours

  • Class design, progression, and delivery

  • Practical skill development

 

Communication and Instruction - 20 credits

  • Group class and 1:1 coaching

  • Adapting exercises to individual needs

  • Public speaking, coaching and review

  • Real-world application

 

​All materials, assignments, and practicals are mapped to the ABTC ATI Knowledge & Understanding criteria.

Foundation Part 1 Residential (1001)2026

£202.78

202.78

Every month

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Spread the total cost of £1825 across 9 equal payments of £202.78 for 9 consecutive months

Foundation Part 1 Online (1002) 2026

£141.11

141.11

Every month

​

Spread the total cost of £1270 across 9 equal payments of £141.11 for 9 consecutive months

Dog Training Instructor Course Spread the cost

Why Study with the APDT?

APDT C.I.C. has supported dog training professionals for over 25 years. We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising standards, supporting our members, and advocating for kind, fair, and effective training.
 
When you train with us, you join a community of supportive, assessed, and credible professionals who want to do better — for dogs and their people.

Choose Your Learning Format

We offer two delivery options. Both formats include dedicated tutor support, structured assessments, and a peer group to guide your progress.

Residential Format – Based at Moulton College, Northampton

  • Weekend 1: 9–12 April 2026

  • Weekend 2: 20–23 August 2026

Includes meals, accommodation, and in-person practical teaching.

Moulton College Stewart House
Parson Terrier sitting on a desk looking as a woman on a laptop

Online Format – Live Zoom sessions with interactive support

  • Weekend 1: 21–24 May 2026

  • Weekend 2: 24–27 September 2026

Both options require between-session study, assignment completion, and attendance at all taught sessions. The course fee includes access to the APDT Student Library.

Who Is This Course For?​

This course is designed for individuals who:

  • Want to become a certified instructor using ethical, evidence-based approaches

  • Are working with their own dog/s or supporting others informally

  • Are ready to study, reflect, and engage with a professional learning journey

Your Progression Path

Graduates of the course will:

  • Meet the ABTC Knowledge & Understanding standards for Animal Training Instructor

  • Be eligible to move directly to the APDT practical assessment for Full Membership, having completed the Knowledge & Understanding requirement.

  • Receive an APDT Certificate of Achievement

  • Be invited to apply for Full Membership of APDT UK

Join the 2026 Waitlist

All places for 2025 are now filled. We’ll email you as soon as 2026 course dates are announced and enrolment opens.

Get Notified When Enrolment Opens

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Frequently Asked Questions

    • The Foundation Part One and Foundation Part Two courses are designed to give you the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to become a Dog Training Instructor.
      Dog Training Instructors teach people to train their own dogs, so although the course includes dog training (you can’t teach an exercise if you don’t know how it works and why a method might not suit all dogs), it focuses on how to teach people, make presentations, and deliver and manage classes.

    • The Advanced course helps people with at least one year of teaching dog training classes brush up/improve their skills.

    • Neither course equips you to deal with behavioural or health issues in dogs, but will give you the knowledge when and where to refer on.

    • Two long weekends of teaching.

    • Marking of homework assignments and either a certificate of attendance or, upon achieving the required grades, a certificate of completion. 

    • The residential course includes accommodation in halls of residence at Moulton College. All rooms are single occupancy and en-suite. It also includes dinner on Thursday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Refreshments are also included.

    • All courses are live and allow for engagement directly with the tutor, and classmates in real-time.

    • Support network via dedicated social media groups outside of the classroom.

    • The APDT allows for all reasonable adjustments to be made in accordance with our DEI policy. 

  • Both courses:
    A dog is not essential for participation     or completion of either course.

    Residential:
    You are welcome to bring your dog if they are comfortable around other dogs and people, and enjoy new environments, but will be expected to stay in your vehicle during classroom sessions. You may be able to work with dogs from other students or tutors on the residential course.

    Online:

    It may be beneficial to have an animal with you to work with during the practical sessions. 

    ​Please note: Dogs (except Assistance Dogs) are not allowed in the refectory or the bar during evening sessions. You are responsible for your dog’s welfare, including waste disposal. Your dog must be kept on a lead on campus unless directed otherwise by a tutor.

    • There is a reading list of books to accompany the course.

    • You will be set written questions at the end of each weekend to be submitted for marking upon a set deadline.

    • Written assignments are mainly in the form of essay questions (1000–2000 words approximately).

    • You will be issued with a form to log your guided learning hours.

    • No, there is no final exam, assessment occurs throughout the course.

    • All courses 2025: You will be given a certificate showing the level of course you have passed 

    • Foundation Part Two (after 2025): You will be given two certificates, one confirming you have passed the full APDT dog training instructors course* and another showing that you have completed the Knowledge and Understanding required for the ABTC Animal Training Instructor’s role standard.
      *This fulfils the written Theory membership assessment of the APDT. You will be required to complete the oral before being able to take the Practical Skills assessment for Full membership. 

    • You can find out more about applying for membership of APDT here. 

    • If you have been assisting an APDT member (for at least three months) you will be entitled to a 10% discount off the Foundation Part One or Advanced course fee.

    • There is no discount available for the Foundation Part Two.

    • APDT members are entitled to a 10% discount off the Advanced course.

Please contact the education team education@apdt.co.uk if you have more questions.

Dog Training Instructor Course Pay in Full

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