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Become a Dog Training Instructor

ABTC-recognised learning programme
Two-year Dog Training Instructor course
Choose online or residential learning

Develop the knowledge, understanding and confidence to support dogs and their people through the APDT’s structured two-year Dog Training Instructor course. Choose live online or residential learning and begin your journey towards becoming an Animal Training Instructor.

Dalmatian walking on red lead with person

Build Your Knowledge. Develop Your Skills. Begin Your Journey.

If you’re passionate about dogs and want to help people train them using kind, fair and effective methods, the APDT’s two-year Dog Training Instructor course is the best place to begin. Whether you’re considering a new career or building on existing experience, you’ll combine evidence-informed learning with opportunities to practise, reflect and develop your skills over time.

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The APDT Dog Training Instructor course is an ABTC-recognised programme designed to provide and assess the Knowledge and Understanding required for the Animal Training Instructor role.

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The two-year structure gives you time to learn, practise, reflect and build confidence as you develop the knowledge and skills needed to support dogs and the people who care for them.

 

Practical assessment takes place separately from the course and requires you to demonstrate your ability to teach a group class in a real training environment. Passing the practical assessment is required before becoming an APDT Full Member.

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After completing the course, you can join APDT as a Graduate Member while preparing for practical assessment. Graduate Membership gives you up to two years to continue gaining experience, access CPD, build professional connections and develop your confidence before taking the next step towards Full Membership.

What You’ll Learn:

Animal Behaviour - 10 credits

  • Reading canine body language

  • Breed-specific behaviour

  • Introduction to cooperative care 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.

Develop the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed, ethical and effective training decisions. Across the two-year course, you will explore how dogs learn, how behaviour develops, and how to support the welfare and learning of dogs and the people who care for them.

Our curriculum is built around five key modules, each combining academic foundations with real-world applications so you can understand not only what works but also why it works and how to apply your learning thoughtfully and effectively.

Choose How You Learn

Choose the learning experience that best suits you. Both routes follow the same two-year Dog Training Instructor curriculum and provide live, tutor-led teaching, opportunities to ask questions and a supportive learning environment.

Residential Learning – An immersive, in-person learning experience at Moulton College, Northamptonshire

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Learn face-to-face with experienced tutors and a small cohort of fellow students. The residential format provides dedicated time for discussion, practical learning and building connections with others who share your commitment to kind, fair and effective dog training.

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The residential course is offered once each year and is limited to 15 students.

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  • 15 places each year

  • In-person tutor-led learning

  • Meals and accommodation included

  • Practical learning opportunities

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2026 Residential Course

Weekend 1: 9–12 April 2026
Weekend 2: 20–23 August 2026

The 2026 residential course is now fully booked.

Join the 2027 Residential Course Waitlist
Moulton College, where the APDT Residential Dog Training Instructor course is delivered
Parson Terrier sitting on a desk looking as a woman on a laptop

Online Learning - Learn from home without learning alone.

Join live, interactive teaching from wherever you are. You will learn alongside a small cohort, take part in discussions, ask questions, and develop your knowledge under the guidance of experienced tutors.

Online cohorts are capped at 20 students to support meaningful participation and interaction.

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Book the October 2026 Online Course

  • Weekend 1: 8 - 11 October 2026

  • Weekend 2: 21–24 January 2027

Whichever learning route you choose, you will continue developing your knowledge between taught sessions through guided study and assignments. Attendance at all taught sessions is required, and your course fee includes access to the APDT Student Library throughout your studies.

Who Is This Course For?​

Whether you are taking your first steps into dog training, considering a new career or building on experience you already have, the APDT Dog Training Instructor course provides a structured pathway to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence.

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  • Aspiring Dog Trainers
    You are passionate about dogs and want to build the knowledge and skills needed to begin working towards a career in dog training.​

  • Career Changers
    You are looking for a meaningful new direction and want a structured, evidence-informed route into dog training.

  • Existing Dog Professionals
    You already work with dogs and their people and want to deepen your understanding, strengthen your skills or work towards recognised professional standards.

  • Experienced Trainers
    You have practical experience and want to develop your theoretical knowledge, reflect on your approach and progress towards APDT Full Membership.

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No previous qualifications are required. The course is designed to build your knowledge from the foundations upwards, while also providing valuable development for those with existing experience.

Why Study with the APDT?

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has supported dog training professionals for over 30 years. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to raising standards and promoting kind, fair and effective dog training.

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Our two-year Dog Training Instructor course combines evidence-informed education with time to learn, practise and reflect. You will study alongside others who share your commitment to supporting dogs and the people who care for them, while developing the Knowledge and Understanding required for the Animal Training Instructor role.

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By studying with the APDT, you become part of a professional community with a clear pathway from education through Graduate Membership and practical assessment towards APDT Full Membership.

Your Journey from Student to APDT Full Member

The APDT pathway gives you time to build your knowledge, gain experience and develop your confidence before demonstrating your practical teaching skills. ​

APDT Student Journey

On successful completion of the course, you will receive an APDT Certificate of Achievement and will have met the ABTC Knowledge and Understanding requirements for the Animal Training Instructor role.

DTI Year 1 Online October 2026 (1002)

£141.11

141.11

Every month

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

Spread the cost

Pay in Full

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

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.

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