Certificate in Canine Handling & Understanding Communication Signals
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course has been written and designed by a qualified registered veterinary nurse and clinical animal behaviourist. It has been designed for pet professionals, fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. It is particularly suited to dog wardens, community officers, rescue centre workers and those working on trap and neuter programmes, but is also a valuable foundation for anyone who wants to understand safe handling techniques and canine body language.
Written with the benefit of practical veterinary and canine behaviour experience, informed by current safe working practices.
Learning outcomes:
- Develop a solid understanding of canine communication methods, including auditory and visual signals and body postures.
- Learn to recognise and interpret canine body language in order to assess a dog's intent and take the necessary steps to work safely.
- Understand how to approach, handle and restrain dogs using safe and appropriate techniques, including the correct use of equipment such as leads, muzzles and graspers.
- Build confidence in applying canine handling and restraint principles in workplace settings, including kennels, rescue centres and field environments.
- Gain an understanding of canine welfare legislation and how human stress and behaviour can affect a dog's response.
- Learn safe practices for transporting dogs and maintaining hygiene and disease control protocols.
This course includes:
- 6 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Webinars & videos
- Download guides & templates
- References, resources & research
- No assessments, just quizzes
- Certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
Who this course is for:
- Dog wardens
- Community officers
- RSCPA inspectors
- Rescue centre workers
- Pet professionals
- Working/volunteering on trap and neuter programmes
- Animal behaviourists
- Veterinary Nurses
- Vets
Before you enrol:
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Course Overview & Canine Communication Signals
- Welcome
- Introduction and Course Outline
- Animal Welfare and Relevant Legislation
- Recognising Canine Body Postures: Auditory & Visual Communication
- Understanding Canine Communication Signals (Webinar)
- Module 1: Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Handling and Restraining Dogs Safely
- Equipment, Protective Clothing, Leads & Graspers
- Muzzles, Food & PPE
- How to Approach and Handle Unfamiliar Dogs Safely
- Approaching a Dog in a Kennel
- Troubleshooting: What To Do When Things Go Wrong
- Lifting, Carrying and Restraining Dogs Safely
- Handling and Restraining
- Module 2: Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Understanding Canine Fear & Aggression
- Recognising and Responding to Canine Body-language in the Workplace
- The Environment
- Human Stress and How it Affects Dogs
- Dealing with an Aggressive Dog
- Module 3: Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Transporting Dogs Safely, Hygiene and Disease Control
- Transporting Dogs Safely
- Correct Handwashing Techniques & Cleaning Protocols
- Module 4: Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Final Visual Assessment
- Final Visual Assessment
- Answers
Student reviews:
- Students gained real confidence in reading dogs' body language and understanding stress signals for safer daily handling.
- Reviewers valued the well-structured course layout with mixed learning resources like videos, diagrams, and assessments.
- Students appreciated immediately applicable skills they could use with their own pets and in professional dog work.
- Learners found the course accessible and easy to understand, whether they were new to dogs or experienced handlers.
Based on 62 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Good clear to understand
Just about the right amount of time
Excellent course on canine handling and communication
This course was extremely informative and practical. I particularly appreciated the focus on reading canine body language, understanding stress signals, and safe handling techniques. The content was clear, well-structured, and easy to follow, even for someone without prior formal experience.
The additional resources and links encouraged me to do further research, deepening my understanding of canine behaviour, welfare, and safety. I feel more confident in approaching, handling, and assessing dogs, both at work and with my own pets at home.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in dog welfare, handling, or behaviour, whether professionally or personally. The skills and knowledge gained are immediately applicable and will improve both safety and understanding of dogs in any setting.
Really useful refresher course
This was a refresher for me, but liked the layout of the course and the set modules useful and the videos beneficial
Engaging, Informative, Enlightening
I would recommend this course to anyone who needs a refresher in canine behaviour and the difference between a people pleasing fear submissive response and a friendly engaging reponse
Very useful training and contents.
Very useful training and contents.
A really useful training course; giving you a good insight into understanding behaviours
I found the course really helpful in understanding all the small signs that a dog can give (escalation ladder) to show you how they are feeling; and how we can diffuse a situation by our own body language.
Keep growing — CPD courses chosen for you…
Higher Certificate in Canine Reactivity
by Caroline Clark
- 8 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Accredited Course
- 2 Hours of Webinars
Running Successful Puppy Socialisation Events Webinar
by Caroline Clark
- 5 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Download guides & templates
Canine Separation Anxiety Webinar
by Caroline Clark
- 6 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Downloads