Certificate in Canine Handling & Understanding Communication Signals

Develop your canine handling skills and learn how to recognise and read canine communication signals accurately.

Written by: Caroline ClarkClinical Animal Behaviourist, Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse, Qualified Teacher & Published Author

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 a suitable foundation for anyone who wants to understand handling techniques and wishes to have a better understanding of canine body language.

The course is made up of multiple learning processes, such as written content, webinars, downloadable resources, suggested tasks, recommended reading and references. There are no exams, but to obtain your certificate you must answer some multiple choice questions.

Course aims:

  • To have a solid understanding of canine communication methods.
  • To be able to recognise canine signalling in order to carry out a basic assessment of the dog’s intent and take the necessary steps to work safely.
  • Understand how to approach and handle dogs using safe and appropriate techniques.
  • To feel more confident in applying the principles of canine handling and restraint.
  • To have an appreciation of canine welfare and be familiar with some of the relevant legislation that protects them.
  • See full course curriculum below.

Course features:

  • Written with the benefit of practical veterinary and canine behaviour experience.
  • Information and content based on safe working practices
  • Easy-to-digest lessons give you the flexibility to learn at home at your own pace.
  • Includes recorded webinars, which are slides presented with a voiceover.
  • Includes a comprehensive list of references and related research.
  • Tutor and technical support available.
  • Lifetime access to dip in and out of the course whenever you need to refresh your knowledge.
  • CPD Certificate of completion.
  • CPD Transcript for prospective employers.
  • CPD Reflection for professional portfolio and CPD log.
  • Works on computers, tablets & smartphones.
Accredited by CPD Standards
Unique verifiable certificate code

10% Loyal Student Discount on further courses

Discount added in the basket when you are signed into your account. Excludes enrolment codes.

Suitable for:

  • Dog wardens
  • Community officers
  • RSCPA inspectors
  • Rescue centre workers
  • Pet professionals
  • Working/volunteering on trap and neuter programmes
  • Animal behaviourists
  • Veterinary Nurses
  • Vets

Course content

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About your tutor

Caroline Clark

Caroline has a long and varied career working with companion animals. After many years working as a veterinary nurse she attended teacher training college and pursued a career in education - teaching veterinary nursing and other animal related subjects. Caroline's interest in behaviour led her to Southampton University where she gained a post graduate diploma in companion animal behaviour counselling and, after qualifying in 2006, she opened her own behaviour referral clinic in Yorkshire . She is a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and is one of only a relatively small number of specialists to have achieved the status of Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) with the Animal Behaviour Training Council. (ABTC). Caroline is the author of two books: Fear and Anxiety in Dogs, published by Crowood Press and A Professional's Guide to Feline Behaviour, published by CRC Press. Caroline has also written several articles for veterinary journals, is a public speaker and has appeared as the animal specialist on the 20 part, Channel Four TV series, ‘Embarrassing Pets’ which is still aired worldwide.

14 Courses

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Course includes

  • 6 Modules
  • Video Demonstrations
  • Downloadable Resources
  • No Exams!
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Lifetime Access
  • Buy for staff or in bulk

    • Enrolment codes supplied by email.
    • Includes instructions on how to redeem
    • Students register & enrol separately.
    • Receipt provided for your business.
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    Regular Price: £45.00

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  • Platform features

    • Learn At Home
      Flexibility to learn at your own pace
    • Dark Mode Switch
      Reduces eye strain at night                    
    • Device Compatible
      Computers, tablets & smartphones
    • Help & Support
      Tutorial and technical support included
  • Share this course

4.8 43 Reviews

Reviews

by Rosie Hunt 18/09/2024

Easily accessible, very informative and useful for my home boarding business

by Olivia Ward 08/08/2024

i was able to learn how to read a dogs body language as well as learning about handling the dog. it was useful for future employment opportunities.

by Sam Lewis 08/08/2024

Yes very helpful

by Curtis Chapman 02/08/2024

I enjoyed completing the course and found myself able to fit it in and around a schedule that best suited me

by Lucie Thomas 21/07/2024

The course is great at teaching you how to approach dogs safely and handle dogs on a daily basis, it clearly tells you how to read different dogs body language and what to look out for to prevent yourself or the dog coming to any harm Great for anyone who has to work with dogs on a daily basis.

by chloe thomas 16/07/2024

enjoyed the course

by Deanna Whitehead 10/05/2024

The videos was very helpful, to actually see the right and wrong way on doing things. This course will help me feel more confident in my job in kennels. Helped me understand dogs behaviour a lot more.

by Eve Hunter 30/03/2024

The content was easy to understand with different resources like photos and videos! It advised what to do but also what not to do which i found very helpful.

by Adriana Smet 22/02/2024

I would’t change anything about a course. The course is very transparent and easy to learn, it was a pleasure doing it and gaining beneficial knowledge. Very reliable and to the point. I can recommend it for everyone.

by Annabel Cozzolino 20/02/2024

a course full of lots of information. There is a lot of readying, set some time aside

by Harry Tuck 20/02/2024

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by Karl Riahi 08/02/2024

Some really helpful information and videos which clearly show the do’s and don’ts of dealing with unfamiliar dogs.

by Kathryn Langton 29/01/2024

A compact course, well written and easy to understand. A good mixture of written information and videos. Will complete further courses.

by bethany marron 22/01/2024

helped me to better myself as a dog walker and aspiring dog trainer

by Chris Kent 29/06/2023

such alot of information in this course, some things i knew, others i did not. great balance of subjects and depth of information