Prepare online
Complete the foundation online modules and pass the knowledge assessment before attending. Bring your questions and a fictional observation example; do not include client details.
Explore the included online courseONLINE + IN PERSON · YEOVIL, SOMERSET
Dog behaviour: observe & understand
A full day of guided observation, calm handling decisions and repeated practice, with individual feedback and time to ask questions.
1 full day6 supervised teaching hoursIndividual feedback
What you will practise
- Describe posture, movement and changes in context without diagnosing or labelling a dog.
- Recognise when a dog needs more distance, a quieter activity or protected rest.
- Adapt decisions to weather, recent activity, health and the individual dog.
- Rehearse safe greetings, play decisions and factual observations, then explain when to seek help.
Who is it for?
Dog owners and carers starting their behaviour learning journey.
Practise together
Attend the agreed training day with a supervisor. Demonstrations, guided practice and repeated scenarios give you time to ask questions, receive feedback and improve.
Reflect and develop
Receive individual feedback and a development plan. A practical completion certificate becomes available after the instructor confirms attendance and completion of the full agreed programme. Online progress and knowledge results remain separate from practical feedback.
A full programme with time to practise
6 hours of supervised teaching across 1 full day, plus 1 hour of breaks. The typical day runs from 09:00 to 16:00, including two 15-minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch break. Final timings are confirmed before booking.
Each learner receives supervised practice and feedback. Activities are adjusted to the learner and dog; models, video and fictional scenarios are used whenever live practice is unsuitable.
DAY 1 OF 1
Observe, respond and review
6 teaching hours · 1 hour of breaks
09:00–10:00Welcome, welfare and observation baseline60 minutes
Review your online learning, agree safe participation and compare video examples. Practise separating what you can see from an assumption about a dog’s feelings or intentions.
Your practice and feedback: Produce a short observation record with context and missing information.
- 10:00–10:15Morning break · 15 minutes
10:15–11:45Read the whole dog90 minutes
Observe suitable dogs at a comfortable distance or use recordings. Compare posture, movement, facial expression, breathing and recovery over time. Discuss possible discomfort and health changes. Each learner practises and receives feedback.
Your practice and feedback: Describe a sequence of changes and identify a suitable pause or referral point.
- 11:45–12:15Lunch break · 30 minutes
12:15–13:45Space, choice and calm transitions90 minutes
Use floor plans and models to rehearse approaches, greetings, gates and safe positioning. Suitable live-dog practice follows only with consent and supervisor approval. Repeat with adjusted distance and quieter alternatives.
Your practice and feedback: Demonstrate a calm approach, a safe retreat and a clear stop decision.
- 13:45–14:00Afternoon break · 15 minutes
14:00–15:30Play, rest and individual care scenarios90 minutes
Plan responses to interrupted play, mounting, fence activity and a dog that cannot settle. Include hot and humid, cold and wet, puppy and senior cases using fictional scenarios. Choose practical changes and recheck welfare.
Your practice and feedback: Explain how the plan changes for the individual dog and what you will monitor.
15:30–16:00Individual review and next steps30 minutes
Review the learner’s observations and demonstrated choices. Correct misunderstandings, answer questions and agree a personal practice plan with clear limits.
Your practice and feedback: Record instructor feedback, safe next steps and any activity needing further practice.
Your course questions
Where does the in-person training take place?
Sessions are planned in the Yeovil area of Somerset. The exact venue, dates, instructor, group size and equipment are confirmed before you book.
How much supervised training is included?
The package includes 1 full day with 6 supervised teaching hours and 7 hours on site including breaks. The matching online course is included for 12 months.
Can I bring my own dog?
Do not bring your dog unless this has been agreed in advance. Suitable dogs, models, video and fictional scenarios are used according to welfare needs and the learning activity.
How do I book a practical course?
Send an enquiry using the button on this page. Enquiries are open, but bookings and payments are not open yet. Your written offer will confirm availability, venue, both dates where applicable and the full booking terms.
Are practical course bookings refundable?
Course bookings are subject to a non-refundable policy, with statutory cancellation rights and other legal remedies preserved. Any cancellation charge must be fair and reflect our reasonable net loss. Your written booking terms will confirm the cancellation period and refunds if we cancel or cannot supply a session, before you pay.
Is the practical completion certificate accredited?
No. A practical completion certificate recognises instructor-confirmed attendance and completion of the agreed programme. It is not an accredited qualification or authorisation for unsupervised work.
Plan your visit
Sessions are planned in the Yeovil area, with dates, exact venue, instructor, group size and equipment confirmed before booking. Tell us about access requirements so we can discuss suitable arrangements. Do not bring your own dog unless explicitly agreed in advance. We will confirm clothing, footwear, lunch arrangements and any preparation with you.
Learning that puts welfare first
Live-dog observation or handling takes place only with suitable dogs, appropriate consent and direct supervision. A dog’s comfort takes priority; models, video or scenarios may replace an activity. Learners never take sole responsibility for dogs. No fear, aggression or distress is deliberately created for teaching.
What this package means
These are independent training experiences, not accredited qualifications, veterinary training or professional certification. Attendance and feedback do not establish competence for unsupervised work. First aid never replaces veterinary care.
Before you pay
Bookings and payments are not open yet. Your written offer will confirm the included online course and access start date, all practical dates, teaching hours, total price, session arrangements, cancellation and rescheduling terms, and what happens if we cannot deliver a session. The online-only purchase terms do not form the full terms for these packages.
Ask about availability