Course Pathway · Dog Training Business

Start Your Own Dog Training Business

You might be the one friends ring when their dog will not listen. This pathway covers how dogs think, positive training methods, and the business around it. Made for turning the knack into a trade.

From $29a week on a plan
~400 hoursof study, self paced
18 monthsof course access
Over 100training videos included
No examsever
At a Glance

Course Snapshot

Study AreaEducation & Teaching
Course TypeCourse Pathway
Study Time~400 hours
Access18 months
Study ModeFully online, course open day and night
AssessmentNo exams, ever
PaymentsFrom $29 a week
Comes with
  • 10-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • No deposit, no credit check
  • Sarah Whitehead video library
  • Unlimited tutor support
Who It’s For

Why Do This Course

Understand Why the Dog Does It

Canine senses, communication and behavioural development. Training sticks when you know what is driving the behaviour.

Train Without Force

Positive, no-force principles, obedience work and movement control. The approach owners want and dogs cope with.

Charge For What You Know

Business structures, a plan, bookkeeping and Xero. The step from helpful friend to paid trainer.

Where The Skills Fit

Where These Skills Could Take You

Most dog training work is bought by owners at the end of their patience, and they pay for someone who can explain what is going on. The work is easy to picture: a puppy class on Tuesday night, a one to one on Saturday, a few phone consults between. You choose the shape of the week.

Dog Training Business Owner

Your own clients, classes and rates.

Junior Dog Training Instructor

Learning the floor alongside an established trainer.

Puppy Training Specialist (Junior)

The early weeks, where most problems are prevented.

Group Class Facilitator (Dog training)

Running the weekly class and keeping it moving.

Mobile Training Operator

Going to the home, where the behaviour shows up in the first place.

Customer Care Coordinator (Training)

Bookings, follow ups and keeping owners on track.

Roles where these skills are useful, not promised outcomes. Every role is different, and some need more study or experience. Behaviour consultant work with serious cases usually needs further study and supervised hours.

The Course

What You'll Learn

01
Certificate in Caring for Dogs
The animal itself, before the training starts.
Introduction to Dog Care
Canine Biology
Dog Health Nutrition
Dog Health Disorders
Exploring Dog Breeds
Responsible Dog Breeding
Dog Behaviour and Training
Grooming Dogs
Other Dog Services
02
Certificate in Dog Psychology, Behaviour & Training
How dogs think, and how that changes what you do.
Nature and Scope of Canine Psychology
Canine Senses and Communication
Understanding Natural Canine Behaviour
Canine Behavioural Development
Canine Behavioural Disorders
Basic Dog Training Principles
Dog Obedience Training
Controlling a Dog's Movement
Training Working Dogs
03
Start Your Own Business with Xero & AI
The trade side of working with dogs.
Starting Up & Business Types and Structures
Preparing your Business Plan
Introduction to Accounting & Bookkeeping
Certificate in Xero
Certificate in Digital Marketing with AI (optional)
Included

What You’ll Get

In the Course

  • Dog care, biology, nutrition, health, breeds
  • Canine psychology, senses, communication, development
  • Training, obedience, movement, working dogs
  • The business, plan, bookkeeping, Xero

As a Student

  • Unlimited tutor support, phone and email in business hours
  • 18 months of access, course open day and night
  • No exams, ever, no practical assessment either
  • Video library, over 100 behaviour and training videos
Why This One

What Makes It Different

Three things that set this pathway apart.

01
Sarah Whitehead's Video Library

Over 100 videos on dog psychology, behaviour and training. From a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

02
Behaviour Disorders Covered

Not just obedience. Canine behavioural disorders sit in the curriculum, which is where clients usually start.

03
The College Backs the SPCA

The Career Academy is an SPCA Business Supporter. It donates a portion of course proceeds.

The Credentials

What You'll Earn

PATHWAY

Dog Training Business Pathway

Certificate of Achievement · The Career Academy

A Certificate of Achievement

From the college, across all three certificates.

CPD Credits

Earned on completion of the pathway.

A SEEK Pass Credential

Yours to share on your SEEK profile.

Getting Started

How It Works

Step one

Send an Enquiry

An advisor sends the guide and the three module lists.

Step two

Enrol Any Day

Weekly plan with no deposit, or pay upfront in one go.

Step three

Learn How Dogs Work

Care first, then psychology and training, videos alongside.

Step four

Open For Clients

Build the business plan, then take your first bookings.

The Investment

How to Get Started

$29 / week
Weekly, fortnightly or monthly on a plan, or pay upfront in full.
No deposit, no credit check
10-Day Money Back Guarantee
Start on any day
Video library included
Enquire Now
Good to Know

Common Questions

Do I need experience with dogs?

No experience is needed, and you do not need a business plan to start. The pathway begins at dog care basics.

What does it cost each week?

From only $29 a week on a plan, with no deposit and no credit check. Upfront is an option. Enquire for current pricing.

How long does it take?

Around 400 hours of content, with 18 months of access. Self paced, with the course open day and night.

What training methods are taught?

Positive, no-force principles, applied through obedience training, movement control and the foundations of working dog training.

Who is Sarah Whitehead?

A Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Over 100 of her dog psychology, behaviour and training videos come with the pathway.

Are there exams or practical assessments?

Neither. There are no exams and no practical assessment requirements. Tutor support runs unlimited in business hours.

Is this course accredited?

It is accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, which is accreditation for professional development, and it earns CPD credits. It is not NZQA accredited, so it is not a national qualification. Those are different things. Owners judge a trainer on the dog in front of them.

What if it is not for me?

A 10-Day Money Back Guarantee applies from the day you enrol.

Delivered By

About the College

This pathway is delivered by The Career Academy, an online college in New Zealand.

The college has run for over 15 years and helps more than 25,000 students a year. It is an SPCA Business Supporter and donates a portion of course proceeds to the SPCA. Pet and animal care tutor Rachel H brings over 20 years in the animal industry.

Over 15 years runningSPCA Business SupporterTutor with 20 years in the tradeUnlimited tutor support
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Enquire Today

Picture the moment a dog that nobody could walk sits down beside you, and the owner looks at you like you have done magic.

Enquire Now