CIDBT 4110 Understanding Canine Care and Behaviour

This course provides all the general background information that someone interested in entering the dog-training and behaviour world will need as a foundation to work from and leading towards practical experience as you are encouraged to observe and participate in training classes and study trainers and their methods as well as the dogs they work with whilst undertaking this course.

You will gain an insight into dog psychology, dog training, canine behaviour observation skills, understanding human / canine theoretical & practically based relationships and why dogs do what they do!

You will study and learn from our own experts, frontline practitioners of dog behaviour and training. With theory merged with the real-world of practical dog training, in a way that no course material anywhere else achieves, you will learn to understand the domestic dog’s mind.

Discover the real truth about the connection between dogs and wolves with experts who work hands-on with both wolves and dogs on a day-to-day basis

  • Study how, where and when domestication occurred
  • Study breed groups and research the origins of your chosen breed
  • Learn the basics of grooming, care & maintenance
  • Study diet & nutrition and how to keep your dog both physically and mentally stimulated
  • Learn how to shape behaviour and nurture a well-balanced dog
  • Learn about equipment – why there are so many options on the market and what their features and benefits are for specific dogs, owners and behaviours
  • Observe approaches to training using different methodologies
  • Study and evaluate training methods
  • Study and observe canine body language
  • Interview dog owners
  • Problem solve unwanted behaviour
  • Analyse the causes and contributing factors to a dog’s behaviour
  • Study Leadership Theory and common leadership practices
  • Learn important people skills, to include how to motivate change
  • Advise dog owners on what breed might best suit them
  • Provide puppy advice to owners

Write a final essay on Understanding Canine Care & Behaviour

Breakdown of your studies:

Phase 1 (Home Study)
Will involve research and study of canine domestication, origins, breed groups, and breed study

  • Personal experience with dogs
  • Domestication theories
  • Canine origins
  • Breed group identification
  • Breed specific study

Phase 2 (Home Study)
Will involve research and study of canine physiology, anatomy, grooming, maintenance, diet and general care, and canine communication

  • Canine physiology & anatomy
  • Grooming, maintenance, care, diet and nutrition requirements
  • Pet dog behaviour
  • Canine body language & posturing
  • Observations

Phase 3 (Home Study)
Will involve the research and study of dog training equipment and methods

  • DVD learning systems working with dogs and clients
  • Training equipment
  • Training methods
  • Interviews

Phase 4 (Home Study)
Will involve the research and study of dominance in dogs and leadership theories

  • Leadership theories understanding the dogs mind
  • Interviews and analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Owner advice
  • Final essay

Student feedback for this course can be read in the column on the right.course

Tutor for this Course

Diane Kunas MA MCFBA

Student Feedback

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"In a word ”wow”, I have been on courses and seminars laid on by other providers which have been good for me and a great start for my voyage of discovery, but some of these were angled more towards the training of dogs and particular methodologies, the CIDBT 4110 provided a complete package, a fascinating insight into the origins of our dogs, care and behaviour including the vast array of different theories and methods out there, this has given me a greater ability to analyse the information with an open mind and challenge some of those theories or methods." "I was concerned that I might struggle having been away from the education system for thirty odd years, but the course was constructed in such a manner that each phase flowed smoothly along. The study materials were great not too heavy but extremely informative, two of my favourites are Doglopaedia, this will continue to be a great reference tool and The Other End Of The Leash a great book, all of this making it an interesting and pleasurable journey."
Andrew in KentStudent
I have to admit that I didn’t think the course would be quite as intensive and sometimes demanding as it was. It was quite a shock, to start with, just how much research there was to do and to what level the course demanded. Having said that, I am so pleased that it was difficult, at times, because it reassured me that the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training is a highly professional and respected centre of learning. There would have been little point in doing a lesser course with fewer demands, resulting, I think in a poorer and less respected standard of education.
Rebecca PlattenStudent
Studying this course has given me the appetite to study further. It opens up so many questions I wouldn’t think about otherwise. It has helped me to see how much I don’t yet know and this gives me the desire to learn more. I really value the importance of underpinning all practical work with high quality academic study and I find it improves my confidence so I’m looking forward to hopefully completing more modules!
Josie ChurcherStudent
"I decided to do this course because I wanted to increase my knowledge and understanding of Canine Care and Behaviour and I have done that but I have learnt so much more than I ever imagined I would do. Along with my knowledge, my confidence has also increased and my passion and enthusiasm for understanding dogs just keeps growing. In particular, I want to learn more about how they think and act and I plan to continue learning and keeping up to date with new research findings and advancements in this complex and vast field."
Carlie AnnesleyStudent
"I have just completed CIDBT 4110 basic canine care and behaviour tutored by Adam Turner. I wanted to give some feedback as I really enjoyed the course so much, and thought Adam was an absolutely brilliant tutor - fast at responding, very helpful and explained things really well when I was stuck. I'm signing up for next course toward BA and hope to get Adam as my tutor again."
Annabel BurnStudent

This course costs £425. Payment can be made with PayPal (you do not need to be a member). You can pay direct to our bank, our banking details will be shown at the checkout, they will also be emailed to you if you choose this option. You can also pay by cheque, again details are shown at the checkout and emailed to you.

Your tutor for this course is Diane Kunas.

This is a Home Study course which has four phases, there are no workshops to attend.

This course needs to be completed within six months. Extensions can be granted under exceptional circumstances.

On passing this course you will be mailed a physical certificate of pass. Please ensure we have your correct postal address.

This course is approved by the PETbc

It is important that you read the FAQ for coursework explanation and the CIDBT Terms and Conditions.

Enrol on this course making one payment of £425
Enrol on this course making five monthly payments of £85 - total payment £425