Canine Training and Performance

Course overview

Turn your passion for training dogs into an exciting career with this Canine Training and Performance degree.

Now is an exciting time to join the canine training and performance industry. The global pet care market is booming and the growth rate for jobs within the animal sector is increasing rapidly. There’s a huge demand for talented graduates with a passion for animal training.

You’ll tailor your learning to your interests, analyse performance, and develop training plans. The course will focus on dogs, but you’ll also study other animals. Our 70-species Animal Collection provides plenty of opportunities to develop your experience with different species.

Benefit from our excellent industry connections with dog trainers, behaviourists, scientists and athletes across the UK – which could lead to placements, volunteering, field trips and inspirational guest speakers.

All training is underpinned by the strictest ethics and supported by the latest scientific evidence. This programme has been formally recognised by the ABTC Programme Recognition Committee as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to achieve ABTC recognition as an Animal Trainer (AT) and Animal Training Instructor (ATI). To become ABTC registered, a student will then need to undertake an assessment via an ABTC Practitioner Organisation.

What you'll study

This course is comprised of both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the key topics in the field of canine training and performance. Core subjects will range from the management and training of the animal, to animal biomechanics.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level four (year one)

Your first year will focus on fundamental topics, including animal behaviour and animal nutrition to help you to gain fundamental skills and knowledge. You’ll develop essential transferable and practical skills, and gain the underpinning knowledge required to study the rest of the degree.

Level five (year two)

You’ll learn about concepts such as animal locomotion and learn about the canine sector. You’ll also explore themes such as management and training of the animal allowing you to develop your interests at a higher level. You can also select optional modules in areas of interest such as ethics and welfare and animal therapy.

Integrated placement year (optional)

An optional integrated placement year between your second and final years gives you the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain valuable industry experience.

Level six (final year)

Your final year allows you to really focus on areas of particular interest to you and that will support you in your future career.  One module is dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the subject area and more advanced theory and practice including gaining an insight into current research in the field of canine training and performance.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

Field trips and guest lecturers

Field trips and industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices.

Recent field trips have included visits to places such as Cotswold Wildlife Park, Crufts and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Extra fees are required–please see the fees tab for more information.

Recent guest lecturers have included dog training professionals, animal biomechanics researchers and zookeepers.

Graduate destinations

As a Canine Training and Performance graduate, you may go on to work in zoos, charities, animal rescue centres, boarding kennels and laboratories. You’ll also have the transferable skills you need for other graduate careers. Our careers team can support you to find and prepare to secure your perfect role.

After graduation students can achieve ABTC recognition as an Animal Trainer (AT) and Animal Training Instructor (ATI) via an ABTC Practitioner Organisation. This will allow you to join the ABTC Practitioner Register.

You may go on to work as a trainer or join behaviour teams, and progress on to:

• Service dog handling
• Animal warden/officer
• Performance analyst for competitive sports (such as agility, greyhound racing, cani-cross)
• Assistance work
• Rescue and rehabilitation

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

You’ll need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear before you enrol, or during enrolment week. We’ll let you know exactly what you need to purchase in your enrolment guide – everything is available from our supplier’s online shop for approximately £100.

Optional field trips and opportunities

Opportunities for students may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check that is paid for by the student. Students are encouraged to engage in various trips and visits as part of the programme. While many of these are included in the course fees, there is the opportunity to engage in optional trips with additional costs involved.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.