Advanced Certificate in Canine Fear, Anxiety & Aggression
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course is written and designed by an experienced, qualified animal behaviourist with a busy behaviour referral practice. It has been designed for pet professionals working with dogs, fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. However, it is also suitable for dog owners who want a deeper understanding of canine behaviour.
Written with the benefit of real-world clinical behaviour experience and informed by current behavioural science.
There is a final assessment designed to help you bring together and apply the knowledge you have acquired throughout your studies. This is not a marked piece of work, but to gain your certificate you will need to provide some feedback and make notes in the form provided.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain an understanding of the canine brain, exploring how genetics, breeding and environment shape dog behaviour and temperament.
- Explore how dogs learn, including key learning theories and how to apply them when working with fearful or reactive dogs.
- Develop a solid understanding of canine body language, learning how to read stress signals and accurately assess a dog's emotional state.
- Learn about canine behavioural development, including the importance of socialisation and other critical developmental stages in a dog's life.
- Understand how fear, anxiety and frustration can escalate into aggression, and learn to recognise the early warning signs of reactive behaviour in dogs.
- Acquire practical skills to safely manage and respond to canine reactivity, including safe handling practices and strategies for preventing behavioural problems in the workplace.
- Discover the role of canine mental enrichment and how to harness a dog's natural senses to reduce stress and support their overall well-being.
This course includes:
- 8 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Webinars & videos
- Download guides & templates
- References, resources & research
- Quizzes & assessments
- Accredited certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
- Factsheets, questionnaires & templates
- Free case studies e-book
Who this course is for:
- Veterinary nurses
- Vets
- Animal behaviourists
- Kennel workers
- Dog trainers
- Dog wardens / community officers
- Rescue centre workers
- Pet professionals
- Dedicated dog owners
Before you enrol:
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
This course and the Advanced Certificate in Feline Fear, Anxiety & Aggression share some content. However, although many of the module titles are the same, the course is written with an emphasis on the particular species you are studying.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Module 1: Introduction - What causes an individual to be anxious, fearful and reactive?
- Welcome
- An introduction to the topic: Definitions & signs of anxiety & fear
- Genetics and Environmental Influences on Behaviour
- Temperament & Instinct
- Parental/Maternal Influences and Social learning
- Socialisation, Habituation and One-Event Learning
- Significant Developmental Periods
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Canine Behaviour: Module 1 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 2: Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Module 2
- The Autonomic Nervous System & the Physiological Effects of Stress
- Hormones & Neurotransmitters
- The Amygdala
- Stress: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Pain and how it affects behaviour
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Canine Behaviour: Module 2 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 3: Body-language & communication methods
- Introduction to Module 3
- Methods of Communication
- Understanding and Interpreting Canine Body Language (Webinar)
- Misunderstandings & Preventing Problems
- Recognising and Responding to Body-language in the Workplace
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Canine Behaviour: Module 3 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 4: The link between fear, frustration and aggression
- Introduction to Module 4
- Frustration and how it Affects Behaviour
- Fear
- Phobia
- Aggression & Reactivity
- Behavioural Analysis
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Canine Behaviour: Module 4 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 5: The cause and effect of common behaviour problems
- Introduction to Module 5
- Learning Theory: An Introduction to Learning & Classical Conditioning
- Systematic Desensitisation (DS)
- Learning Theory: Instrumental (Operant) Conditioning & Reinforcement
- Punishment, Extinction & Differential Reinforcement (DR)
- Clicker Training & Antecedents
- Muzzle Training (Webinar)
- Dealing with Canine Behaviour Problems: Resource Guarding (Resource Holding Potential)
- Dealing with Canine Behaviour Problems: Fears & Phobias (Fireworks and Storms) (Webinar)
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Canine Behaviour: Module 5 Self-Assessment Quiz
Student reviews:
- Students gained practical confidence applying behaviour techniques to their own dogs and professional work immediately.
- Reviewers praised the manageable module structure and flexible pacing, fitting around full-time jobs and commitments.
- Students valued comprehensive coverage of behaviour causes, learning theory, and diverse management methods in one course.
- Learners appreciated extensive supplementary resources, videos, and webinars that deepened their understanding of complex concepts.
Based on 81 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Highly recommended
Absolutely love these courses, very detailed. I’ve completed a number of them & will continue my studies. Highly recommended.
Clear and informative
The information was very clear and there was a good balance between webinars, information, images and assignments. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend it to others.
Very interesting course
I liked all the topics in the course.
Most of the course was easy to understand
The videos were very helpful
This course will help me with my business of breeding dogs.
I will recommend this course to all my breeder friends
Invaluable!
The Advanced Certificate in Canine Fear, Anxiety & Aggression is invaluable!
This is an in-depth course that will give you the knowledge and practical tools you need to address specific behaviours. You will understand the causes and learn methods to manage the behaviour, improving the dog's life. Take the time to absorb the concepts and theory and to practice the different methods. It's absolutely worth it!
A perfect course to set up those with an interest in this sort of behaviour to gain the confidence to explore further or even use for their own pets at home or family.
Easy to understand as modules are broken down in to manageble chunks of information without being too overwhelmed. Easy to go back over content that may require more time for the information to sink in.
Really well presented course, Has taken me a while to work around with family life but its been such a relief to know that I wasnt on a strict deadline to finish this, its really helped and allowed me to absorb the indformation here
really would recomend this course to anyone wanting to get confident with behaviour :)
Has a brilliant content and very knowledgable.
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