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Find out more on our free Discovery Call - CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Start your dog training career Canine Training Instructors Course

COURSE £2800 (Inc VAT)
(payment plans available)
Theory & practical assessments included in course (1st attempt)

PACT’s Canine Instructor Training Course is the only ABTC Recognised Hybrid ATI Programme. This hybrid (online & in-person) course has been approved by the ABTC Programme Recognition Committee as meeting in full the Animal Training Instructor standard.

Image of laptop. Online learning at your own pace
Person kneeling with dog. In person training days
Three people stood in front of globe. Community support
ABTC Recognised Programme Logo

The Roadmap: What are the steps involved in the course & assessment?

Road map and pathway to accreditation

  • Watch online lectures delivered weekly over 25 weeks

  • Q&A sessions with your tutors

  • Weekly post-lecture self-assessments to do in your own time

  • Additional webinars to help with your studying

  • Dog training tutorials for weekly at-home practice homework (with discussion group)

  • Two in-person practicals to get coaching and prepare for the practical assessment
    (currently held in Southampton SO31)

  • Four short assignments throughout the year

  • Online theory assessment (sit test from home)

  • Video practical assessments


How will you learn?

What will you learn?

  • Solid practical training skills (training dogs and coaching people to train their dogs)

  • Become familiar with dog training equipment and training methods

  • Know how to carry out a training consultation

  • Be proficient with all aspects of running 1-2-1 sessions and group classes

  • Know how to deal with common training issues

  • Understand the function of breeds and needs of different types of dogs

  • Understand how dogs learn

  • Understand the main behaviours of dogs

  • Understand how dogs communicate

  • Know about science-based canine nutrition

  • Know about canine husbandry and first aid

  • Know the relevant animal law and welfare requirements

  • Understand the relevant health and safety requirements and how to carry out a risk assessment

  • Become proficient at running a successful and Sustainable/Ethical dog training business

Assessment: What does it involve & what does it lead to?

A+ images four in total. Pass all assignments

To obtain PACT full membership and ABTC ATI status, students are required to:

Image of laptop. Watch all the online lectures
Person training dog in front of camera
Picture of workbook. Log practical hours
Two people with speak bubbles above their heads with a camera in the background. Pass practical assessment
Pen and paper. Pass online theory exam

Successful course completion (including theory & practical assessment) & annual PACT membership entitles our trainers to display the PACT Accredited Member logo & to appear on the ABTC Register as a Registered Animal Training Instructor & display the ATI logo.

PACT accredited logo including text below. For full members use
PACT accredited logo
ABTC ATI logo

Choose your start date & enrol below!

Before booking, please read our T&Cs for our refund policy and our Code of Conduct to ensure you are happy to adhere to both.

Black dog looking forward on pink background. April 2025
PACT Canine Training Instructor Course April 2025
£2,800.00
One time
£280.00
For 10 months
Black dog looking forward on bright blue background. August 2025
PACT Canine Training Instructor Course August 2025
£2,800.00
One time
£280.00
For 10 months
Black dog looking forward. January course fully booked across the image

Frequently asked questions

  • Ollie Hood, PACT Student Member (scholarship)

    "As someone who had the scholarship due to disability, I can confidently say that it is an amazing opportunity and those who run the course are so supportive and understanding.

    I have never had any course I’ve taken, even at college or university, make me feel like I’m being supported to reach my full ability like I am with PACT. If anyone is considering the course and is thinking of going for the scholarship, then I would really recommend it."

  • Paula Dobson, PACT CTIC Student (2024)

    “I joined the course to fill in lots of gaps in my training knowledge but the course has far exceeded my expectations. With a great community group, supportive mentors and really positive constructive feedback on skills, it has helped build confidence in my abilities and revive my love for dog training.

    Alongside full time work and a blended family of 4 kids, the youngest being a wild and wonderful 2 years old, I have really had to do this course at my own pace but it’s been doable due to the course being broken down into manageable steps. Well worth investing in yourself. Highly recommended.”

  • Honour Smith, PACT Accredited Member

    Whilst the fieldwork sessions are not mandatory, they completely elevated the course for me. It was a great way to meet other course members, practice skills as both the coach and client and have supportive, in-depth discussions about the topics covered in the course.

    I had such a great time meeting my fellow course members and their dogs and cannot recommend attending the fieldwork sessions highly enough. The facilities are beautiful and I had a great time with and without bringing my own dog!

  • Martina Luisetti, PACT Student Member

    "I found that I took about an hour per week for the info-videos and an hour or two for training per week, sometimes a bit more, sometimes less. I didn't have my own dog to practice with but I had the advantage of knowing the shelter dogs that I was working with so it wasn't too difficult as we had done some previous training and knew each other! I tend to think of the shelter as the least-easy environment to work in so I am trying to give hope to potential future students that fitting the course in around your work/life is totally doable! Pick quiet times and, luckily, the access to the course is quite long so you have time to go back to the training."

  • Jo Sellers, PACT Accredited Member

    "No, but you will need access to one. At the fieldwork days I attended, I had my own dog but also 'loaned' her out to other students so I could take different roles during the day, not just always the 'client'. It does help to be able to practice with a dog you know, but the videos for the assessments are with client dogs/ones you don't know."

  • Caz Bunce, PACT Accredited Member

    No! The assignments are really varied and include infographics, video and social media projects as well as written work.The guidelines are easy to follow and there is loads of support if needed.

  • “I found it easy to fit my weekly lectures & homework around my full time job & managed all elements of the course by putting a few hours a week aside. Life happened occasionally & I fell behind, but I could take my time to catch up as all of the resources were available to me for 18 months"

  • Payment plans are available

  • All lectures are recorded so you can watch back at a convenient time

  • Yes! Read the Grants, Scholarship, Discounts and Payment Plans Policy available via our Policy page, to find out about all options available for you to access the course. Visit the Scholarship page to see if you may be eligible.

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