New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management – Canine Behaviour and Training

With growing public and legislative interest concerning the management of animals (dogs in particular), the industry is looking for work-ready graduates with the technical and transferable skills needed to take up job opportunities in canine-related industries. 

In this programme, you’ll gain a broad understanding of canine behaviour and husbandry.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to manage day-to-day canine health and wellbeing in a range of settings and apply practical training techniques to create and modify behaviour.
• A comprehensive understanding of canine behaviour and the biological, environmental and social factors that influence it.
• How to work safely, ethically and professionally within the canine industry, including the responsibilities and requirements of New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act.
• Effective communication and coaching skills to support handlers and help them achieve successful training outcomes.

This programme is taught at two locations, more information on Auckland block course dates and timetable and Christchurch block course dates and timetable.

Highlights

• Focus on applied learning covering practical approaches to canine training, behaviour, health and welfare.
• Practical work experience. You’ll complete 120 hours of self-selected work experience placement(s) in the canine industry.
• A passionate teaching team of experts. Our highly experienced lecturers continue to work closely with the industry and are experts in animal behaviour, management, welfare, and practical dog training.
• A mixture of online and in-person learning. You’ll be required to attend up to six weeks of practical, hands-on learning, and the rest will be online.

Dog requirements

To apply for this programme, you must have arranged regular access to a suitable dog (as approved by Unitec’s dog training tutors). To ensure a safe and effective learning environment:

• The dog must be no younger than 18 months and ideally no older than seven years. There are no breed or size restrictions. However, dogs must be physically able to undertake the programme. 
• The dog must be registered, vaccinated, and in excellent health to enable them to excel in the more physical aspects of the programme. 
• They must also be social and confident around other dogs and people.
• They should have a strong desire to work for both food and toys during training sessions.
• We prefer dogs to be insured in the unlikely event of an injury.

Before being accepted into the programme, Unitec’s dog training tutors will assess your dog using the criteria listed above. Assessment is done via a series of videos that you submit to the dog training tutors. You will receive information about this process after you apply for the programme.

Where to next?

If you want to continue your studies, this programme will give you the academic admission requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management and Welfare).