New Zealand Certificate in Animal ManagementCanine Behaviour and Training

Credits 120 (1.0 EFTS)

Campus Mt Albert

Career opportunities

• Dog trainer

• Dog support services

• Kennels/dog daycare

• Animal welfare organisations (canine)

Highlights

• Focus on applied learning covering many aspects of canine behaviour and training, including extensive practical training in our on-campus dog agility area.

• Practical work experience. You’ll complete at least two work placements at an external canine facility of your choice.

• A passionate teaching team of experts. Our highly-experienced lecturers continue to work closely with industry and are experts in animal behaviour, management, welfare and practical dog training.

Start dates February

Duration Full-time for one year

Annual fees $7,274 (NZD)

(Approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy)

Learn to care for and train your furry friend by studying canine behaviour and training at NZ’s only ITP that offers a dog training course. In this certificate, you’ll explore what influences canine behaviour and husbandry, develop your knowledge of the roles and requirements of canine-related industries in New Zealand and apply your knowledge through practical training in our dog agility facility.

Programme overview

With growing public and legislative interest concerning the management of animals (dogs in particular), the industry is on the lookout for work-ready graduates. Study our canine behaviour and training programme and you’ll develop the technical and transferable skills needed to work in canine-related industries.

Begin to understand and recognise what influences canine behaviour, develop your skills to manage day-to-day canine health and husbandry in a training environment and apply your knowledge to train a variety of dogs in a range of disciplines.

Learn about health and safety planning, the ethics, philosophies and regulatory procedures that surround the roles and requirements of canine-related industries, and develop an understanding of the Animal Welfare Act as it applies to all animals in New Zealand (specifically dogs).

You’ll also gain a broad understanding of the anatomy and husbandry of a range of animals that enables you to provide them with general care.

Dog requirements

To be eligible to apply for this programme, you must have arranged regular access to a suitable dog (as approved by Unitec's specialist dog trainers). To ensure a safe and effective learning environment for you and for your dog:

• Dogs must be no younger than 18 months and ideally no older than 7 years at the start of the programme.

• Dogs must have current registration details.

• Dogs must be in good health in order to cope with, and excel in, the physical aspects of the programme such as agility and tracking work.

• Dogs must have good play and food drive, and be sociable with other dogs and people.

• There are no breed or size restrictions.

• In case of injury, we recommend that your dog is insured. We also recommend that your dog is desexed.

Dog eligibility

Before being accepted into the programme, your dog must be assessed by Unitec’s dog training tutors. We’ll identify the strength of your dog’s motivation and interest in food and toys - it’s essential that your dog has a good level of food and toy motivation to succeed in this programme.

If we feel that your dog does not have these motivations, then we may offer you tips to increase these motivations or recommend another dog. If you do not own your own dog before applying for a place on the programme, it’s essential that Unitec’s dog training tutors help and guide you towards finding a suitable dog.

Admission requirements

For this programme, you’ll need:

Academic

1. 36 credits at NCEA Level 2 including 12 credits in English

2. 12 credits at NCEA Level 1 in a relevant science subject

3. Have consistent access for the duration of the programme to a dog that has been evaluated and deemed suitable by Unitec's specialist dog trainers.

If you don’t meet the academic criteria above, we'll also accept the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care - Companion Animal (see pg. 10) or an equivalent qualification.

Alternatively, we have a range of programmes that will help you prepare for study.

English

If English is not your first language, you’ll need one or more of the following:

• Achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance

• Provide evidence that you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency such as IELTS

• Achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available. There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you could apply for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/animals

International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international