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Animal Care · Advanced Certificate

Turn Your Passion for Dogs
Into a Professional Career

Go beyond basic obedience and learn how to manage complex behaviours, work with clients, and build a dog training business in New Zealand. This is a comprehensive program for starting your professional career with dogs.

Free first lesson
Or enrol on the spot
Rated 5 by our students
From $25
Per Week
ICOES + CPD
Endorsed Certificate
14-Day
Money-Back Guarantee
100%
Online, Self-Paced
24/7
AI Tutor
Where this can take you

Upskill. Career or Business. Made for New Zealand.

Whatever you are here for, these are the kinds of roles your new skills could lead to:

Dog Trainer
Puppy Class Instructor
Canine Behaviour Consultant
Dog Daycare Supervisor
Obedience Instructor
Dog Training Business Owner
Curriculum

What You’ll Learn.

10 modules · 100 lessons · Study at your own pace

01Welcome & IntroductionFree
02How Dogs Experience the World
03The Basics of How Dogs Learn
04Positive Reinforcement: What It Is and Why It Works
05Reading Dog Body Language: Relaxed and Happy Signals
06Reading Dog Body Language: Stress and Discomfort Signals
07Calming Signals and Social Communication Between Dogs
08How Breed and Genetics Shape Behaviour
09The Role of Socialisation in Behaviour
10Individual Differences: Why Every Dog Is Different
11Observing a Dog: Building Your Assessment Habit
Included with your course

Your 24/7 AI Tutor.

It knows where you are

Your tutor sees the lesson you are on and what you have covered, so every answer fits your progress.

Explains Until You Get It

Confused by a concept? Ask for a simpler take, a real-world example, or a quick quiz to test yourself.

There at 11pm

Study when it suits you. Your tutor is available around the clock, every day of your enrolment.

Inside this course · Your tutor
How do I handle a situation where a client isn't following the training plan for their reactive dog?
That's a common challenge. The key is to check in with them without judgment, focusing on the dog's welfare. Often, they are feeling overwhelmed. Your job is to practise good client coaching by listening to their difficulties and making the plan easier to follow. Sometimes you need to break the steps down even further. Would you like to go over some practical ways to manage difficult client conversations?
ModernEdu
This certifies that
Charlotte Reeve
has successfully completed the
Advanced Certificate in Dog Training NZ
Issued by Modern Education New Zealand
Certificate No. ME-2026-04871
Verify at modernedu.co.nz/verify
Your certificate

Proof of What You Know.

Endorsed

Endorsed by ICOES, the International Council for Online Educational Standards, and CPD-eligible.

Verifiable online

Every certificate carries a unique number an employer or client can verify on our site in seconds.

Made to share

A printed hard copy is included with upfront enrolment, and a digital version for LinkedIn and your CV.

Student reviews

What People Are Saying.

5 average rating

Set up a plant styling business, and maintain it too

The content was clear and practical — including the set-up of a plant styling business, and ongoing maintenance too.

Emily P. · Verified student

The financial part of the business

Learning about the financial part of the business.

Kristine S. · Verified student

The first weeks are the foundation, not a warm-up

The first weeks in the home are not a warm-up phase, they are the foundation. The guidance we give owners during this window can prevent months of remedial work later, making early intervention one of the most powerful tools we have as trainers.

Gaylene D. · Verified student
What you get

Everything Included.

In this course

100 lessons across 10 modules, read, listen, or watch every one
Your 24/7 AI tutor, built into every lesson
Assessments and your ICOES-endorsed, CPD-eligible certificate
12 months access, with extensions available on request

As a Modern Edu student

Student discount on any additional course
Printed hard-copy edition of your course
More student extras on the way
How it works

Four Steps to Your Certificate.

01

Try It Free

Start lesson 1 right now, free. See the course and meet your tutor before paying anything.

02

Enrol Easily

Pick the option that suits you. Every option is covered by the 14-day guarantee.

03

Make Real Progress

Read, listen, or watch each lesson. Go at your own pace with your tutor beside you.

04

Get Your Certificate

Pass your assessments and receive your endorsed, verifiable certificate.

Enrolment

Easy Ways to Get Started.

Try the first lesson free. When you are ready, split it into four with Afterpay or Klarna, save $200 upfront, or take the simple weekly plan.

Start Here · No Card Needed
Free first lesson
Start lesson 1 right now and meet your AI tutor. See exactly how the course works before you decide anything.
No card. No commitment. Your progress carries over when you enrol.
When you are ready to enrol
Recommended · Split Into Four
$199.75 ×4
Afterpay or Klarna covers the $799 upfront price for you. You get every upfront bonus and the $200 saving, then repay in four fortnightly amounts. Nothing more after that.
A second course free, your choice
Printed edition of your course included
Save $200 compared with the weekly plan
Continue With Afterpay or Klarna
Four interest-free payments of $199.75 for approved applicants. Late fees may apply.
Upfront · Save $200
$799
One payment by card if you would rather settle it in one go. Same bonuses: second course free and the printed edition.
CardAfterpayKlarna
Enrol Upfront for $799
Afterpay and Klarna split $799 into 4 payments of $199.75.
Weekly Payment Plan
$25 /week
40 weekly payments · $1,000 total
Upfront bonuses not included.
Start the Weekly Plan
Visa · Mastercard · Amex · Afterpay · Klarna accepted.    14-day guarantee
Not sure yet?
Before you enrol

Is It Right for You?

This course is for you if

Passionate dog lovers in New Zealand ready to start a professional career.
People wanting to work in animal shelters, doggy daycare, or rescue organisations.
Dog walkers or groomers who want to add professional training skills to their services.
Anyone wanting a deep, modern understanding of canine behaviour and positive reinforcement.

It is probably not for you if

If you need a nationally recognised qualification via NZQA, we suggest looking into a polytechnic or a registered PTE.
If you want to become a veterinarian. This course does not cover any medical or surgical procedures.
If you're only looking for a quick hobby-level course. This is a comprehensive professional development program.
If you are located outside New Zealand, as the legal and business content is specific to NZ.

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Try the full course for two weeks. If it is not for you, we refund you in full. No questions asked, no conditions.

More from students

“I love that it has different ways to learn! I'll keep learning about each flower's conditioning needs — I feel I've learnt so much already.”

Tammie O. · Verified student

“Very informative, and I like the focus on clients. It's better to give advice in small segments — just as we do with our dogs. Small steps.”

John H. · Verified student

“Real world responses — wow. The laws, and what it means to run a facility, is an eye opener. Even the less-common-pets section was eye opening — rabbits are illegal to keep as pets here in Queensland!”

Lee P. · Verified student
Good to know

Common Questions.

Do I need experience with dogs before I start?+
No prior experience is needed. The course starts with how dogs learn and how to read their body language, then builds steadily from there. If you already have some experience, the early lessons will sharpen your eye and fill in gaps you might not have known were there.
What does the course cover?+
The course covers 100 lessons across 10 modules. You will learn canine psychology, positive reinforcement, puppy development, obedience training, behaviour modification, working with reactive and anxious dogs, agility foundations, and how to run group classes. It also covers the Dog Control Act 1996, the Animal Welfare Act 1999, council bylaws, and how to set up a dog training business in New Zealand, including getting an IRD number and choosing a business structure.
How long will it take to finish?+
The course is designed for around 233 hours of study at a comfortable pace. If you want to move faster, the fast-track path can be completed in around 21 hours by focusing on the core content. You have 12 months of access, so you can fit study around work and life.
What certificate will I receive?+
You will receive an Advanced Certificate in Dog Training NZ, issued by Modern Education New Zealand. The course is accredited by ICOES (International Council for Online Educational Standards). This is not a nationally recognised qualification under the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. If you need a qualification registered with NZQA, a polytechnic or private training establishment would be the right path.
Will this help me start a dog training business in New Zealand?+
Yes. The business module covers setting your prices, packaging your services, finding clients, building an online presence, and managing bookings and contracts. There are also lessons on business structure options, registering with the Companies Office, getting an IRD number, and understanding your ACC and insurance obligations. It will not replace advice from an accountant or lawyer, but it gives you a solid starting point.
How is this different from watching dog training videos online?+
Free videos tend to show you what to do but not why it works or what to do when it does not. This course teaches you the thinking behind dog behaviour so you can read a situation and adapt. It also covers topics you will rarely find in one place online, like New Zealand regulations, client communication, and how to run a safe group class.

Start With a Free Lesson.

Start with the free first lesson, or enrol on the spot from $25 a week.

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Advanced Certificate in Dog Training NZ
First lesson free · $25/week · 14-day guarantee