Advanced Certificate in Canine Fear, Anxiety & Aggression
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course is written and designed by a qualified animal behaviourist with a busy behaviour referral practice. In the course you will learn how the dogs brain, genetics, breeding and environment affect behaviour. You will also learn canine body language and how to assess emotions, along with socialisation and other critical phases in a dog’s life. Fear, anxiety, frustration, reactivity and how to work safely with dogs are also covered in depth.
The course is made up of multiple learning processes, such as written content, webinars, downloadable resources, directed tasks, recommended reading and references. There are no exams, but to obtain your certificate you must answer some multiple choice questions at the end of each module.
There is a final assessment which is designed to help you bring together and apply some of the knowledge you have acquired throughout your studies on this course. 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.
Course aims:
- To learn about the dogs brain and how genetics, breeding and environment affect behaviour.
- To understand how dogs learn.
- To have a solid understanding of canine body language and how to assess emotions.
- To learn about behavioural development – socialisation and other critical phases in their life.
- To learn how fear, anxiety and frustration impacts on aggression.
- How to manage and deal with reactivity safely.
- How to work safely with dogs and preventing problems in the workplace.
- To learn about mental enrichment and how to harness a dog’s natural senses.
- See full course curriculum below.
Course features:
- Written by an experienced, qualified animal behaviourist with a busy behaviour referral practice.
- Easy-to-digest lessons give you the flexibility to learn at home at your own pace.
- Over 4 hours of recorded webinars, which are slides presented with a voiceover.
- A comprehensive list of references and related research for each module.
- Factsheets, questionnaires, templates and other helpful resources.
- Tutor and technical support available.
- Lifetime access to dip in and out of the course whenever you need to refresh your knowledge.
- CPD Certificate of completion.
- CPD Transcript for prospective employers.
- CPD Reflection for professional portfolio and CPD log.
- Case Studies E-Book
- Works on computers, tablets & smartphones.
Suitable for:
- Veterinary nurses
- Vets
- Animal behaviourists
- Kennel workers
- Dog trainers
- Dog wardens / community officers
- Rescue centre workers
- Pet professionals
- Dedicated dog owners
Note: The Advanced Certificate in Canine Fear, Anxiety & Aggression 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.
This course includes:
- 8 modules
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.
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 feel confident applying course techniques to their own dogs and professional work immediately.
- Reviewers appreciated the flexible, self-paced format with manageable bite-sized modules they could complete alongside work.
- Students valued the in-depth, well-structured content with practical examples and additional resources for ongoing reference.
- Learners gained deeper understanding of behavioral causes and now feel equipped to advise clients and help reactive dogs.
Based on 78 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
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.
Clear concise and organised
Have thoroughly enjoyed this course. Easy to understand, lots of additional information and reading. Minor technical issues dealt with promptly. Will be recommending to others.
Brilliant CPD – would highly recommend to colleagues
Really helped me better understand reactivity. Has made me want to progress further with canine behaviour studies. Really really interesting content!
Brilliant teaching from Caroline
This advanced certificate was one of the major prompts for me taking Caroline's Canine Diploma, as the learning in this certificate was brilliant - so much learning to be had!
Keep growing — CPD courses chosen for you…
Advanced Certificate in Feline Fear, Anxiety & Aggression
by Caroline Clark
- 8 Modules
- Accredited Course
- 4 Hours of Webinars
Updated in 2025
Introduction to Fear and Anxiety in Dogs and Cats Webinar
by Caroline Clark
- 6 Modules
- Recorded Webinar
Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling (Feline) + Mentorship
by Caroline Clark
- 14 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Accredited Course
- Private Coaching & Group Discussions