Course details

Summary

Learn to care for and train man’s best friend by studying canine behaviour and training. 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), canine-related industries are 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 canine behaviour, develop your skills to be able 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 canine industries as well as develop an understanding of the Animal Welfare Act as it applies to all animals in New Zealand, specifically to dogs.

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

Highlights​

• A hands-on approach focusing on practical experience in many aspects of canine obedience and training
• Extensive practical training in Unitec’s on-campus dog agility and fenced “off-leash” areas, and field work in selected off-campus environments
• Self-selected placement(s) in the canine industry
• Highly experienced lecturers who continue to work closely with industry and are experts in the fields of animal behaviour, health and welfare, and practical dog training
• On-campus individual kennel areas for safe housing of dogs

Where to next?

If you're interested in continuing your studies, this programme will give you the academic admission requirements for higher-level animal programmes at Unitec, including the Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management and Welfare).

CAREER OPTIONS

• Service dog training
• Dog support services
• Kennels/doggy daycare
• Animal welfare organisations (canine)

Entry criteria

For this programme, you will need the following:

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

English Language requirements:

• NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
• NZCEL (Level 3) with endorsement of either General or Workplace or Academic
• IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score of 5
• TOEFL (pBT) Paper-based test score of 530 (essay 4.5 TWE)
• TOEFL (iBT) Internet-based test score of 46 (writing 14)
• FCE or FCE for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• Pearson Test of English (PToE) Academic with a score of 42 with no score lower than 36