CANINE FOUNDATIONS’ TRAINING ACADEMY
September 8, 2025, to May 31, 2026
Course Description
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) is the leading independent testing and certification resource for dog training and behaviour professionals. They set the global standard for the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices, and are the leading international regulatory body for the industry. Canine Foundations Training Academy provides students with the knowledge and practical experience required to qualify for the CCPDT Knowledge Assessed exam, pass their rigorous standards for knowledge and skills in science-based dog training, and achieve CPDT-KA certification. The course outline is specifically developed to cater to the demanding schedule of professionals, providing them with the ability to achieve their educational goals while maintaining their current full-time job.
Learning Objectives
This course will provide students with a broad range of knowledge in canine ethology, husbandry, learning theory, training technique, equipment, and client instruction/communication skills, to prepare them for the CCPDT Knowledge Assessed exam. Throughout the course, students will gain hours of practical experience required to qualify for the CCPDT- KA Exam, in both a group and private virtual training settings, under the guidance of a CCPDT Certified Dog Trainer. The objective of this course is to encourage standardization within the Canadian Dog Training industry by supporting professionals in achieving a higher level of accreditation, demonstrating their knowledge base and separating themselves from their competition.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will find a range of opportunities as a certified member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, including employment with group, competitive and private obedience training companies, the service dog industry, board and train facilities, animal shelters/rescue organizations, veterinary clinics, daycare facilities and breeding programs, or, launching their own training company.
Program Overview
This fully virtual program is designed for those aspiring to become ethical dog trainers, grounded in the most current science and best practices in the field. Through flexible scheduling and comprehensive content, this course prepares students to work with dogs and owners using humane, science-based methods. The links for each day of classes are emailed to students’ Georgian College email addresses 24 hours in advance of the scheduled session.
The course is structured to accommodate the professional needs of those balancing work and study. The first two weeks will involve a full-time classroom commitment, of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, followed by a more flexible schedule requiring attendance for one weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) per month for the remainder of the program.
Throughout the course, you will cover foundational knowledge, essential skills, and advanced techniques to build your expertise as an ethical dog trainer. Core topics include canine behaviour, communication, learning theory, training techniques, and more. By the end of the program, you will be well-equipped to develop and implement effective training plans, manage group classes, and address a wide range of canine behaviour challenges.
Topics to be covered include:
- Ethology & Development
- Communication & Breeds
- Canine Emergency First Aid
- Learning Theory
- Ethical Training & Equipment
- Customer Relations
- Group Class Management
- Safety Protocols
- Record Keeping
- Training Plan Development & Techniques
- Instructional Skills
- Canine Nutrition & Husbandry
- Canine Behaviour Challenges
- Advanced Training Techniques
- Class Practical Sessions
Practical Class Structure
To enhance the learning experience, our Instructional Skills and Real-Class Practical sessions are designed to divide the overall class into smaller groups of 5 to 6 students per instructor. This format allows for more personalized attention and maximizes hands-on practice, ensuring students have ample opportunity to fine-tune their techniques in a supportive environment.
Each student will be assigned a specific Behaviour Consultant, who will also serve as their Education Consultant throughout the practical sessions. Students will receive a WebEx invitation from their assigned Behaviour Consultant for the smaller group sessions, ensuring seamless access to each class.
Every practical class follows a consistent structure to optimize learning. The session begins with a professional breakdown of the cue being covered, followed by a live demonstration from the instructor. During the demonstration, students are encouraged to ask questions and clarify key concepts.
After the demonstration, each student is provided the opportunity to practice the skill themselves, allowing for hands-on refinement under the guidance of the instructor. Students will also practice teaching the cue to another peer, gaining valuable experience in both applying and instructing the technique.
This interactive, hands-on approach ensures that participants not only grasp the theory behind each technique but also gain the confidence and proficiency needed to apply them effectively in real-world training scenarios.
CCPDT Practical Experience hours
To qualify for the CCPDT-KA exam, students are required to complete 225 hours of practical experience, specifically in training human handlers to work with their dogs. These hours must be CCPDT-approved and can be fulfilled through weekly training sessions of 1 hour each, over the course of 9 weeks.
Students are encouraged to start this process by working with family, friends, or neighbours to fulfil these hours, provided they maintain a consistent training schedule of one session per week. This portion of the Academy is designed to be flexible, allowing students to complete their practical experience at their own pace, in a way that fits their schedule. Students are encouraged to arrange and book their own training sessions with their clients, ensuring that the timing works for both parties.
For those who are unable to arrange the necessary 6 client dogs per week to complete the 225 hours, Canine Foundations offers a Referral Placement service. This option connects students with pre-arranged placement locations, such as canine rescues, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, doggy daycares, and Canadian Kennel Club breeders. These organizations are eager to provide students with a list of client referrals.
Given the virtual nature of this course, students are expected to use an online platform to complete their Referral Placement and CCPDT Practical Experience Hours. While many students and clients prefer platforms such as WebEx, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, you are free to use the platform you are most comfortable with, as long as it supports clear communication and effective training.
Student Support
In addition to each student having full access to Georgian College IT Support, students are assigned a Mentor Consultant. Your Mentor Consultant will be assigned by the end of the first week and will facilitate smaller group classes for each of the Instructional Skills Practical and Real Class Practical classes listed in your schedule. Your Mentor Consultant is available to you via email from Monday to Friday to answer any questions you may have regarding homework assignments and problem shooting training programs with your Referral Placement clients.
Time Commitment Overview
The program is designed to be completed within 10 months, from September to June. Students can choose to complete the course in a more flexible two-year span if needed.
Standard 10-Month Schedule:
- Course Duration: 10 months (Students have up to June to submit all assignments).
- Virtual Classroom: The course begins with 2 weeks of live virtual classes, held Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Post-Classroom Schedule: After the initial 2 weeks, students attend one weekend webinar per month (both Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
- Practical Training Classes: The 8 Virtual Practical Training Classes are integrated into the weekend webinars, so no additional time is required for these.
Practical Experience Hours:
- 225 CCPDT Practical Experience Hours: Students will accumulate approximately 6 hours per week over the course of the program. These hours can be scheduled at the student’s convenience, allowing flexibility to work with family, friends, or clients.
Homework & Independent Study:
- Homework Assignments: There are 10 homework assignments, plus one extra-credit option. These will require approximately 1 hour per week.
- Independent Study Unit: A final Independent Study Unit, due at the end of the program, requires approximately 20 hours to complete.
Weekly Commitment (Post-Initial 2 Weeks):
- After the initial 2-week classroom period, students can expect to spend approximately 7-8 hours per week. This includes:
- 6 hours of practical experience (training clients).
- 1 hour of homework.
- 2 full days (16 hours) of class per month (the weekend webinars).
Option for a 2-Year Completion:
- Year 1: Focus on attending classes and completing homework assignments, which reduces the weekly time demand to about 1 hour per week (plus the two 8-hour classes per month).
- Year 2: Focus on accumulating practical experience hours, reducing the time commitment to approximately 6 hours per week (with no class attendance in Year 2).
CCPDT Exam Information:
- The CCPDT exam is held twice a year, in fall and spring. Students are encouraged to sit for the exam in the fall (September or October), with applications typically due by the end of July.