Dog Care & Training Fundamentals Course

Be your best pet parent and unlock the secrets to creating a happy, well-behaved dog through expert-led training and care.

Learn from Australia’s leading veterinarians and dog behaviour specialists, gaining essential skills in canine health, grooming, behaviour, and training. This comprehensive course covers everything from dog nutrition to positive reinforcement techniques, making it ideal for anyone who wants to be fully prepared for dog ownership.

Whether you’re considering getting a dog, a new owner, or an experienced dog owner, this course will equip you with the knowledge to provide a safe, happy, and stimulating environment. Perfect for families, it also serves as a great resource for kids, teaching them responsibility and how to care for their new best friend before or after bringing a dog home.

This course has been reviewed and accredited by RSPCA Queensland.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Dog Care & Training course, you will have learned:

• How to meet the basic needs and characteristics of dogs to ensure a safe and happy environment.
• Techniques for performing dog grooming tasks, including brushing, bathing, and nail trimming.
• The importance of proper dog nutrition and how to select suitable diets.
• Methods to identify common dog health issues and take appropriate actions.
• Positive reinforcement techniques for teaching basic commands and addressing behaviours.
• How to understand canine communication signals to better respond to your dog’s needs.
• Socialisation strategies to encourage positive interactions with other animals and people.

Once you complete the course, you will be issued a Digital Badge and a Certificate of Completion.

Course Content

What will be covered in this Dog Care & Training course?

The course contains the following video-based lessons delivered by leading Australian vets and animal welfare experts: 

• A Dog's Life: What Every Owner Should Know
• Dog Grooming Basics
• Dog Health & Nutrition
• Training & Behaviour

This course includes knowledge checks at the end of each lesson to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented in the lesson.

This course takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

Intended Audience

Who is this Dog Care & Training course for?

This course is ideal for:

• Anyone considering dog ownership who wants to feel fully prepared.
• New dog owners who want to develop effective care and training habits.
• Experienced pet parents either trying to resolve existing dog behavioural issues or aiming to improve their dog’s quality of life and strengthen their bond.
• Families, including children, looking to understand responsible pet care.

Course Materials

This course is delivered online through a partner education provider.

You will need access to either a computer, laptop, or tablet with an internet connection. No other prerequisites are required.

This self-paced course fits around your schedule, featuring:

• Engaging video lessons and insights from industry experts
• Quizzes and activities to help solidify your understanding

Student Reviews

Featured Experts

This course features a panel of industry experts specialising in dog care, nutrition and training:

• Dr Andrew McKay: Former AFL premiership player and Chief Veterinary Officer at ZamiPet, who has extensive experience in companion animal care.
• Lynda Olsen: National Training & Operations Manager at Blue Wheelers, with a strong background in dog grooming.
• Ian Shivers: Dog Behaviour Consultant at Bondi Behaviourist, specialising in applied behaviour analysis.
• Marisa Debattista: Star of the popular Channel 9 TV program “The Pet Rescuers” and founder of Second Chance Animal Rescue, a shelter dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable animals.