Register now: Expanding Your Career to Dog Behavior Consulting

A six-week APDT International certificate course for trainers and serious learners who want to understand dog behavior consulting as a professional path.

Dog behavior consulting asks a different set of questions than basic skills training. It is not only “what should I teach the dog?” It is “what is maintaining this behavior, what does this dog and household need, what can this client realistically implement, and what kind of plan gives everyone the best chance of success?”

In this six-week hybrid online course, Sarah Filipiak, CDBC, introduces the foundations of dog behavior consulting, including how behavior consulting differs from dog training, how to assess and address behavior problems, and how to think through intervention planning and implementation.

Course dates

The course begins Monday, July 20, 2026 and ends August 24, 2026. Course content is released at 1 p.m. Eastern time on July 20.

This is a hybrid online course with on-demand materials, readings, assignments, discussion board work, and three live Zoom calls. Live calls take place at 7 p.m. Eastern time on July 29, Aug. 12, and Aug. 19. Calls will be recorded and posted inside the course.

What the course covers

You’ll work through the major pieces of dog behavior consulting as a career path, including the difference between dog training and behavior consulting, the fundamentals of behavior consulting, assessment and problem-solving, intervention planning, common behavior concerns, and building a consulting practice.

The course includes weekly content, discussion board participation, written assignments, and live opportunities to ask questions and connect with classmates.

Who this course is for

This course is open to anyone. No prerequisites are required.

It is a good fit for professional dog trainers who want to expand into behavior consulting, aspiring trainers who want a clearer view of the field, and serious dog-training learners who want more structure around assessment, planning, and client support.

CEUs

This course has been approved for continuing education units through CCPDT, KPA, and IAABC.

CCPDT: 20
KPA: 21
IAABC: 15

Certificate and digital badge

Students who complete the course receive a certificate and digital badge through APDT International. The badge can be shared on LinkedIn, resumes, email signatures, and professional profiles as a verified credential showing completion of the course.

Pricing

APDTI Member: $300
Animal Care Partner: $325
Learning Partner: $350
Non-Member: $399

Register through APDT International

Registration and course access are handled through APDT International’s learning platform.