Online Pathway · Animal Care and Dog Behaviour

Turn Your Passion for Dogs Into a Career in Animal Care

If you want a job that puts you around dogs, begin here. This pathway covers animal care, canine behaviour, training and business basics. It is theory only, online, and you set the pace.

From €29per week, no deposit
Self Pacedstart anytime
No Examsever
Theory Onlyno live animal work
At a Glance

Course Snapshot

Study AreaAnimal Care and Dog Psychology
DeliveryFully online, self paced
StartAny day you like
AssessmentNo exams, ever
FormatTheory only, no live animal work
PaymentsFrom €29 per week
Comes with
  • No experience needed
  • No equipment needed to begin
  • Business coaching included
  • Study from anywhere in the country
Who It’s For

Why Do This Course

Work Around Animals

Kennels, daycare, shelters and grooming rooms all need good people.

Understand The Behaviour

Learn why a dog does what it does, not just what to do.

Build Your Own Thing

Business topics sit alongside the training, with a coach to help.

Where The Skills Fit

Where These Skills Could Take You

Animal work is growing, and most of it starts hands on and junior. Days look like feeding, cleaning, watching behaviour and settling nervous dogs.

Animal Care Assistant

Feed, clean and watch over animals daily.

Dog Trainer (Entry Level)

Run basic obedience with owners and dogs.

Kennel Supervisor

Keep a boarding kennel running well.

Animal Welfare Assistant

Support animals in shelters and rescue.

Pet Grooming Assistant

Help with washing, drying and handling.

Dog Daycare Worker

Manage a room full of dogs safely.

Roles where these skills are useful, not promised outcomes. Every job is different, and some ask for more study, hands on experience or a work placement you arrange yourself.

The Course

What You'll Learn

Care first, then behaviour, then business.

01
Caring For Animals
The health and handling side of the work.
Introduction to Animal Care
Anatomy and Physiology
Husbandry of Dogs
Husbandry of Other Species
Common Diseases of Dogs
Common Diseases of Other Species
First Aid, Accidents and Emergencies
Handling and Safety
Veterinary Health Care and Procedures
02
How Dogs Think
Reading the dog in front of you.
Nature and Scope of Canine Psychology
Canine Senses and Communication
Understanding Natural Canine Behaviour
Canine Behavioural Development
Canine Behavioural Disorders
03
Training Dogs
Getting behaviour to change, kindly.
Basic Dog Training Principles
Dog Obedience Training
Controlling a Dog's Movement
Training Working Dogs
04
Starting A Business
Turning the skill into your own work.
Starting Up & Business Types and Structures
Preparing your Business Plan
Introduction to Accounting & Bookkeeping
Certificate in Xero
Included

What You’ll Get

In the Course

  • Care, husbandry, disease, first aid
  • Psychology, senses, development, disorders
  • Training, obedience and working dogs
  • Business, plan, bookkeeping, Xero

As a Student

  • Self paced, start any day
  • Theory only, no live animal work
  • No exams, none at all
  • Business coach, one to one mentoring
Why This One

What Makes It Different

Three things worth checking.

01
Two Certificates Plus Business

Animal care, dog psychology and a business start up module.

02
One To One Mentoring

A dedicated business coach works with you as you plan.

03
Money Goes To The ISPCA

A portion of course proceeds funds rehabilitation and adoption work.

The Credentials

What You'll Earn

PATHWAY

Certificate of Achievement

Plus career support services

Certificate Of Achievement

Issued by the college when you finish.

Business Coaching

One to one mentoring while you plan the work.

Career Support

CV advice and interview preparation when you need it.

Getting Started

How It Works

Step one

Tell Us Your Plan

Kennels, grooming, training or your own business.

Step two

Ask The Questions

An advisor is honest about what theory study covers.

Step three

Sort Payments

Upfront, or weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Step four

Start Learning

Enrol and open the animal care topics.

The Investment

How to Get Started

From €29 / week
Pay upfront, or on an interest free plan.
No deposit to start
No credit check
Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
A course advisor can price it with you
Enquire Now
Good to Know

Common Questions

Do I need experience with dogs?

No. There is no requirement for previous animal care or training work.

Do I need equipment?

Not on day one. No expensive kit or special setup is needed.

Is there hands on animal work?

The course is theory only and does not include practical training with live animals. What it does give you is the knowledge behind the handling, plus business topics if you want to work for yourself.

Are there exams?

None, ever. You move through the topics at your own speed.

Does it cover starting a business?

Yes. Business structures, planning, bookkeeping and Xero are all included.

Who helps me with the business side?

A dedicated business coach works with you one to one.

Is this course accredited?

It is accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office. It is not a QQI course and not a national award. In animal work most employers care about handling and attitude, and this gives you the knowledge behind both.

Where does my money go?

A portion of all course proceeds goes to the ISPCA for rehabilitation and adoption programs.

Delivered By

About the College

This course is delivered by The Career Academy.

It is an ICOES accredited centre and holds accreditation with the CPD Standards Office. It donates a portion of course proceeds to the ISPCA.

ICOES accredited centreCPD Standards OfficeSupports the ISPCABusiness coaching included
Dogs All Day

Enquire Today

Picture a nervous rescue dog settling because you knew what it needed.

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