Distance Learning Courses 

  Click here for a printable enrolment form

All of our canine courses will provide evidence towards the KCAI Scheme.

Those working towards this can gain assistance from course leader and KCAI mentor/assessor Angela White KCAI CD Adv, Ob Adv.

In 2007, The Haxey Study Centre was accepted to    register courses under the AQA Unit Award Scheme—this means we can now offer students formal recognition of their success.

This scheme is fully approved by QCA and is included in the ‘National Framework of Awards’

We are now working through our courses,
both distance learning and centre based, to put them through the
AQA validation process.

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Why Study By Distance Learning with the IABTC?

The idea of distance learning courses is that you can learn at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. There is no pressure to finish by a set time, although you will be encouraged to decide on and set targets to help you to achieve your aims. The IABTC has prepared these courses especially for people like you - people with an interest in animals and a desire to learn more. The IABTC has tutors, assessors and validators who have nationally recognised qualifications; therefore you are assured of a fair, prompt and unbiased assessment.

Kennel Club Accreditation for Instructors in Dog Training & Canine Behaviour
The IABTC is a recognised training provider for the above scheme. All of the courses marked with the initials KCAI will provide evidence of achievement that can be used towards gaining accreditation on the scheme.  Course leader Angela White is KCAI accredited, Companion Dog Training Advanced, Competitive Obedience Advanced, a KCAI assessor, mentor and is on the KCAI assessors working party. Therefore we can offer help and advice to anyone wishing to use these courses as part of the scheme.

AQA Validation
In 2007, The Haxey Study Centre was accepted to register courses under the AQA Unit Award Scheme—this means we can now offer students formal recognition of their success. This scheme is fully approved by QCA and is included in the ‘National Framework of Awards’. We are now working through our courses, both distance learning and centre based, to put them through the AQA validation process.

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Do I Need Qualifications?

IABTC Courses are open to everyone; you do not need a degree, or any other qualifications to study on the IABTC distance learning courses. All you need to qualify is a desire to learn.

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What Will I Need?

Because of the nature or distance learning courses you will find that you will need to access books. These can be borrowed from your local library, purchased from bookshops or by mail order, Internet etc. You will be provided with a full and comprehensive book list for each course. It is not necessary to read every book on the list, but you should try to gain as broad a knowledge as possible by reading more than one title in each subject area. You may also find it beneficial to speak to 'experts' in your field of study. You will need the desire to learn, and the motivation to work on your own. However, some students do get together and work with others on the course and this can be very beneficial. You will need to create and set aside time to learn. Life is full of things you need to do, so plan your time to include study. You will also need to have a place to study. Somewhere quiet where you can spread out your books and get stuck in! A word processor or computer will be useful, but it is not compulsory to submit your work typed. Hand written copy is quite acceptable as long as it is legible. If you have difficulty in providing written or typed copy it is also acceptable to submit your work on audiotape.

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How Long will it Take?

Most people will complete basic courses within one year and more complex courses within two years. However, some people will take less or more than this; it really is up to you. Realistically most units can be completed in around 4-6 weeks. Spending around 10 - 14 hours a week, just 2 hours a day), this allows time for your research, initial planning of your report, final preparation of your submission and checking through.

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Assessments and Quality

Most of the units are assessed by your production of an assignment, which may comprise of several tasks. The tasks are detailed, but if you are in any doubt you can discuss the assignment with your tutor (by phone, letter, fax, email, or even in person if you want to visit the centre). Your tutor, who is also a qualified assessor, will assess your work and give you a written report. If there is any doubt or discrepancy, another qualified validator will be appointed to check the decision. From time to time work may be randomly checked by an external validator to assure quality and fairness. If you do not achieve a pass on any assignment, you will be given the opportunity to re submit your work. Remember that we are on your side, we want you to be successful, but we also want you to feel that you have earned the right to your award, therefore the IABTC will uphold high standards. When you receive your certificate you will know that it was not awarded lightly. Currently courses are being reviewed and where possible linked to the KCAI scheme and AQA Unit Scheme awards (see above).

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Distance Learning Certificates

When you have successfully completed the course you will be awarded a certificate from the International Animal Behaviour Training Centre (IABTC).  The certificate will be graded Pass, Merit or Distinction based on the overall standard of your work. For those working towards Kennel Club accreditation as an instructor, these certificates will provide valuable evidence of knowledge.

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Practical Competence

The Distance Learning certificates are awarded in recognition of your theoretical knowledge - a further qualification can be gained by attending the centre and being assessed on a practical level. (There is an assessment fee for this service, the cost of which is dependent on the type of course and depth of involvement for the assessment).  Practical workshops and courses are also available to help you learn and improve your skills. Practical certificates will provide valuable evidence of practical competence for those working towards KCAI.

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How Much will it Cost?

The course fee is £235.00 plus VAT (£276.13) for the full course (£299.00 plus VAT (£351.33) for the Instructors course)

Price includes postage in the UK.

If you are outside of the UK, please add £25.00 to help towards postage, packing, phone calls etc.

Payment can be a Sterling cheque for the full amount.  We can accept Credit/Debit cards if paying via PayPal.

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IABTC Advanced Clicker & Target Training

This course assumes the student already has an understanding of clicker and target training, but wishes to take it a step further either for their own use or to teach other people.  It explores the science behind the system and looks at alternative ways of using bridging techniques.  Although primarily aimed at those interested in dogs, this course will also look at the training of other animals to help gain a better understanding of the process.

Cost    Price £245.00 plus VAT (£276.13). Price includes postage, course materials, individual tutor support and feedback and certificates for successful candidates.

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IABTC Care and Understanding of Dogs

This course is aimed at all dog owners who wish to learn more about their dog. It covers nutrition and exercise, behaviour, training and control, physiology, common illness, parasites. Coupling general care with an understanding of behaviour and training the course provides an all round view of how to care for dogs correctly and to get the best from the relationship between human and canine.

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IABTC Canine Behaviour (Basic Principles)

This is a good course for anyone interested in what makes his or her dog 'tick'. It will provide a sound basis for all who live, work or train with dogs. It covers the links to ancestry, pack behaviour, motivation, drives, learning, as well as how the dog is affected by homeostasis, environment, development, previous experience etc. Students wishing to go on to become dog training instructors will benefit greatly from this course. It will provide credits for 'IABTC Instructing Pet Owners'.

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IABTC Canine Behaviour (Problem Behaviour)

Concentrating on a large range of behaviour problems that occur in dogs, this course looks at the cause, diagnoses and control of behavioural problems and abnormalities in dogs.  It will cover common problems such as barking, aggression, excitability, stealing etc to more unusual problems such as phobias.

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IABTC Counselling and Advising Pet Owners

This course will give you a sound theoretical knowledge of how to effectively counsel and advise pet owners who have problems with their pets. Whilst most people will use this for dog owners, the theory is also very relevant to all pet animal owners including horses, cats etc. You will be given tried and tested structures to follow to aid you in achieving accurate information and therefore being able to offer the right advice and back up.

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IABTC Instructing Pet Owners

A sound theoretical knowledge will build from the rather heavy workload involved in this course. Students will study the dog's mind, motivation, reward systems, teaching skills, breed differences, behaviour problems, PR, as well as the more logistical and legal aspects of teaching dog training. The course offers the chance to specialise in a chosen area with an option unit. There are some units common to other courses, therefore students successfully completing' Canine Behaviour (1)' or 'Care and Understanding of Dogs', will have already gained some credits towards this course. The knowledge gained will provide instructors with a basis to go on to practice and improve their practical skills.

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IABTC Feline Behaviour (Basic Principles)

This course is ideal for those who have a passion for domestic cats. It will help you to understand why your cat does what he does. The course covers the ancestral development of the cat, hierarchy and territory, motivation, how lifestyle and care affect behaviour. Not only will this course provide a fascinating insight into the cat, it would also give a starting point of knowledge for those wishing to deal with behavioural problems in cats either for their own benefit or to help others.

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IABTC Feline Behaviour (Problem Behaviour)

Concentrating on a large range of behaviour problems that occur in domestic cats this course looks at the cause, diagnoses and control of behavioural problems and abnormalities in cats.

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