Level 3
Puppy Training Specialist
Take the first formal step into professional puppy work with the IICBT Level 3 Certificate in Puppy Training and Early Development, a focused qualification designed and delivered by practising dog trainers and behaviour practitioners.
This recognised Level 3 puppy training course gives you the knowledge, structure and practical confidence to run welfare-led puppy classes and one-to-one support, whether you are just starting out or adding puppy services to an existing pet business.
By the end of the course you will be able to plan and deliver structured puppy sessions, coach new owners clearly, and lay solid foundations that reduce the risk of later behaviour problems, with a clear progression route into the Level 5 Master Dog Trainer pathway.
MODULES INCLUDED
You will study four structured modules that take you from keen puppy enthusiast to credible early stage puppy training professional:
- Puppy development, early learning and welfare
- Foundations of puppy training: core skills, play and socialisation
- Planning and running structured puppy classes
- One-to-one puppy support, common challenges and when to refer
Typical course length:
Most learners complete the taught content and assessments within 4-6 weeks alongside other commitments. You have up to 12 months of access to complete all elements.
You will qualify with:
- IICBT Level 3 Certificate in Puppy Training and Early Development
- The right to use the title IICBT Puppy Training Specialist in line with IICBT brand guidelines
- An official IICBT Puppy Training Specialist digital badge for your website, social media and client materials
STUDY OPTIONS AND SUPPORT
The Level 3 course is designed so you can study around work, family and an existing client load.
- All core teaching is delivered online through tutor-led video lessons, practical examples and short knowledge checks
- You access your lessons, templates and assessment guidance through a single student portal
- You choose when to study, with the flexibility to move quickly in focused blocks or progress at a steadier pace over several weeks
Throughout your studies you have access to IICBT tutors for questions on content, practical application and professional scope, plus a student helpdesk for technical support.
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Assessment is designed to confirm that you can plan and deliver safe, structured puppy training, not just recall theory.
- Short online assessments at the end of each module, such as multiple choice questions, brief scenario responses and simple planning tasks
- A final applied assignment where you design a short puppy class or one-to-one support plan, outline how you will coach owners, and show how you would handle common early challenges within an appropriate scope of practice
Clear assessment criteria and example formats are provided so you know exactly what is expected.
CAREER SUPPORT AND BUSINESS RESOURCES
The Level 3 Certificate is built to help you turn puppy skills into attractive, bookable services.
During the course you will:
- Use ready-made templates for puppy class outlines, owner handouts and basic progress tracking
- Practise explaining exercises, expectations and boundaries in clear, owner-friendly language
- Begin shaping a simple puppy service list and pricing structure that fits your goals and local market
The qualification sits alongside your current work in training, walking, day care, grooming or pet care and helps you stand out as someone who understands puppy development, not just basic obedience. It also provides a clear foundation if you choose to progress to the IICBT Level 5 Master Dog Trainer route.
COURSE FEES
The total course fee for this programme is £199.
Flexible payment options are available. On your call, an IICBT adviser can talk you through deposit amounts, monthly plans and what will work best for your budget.
See the full breakdown of modules, assessment, pricing and study options.
Career Pathway Options
Dog Walker Package
Canine Behaviour Practitioner Package
Dog Trainer Package
The UK’s #1 training provider for canine behaviour and training
With long standing expertise in developing high quality canine professionals, we understand what it takes to succeed in a competitive, fast growing field. We train dog trainers and behaviour practitioners who are more employable, better prepared for real cases, confident with clients, and committed to ethical, evidence based practice.
If you are new to the industry, our Level 5 Diploma in Canine Training and Instruction is the place to begin. It is recognised as a clear benchmark for those entering professional practice and gives you the skills to train dogs safely, design structured training plans and work effectively with owners.
If you are an experienced trainer aiming to move into complex behaviour work, our Level 6 Diploma in Canine Behaviour Practice builds on that foundation. You will develop advanced skills in behavioural assessment, case formulation, risk management and working closely with veterinary teams.
You can also strengthen your profile with focused short courses in areas such as puppy training, first aid and nutrition. These programmes help you deepen knowledge, refine your practice and stay current with sector expectations.
Step 1. Download The Prospectus
Start by downloading the Level 3 Certificate in Puppy Training and Early Development prospectus. You will see the modules, sample class plans, assessment outline and how this qualification links into the Level 5 Master Dog Trainer pathway. You can check it is the right starting point or add on to your existing services before you commit.
Step 2. Talk to an IICBT Adviser
Next, you speak with an adviser who understands both early stage careers and established trainers adding puppy services. They will look at your current experience, the kind of puppy work you want to offer, your local demand and your longer term goals. Together you discuss fast track or steady options, agree a study route, explore payment plans and, if it fits, build a package that supports your wider plans.
Step 3. Get Enrolled and set Up in Your Portal
If you decide to enrol, your adviser completes the process with you and walks you through your puppy training area in the portal. You see where to find lessons, class templates, owner handouts and assessment guidance, and how to get help from a tutor when you are planning real sessions. You log out with a clear first week of study and practice tasks.
Step 4. Study, Complete Assessment, Get Qualified
You then work through the course alongside any current work or family commitments. Most learners complete the Level 3 puppy training course in around 4 to 6 weeks. You watch tutor led lessons, design simple class or one to one plans, complete short assessments and your final applied assignment, then receive your IICBT Level 3 Certificate in Puppy Training and Early Development and Puppy Training Specialist title.
Step 5. Start or Grow Your Business With Our Support
Once qualified, you can confidently offer structured puppy classes and one to one support rather than ad hoc advice. You use your title, plans and owner resources to fill classes, run clear puppy packages and feed early stage clients into your wider training services. You can then progress to the Level 5 Diploma and beyond when you are ready to grow.
WHY SERIOUS DOG PROFESSIONALS CHOOSE IICBT
Independent, outcomes-led standards for canine training and behaviour, designed to prepare you for real work with dogs and owners.
Fast Track Routes
Move quickly if you’re ready, or pace your study around work and family. We show you exactly how to get qualified, not just “work through the content”.
Practical Workshops
Train in person at places owners recognise, including The Kennel Club at Stoneleigh and partner centres across the UK, not just in a village hall.
Unlimited tutor Access
Ask questions as often as you need. You get direct access to practising trainers and behaviour specialists, not a ticket system and stock replies.
Study From Anywhere
Log in, watch lessons, download templates and keep going. All core teaching lives online so you can build your new career from your sofa, not a classroom.
Support to Build a Business
We talk pricing, services, marketing and client handling, so you leave with a plan to earn from your skills, not just a certificate for the wall.
Training People Trust
Your courses are backed by an independent institute and recognised through the iPET Network PDR scheme, giving you something credible to show vets, employers and clients.
Most trainers use the Level 3 Puppy Certificate to either launch or upgrade puppy services within their business. Instead of running casual, low-priced classes, you build structured programmes that owners are happy to invest in because they can see the value for their dog’s future.
In many areas, well-structured puppy classes are charged as packages (for example, 4–6 week blocks rather than drop-ins), and one-to-one “start them right” programmes are priced above standard single lessons. Layer in early-life consults, home visits and short board-and-train options, and it’s realistic to work towards £20,000 to £40,000 per year from puppy-focused work when combined with your other services.
For example, if you run one or two puppy classes per week, keep a steady flow of one-to-one puppy programmes each month, and occasionally offer short “puppy stay & train” packages, the numbers add up quickly. This course is designed to give you the structure, confidence and credibility to position yourself as a puppy training specialist, not just someone who “does puppies as well”.
Fees and Payment Options
When you speak with an adviser, they will talk you through course fees, any current offers and the payment plan that fits your budget. Most learners start with a £199 deposit and a simple monthly schedule.
Spread the cost of your course over simple monthly instalments, with 0% interest on our in-house plans.
Secure your place with a £199 deposit, then spread the remaining course fees with simple monthly payments.
Our in-house payment plans do not require a formal credit check, keeping the process simple and accessible.
Pay your full course fee at enrolment and save 20% compared with the standard payment plan price.
What if I love puppies but have never taught a class before?
That is exactly where many learners start. We do not assume you already know how to run structured puppy courses, only that you care about getting things right. The Level 3 Certificate takes you from development and early learning through to planning classes and one to one support, so you can move from “I love puppies” to “I run professional puppy programmes that owners pay for”.
Do I have to quit my job or current pet work to use this?
No. Most learners fit the puppy course around existing work in training, walking, day care, grooming or a completely different job. You can start with a small puppy class or one to one offer and build from there. On your call, your adviser can help you plan how to add puppy work in a way that feels realistic and profitable.
How long will it take me to start earning from puppy training?
That depends on your starting point and confidence. Some learners begin offering simple puppy home visits or small classes before they finish the course, others wait until they have worked through more modules. Your adviser will talk through your goals, your local demand and when it makes sense to put a paid puppy offer on your website or social media.
I have done general dog training courses before. Why do I need a puppy specific one?
Puppy work is not just “smaller versions of adult classes”. Owners at this stage need support on development, socialisation, early routines and preventing problems, not just sit and down. The Level 3 puppy course is built specifically around early life, with structure, handouts and plans you can sell, so you can stand out as a puppy specialist rather than offering generic “obedience” to everyone.
What if I get nervous about running classes or speaking to new owners?
You are not expected to be a polished presenter from day one. The course includes examples, outlines and owner friendly language you can adapt, plus tutor support if you are unsure how to structure your sessions. The goal is to give you enough structure and resources that you feel prepared, not thrown in at the deep end.
What happens once I qualify?
You can describe yourself as an IICBT Puppy Training Specialist with an official Level 3 qualification behind you. That helps you promote dedicated puppy programmes, work more closely with vets and rescues, and position yourself as the person to see “before things go wrong”. It also gives you a strong foundation if you later choose to progress to the Level 5 Master Dog Trainer route.
Do you offer payment plans, or do I have to pay everything upfront?
You do not have to pay all at once. On your call, your adviser will go through the fee and any payment plan options available, so you can choose an approach that fits your current income and how quickly you want to move into puppy work.
Why should I choose IICBT for puppy training instead of a generic dog course?
Most general dog courses give puppies a token module and then jump straight into adult training. IICBT treats early development as its own specialism, with structure, welfare and prevention at the centre. The Level 3 puppy course is written and delivered by trainers and behaviour practitioners who actually run puppy programmes for a living, so you get a start-to-finish system you can sell, not just a list of cute games and cues.