Level 5
Master Dog Trainer
Take the next step in your canine career with the IICBT Level 5 Diploma in Canine Training & Instruction, a professional qualification designed and delivered by practising dog trainers and behaviour practitioners.
This recognised Level 5 dog training qualification gives you the knowledge, skills and structured practice needed to work as a professional dog trainer in clients’ homes, training venues and outdoor environments, either on a self-employed basis or within an organisation.
When you are ready for assessment, you can complete your final practical either by video in your own environment or at a two day workshop and assessment at The Kennel Club in Stoneleigh.
MODULES INCLUDED
You will study eight structured modules that build from core theory to applied practice:
- Professional practice, scope and welfare
- Canine learning theory and application
- Training mechanics and handler skills
- Core pet dog training exercises
- Equipment, safety and risk management in training
- Planning and delivering one-to-one training programmes
- Designing and delivering puppy and life skills classes
- Common training problems and professional boundaries
Typical course length:
Most learners complete the taught content and assessments within 8-12 weeks alongside other commitments. You have up to 12 months of access to complete all elements.
You will qualify with:
- IICBT Level 5 Diploma in Canine Training & Instruction
- The right to use the title IICBT Master Dog Trainer (IICBT MDT) in line with IICBT brand guidelines
- Recognition through the iPET Network Professional Development Recognition (PDR) scheme
STUDY OPTIONS AND SUPPORT
This course is designed so you can study around work, family and an existing client load.
- All core teaching is delivered online through structured video lessons, case examples and short knowledge checks
- You access everything through a single student portal, with a clear recommended study sequence
- You choose when to study, with the flexibility to fast track or move at a steadier pace
- Complete your final practical in the way that suits you, either through a structured video assessment in your own environment or at a two day workshop and assessment at The Kennel Club in Stoneleigh
Throughout your studies you have access to experienced IICBT tutors for questions on course content, assessment and professional practice, plus a student helpdesk for technical support.
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Assessment is designed to confirm that you can apply training principles with real dogs and owners, not just recall terminology.
- Short online assessments at the end of each module, such as multiple-choice questions and simple planning tasks
- A final practical assessment where you demonstrate your ability to plan and deliver pet dog training within a clear professional scope
For the final practical you can choose between:
- A structured video-based assessment completed in your own environment, or
- A two-day practical workshop and assessment at The Kennel Club, Stoneleigh
Clear assessment criteria and examples are provided so you know exactly what is expected.
CAREER SUPPORT AND BUSINESS RESOURCES
The Level 5 Diploma is built to help you turn skills into paid work, not just gain a certificate.
During the course you will:
- Use ready-made templates for one-to-one training programmes and group classes
- Practise explaining your methods, plans and boundaries in clear, client-friendly language
- Start to shape a service list and pricing structure that fits your goals and local market
You also gain access to additional IICBT resources and pathways that support you in building a sustainable training business and, when you are ready, progressing into behaviour work at Level 6.
COURSE FEES
The total course fee for this programme is £1199.
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.
For learners who want in-person coaching as well as online study, the Level 5 Diploma includes the option of a two-day practical workshop and assessment at The Kennel Club, Stoneleigh.
Across the two days you will:
The Kennel Club route is ideal if you want extra support with your practical skills, enjoy learning face to face, and value the added credibility of saying you have been assessed at The Kennel Club.
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 5 Diploma in Canine Training & Instruction prospectus. You will see what you will learn, how the course runs, real examples of training work and the types of income and careers this qualification can lead to. No payment and no commitment, just a clear picture of what is possible for you.
Step 2. Talk to an IICBT Adviser
Next, you book a call with an adviser who works every day with people starting or growing canine careers. They will look at where you are now, where you want to be, what is holding you back, and whether a fast track or steadier route fits you best. Together you agree a study plan, explore payment options and, if it makes sense, build a package that fits your goals and budget.
Step 3. Get Enrolled and set Up in Your Portal
If you decide to go ahead, your adviser completes enrolment with you and walks you through your student portal. You see exactly where to find lessons, templates and assessments, how to get tutor help when you need it, and how to track your progress from first login to final practical. You start the course knowing exactly what to do in week one.
Step 4. Study, Complete Assessment, Get Qualified
You then work through the course at your own pace, with clear structure and support. Most learners complete the Level 5 Diploma in around 8 to 12 weeks alongside other commitments. You watch focused lessons, use ready made tools, complete short assessments and your final practical, then receive your IICBT Level 5 Diploma in Canine Training & Instruction and your Master Dog Trainer title.
Step 5. Start or Grow Your Business With Our Support
Qualifying is not the finish line, it is the starting point. You use your new skills and title to launch or grow your business, raise your prices and move away from low paid, ad hoc work. You also stay connected to IICBT mentorship, templates and further courses, so you keep building your client base, your income and your long term career, not just adding one more certificate to a drawer.
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.
Becoming a professional dog trainer is one of the few careers where you can do work you genuinely love, choose your own hours and still earn a serious income. With the Level 5 Diploma you are not just “doing a bit of training on the side” – you are positioning yourself as a recognised Master Dog Trainer who can charge professional rates for structured programmes, puppy courses, life skills classes and higher-value services like walk-and-train or day-training.
In practice, that means moving away from cheap, one-off sessions and towards clearly defined packages and programmes that clients are happy to invest in. Full-time trainers who build a solid reputation in their area, charge sustainable rates and keep a well-planned diary can realistically grow their income into the £40,000 to £80,000 per year range, with scope to go beyond that as they add premium services, online support and small group programmes.
The Level 5 Diploma is designed to help you reach that level, giving you the skills, structure, professional title and business resources to present yourself as the “go-to” trainer locally, attract better clients and charge in line with the value you provide.
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 am starting from scratch and have never worked with dogs professionally?
You are exactly who this course is built for. We assume you are serious about working with dogs, not that you already know how to run classes or write training plans. The course takes you from solid foundations in learning and welfare through to structured one to one programmes and group classes, so you can start trading as a professional trainer rather than “helping out” for pocket money.
Do I have to quit my job to make this work?
No. Most learners fit the Level 5 Diploma around a normal job or family life at first. You can start with a few hours of study and a small number of clients, then gradually increase your workload as your confidence and income grow. Your adviser can help you plan a route that feels realistic rather than reckless.
How long will it take me to start earning from this?
That depends on your starting point and how much time you can put in. Some learners begin charging for simple sessions while they are still studying, others prefer to wait until they have completed more of the course. On your call, an adviser will talk through where you are now, how quickly you want to move and when it makes sense to start taking paid clients.
I have done cheap online dog training courses before. How is this different?
This is not a thirty pound video course that gives you a PDF at the end. The Level 5 Diploma is a recognised qualification with structured teaching, assessments, tutor support and a practical element, designed by practising trainers and behaviour practitioners. It exists to turn you into a credible professional who can charge proper rates and work within a clear scope of practice, not just give you more theory to watch in the evenings.
What if I get stuck or lose momentum?
You are not left to figure everything out on your own. You will have access to a student portal, tutor support and a helpdesk for practical questions. If you hit a block with the content, assessments or fitting study around life, you can get help to get moving again rather than quietly giving up.
What happens once I qualify?
You can present yourself as an IICBT Master Dog Trainer, with a Level 5 training qualification behind you. That opens the door to offering structured one to one training, puppy and life skills classes, higher value services like walk and train, and, if you choose, progression into behaviour work at Level 6. You will also have a bank of templates, plans and processes you can plug straight into your business.
Do you offer payment plans, or do I have to pay everything upfront?
You do not have to pay everything in one go. On your call, your adviser will talk through the course fee, any current offers and the payment options that are available to you. The aim is to build a plan that fits your budget and time frame, so you can get started without putting yourself under pressure.
I have seen lots of other dog training courses. Why should I choose IICBT?
A lot of courses promise a lot and then give you a few videos and a certificate. IICBT is built by practising trainers and behaviour practitioners who work with real dogs and real clients every week. The Level 5 Diploma is recognised through the iPET Network Professional Development Recognition scheme, includes a practical route through The Kennel Club at Stoneleigh, and is designed to help you earn from your skills, not just collect letters after your name. If you are serious about building a proper training career, not just doing “a dog course”, this is the level we expect you to train to.