Companion Dogs · NICS-03
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)
15-day foundation canine behaviour course from NICS. Learn to recognise, manage and appropriately refer common companion dog behavioural issues. Start your pet industry career.
- Foundation
- 15 days
- ₹14,999
- Onsite · Indore
About this course
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) is a 15-day professional training programme covering twenty of the most common behavioural presentations in companion dogs: biting and nibbling, jumping, calm-behaviour training, veterinary and grooming handling routines, gentling, leash biting, food tantrums, destructive chewing, food stealing, socialisation with humans and other animals, potty training, separation anxiety, confidence building, food and object guarding, doorbell reactivity, digging, leash reactivity toward dogs or people, and aggression toward another pet at home.
Learners build a working understanding of why each behaviour occurs — developmental stage, learned association, insufficient socialisation, unmet needs, or early-stage conflict behaviour — and apply structured, welfare-first management and training responses to each. Every topic is taught using the same professional sequence as the rest of the NICS pathway: theory, demonstration, guided practice, and application to realistic scenarios.
A defining feature of this course is professional judgement: for several of the twenty topics, particularly separation anxiety, resource guarding, and aggression toward another pet, learners are trained specifically to recognise the point at which a presentation exceeds Foundation-level management and requires referral to Advanced Canine Behaviour, the Aggressive Behaviour Control pathway, or a qualified veterinary behaviourist.
This course builds directly on the diagnostic and learning-theory foundation established in Introduction to Obedience and Advanced Obedience, and prepares the learner for Advanced Canine Behaviour, where these same twenty presentations are addressed with full behavioural case planning and intervention design.
Who this is for
- Graduates of Introduction to Obedience and Advanced Obedience seeking to extend into behavioural work
- Aspiring canine behaviour professionals entering the pet industry
- Companion dog handlers and trainers who regularly encounter behavioural questions from clients
- Pet-care professionals — groomers, sitters, boarding staff — who manage dogs presenting mild behavioural challenges
- Rescue and shelter professionals needing a structured foundation in common behavioural presentations
What you will learn
Theory
- The developmental, environmental and learned origins of common companion-dog behaviours
- The distinction between a normal developmental behaviour, an unwanted but manageable habit, and a genuine behavioural concern requiring referral
- Socialisation theory and critical developmental periods, and how gaps in early socialisation present later in life
- The role of unmet physical, mental and social needs in producing many common "problem" behaviours
Practical
- Structured management and training responses to twenty common behavioural presentations
- Observing and interpreting a dog's behaviour in an unscripted, real-world home scenario
- Structuring a behaviour-focused consultation or session, distinct from a pure obedience session
- Coaching a client through management changes in their own home environment
Professional Application
- Explaining the cause of a behaviour to a client in accurate, non-judgemental professional language
- Distinguishing standard management from a case requiring referral, and explaining that distinction to a client
- Preparing a dog and handler for progression into Advanced Canine Behaviour
Safety & Welfare
- Safe handling around a dog exhibiting stress, guarding or early reactive behaviour
- Recognising escalation risk before it becomes a safety incident
- Appropriate stopping criteria and referral boundaries specific to behavioural work
Problem Solving
- Identifying the underlying cause of a behaviour rather than only addressing its visible symptom
- Distinguishing between behaviours resolved through management, those resolved through training, and those requiring specialist referral
- Adjusting an intervention plan based on a dog's actual response, not a fixed script
Curriculum highlights
- 1 Stop Biting/Nibbling (Puppy Mouthing)
- 2 Stop Jumping on People
- 3 Teaching Calm Behaviour
- 4 Vet Checkup Routine
- 5 Groomer Handling Routine
- 6 Handling & Gentling
- 7 Stop Leash Biting
- 8 Stop Food Tantrums
- 9 Stop Chewing Habits / Destructive Behaviour
- 10 Stop Stealing Food
- 11 Socialising with Humans
- 12 Socialising with Other Dogs/Animals
- 13 Pee & Potty Training
- 14 Separation Anxiety
- 15 Confidence Building
- 16 Food/Object Guarding (Aggression)
- 17 Door Bell Reactivity
- 18 Digging in Garden or Flower Pots
- 19 Lunging at Other Dogs/People on Walks
- 20 Aggression Towards Other Pet at Home
Day-by-day structure
| Day | Focus | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation & Behavioural Theory | Developmental stages, learning theory recap, trigger stacking; Stop Biting/Nibbling and Stop Jumping introduced |
| 2 | Household Manners (Part 1) | Teaching Calm Behaviour; Stop Food Tantrums |
| 3 | Household Manners (Part 2) | Stop Chewing/Destructive Behaviour; Stop Stealing Food |
| 4 | Cooperative Handling | Vet Checkup Routine; Groomer Handling Routine; Handling & Gentling |
| 5 | Leash-Related Behaviour | Stop Leash Biting; review of Week 1 topics |
| 6 | Socialisation (Part 1) | Socialising with Humans — theory and controlled-exposure practice |
| 7 | Socialisation (Part 2) | Socialising with Other Dogs/Animals — parallel walking and controlled introductions |
| 8 | House Training | Pee & Potty Training — scheduling, management and troubleshooting |
| 9 | Confidence & Environment | Confidence Building; Digging in Garden or Flower Pots |
| 10 | Separation-Related Behaviour | Separation Anxiety — recognition, mild-case management, referral boundary |
| 11 | Resource-Related Behaviour | Food/Object Guarding — recognition, prevention, referral boundary |
| 12 | Environmental Reactivity | Door Bell Reactivity — counter-conditioning practice |
| 13 | Leash Reactivity | Lunging at Other Dogs/People on Walks — recognition and sub-threshold management |
| 14 | Multi-Pet Households | Aggression Towards Other Pet at Home — recognition, management, referral boundary; full programme review |
| 15 | Final Assessment | Theory assessment; case-scenario classification and referral-judgement assessment; practical demonstration of management techniques |
Outcomes
- Explain the developmental, environmental or learned origin of twenty common companion-dog behavioural presentations
- Apply appropriate Foundation-level management and training techniques to each presentation
- Read canine body language accurately enough to identify early stress, guarding and conflict signals
- Correctly distinguish behaviours manageable at Foundation level from those requiring referral
- Conduct a basic behavioural consultation and complete a behavioural assessment form
- Communicate a behavioural cause and management plan to a client without judgement
- Communicate a referral decision clearly and appropriately
- Apply the OBSERVE–IDENTIFY–ASSESS–PLAN–IMPLEMENT–MEASURE–MODIFY–REASSESS framework to a behavioural scenario
Frequently asked questions
Who can join this course?
This course is open to graduates of Introduction to Obedience and Advanced Obedience, aspiring canine behaviour professionals, and pet-care professionals seeking a structured foundation in common behavioural presentations.
Is previous experience required?
A working Foundation-level command of core obedience handling, as developed in Introduction to Obedience, is recommended before starting this course.
How much practical training is included?
The course combines hands-on practical technique with structured case-scenario work, since some behavioural presentations — particularly higher-risk topics — are taught through realistic scenarios rather than live demonstration alone.
What theory is taught?
Learners study the developmental, environmental and learned origins of twenty common behavioural presentations, along with extinction, trigger stacking and canine body language.
What training methods are used?
This course uses management, counter-conditioning, differential reinforcement and desensitisation exclusively. No confrontational or punishment-based correction methods are taught.
Does this course cover aggression?
This course covers recognition, prevention and mild-case management of guarding, reactivity and inter-pet tension, with clear referral boundaries. Established, moderate-to-severe aggression is covered in the Aggressive Behaviour Control pathway and Advanced Canine Behaviour, not in this Foundation course.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is competency-based, covering theory, practical technique, and — critically — the learner's ability to correctly classify a case as manageable at Foundation level or requiring referral.
Where can these skills be used professionally?
Graduates apply these skills in private client consultations, group classes, shelter and rescue settings, and pet-care roles requiring behavioural awareness.
What is the next course in this pathway?
Graduates progress to Advanced Canine Behaviour, which extends these twenty presentations into full behavioural case planning and modification.
What professional pathway does this course support?
This course is the second stage of the NICS Canine Behaviour pathway, following Introduction to Obedience and Advanced Obedience, and leading to Advanced Canine Behaviour and the Canine Behaviour Specialist programme.
Does completing this course guarantee employment or a training business?
No. This course provides structured professional training in foundation canine behaviour skills. It does not guarantee employment, income or business outcomes, which depend on the individual's further study, experience and effort.
How much does Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) cost?
The course fee for Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) is ₹14,999.
How long does Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) take to complete?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) runs for 15 Days.
What level is Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) is a Foundation-level course, teaching the topic from first principles with no prior NICS coursework required.
Which NICS pathway does Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) belong to?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) sits within the Companion Dogs pathway at the National Institute of Canine Studies.
Is Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) conducted online or in person?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) is delivered onsite through hands-on, in-person training at NICS.
What topics are covered in Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) covers: Stop Biting/Nibbling (Puppy Mouthing), Stop Jumping on People, Teaching Calm Behaviour, Vet Checkup Routine, Groomer Handling Routine, Handling & Gentling, Stop Leash Biting, Stop Food Tantrums, and 12 more topics.
What will I be able to do after completing Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
By the end of this course, students will be able to: Explain the developmental, environmental or learned origin of twenty common companion-dog behavioural presentations Apply appropriate Foundation-level management and training techniques to each presentation Read canine body language accurately enough to identify early stress, guarding and conflict signals Correctly distinguish behaviours manageable at Foundation level from those requiring referral Conduct a basic behavioural consultation and complete a behavioural assessment form Communicate a behavioural cause and management plan to a client without judgement Communicate a referral decision clearly and appropriately Apply the OBSERVE–IDENTIFY–ASSESS–PLAN–IMPLEMENT–MEASURE–MODIFY–REASSESS framework to a behavioural scenario
Who is Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) designed for?
Graduates of Introduction to Obedience and Advanced Obedience seeking to extend into behavioural work Aspiring canine behaviour professionals entering the pet industry Companion dog handlers and trainers who regularly encounter behavioural questions from clients Pet-care professionals — groomers, sitters, boarding staff — who manage dogs presenting mild behavioural challenges Rescue and shelter professionals needing a structured foundation in common behavioural presentations A working Foundation-level command of core obedience handling, as developed in Introduction to Obedience, is recommended before starting this course.
Do I need to complete another course before Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Yes — Advanced Obedience is the recommended course to complete before starting Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation).
What can I study after completing Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Graduates of Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) can progress to Advanced Canine Behaviour to continue building their skills in the Companion Dogs pathway.
What is the NICS course code for Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) is listed under NICS course code NICS-03.
How do I enrol in Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
You can enrol in Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation) by selecting it in the NICS course catalogue and sending your enquiry via WhatsApp, or by using the enquiry button on this page.
Ready to enrol in Introduction to Canine Behaviour (Foundation)?
Enquire now, or add this course to a learning package. Package discounts of 5–20% are calculated automatically in the catalogue.