OCNLR
Level 6
QN: 610/5661/3
Curriculum Active
OCNLR Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Canine Behaviour: Theory, Practice and Application
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by OCNLR. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 408 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 6
Awarding Body
OCNLR
Syllabus Units
8 Units
Guided Hours
408 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Advanced Canine Behaviour Principles
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how arousal levels, emotional states, and positive and negative event associations influence canine behaviour.2.
- Understand the range of and preferred coping strategies in canines and evaluate behaviour with regard to their emotional states and body language to inform behavioural plans.3.
- Understand a multi-level assessment method and operant conditioning in behaviour modification.4.
- Be able to analyse case histories and presentation.
2
Brain Health
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the complementary roles of behaviourists and veterinarians in managing canine behaviour.2.
- Understand the role of commonly used medications in behavioural medicine and their mode of action.3.
- Know how brain health may be compromised and propose non-pharmacological management strategies to optimise brain health.4.
- Understand the impact of medication acceptance and communicate concerns effectively with veterinarians.
3
Canine Behaviour Principles
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how canines learn.2.
- Understand how key brain regions, sensory systems and neurotransmitters influence canine behaviour and the neurophysiology of aggression.3.
- Understand how learning and environmental factors influence canine behaviour in various contexts, including walks and home settings.4.
- Be able to match and select relevant strategies and techniques required for the prevention and modification of unwanted behaviour and be able to demonstrate mechanically, as required.
4
Canine Behaviour Problems
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the aetiology, risk and protective factors associated with behavioural problems.2.
- Be able to plan a strategy and approach for behaviour modification for a given problem.3.
- Be able to manage and implement the application and assessment of a tailored plan for individual canines.
5
Ethology and Evolution
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the evolution of canines from an ethological and physiological viewpoint, including genetic and social development and domestication
- Understand common public assumptions about dog behaviour, including breed-specific perceptions.3.
- Understand current and relevant national laws relating to canines and canine welfare, including breed-specific legislation.4.
- Understand the legal requirements of canine ownership.
6
Lifestages, Breed and Behaviour
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the neurobiology of puppyhood
- identify risk and protective factors (for example, breeding practices and socialisation) to developing common behaviour problems in adulthood.2.
- Understand the neurobiology of adolescence, including adolescent-specific behaviour problems.3.
- Understand the neurobiology of senior canines, including senior-specific behaviour problems.4.
- Understand a frame
- work for breed-specific behaviour and be able to communicate this to an owner.5.
- Be able to analyse a case and create a plan to modify the behaviour of a canine at a given life stage and be able to explain this to an owner.
7
The Canine Body and Behaviour
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the function of canine body systems.Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Respiratory, Circulatory, Lymphatic, Digestive, Urinary, Endocrine, Reproductive & Integumentary
- Understand the components of the canine musculoskeletal system and how they work together to create movement.3.
- Understand how pain can manifest in canines and its potential behavioural impacts and be able to assess when to refer cases for investigation.4.
- Understand how stress impacts behaviour and be able to assess a case history to propose a management plan and communicate it to a client.5.
- Understand how reproductive hormones impact canine behaviour and assess cases for potential hormonal involvement, including when to refer for investigation, and communicate in a client-friendly manner.6.
- Understand the behavioural impact of integumentary related conditions, including pruritus, and assess cases to identify and refer for investigation when necessary.7.
- Understand how the digestive system can impact canine behaviour and assess cases for digestive-related behaviour issues with referral when necessary.
8
The Consultation Process
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to analyse a thorough case history using a frame
- work and multi-level assessment method.2.
- Understand how to structure a consultation balancing the needs of the canine and client.3.
- Be able to identify ethical, welfare and safeguarding concerns in the consultation process and know avenues for escalation.4.
- Understand when to refer a case.
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 610/5661/3
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- OCNLR
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- May 2025