NOVEMBER 2026 INTAKE
BUILD YOUR FUTURE IN PROFESSIONAL DOG BEHAVIOUR & TRAINING
Develop your skills through CIDBT’s 18-month Fast Track programme, combining structured study, 12 integrated practical training days, expert support and client-linked mentorship.
No previous professional dog-training experience is required.
18 MONTHS
Programme Length
12 PRACTICAL DAYS
Integrated Training
3 RESIDENTIAL SESSIONS
At The Kennel Club
WHO IS FAST TRACK FOR?
Fast Track is designed for people who are serious about developing professional skills in dog behaviour and training.
It can suit you if you are:
• Considering a career change into dog behaviour or training
• Already working with dogs and want a more structured professional pathway
• Experienced with dogs but not yet working professionally
• Looking for practical training alongside guided study and expert support
You do not need previous professional dog-training experience to apply.
A PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY — NOT A QUICK ONLINE COURSE
Fast Track combines structured study, practical training and mentorship into one guided programme.
You will learn alongside people with different levels of experience and different dog-related backgrounds, while progressing through the same professional pathway.
The programme is best suited to people who are ready to commit to their development and want a practical route towards working with clients.
THE FAST TRACK PATHWAY
ONE STRUCTURED PROGRAMME. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE BUILT IN.
Fast Track combines guided home study, live online learning, practical training and mentorship across an 18-month programme.
Rather than having to piece together separate courses and practical experience, you progress through a structured pathway designed to develop both your knowledge and your ability to apply it.
⇒1
STRUCTURED STUDY
Progress through guided home study, live online tutorials and discussions with expert support.
⇒2
12 PRACTICAL DAYS
Attend three four-day residential practical sessions at The Kennel Club Building in Warwickshire.
⇒3
CLIENT-LINKED MENTORSHIP
Receive mentorship as you begin applying your learning with real clients, with support continuing beyond the study period where applicable.
PRACTICAL TRAINING BUILT INTO THE PROGRAMME
12 DAYS OF HANDS-ON TRAINING
Fast Track includes 12 practical training days delivered across three four-day residential sessions at The Kennel Club Building in Warwickshire.
These sessions give you the opportunity to put your learning into practice, develop your handling and training skills, and learn directly alongside experienced professionals.
NOVEMBER 2026 INTAKE — PRACTICAL DATES
8 – 11 March 2027
23 – 26 August 2027
15 – 18 November 2027
DESIGNED TO FIT AROUND REAL LIFE
FITTING FAST TRACK AROUND YOUR EXISTING COMMITMENTS
Fast Track students often balance their studies alongside full-time employment, dogs, family and other commitments.
The amount of home study required will vary depending on your existing knowledge and where you are in the programme. As a rough guide, around 10 hours per month outside the practical training days may be typical.
To remain on track through the 18-month programme, students generally progress through approximately one stage every eight weeks.
GUIDED HOME STUDY
Work through your programme stages around your existing commitments.
LIVE ONLINE LEARNING
Take part in live online tutorials and discussions with expert support.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS
Attend three four-day residential practical sessions during the programme.
SUPPORT AS YOU BEGIN WORKING WITH CLIENTS
MENTORSHIP THAT CONTINUES INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Learning the theory is only part of becoming a capable dog behaviour and training professional.
As you begin seeing your own clients, CIDBT mentorship gives you experienced support while you start applying what you have learned in real professional situations.
If you are already seeing clients when you begin Fast Track, your mentorship can potentially continue throughout the 18-month programme and for six months beyond it.
If you begin seeing clients during the programme, mentorship continues for the remainder of your studies and for six months afterwards.
If you begin seeing clients after completing the 18-month programme, you receive six months of mentorship from that point.
You don’t have to make the transition from studying to working with clients alone.
WHAT YOU GET WITH FAST TRACK
ONE COMPLETE 18-MONTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Fast Track brings the different parts of your development together within one structured programme — combining guided study, practical experience, expert support and mentorship.
STRUCTURED STUDY
Guided home study across the 18-month programme.
LIVE ONLINE LEARNING
Tutorials and discussions with experienced CIDBT professionals.
12 PRACTICAL TRAINING DAYS
Three four-day residential practical sessions at The Kennel Club Building in Warwickshire.
EXPERT SUPPORT
Guidance from experienced professionals throughout your development.
CLIENT-LINKED MENTORSHIP
Support as you begin applying your learning with real clients.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE
Advanced Higher Certificate in Dog Behaviour & Training (Professional Practice).
YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ADVANCED HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN DOG BEHAVIOUR & TRAINING (PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE)
Fast Track is built around developing both your knowledge and your ability to apply it in practice.
On completion of the programme, students receive CIDBT’s Advanced Higher Certificate in Dog Behaviour & Training (Professional Practice).
The programme combines structured study with practical training, expert guidance and mentorship as you progress towards working professionally with clients.
WHY CIDBT?
LEARN WITH EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS
Fast Track gives you access to experienced CIDBT professionals throughout your development — through guided study, live online learning, practical training and mentorship.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE BUILT IN
Your 12 practical training days form part of the programme rather than leaving you to arrange practical experience separately.
SUPPORT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
As you begin working with clients, mentorship helps bridge the gap between studying dog behaviour and applying your knowledge in professional practice.
STUDENT PROOF
WHAT FAST TRACK STUDENTS SAY
Fast Track is designed to support students through structured learning, practical development and the transition towards professional practice.
★★★★★
Tatiana – “I have done several courses and workshops with the CIDBT now including the Fast Track Programme, and planning to do more! The knowledge I gained and hands on approach (working with different breeds) are invaluable. Tutors are so much more than just teachers, they are mentors in the full sense of the word. Always supportive and helpful whenever you need to discuss your cases. Moreover, the students present and former stay in touch and support each other. A proper science -based teaching in a very collaborative environment giving one confidence to work with the even very complex cases. Workshops are fun, engaging and held in brilliant facilities. I highly recommend CIDBT!”
★★★★★
Jane – “I have had the best experience ever on CIDBT courses. I have done many courses and workshops including the amazing fast track course. I am looking forward to this year and may more. Highly recommend CIDBT they are always there for us. I have met friends too and now setting up my own behaviour and training business. Looking forward to many more workshops.”
★★★★★
Thorsten – “I went through the 18mth fast-track programme with CIDBT and it was worth every penny. Having previously worked in the shelter & rescue space, I needed a programme that teaches me how to actually deal with tough cases in the real world and get results – CIDBT delivers exactly that. No fluffy terminology or buzzword bingo, just true and tested methods that promote dog welfare and get the results your future clients are looking for. The instructors are incredibly competent and helpful, not matter which parts of the dog world you are looking to be active in. If you want to work with dogs in any way, CIDBT is the place that gets you there!”
THE INVESTMENT
£6,500
£1,500 deposit
+
10 monthly payments of £500
18-month professional development pathway
12 Practical Days
3 Residential Sessions
Live Online Learning
Client-Linked Mentorship
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU ENQUIRE?
A SIMPLE NEXT STEP
⇒1
SEND YOUR ENQUIRY
Complete the short Fast Track enquiry form.
⇒2
SPEAK WITH CIDBT
Suitable enquiries move to a conversation with the CIDBT team.
⇒3
FULL APPLICATION
If it looks like the right fit, CIDBT guides you through the full application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW BEFORE ENQUIRING
Do I need professional dog-training experience to apply?
No. Previous professional dog-training experience is not required to apply for Fast Track.
Students can come from different backgrounds and levels of dog-related experience. The programme is designed for serious career changers as well as people who already work with dogs and want a more structured professional pathway.
How much time should I expect to spend studying?
Study time varies depending on your existing knowledge and where you are in the programme.
As a rough guide, around 10 hours per month outside the practical training days may be typical. Students generally aim to progress through approximately one stage every eight weeks to remain on track through the 18-month programme.
Where does the practical training take place?
The practical training takes place at The Kennel Club Building in Warwickshire.
Fast Track includes 12 practical training days delivered across three four-day residential sessions.
What are the practical training dates?
For the November 2026 intake, the practical training dates are:
8–11 March 2027
23–26 August 2027
15–18 November 2027
How does mentorship work?
Mentorship is linked to when you begin seeing clients.
If you are already seeing clients when you start Fast Track, mentorship can potentially continue throughout the 18-month programme and for six months beyond it.
If you begin seeing clients during the programme, mentorship continues for the remainder of your studies and for six months afterwards.
If you begin seeing clients after completing the 18-month programme, you receive six months of mentorship from that point.
What certificate do I receive?
On completion of the programme, students receive CIDBT’s Advanced Higher Certificate in Dog Behaviour & Training (Professional Practice).
How much does Fast Track cost?
The total programme investment is £6,500.
Payment is structured as a £1,500 deposit followed by 10 monthly payments of £500.
What happens after I submit an enquiry?
Your enquiry is reviewed by the CIDBT team.
If Fast Track looks suitable for you, a member of the team will contact you for a conversation. If the programme appears to be the right fit, CIDBT can then guide you through the full application and enrolment process.
NOVEMBER 2026 INTAKE
READY TO FIND OUT IF FAST TRACK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Complete the short enquiry form below and tell us a little about where you are now and what you’re hoping to achieve.
If Fast Track looks suitable, a member of the CIDBT team will get in touch for a conversation and can guide you through the next steps.