Gain Your Dog Training Apprentice Course Certificate

Build Your Foundations in Professional Dog Training

Enroll Now $750 or $125 x 6 Monthly Payments

Become a Confident, Competent Dog Trainer

Build Outstanding Training Skills. Master the Science. Change Lives.

Whether you're an aspiring professional dog trainer, an experienced pet care professional looking to strengthen your skills, or a dedicated dog guardian who wants to better understand how dogs learn, the DogNostics Apprentice Dog Training Course provides the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to succeed.

The Apprentice Course is a standalone program and also the first level of the DogNostics Dog Trainer Certificate (DN-DTC) Program, a comprehensive, evidence-informed, force-free education pathway for modern dog trainers.

You'll learn not simply what to teach, but why it works, giving you the confidence to make informed training decisions based on learning science rather than myths, outdated methods, or trial and error.

The Science Behind Great Dog Training

Outstanding dog training is built on two equally important foundations: a sound understanding of learning science and the practical skills to apply it.

Throughout the Apprentice Course, you'll develop both. You'll learn how dogs learn, how emotions influence behavior, how to communicate clearly, and how to teach efficiently using modern, evidence-informed, force-free methods.

By the end of the course, you'll have the knowledge and practical skills to train with confidence and create lasting behavior change through kindness, empathy, and respect.

Learn. Practice. Refine. Succeed.

Exceptional trainers don't simply understand how dogs learn - they know how to apply that knowledge with skill, precision, empathy, and excellent timing.

Throughout the Apprentice Course, you'll develop both the scientific understanding and the practical training skills needed to become a confident, competent, force-free trainer. Each module builds progressively, allowing your knowledge and your hands-on abilities to grow together.

Learn With Personalized Instructor Feedback

Knowledge grows through study. Skills develop through practice and feedback.

Throughout the Apprentice Course, you'll complete practical skill assessments designed to help you refine your training techniques and develop excellent mechanics. Every submission receives personalized instructor feedback, celebrating what you've done well while providing constructive guidance to help you continue improving.

Our goal isn't simply to help you complete a course - it's to help you become the very best trainer you can be.

A Structured Path to Professional Certification

The Apprentice Course is the first of three levels within the DogNostics Dog Trainer Certificate Program:

  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master

Each level builds upon the knowledge and practical skills developed in the previous one, allowing you to progress systematically as both a trainer and a professional.

Successful completion of each level earns its own Course Attendance Certificate.

Students who successfully complete all three levels are eligible to sit the final online examination to earn the DogNostics Dog Trainer Certificate (DN-DTC) and the right to use the professional credential DN-DTC after their name.

Explore the Curriculum

The Apprentice Course contains an extensive collection of lessons, demonstrations, practical exercises, downloadable resources, knowledge assessments, and skill evaluations designed to help you become a confident, competent trainer.

Every lesson has been created with one goal in mind - to help you develop real-world skills that you can immediately apply with your own dog or your clients.

View the complete curriculum below to discover everything included in this comprehensive course.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

  • IAABC: 25 CEUs
  • CCPDT: 21 CEUs
  • PPAB: 25 CEUs


Preparing For Your Industry Credential. The Pet Professional Accreditation Board – Canine Training Technician - Accredited

The DogNostics Apprentice Dog Training Course contains the necessary skills and knowledge, as well as the required CEUs, to gain your Canine Training Technician Accreditation - Accredited by The Pet Professional Accreditation Board.

What does this mean?

It means that when you have completed your program here with DogNostics you will be fully prepared to not only sit the CTT-A examination but also to successfully prepare and submit your videos for the skill assessment.

To learn more about this credential please download the CTT Study Guide here


What Alumni Say

"I took the Apprentice training first and signed for Collaborative Care, as well as taking webinars in between... their methods are kind and respectful to the animals as well as the people. Real confidence building... I am over the moon with enthusiasm and although this is an online course for me, I feel they have my back at every turn... So happy that I found them first!" - Cheryl King

Alumni say wonderful things about DogNostics Programs - Read more here

Course Curriculum


  Welcome to Your DogNostics Apprentice Dog Training Course.
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  Apprentice Module One
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  Apprentice Module Two
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  Apprentice Module Three
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  Apprentice Module Four
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  Apprentice Module Five
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  Apprentice Module Six - Your Supplementary Module
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  What Next?
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
Your course begins as soon as you enroll! Once enrolled in the program, those opting for the monthly subscription will gain immediate access to the first module. You will then receive subsequent modules of the Apprentice Course every 30 days. This gives you time to complete your assignments for the current module and study the material before progressing to the next module. Those opting to pay the full program fee, gain full access to the entire course, and can progress as quickly as they wish, but must progress through the modules in order. Each applicant has 6 months to complete their Apprentice Level Course but if you need a little longer, just let us know!
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for six months - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us so we can work with you to ensure this program meets your needs.
How do I gain my course certificate?
To gain your Apprentice Course Attendance Certificate, you will need to: Complete each of the lessons within the course modules; Successfully complete all five module quizzes for that level; Submit your skill assessment videos for each module. Your Dog Trainer Certificate Professional Qualification: To earn your DN-DTC, you will need to have gained your Apprentice, Journeyman and Master course attendance certificates (as above). You will then complete a final Dog Trainer Certificate open book/multiple-choice exam and submit a final skills video for assessment.
What equipment will I need?
You will need the following to enable you to get started with the program. • High speed internet access • A FREE PDF reader like Adobe • A video camera. • A FREE Dropbox account or A FREE YouTube account
What do I receive on completion of the course?
Successful students will gain an Apprentice Course Attendance Certificate.
Will I be able to communicate with my fellow students?
DogNostics students all have access to DogNostics’ Student Common Room, a private group on Facebook. The group is a communication tool for DogNostics’ students to communicate with each other, ask questions regarding their DogNostics program, and share updates. All communication is upbeat, positive, and supportive. You can also use the group to search specific topics e.g., a search with the word 'Apprentice' will reveal previous student homework submissions that have been shared with the group.
Will I be able to communicate with my program instructor?
On submitting homework assignments, you receive feedback via email but can also reach out to your program instructor, or any of the DogNostics’ faculty members, at any time, if you have questions.
How do the monthly payments work?
The Monthly Automatic renewal (recurring) payments are provided as a courtesy to you. You are free to opt-out of the program at any time but, on doing so, will receive an invoice for the full outstanding balance pending for your course.

Your Instructor


Louise Stapleton-Frappell
Louise Stapleton-Frappell

Louise Stapleton-Frappell - B.A. Hons. PCBC-A. PCT-A. CAP3. CTDI. CWRI. DN-FSG2. DN-CPCT2. FFCP.

Louise Stapleton-Frappell is a highly respected professional canine trainer and behavior consultant, and a valued Partner and Faculty Member of DogNostics Career Center. She also serves as a Board Member of The Pet Professional Guild.

A graduate of the University of Leeds, Louise holds a joint honors degree in Spanish and Portuguese with subsidiary studies in Management Economics and Industrial Management. She was among the first to achieve dual accreditation as both a Professional Canine Trainer and Professional Canine Behavior Consultant through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board.

Louise is the creator and lead instructor of the internationally respected DogNostics Dog Trainer Certificate Program, a comprehensive curriculum that prepares aspiring professionals to train ethically, effectively, and with confidence. She also authors and instructs a range of other DogNostics programs and has co-authored several respected industry texts and educational resources, contributing significantly to the continuing education of pet professionals worldwide.

Through her business, The DogSmith of Estepona, Louise offers personalized training services to an international clientele in Southern Spain. Known for her clarity, compassion, and commitment to positive training, she is frequently invited to speak at international conferences and educational summits.

Louise continues to raise industry standards through her mentorship, educational leadership, and unwavering dedication to force-free, ethical training.


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