MEET KATHLEEN WEEKS
Head of the Academy
With 13 years’ experience in dog handling and training future handlers, Kathleen Weeks founded the National Dog Handling Academy to give aspiring professionals the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skills they need to succeed. Her mission is to elevate the dog industry, proving that dog handling is a respected, professional, and deeply rewarding career.
STUDY. HANDLE. LEAD.
At NDHS, we’re all about shaping confident, capable dog handlers.
Our mission is to provide practical, hands-on training that teaches people to understand, communicate with, and care for dogs at the highest standard.
PERSONALISED, SMALL-GROUP CLASSES
We keep our class sizes intentionally small, so every student gets the one-on-one attention they deserve.
This means you’ll have more time with instructors, more tailored feedback, and a better hands-on learning experience for both you and your dog.
REAL WORLD, EXPERT-LED TRAINING
Our instructors are experienced dog-handling professionals who bring years of field knowledge to each lesson.
We focus on practical skills that translate directly to real-life situations, helping you build confidence and competence from day one.
SAFE & PRIVATE OPEN SPACE TRAINING
All hands-on training takes place on our spacious private property, purpose-built for learning.
The grounds are fully secure and fenced, so dogs can’t slip out or mix with the public, giving every handler the freedom to practise, make mistakes, and learn without worry.
MEET OUR GRADUATES
FRED
SENIOR DOG HANDLER GRADUATE
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM EACH COURSE
Level 1 Outline
5 Credits Lvl 3. Hours 50.
NDHA 101: Animal Welfare, Dog Handling & Health & Safety
Introduce junior handlers to fundamental animal care, safe dog handling, and the health &
safety requirements in dog handling environments.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 103: Risk Factors in Dog Handling
Teach handlers to recognize, prevent, and manage risks when handling dogs.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical
NDHA 102: Understanding Dog’s Autonomy & Behaviours
Equip junior handlers with the ability to recognize and respect a dog’s independence, read behavior, and safely respond to signals.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 104: Controlling Dogs in Private Settings
Develop practical skills to safely control and care for dogs in home, kennel, or small- group environments.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical
Level 2 Outline
5 Credits Lvl 3. Hours 50.
NDHA 201: Welfare, Handling & Safety in Professional Contexts
Apply animal welfare principles and safe handling practices across varied environments and
scenarios
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 203: Risk Management & Incident Prevention
Proactively Identify, prevent, and respond to risks in diverse public and private environments.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical
NDHA 202: Understanding & Managing Dog Behaviours
respond to complex behaviour signals in multi-dog and public settings.
online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 204: Pack Handling in Public & Private Settings
Demonstrate control and leadership in small-to-medium pack scenarios across varied environments.
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical
Level 3 Outline
5 Credits Lvl 4. Hours 50.
NDHA 301: Advanced Welfare, Health & Professional Standards
Demonstrate mastery in integrating welfare, behaviour & health into high level professional practice
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 303: High-Level Risk Management & Emergency Response
Lead proactive risk analysis, crisis response, and incident management across multiple dogs and handlers
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical
NDHA 302: Advanced Behaviour & Complex Scenarios
Interpret subtle, layered behaviours and apply leadership strategies on high pressure contexts
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 5 hours practical
NDHA 304: Leadership in Pack Management
Master leadership of large or complex packs in diverse environments while ensuring safety, welfare and control
5 hours theory, online +face to face and self-directed. 10 hours practical