The GTA Teacher's Course is an exciting opportunity to take your ethical, science-backed, non-coercive gundog training to the professional level.
It is for anyone who has completed the Handler's Course, with any breed of gundog, who has their own dog training business, or would like to start one, who is now ready to take what they have learnt as a handler and discover how to teach these skills and pass on this knowledge to other gundog owners and handlers.
You MUST have completed, or be in the process of completing, the Handler's Course and CAP Level 1 before enrolling on this course.
The Gundog Trainers Academy Teacher's Course is suitable for you, if you...
- Have completed, or are in the process of completing, the GTA Handler's Course and CAP Level 1 assessment (you cannot enrol without these)
- Have a gundog of any breed, any age and any ability
- Are looking to further refine your gundog training skills and handling methods
- Want to dive even deeper into the science and learning theory
- Have a dog training business or would like to start one
- Want to teach clients how to train their gundogs as pets, working dogs, or both
The Teacher's Course is made up of four modules. The dates for 2026 are as follows:
- Module One - 9th to 12th March 2026
- Module Two - 4th to 7th May 2026
- Module Three - 6th to 9th June 2026
- Module Four - 7th to 10th September 2026
The course is held at Kemble's Field in Charlton, Worcestershire, WR10 3LQ. The purpose-built training facilities include a large indoor training area with classrooms, toilets and a kitchen. Outside, there is everything you could want for gundog training, including retrieving lanes, a jumping pen and fences, a large pond for water work, short grass and cover crops.
Hardstanding camping, with and without electric, is available on site and can be booked directly with Kemble's Field. Please email hello@kemblesfield.co.uk for details.
The Teacher's Course covers everything you need to teach other handlers how to train a gundog as a pet, working dog, or both.
The content of each module is carefully planned out to ensure that you have everything you need to complete the assignments on which you will be assessed before being awarded your GTA-accredited gundog training instructor status.
In addition to putting your learning theory to the test, there will be modules on strengthening behaviour, rules and regulations around shooting, using specific gundog training equipment, breed differences, managing arousal, and much more.
Similar to the Handler's Course there will be a mix of classroom-based and practical sessions. On one evening per module, we will also go to a local dog-friendly pub for an early meal. This is a good opportunity to relax and get to know each other in a more social setting.
The Teacher's Course is suitable for trainers who do not wish to be involved in the 'game' side of training. Everything covered on the course will give you the skills to teach confidently up to that point. That said, to pass the final assessments on dummies, you will still need to know about, and be tested on, shooting and the role of working gundogs in ensuring that all game is humanely dispatched and can be later prepared for the table.
Those wishing to become fully accredited on game as well as dummies will be invited to take an additional assessment at a later date to demonstrate their ability to not only work their dog(s) on a shoot, but to help other gundog handlers in a shoot environment.
The Teacher's Course will enable you to become an accredited gundog training instructor with the GTA and an accredited animal training instructor with the ABTC.
To obtain accreditation, as well as attending all four modules of the Teacher's Course, you will also be required to complete and pass several assignments. This will involve written coursework, the completion of training diaries throughout all four modules, plus a practical assessment* and a multiple-choice-based theory exam.
Building on from the Handler's Course, you will also need to take your Clicker Trainers Competency Assessment Programme (CAP) Level 2. This was developed by Kay Laurence at Learning About Dogs, and it is with her permission that we can assess our students and provide pass, merit or distinction certificates. There is no fee for this while you are on the course. If you wish to be assessed after the course has ended there will be a £25 assessment fee which includes a certificate.
At the end of the course and after passing the assignments and CAP 2, successful GTA students will be invited to join the GTA Accredited Instructors' scheme*. As well as being able to use the suffix GTA-Ad to show that they are an accredited gundog training instructor (on dummies) they will also become an accredited Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the ABTC (Animal Behaviour Training Council).
In July 2020, the GTA Teacher's Course and its full assessment process were awarded accreditation by the ABTC. Having met the industry-agreed criteria for welfare and ethics, teaching and training dogs and people, professional conduct, and underpinning knowledge, we remain the only gundog training organisation in the country to be accredited by the ABTC.
Your GTA accreditation will help you attract customers and give them confidence that your knowledge, techniques, and ethics are of the highest standards and that you use the most scientifically sound methods of animal training.
Students booked onto our in-person courses also receive 10% off our online membership. After enrolling in this course, please email members@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk to join the membership.
NOTE: If you choose to secure your place by paying the £500 deposit today, the remaining balance of £3,250 (£3,750 in total) is to be paid in full at least one month before the beginning of the course. If you would like to pay this in monthly instalments, please email members@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk
PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE HANDLER'S COURSE AND CAP LEVEL 1.
We reserve the right to charge additional admin fees to process refunds of bookings, and deposits made by anyone who does not meet the enrollment criteria for this course.
*The practical assessment will incur an additional fee of £350. Membership for the Accredited Instructors' Scheme is currently £65 per year, and evidence of CPD is required before annual renewal.