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 will be announced soon.
- Module One - tbc 2026
- Module Two - tbc 2026
- Module Three - tbc 2026
- Module Four - tbc 2026
The course is held at the Clicker Gundog Training Centre 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.
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.
In Module Four, there will be the opportunity to attend a live game training day at the Clicker Gundog shoot, which has been set up and managed for the sole purpose of training. You will be able to participate in beating or picking up with your dog, depending on their breed and your preference. You will also learn about shooting etiquette and how to prepare and cook game.
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, you will still need to know about shooting and the role of working gundogs in ensuring that all game is humanely dispatched and can be later prepared for the table.
The Teacher's Course will enable you to become an accredited gundog training instructor.
To obtain accreditation, as well as attending all four modules of the Teacher's Course, you will also be required to complete some assignments. This will involve some coursework, in the form of a diary and record keeping, plus a practical assessment and multiple choice-based theory exam.
At the end of the course and after passing the assignments, successful GTA students will have achieved an industry-recognised accreditation as a professional gundog trainer on dummies and will be entitled to use the suffix GTA-Ad.
In July 2020, the GTA Teacher's Course and its full assessment process were awarded accreditation by the Animal Behaviour Training Council, ABTC. Having met the industry-agreed criteria for welfare and ethics, teaching and training dogs and people, professional conduct, and underpinning knowledge, we are 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.
Building on from the Handler's Course, during the Teacher's Course, you will also be invited 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.
By the end of the Teacher's course, you should have gained sufficient learning and experience to be able to teach your clients up to Level 3 of The Gundog Club’s Graded Training Scheme. Please note that completion of the Teacher's course will not qualify you as a Gundog Club Instructor and trainers wishing to teach clients Levels 1 to 3 will also need to meet the Gundog Club's further criteria, which includes achieving a Grade 4 pass with your own dog.
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 £2,750 is to be paid in full at least one month before the beginning of the course. Payment plans are available, subject to a 5% administration fee. Please contact members@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk to arrange.
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.
📸 Photography credit Alice Loder Photography