Understanding Juvenile
Dog Behaviour:
From Puppy to Adolescence
4 module ONLINE course with
Dr Amber Batson, vet and behaviourist, Understand Animals, UK
Understanding Juvenile
Dog Behaviour:
From Puppy to Adolescence
4 module ONLINE course with
Dr Amber Batson, vet and behaviourist, Understand Animals, UK
Start: 5th of January 2026
Registration open until fully booked.
Limited to 35 participants only!
Course fee:
€795/$930
Please note: €/$100 non-refundable deposit upon registration
Remaining course fee not due until the 2nd of January 2026.
Hosted by:
Juvenile Dog Course by Dr Amber Batson
- 4 Modules, Each with 4 Webinars: Covering everything from puppy foundations to troublesome teenage behaviours.
- Work load: Each module is 4 webinars and each webinar is approx. 1,5 hours. Total 24 hours pre-recorded webinars, 6 hours live discussion + reflection assignment for Certificate of Attendance.
- Live Q&A Sessions: Ask your questions in real-time! live Q&A after each module to discuss the topics in-depth and provide tailored guidance.
- Private Facebook Group: Connect with a community of dog owners and trainers to discuss what you’ve learned and share your experiences.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for dog owners, trainers, behaviour specialists and enthusiasts who want to understand every stage of a puppy and adolescent dog's physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Why Enroll?
- Get practical, science-based insights into every stage of juvenile dog development.
- Access support and community through our private Facebook group.
How It Works:
- Sign Up Now to secure your spot.
- Access Recorded Webinars anytime from the course start the 5th of January 2026 and learn at your own pace.
- Join Live Q&A Sessions for personal support and real-time answers.
- Connect with the Community on our private Facebook group.
No Homework Required
There are no formal assignments to submit. However, many of the webinars feature "Paws to Ponder" moments, where participants are encouraged to pause the video and reflect on key concepts. These reflections can be shared and discussed in the Facebook group or during the live Q&A sessions, or both!
No Exam
No exams are required. However, if you would like to receive a certificate of attendance, you must either attend all four live Q&A sessions or submit a 1,000-word reflection describing what you learned from the course and how it has improved your ability to help puppies.
Course fee:
€795/$930
Please note: €/$100 non-refundable deposit upon registration
Remaining course fee not due until the 2nd of January 2026.
Schedule and content
Module 1
Module 1: Puppy Foundations
- Webinar 1: In the Beginning
How breeder and parental choices impact puppy development. - Webinar 2: What is Attachment?
Exploring human-animal bonding and sibling dynamics. - Webinar 3: Postnatal Development
Habituation, socialization, and the breeder's role. - Webinar 4: What is Weaning?
Understanding gut development and long-term health.
Live (and recorded) Q&A for module 1:
Tuesday 3rd of February 6:00 PM - 7.30 PM CET (Central European Time)
Module 2
Module 2: New Homes and Best Starts
What can new puppy guardians do to smooth the big move? A review of needs for 2-3 month old pups.
A look at operant conditioning, classical conditioning and social learning types.
Physical and safe introductions to the big wide world.
First impressions count. Introducing co-operative participation activities in the pup including grooming and handling.
Live (and recorded) Q&A module 2:
Tuesday 3rd of March 6:00 PM - 7.30 PM CET (Central European Time)
Module 3
Module 3: Tricky Tweens
What does this mean for physical and cognitive development and how to optimize experiences.
Setting ourselves up for confident, communicative and responsive dogs.
How can pet professionals offer services that positively impact on puppy development.
Why do young pups bite and what can we do to allow normal development without risking long term undesirable patterns?
Tuesday 14th of April 6:00 PM - 7.30 PM CET (Central European Time)
Module 4
Module 4: Troublesome Teens
What are the impact on body and brain and why does this matter?
How to plan with individualized informed decision making.
Delving into the practical approaches to minimize long term rebound and anger issues.
A look at some common behaviour issues in juvenile dogs and the use of a multi modal approach for effective resolution.
About
Amber Batson graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1999 and has worked in clinical vet practice ever since. Right from the beginning of her vet career she realized the intrinsic links between health / disease and dog behavior and how so much of her interactions with dogs required understanding of dog communication and both physical and emotional needs.
Amber undertook several years of part time behavior education alongside her veterinary work and then in 2007 set up her own business, Understand Animals with the aim to bridge the gap between emerging behavioural science and its practical application to help people and the dogs they lived or worked alongside, have the best relationships.
Today, Amber offers both in person and on line education on many aspects of animal behavior and welfare regularly offering presentations to a global audience. She continues to work part time in the vet clinic where she tries hard to promote the concept of compassionate handling as well as offering vet behavior consultations and working with welfare cases as a legal expert witness.
