Course start: 14th September
The Caring Human Code®
CERTIFICATION
Most dog education teaches people how to control dogs.
The Caring Human Code® Professional Certification teaches people how to understand dogs.
This is a 9-month online professional certification for people who want to work with dogs through communication, emotional safety, body language and ethical interaction — not through force, pressure or obedience-based methods.
Inside this program, you will learn how to:
- understand canine communication and calming signals
- recognize stress, fear and emotional overwhelm
- adjusting body language instead of excessive commands
- reduce pressure and create emotional safety
- help dogs through interaction instead of control
- understand behaviour from the dog’s perspective
- apply ethical and welfare-based practice in real life
This is not a traditional dog training certification.
It is a professional pathway in:
Communication, Interaction & Ethical Dog Practice
What Is The Caring Human Code®?
The Caring Human Code® is a communication and welfare-based approach to understanding and working with dogs. The foundation of the method is simple:
Behaviour is communication — not disobedience.
Dogs constantly communicate through:
- calming and distance increasing signals
- vocalization
- movement
- emotional expression
- stress and avoidance behaviours
Most traditional dog training focuses primarily on stopping or controlling unwanted behaviour.
The Caring Human Code® focuses on understanding why the behaviour happens in the first place — because behaviour is communication.
Instead of only asking:
“How do I stop this behaviour?”
We also ask:
- What is the dog communicating?
- What emotional or physical factors may be affecting the dog?
- What does the dog need in order to feel safer, calmer or more understood
- How can we reduce stress, fear, pressure or confusion?
This approach is highly relevant for helping dogs with:
- fear and insecurity
- leash reactivity
- stress-related behaviours
- overwhelm and frustration
- avoidance behaviours
- handling difficulties
- everyday behavioural challenges
By understanding the root causes behind behaviour and improving communication and emotional safety, we can help reduce problem behaviours in a calmer, more ethical and more sustainable way.
A Different Way of Working With Dogs
| Most dog education focuses on: | The Caring Human Code® teaches: |
|---|---|
| Obedience | Observation before action |
| Commands | Communication before control |
| Correcting unwanted behaviour | Adjusting body language before commands |
| Behaviour control | Helping instead of correcting |
| Emotional safety before performance |
What you will learn
Over 9 months, you will learn how to:
- understand calming signals and stress signals
- recognize emotional overwhelm and stress-related behaviour
- understand emotional communication
- adjust our body language consciously around dogs
- use curving, splitting, hand signal and parallel walking
- adapt distance and movement to individual dogs
- reduce leash pressure and unnecessary control
- give dogs more choice and predictability
- help dogs through real-life situations calmly and safely
- apply welfare-first and ethical decision-making
- explain dog communication clearly to humans
- apply The Caring Human Code® professionally in real-life work
Learn From the Original Source of Calming Signals
A unique and important part of The Caring Human Code® Professional Certification is that students learn about calming signals through Nordic Dog Trainer’s long-standing collaboration with Turid Rugaas — internationally known as the pioneer of calming signals and author of the best-selling book On Talking Terms With Dogs.
Inside the certification, students gain access to teachings rooted in the original understanding and philosophy behind calming signals, canine communication and ethical interaction.
This helps students develop a deeper and more accurate understanding of:
• calming signals and canine communication
• communication before control
• emotional safety and welfare-based interaction
• understanding behaviour from the dog’s perspective
Nordic Dog Trainer is uniquely positioned to offer this learning experience through more than 15 years of collaboration, learning and professional connection with Turid Rugaas and her work.
Who this program is for
This certification is not limited to one specific dog profession.
The Caring Human Code® Professional Certification is designed as a foundational communication and interaction education for anyone who works with dogs – professionally, competitively, voluntarily or in everyday care.
Whether you work as a trainer, groomer, breeder, walker, shelter volunteer, daycare professional, veterinary professional, dog sports instructor or behaviour specialist, understanding canine communication and emotional safety is essential.
This program complements all other dog-related education and professional pathways by providing a deeper understanding of:
- canine communication
- calming signals and stress signals
- emotional safety and welfare
- body language and interaction
- behaviour from the dog’s perspective
- communication before control
No matter which direction you work with dogs, this knowledge helps create calmer, safer and more ethical interactions between dogs and humans.
For many students, this becomes the missing foundation that changes how they understand behaviour, interaction, training and professional work with dogs altogether.
Program structure
The certification consists of 3 modules over 9 months.
Module 1
Communication, Observation & Awareness
Learn how to understand dogs through communication, observation and human awareness.
Module 2
Applied Interaction
Learn how to interact differently through adjusting body language, calm movement and ethical communication and handling.
Module 3
Real-Life Application
Learn how to apply The Caring Human Code® in everyday situations, behaviour challenges and interactions between dogs and humans.
Practical Learning — Not Just Theory
This program is built around real-life application.
Students learn through:
- submitting practical video assignments
- observation and reflection assignments
- prerecorded lessons
- live Zoom sessions
- case analysis
- real-life interaction work
The structure is intentionally simple and consistent throughout the certification.
This allows students to:
• focus on learning and practice
• develop real understanding over time
• build practical awareness through repetition and reflection
This program is simple in structure, but deep in impact.
Practical Learning & Certification
The Caring Human Code® Certification is designed for real people with real lives.
We know that many of our students combine their studies with work, family life and everyday responsibilities. That is why the program is intentionally structured to be manageable, flexible and easy to follow alongside daily life.
Students learn through a combination of pre-recorded lectures, monthly live learning sessions, practical assignments and real-life experience with dogs.
Students are encouraged to practise the skills many times throughout the month before submitting their assignment. The goal is not perfection, but gradual development of observation skills, communication skills and practical understanding.
Time Commitment
The workload may vary slightly depending on:
- personal reflection depth
- practical training opportunities
- assignment preparation
- individual learning pace
The program is designed to create meaningful long-term learning through consistent practice and reflection over time — not through overwhelming amounts of coursework.
Students should expect a practical workload (including observation assignments) of approximately: 10 – 15 hours per month, plus time spent watching prerecorded lectures and reading mandatory books. (approx 5 – 7 hours per month).
A Simple Monthly Structure
Each month includes:
- 1 live and recorded Zoom session
- 1 practical video assignment and reflection note
- 1 written observation or case assignment
- prerecorded lectures released inside the course platform to watch at your own pace
This simple and consistent structure helps students stay focused, engaged and motivated throughout the program without feeling overwhelmed.
Interactive Learning — Not Passive Watching
The monthly live Zoom sessions with Lisbeth Borg de Waard are interactive and focused on real-life learning and reflection.
These sessions include:
- teaching and guidance
- practical guidance and teaching
- group reflections and discussions
- practical video analysis
- case examples and reflections
- questions and answers
All sessions are recorded, so students can watch the replay if they cannot attend live due to time zones, work schedules or other responsibilities.
The program is designed to support students from around the world in different time zones, and to be manageable alongside work, family life and everyday responsibilities.
While live participation is encouraged whenever possible, the program does not require mandatory attendance for general participation in the certification.
The goal is not information overload, but deeper understanding and practical application.
Ongoing Teacher Support and Student Community Throughout the Program
Students have access to the teacher team throughout the certification inside the private learning portal.
Students can submit questions directly to the teachers and receive guidance and support Monday–Friday throughout the program.
Inside the forum, students can:
- ask questions about the course lectures and assignments
- share reflections
- discuss assignments
- learn together with other students around the world
The certification is intentionally designed to be interactive, supportive and hands-on — even though it is fully online.
This has been an important part of Nordic Dog Trainer’s success for many years.
We are known for creating genuine human connection, meaningful support and strong teacher-student relationships inside our online education programs.
Certification Options
All students complete the same certification program, assignments and final assessment.
Students who successfully complete the program receive:
Caring Human Code® (CHC) Certificate of Completion
Practical assignments may be completed using your own dog(s).
Students who wish to earn the professional title:
Caring Human Code® PRO Certified Practitioner
must additionally demonstrate practical application of The Caring Human Code® with dogs outside their own household.
Rather than completing additional monthly assignments, Professional Certification candidates submit a Professional Portfolio at the end of the program demonstrating practical experience with a variety of dogs and situations.
Students may also choose to upgrade to the CHC® PRO Certified Practitioner pathway at a later date by completing the Professional Portfolio and Professional Certification Review process.
An additional Professional Assessment fee applies.
Pre-Requisite
Before joining the certification, students must have completed The Caring Human Code® Foundation Course PRO — a 12-week online foundation course, or Nordic Dog Trainer Level 1 course.
The CHC® Certification builds directly on this foundation course and focuses on practical application, interaction skills and professional real-life work.
Continuing Education & Specialised Learning
The Caring Human Code® Professional Certification is designed as a strong foundational professional education in communication, interaction and ethical dog practice.
For students who wish to continue developing their knowledge and professional skills, Nordic Dog Trainer also offers a variety of additional stand-alone courses and specialised continuing education programs.
These courses allow students to deepen their understanding in specific areas and continue growing professionally after the certification.
Topics include:
- teaching and pedagogy for dog professionals
- how to guide and support dog guardians
- ethical business development
- starting and growing a dog-related business
- specialised behaviour and communication topics
- advanced workshops and professional development courses
Students may choose to continue their learning journey through the areas most relevant to their own professional interests and goals.
Faculty & Guest Lecturers
The Caring Human Code® Certification is led by an experienced international teaching team, bringing together expertise in canine communication, behaviour, welfare, movement and professional practice.
Head Teacher
Lisbeth teaches the core certification curriculum and hosts the monthly live and recorded learning sessions throughout the program.
Lecturers
Turid Rugaas
Author of the bestselling book On Talking Terms with Dogs and internationally recognised for her pioneering work on Calming Signals and canine communication.
Dr. Amber Batson
Internationally recognised veterinarian and canine behaviour consultant specialising in canine welfare, emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Julia Robertson
Founder of Galen Myotherapy and internationally recognised expert in canine anatomy, movement and physical wellbeing.
Additional Guest Experts
From time to time, additional guest lecturers may contribute specialised sessions on selected topics. These guest contributions vary from cohort to cohort and are not guaranteed.
School Fee
Full payment
(best value – save 20%)
€2500/$2900
9 monthly part payments:
€333 x 9/388 x 9
(Optional) Professional Portfolio Assessment Fee: €500/$600
Join The Next Cohort
If you want to understand dogs through communication, emotional safety and ethical interaction — and learn how to apply this professionally in real life — you are welcome to join the next cohort of The Caring Human Code® Professional Certification.
*The CHC® Certified Practitioner title confirms successful completion of the Professional Certification Assessment and demonstrated practical understanding of The Caring Human Code® principles. The certification does not grant permission to teach, certify or represent Nordic Dog Trainer or The Caring Human Code® officially.
The Nordic Dog Trainer Learning Pathway
Foundation Course PRO
The starting point for your professional journey. This 12-week course gives you the foundational knowledge and practical skills to begin working with dogs using the Caring Human Code® approach.
- Observation and communication fundamentals
- Body language and movement awareness
- Emotional safety principles
- Awarded: Course Certificate
Professional Certification
A deep, nine-month professional programme that builds on the foundation course and leads to the CHC® Certificate of Completion — your qualification as a certified practitioner.
- In-depth CHC® methodology
- Supervised practical sessions
- Professional assessment
- Awarded: CHC® Certificate of Completion
CHC® PRO Certified Practitioner
For practitioners who want to demonstrate the highest level of professional competency. Awarded after successful completion of a professional portfolio assessment.
- Portfolio documentation of real client work
- Reflective professional practice
- Awarded: CHC® PRO Certified Practitioner title
Teaching & Instructor Programme
Designed for experienced practitioners who wish to teach and mentor others in the CHC® methodology. Train the next generation of Nordic Dog Trainers.
- Curriculum design and delivery
- Mentoring and feedback skills
- Instructor certification pathway
Specialised Continuing Education
Deepen your expertise in specific areas with focused specialist programmes. Available to certified practitioners.
- Calming Signals Specialist
- Consultation Techniques
- Advanced Communication
- Ethics & Professional Practice
- Business Development
- Science-Based Learning