Why this course?

Most behaviour professionals receive little or no formal education in nutrition, despite growing evidence that diet, digestive health and physiology can influence behaviour, emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Brain Food was created to bridge that gap.

This in depth professional programme will help you understand the complex relationship between nutrition and behaviour, enabling you to evaluate dietary factors alongside behavioural presentations and make more informed decisions when working with dogs.

You will learn how to assess diets critically, interpret behavioural indicators that may warrant nutritional investigation, understand the role of the microbiome and gut brain axis, evaluate supplements and nutraceuticals, and recognise when veterinary referral is appropriate.

The result is a more holistic, evidence based approach to behaviour practice that considers the whole dog rather than behaviour in isolation.

The Brain Food Curriculum:

9 Modules Designed to Transform Your Understanding of Nutrition and Behaviour

  1. Welcome to the Programme

  2. Module 1 - Foundations of Digestive Physiology

  3. Module 2 - Macros, Micros, and Water

  4. Module 3 - Navigating Commercial Diets in the Real World

  5. Module 4 - The Gut Microbiome

  6. Module 5 - Allergies & Intolerances

About this course

  • 25+ Hours of Lecture Content
  • 25 Live Q&A Sessions
  • Just 15 Spaces Per Cohort

A Professional Qualification in Behavioural Nutrition

A comprehensive, accredited programme combining evidence based learning, practical application and rigorous assessment to help you integrate nutrition into behaviour work.

  • Designed Specifically for Behaviourists, Trainers and Other Canine Professionals

  • 25+ Expert Led Webinars Plus 25 Live Q&A Sessions

  • Externally Accredited by UK Rural Skills

  • Assessed Through Case Studies, Assignments and Knowledge Checks

  • Understand Professional Scope, Ethical Practice and Veterinary Referral

  • Learn to Integrate Nutrition into Behaviour Practice with Confidence

  • Guest Lectures from Dr Carol Hughes (Biome4Pets), Dr Hannah Capon (Canine Arthritis Management) and Cat Lane (The Possible Canine)

Meet Your Instructor

Alyssa Ralph MSc PGDip BSc(Hons) is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist who specialises in the powerful link between a dog’s diet and their behaviour. With a focus on clear, evidence-based information, Alyssa helps trainers, behaviourists and owners to look "under the hood" to see how diet influences a dog's mood and ability to learn. As the founder of Holistic Pet Services, Alyssa is passionate about helping dog owners and professionals alike to move past marketing hype and truly understand their dogs’ diets. By connecting the dots between what a dog eats and how they act, she provides the tools to create more effective, well-rounded behaviour plans that truly support the whole dog.

Course Details:

• UK Rural Skills Accredited Certificate of Competence

• Level 4 Equivalent Programme

• Six Month Structured Learning Programme

• Additional Three Months to Complete Assessments

• Weekly Pre Recorded Lectures Released Throughout the Programme

• Weekly Live Q&A Sessions

• Maximum of 15 Students Per Cohort

• Designed for Behaviourists, Trainers, Veterinary Nurses and Other Canine Professionals

• Begins October 2026 (final start date to be confirmed)

• A small cohort with a maximum of just 15 attendees - spaces will sell fast!

• Three externally accredited assessments designed to demonstrate real world application of behavioural nutrition principles


For more information or to enroll in the course, contact [email protected] 

Ready To Begin Your Nutrition Journey?

£1,495 - Pay in Full or Monthly Installments Available

ENROLL TODAY