I am interested in getting certified to become a professional dog trainer. Can anybody give me the name of a good school to go to learn what i need to know about training dogs ?
Karen Pryor Academy
San Francisco SPCA has a program also.
Apr 05, 2010 | 2 | professional dog trainer
Having a pooch for a friend is a wonderful experience, but for best results, Rover will need some training. A well – mannered dog can truly be part of the family, and be welcomed almost everywhere, while an untrained one may be a joy to you, but avoided by everyone else. Choosing a good dog trainer can make the difference between a peaceful pup or a catastrophic canine. Here are five tips for choosing the right trainer.
1. Get references from pet owners who have previously used the dog trainer you are considering. If he or she is reputable, references won’t be a problem. Ask the previous dog owners some specific questions about how this trainer deals with dogs. A dog trainer must have authority over the animal, but shouldn’t gain it by physical force or loud yelling. Dogs that can’t be trained by quieter, more controlled methods might need a special pinching collar. Ask the previous clients about yelling and brute force.
2. Choose a group class whenever possible. A novice dog trainer might not think of this, but there is one great advantage to training your dog in a class. That advantage is that your dog will be forced to learn how to behave around other dogs. A well behaved dog around people can lose it when it gets around other dogs!
There are other advantages to training in a group. One is that you are the one who has to walk the dog through it’s exercises. If the training is all done by the professional dog trainer, the dog might behave well for them, but not for you. Working through the lessons with your dog gives you a chance to communicate and bond with your dog, too.
3. Check out the dog trainer’s qualifications. Being certified or trained won’t necessarily ensure a good dog trainer, but it can’t hurt. A good dog trainer will know about the health and psychology of dogs. She will know how to read a dog’s behavior in order to figure out the best way to convince the dog to do what is being asked of it.
4. Find out about the dog trainer’s experience. Has he had experience with your breed of dog? Dog behavior and training varies according to breed, and it makes sense to choose a trainer who has a lot of experience with the kind of dog you have. Training methods for guard dogs, for instance, differ widely from training techniques for small indoor pets.
5. Sit in on a class and observe the trainer in action. Do they require the dogs to be in choke collars, or are the dogs trained in a more gentle method, using plain, flat collars or harnesses? Get a feel for this trainer’s personality with both people and dogs. Is this someone you can work with effectively?
Taking the time to choose the right dog trainer can make a big difference in your dog. Pooch needs a good education, too, right? Choose that teacher for your pup carefully.
Terence Young
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/5-tips-to-selecting-the-right-dog-trainer-69049.html
Or an animal behaviorist? What kind of schooling or training does it require?
I am currently in school to become a certified dog trainer.
http://www.pennfoster.edu/dogtraining/index.html?semkey=Q089083
There are others as well, if you google it.
Mar 29, 2010 | 8 | professional dog trainerHow much do people spend to train their dogs from their own home? If they live 5+ hours away from the nearest obedience class/school?
PLEASE don’t bash me and flame me, I’m just curious as to how much it costs.
Personal trainers can be expensive. Most of them charge by the hour, and in the midwest USA the average price is around $60/hour. You may find some cheaper, and you will for sure find some that are more expensive. You may want to check in your area to see what is the norm. A place to start might be the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.com). They keep a listing of their members, you can do a search by zip code. Many of the members do in house training and can give you an estimate.
You will also need to have ready for them a list of questions, problems, concerns, or specifics of what you want them to help you with. They will need this information in order to determine how much time and how difficult the job of training will be. They will also need to know the age and breed of the dog.
Mar 22, 2010 | 7 | professional dog traineri do what to train my aunt’s dog but maybe i want a professional to train my dog?
I recommend a trainer that will show YOU how to train your dog. I see too many people making huge mistakes in their training that they overlook, then when their dog gets older, they are faced with many problems!
I have trained our three dogs myself, two of which are rescues that came to us with issues. I love working with animals and even my husband thinks I should go for it espeically since our friends keep coming to us for advice on what to do with their dogs. So far Iive been able to help them.
* Join the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.com) where you can network with other trainers online, attend conferences, and continue your education even if you are not a professional trainer just yet.
* The book "So You Want to be a Dog Trainer" by Nicole Wilde (http://www.phantompub.com) contains info on all of the above topics plus advertising, equipment, phone tips, trainer etiquette and more, and has sample forms you can use in your business.
* There is now a certification offered by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (www.ccpdt.org). Once you have enough experience, consider becoming certified
Hope this helps =)
Mar 08, 2010 | 8 | professional dog trainer
Many people don’t have the patience, energy and/or time to dedicate to training their dog. There are not many other activities that require as much as all this, if the end result is to have a safe, well-adjusted dog and be a happy human. For those people, the answer is to hand the reins of training your dog over to the efforts of a professional trainer.
As in any other profession, price and quality will vary. And, like many professions – particularly those involving human-animal interactions – training philosophies differ considerably. So, you already have some constraints to guide your selection of a trainer for your dog.
Assess your budget and your needs. Depending on where you live, dog training can range anywhere from free – sometimes supplied on a weekly basis by volunteers at parks or shelters – to $100 or more per session. What determines a reasonable fee will differ depending on geography, trainer experience, length of program and the goals for your dog.
Take a look at your schedule. Training programs can be weekly while others are more often. Sometimes, you will be required to leave your dog and pick it up later or, more likely, you may prefer a program where the training involves you directly. Many will advise that you spend some time training the dog each and every day consistently, whether at home or at the trainer’s facility.
Think about your commitment. Dogs, especially at the beginning of training, require regular, large blocks of time and attention in order to learn. An hour a day is not all that unusual.
In certain cases, ‘boot camp’ training programs are preferred. The dog goes away to a special facility for a predetermined length of time usually up to several weeks. The training is consistent, long and rigorous. Don’t worry about your dog. They love the intense training! At the end of the training period, you will probably be required to participate in order to ‘transfer’ the obedience from trainer to you.
But the results can very often be amazing. Dogs, who ‘graduate’ even when not special service dogs, are disciplined and ready to follow instructions. Yet, the irony is, these dogs show no signs of being repressed. They’re happy and play with much enthusiasm.
Examine your goals. You may want a dog that can be entered in shows, or you may just want them not to chew on the furniture or dig up the yard. In either case, regular training is necessary. How much and what kind will vary with breed and individual temperament.
Some dogs are fearful, either through being mistreated formerly or from a natural tendency toward submission. Some are too assertive, again through abuse or natural striving for alpha (pack leader) status. Whatever type of training you select will be dependant on how you want to influence them and what attributes they have you want to shape.
Whatever your goals, budget or commitment you want a trainer who exhibits enormous patience and boundless energy, of course, along with a deep love for dogs. Most have these characteristics in spades and then some.
Other than these basics, you’ll want a trainer whose philosophy makes sense to you and consistent with your goals. Some insist that dog training is more about training the owner than the dog – and there’s some truth to that in some cases. Some are relaxed and friendly, leaning toward the ‘touchy-feely’ style. Others tend more toward police or military style training. And the others lie between these two extremes.
It’s doubtful that there is one training style that will suit everyone, but neither is it entirely subjective. Even where there are disputes there are common principles that most will agree on. Patience, persistence, consistency and the requirement for the human to lead are only some of these.
Request recommendations from those you trust and don’t hesitate to shop around. Don’t be afraid to change trainers once or twice to find one suitable for your needs. Be careful, though, not to change on a whim. Dogs need consistency and a regular environment in order to take in what’s being taught.
Good luck and good hunting for your dog trainer!
Jane Saeman
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-finding-a-trainer-138158.html
My boyfriend has a love for animals like no other, and he really wants to be a dog trainer. The only problem is, we have no idea how to get him started. And the internet really isn’t helping. Does anyone know how? 
He needs to get a job at a kennel that trains…any job. In his spare time, he needs to learn from the trainers. "Hands on" is by far the best education. He can also join a Schutzhund club or Retriever club for some excellent experience. Schools will teach one method, and spend months and thousands of dollars to do it….it is a waste of time and money. Just because he WANTS to be a trainer, doesn’t mean he’ll ever be a good one. People spend upwards of $50,000 to get their "Master Trainer" certificate…and the vast majority of them can’t train a dog. Concentrate on experience…not certificates. and definitely avoid "Chain or Franchise" training companies.
I love dogs, and wouldn’t mind having a job that specializes in dog behavior, like a dog trainer. I want to have a job that I enjoy, but one that makes enough money. Further information would be nice.
ABout $20,000 and some free dog food…
Unless you work in Beverly Hills, then kick it up to 2.1 million…
Good Luck…
Feb 22, 2010 | 3 | professional dog trainer
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a dog trainer? Here you will find the requirements you should fulfill and the time it may take you to make your dream come true.
Before considering a career in dog training, you should consider some important requirements. You must be aware that loving dogs is not enough to be a successful trainer. You must be proficient in dog behavior, learning theories, behavior modification, first aids (both human and canine), marketing and business management.
In addition, you may want to train dogs for competitions, such as Schutzhund, Agility, Mondio Ring, Freestyle, etc. In this case, you should have a strong knowledge of rules and competitive procedures.
To make a long story short, the list below explains you the 17 most important requirements you must fulfill to be a dog trainer:
1. You must be passionate about working with dogs. Otherwise you will be very unhappy with your job. Taking away exceptional cases, dog training is not a high-salary career. So, you should not expect to compensate frustrations with money. That’s why you really have to be passionate about working with dogs. Of course, this passion can only come if you love dogs. If you don’t love dogs and are not passionate about working with them, just look for another job.
2. You must feel comfortable working with people. Feeling comfortable working with people is as being comfortable working with dogs. That’s because the job of a dog trainer involves teaching people as much as teaching dogs, or even more. If you don’t teach people how to handle their dogs in different situations, then they won’t be able to control their pets. As a consequence, your dog training business is not going to receive any good publicity.
3. You should be respectful and kind with both people. Acting in an arrogant manner toward other trainers, dog owners, animal behaviorists or anyone, can’t help you. Arrogant behavior does not create word of mouth publicity. Even worse, people who attended a training class with an arrogant instructor, tend to not go to the same place when they need help again. So, being polite and respectful is part of developing your dog training business.
4. You should be respectful and kind with animals. This point needs no further explanation. Nobody wants his dog be mistreated by a harsh trainer.
5. Develop teaching skills. Since you are going to teach people how to handle and train their own dogs, you must have some teaching skills. There are lots of good trainers that don’t succeed because they can’t teach people how to train their dogs.
6. Be patient. Patience is perhaps the most important skill a dog trainer must master. Dogs can’t be trained in a couple of minutes. So, you need to be patient to allow the dog (and the owner) learn at their own pace.
7. Sense of humor. You are going to find a lot of problems during training sessions. However, many of those problems are so funny that they deserve a dose of humor. Having good sense of humor allows you to not get buried under a ‘problematic job’ and helps you to be creative when solving a behavior issue.
8. Be honest. You have to tell the dog owner what really happens. Not what he wants to hear. There are problems that can’t be solved by training and, if you face one of those problems, you should inform the dog owner. On the other hand, there could be some issues that you can’t handle. Be honest with the dog owner. If you can’t address an issue (for instance, aggression) recommend another dog trainer who can.
9. Never underestimate the skills of other dog trainers. It does not matter if they use old techniques that you don’t approve. Every dog trainer has his own method and nobody should be underestimated by the way he trains. Of course, you may disagree with other dog trainers, but never underestimate them.
10. Learn about several dog training techniques, even the old ones. Knowing the pros and cons of each technique will let you choose the right ones. This does not mean you should try every technique you’ve heard about. But reading books and watching videos about different techniques may teach something new and improve your training skills.
11. Keep up to date on the science of animal behavior and learning theories. Dog training is not a science but it is based on some scientific principles. As a good dog trainer you have to be up to date on animal behavior and learning theories to take advantage of recent discoveries.
12. Read a lot about dog training, but don’t believe all you read. There are lots of myths and hypes in dog trainer. As a dog trainer you should keep some skepticism and critical thinking.
13. Learn about marketing, publicity and business management. If you are a professional dog trainer, then you have to manage your dog training business. Otherwise you are not a pro.
14. Learn about dog nutrition, health and care. Put a lot of attention of dog first-aids because you will need them sometime. Besides, learn about management of kennels, doggy daycare, etc.
Rodrigo Trigosso
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/14-requirements-for-becoming-a-dog-trainer-131912.html
