DOG TRAINING certification program

Become a Dog Trainer – Online!

You are interested in becoming a successful Pet Dog Trainer or simply want to deepen your knowledge about dogs? Have a dog related business already and want to further your education?

You are in the right place. 

An online, self-paced course with plenty of hands-on practical exercises.

Program Details

The entire program is divided into 4 parts. The program, in its entirety, will prepare you to do pet dog training, teach classes, do private training, offer help with behavioural problems. You will receive full training to become certified in Pet First Aid. I will also share with you some of the most valuable tips I have learned about starting a business. There is so much more to the program, but this gives you an idea of the scope. I lay out a blueprint for you to follow, and break it into steps that build on each other. Step by step, with guidance all along the way!

Additional details

You will have access to Part I for an entire year, so you can study at your own pace and take 3 months, 6 months, or a year to complete it if you like.

If you pass PART I, you will be invited to join PART II (Behaviour modification).
Once Part II is completed, if you wish to learn about how to structure group classes, the ins and out of private training, how to develop a training plan, etc, then you can move on to PART III.

Part IV is optional and is for those who wish to learn more about the business side of things.

Program Outlines

Part 1 (Start Here)

Part 1: Training pet dogs – the foundation

Module 1: Canine fundamentals

  1. Self-assessment
  2. Ethology
  3. Origin of the domestic dogs
  4. Breeds and needs
  5. Temperament testing

 

Module 2: Training fundamentals

  1. 4 steps of learning
  2. List of reinforcers
  3. Training fundamentals – touch
  4. Yes!
  5. Sit, down, wait
  6. Do nothing
  7. Down on your mat

 

Module 3: Canine Communication

  1. Objective observation (unlabel me!) 
  2. Body parts (tail, mouth, eyes, body, bow)
  3. Discomfort and stress signals
  4. Context is key
  5. Practice reading body language
  6. Interpreting 

 

Module 4: Training strategies

  1. Capturing (watch me)
  2. Luring (LLW)
  3. Shaping & Chaining (leave it)
  4. Targeting (recall)

 

Module 5: Canine Science

  1. Learning Theory
  2. Classical Conditioning
  3. Operant Conditioning
  4. Four Quadrants
  5. Operant and Classical Conditioning

 

+ CANINE FIRST AID

+ MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL SKILLS (using marker, different training equipment, etc.)

 

Perks:

  • Regular Group Meets (schedule provided at registration)
  • Invitation to our closed FB group
  • FREE online training with DogSafe to obtain the Canine First Aid Certification

Part 2 (Modifying behavioural problems)

Module 1: Medical or Behavioural?

  1. Medical issues masquerading as behavioural
  2. Talking to clients
  3. Getting technical
  4. Counter Conditioning

 

Module 2: Cooperative Care

  1. Cooperative Care – importance of choice
  2. Your project: build a training plan
  3. Using CC, DS
  4. Body Language / making it truly cooperative
  5. Keeping a Training Log

 

Module 3: Reactivity

  1. What is reactivity/ what does it look like
  2. Respondent and operant behaviour
  3. Setting your clients up for success
  4. Systematic Desensitisation
  5. Counter Conditioning
  6. Flooding
  7. Managing the environment
  8. DRI/ DRA
  9. Changing the conditioned emotional reaction
  10. Stress, Arousal and Threshold

 

Module 4: Training strategies (to help change behaviours)

  1. Loose Leash Walking
  2. This Way!
  3. Let’s Go
  4. Engage-Disengage

 

Module 5: Separation Anxiety

  1. What it is/ what causes it
  2. Nature vs. Nurture
  3. Mild, Moderate, Severe
  4. The assessment and what to rule out
  5. The Protocol

Part 3 (Developing your training program)

Module 1: The human end of the leash

  1. Client motivation and compliance
  2. How to work with individuals and families
  3. Coaching people with different learning styles 
  4. Difficult clients
  5. Compassion fatigue

 

Module 2: Group lessons

  1. How to structure a group lesson
  2. Dog screening and legalities
  3. Class management 101
  4. Public teaching skills
  5. Assisting a class

 

Module 3: Private lessons 

  1. How to do an assessment / consultation
  2. How to customise a training
  3. Safety measures
  4. Private lessons formats (in-person, telephone, virtual; day training, private training, board & train) 
  5. Working successfully with clients in a private setting
  6. When and how to refer a case

 

Module 4: Continued education

  1. Career development
  2. Certification
  3. Business Practices and Ethics

 

Module 5: The History of Dog Training

  1. Influential events and trainers
  2. Influence of TV personalities/ Social Media
  3. Where we are today
  4. Where we are headed

 

Optional: Part 4 (Starting a dog training business)

Module 1: Building a dog training business

  1. Finding the right place for classes 
  2. Mistakes to avoid when starting your own business
  3. Developing your policies
  4. Developing your services
  5. Developing your budget
  6. Website & social media

 

Module 2: Running a dog training business

  1. Marketing & networking
  2. Finances
  3. Planning your schedule
  4. Ethics 
  5. Maintaining a safe and positive work environment

 

This part is more customised for your specific business needs, based on your goals, your location and your teaching modalities.

Price

PART I: $997 + HST *includes Canine First Aid training BONUS

PART II: $997 + HST

PART III: $597 + HST

PART IV: $300 + HST

 

Ready to get started? Sign up for PART I below

PART 1 REGISTRATION

Curious? Interested?

If you have questions about the course, Chantal will be happy to give you a call and chat, meet you in person or via Zoom. Please schedule in a consultation time below. 

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About The Trainer

My name is Chantal Mills. I have been a professional dog trainer for nearly two decades and it’s been such a wonderful, challenging and rewarding career.

I have been offering the Dog Training Certification program for almost a decade but the program I offered a decade ago is different from the one I am offering today. I have not stopped learning and therefore, the program has continuously evolved to keep current with the latest in the industry. I am a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild, the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants and have been certified (knowledge assessed) by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I also have a Bachelor of Education and have nearly 2 decades of experience in the classroom.

I am very proud of the quality of the program and now very excited to be able to offer part of it as a self-paced online course.

All my best,

Chat With Chantal

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