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
- Self-assessment
- Ethology
- Origin of the domestic dogs
- Breeds and needs
- Temperament testing
Module 2: Training fundamentals
- 4 steps of learning
- List of reinforcers
- Training fundamentals – touch
- Yes!
- Sit, down, wait
- Do nothing
- Down on your mat
Module 3: Canine Communication
- Objective observation (unlabel me!)
- Body parts (tail, mouth, eyes, body, bow)
- Discomfort and stress signals
- Context is key
- Practice reading body language
- Interpreting
Module 4: Training strategies
- Capturing (watch me)
- Luring (LLW)
- Shaping & Chaining (leave it)
- Targeting (recall)
Module 5: Canine Science
- Learning Theory
- Classical Conditioning
- Operant Conditioning
- Four Quadrants
- 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?
- Medical issues masquerading as behavioural
- Talking to clients
- Getting technical
- Counter Conditioning
Module 2: Cooperative Care
- Cooperative Care – importance of choice
- Your project: build a training plan
- Using CC, DS
- Body Language / making it truly cooperative
- Keeping a Training Log
Module 3: Reactivity
- What is reactivity/ what does it look like
- Respondent and operant behaviour
- Setting your clients up for success
- Systematic Desensitisation
- Counter Conditioning
- Flooding
- Managing the environment
- DRI/ DRA
- Changing the conditioned emotional reaction
- Stress, Arousal and Threshold
Module 4: Training strategies (to help change behaviours)
- Loose Leash Walking
- This Way!
- Let’s Go
- Engage-Disengage
Module 5: Separation Anxiety
- What it is/ what causes it
- Nature vs. Nurture
- Mild, Moderate, Severe
- The assessment and what to rule out
- The Protocol
Part 3 (Developing your training program)
Module 1: The human end of the leash
- Client motivation and compliance
- How to work with individuals and families
- Coaching people with different learning styles
- Difficult clients
- Compassion fatigue
Module 2: Group lessons
- How to structure a group lesson
- Dog screening and legalities
- Class management 101
- Public teaching skills
- Assisting a class
Module 3: Private lessons
- How to do an assessment / consultation
- How to customise a training
- Safety measures
- Private lessons formats (in-person, telephone, virtual; day training, private training, board & train)
- Working successfully with clients in a private setting
- When and how to refer a case
Module 4: Continued education
- Career development
- Certification
- Business Practices and Ethics
Module 5: The History of Dog Training
- Influential events and trainers
- Influence of TV personalities/ Social Media
- Where we are today
- Where we are headed
Optional: Part 4 (Starting a dog training business)
Module 1: Building a dog training business
- Finding the right place for classes
- Mistakes to avoid when starting your own business
- Developing your policies
- Developing your services
- Developing your budget
- Website & social media
Module 2: Running a dog training business
- Marketing & networking
- Finances
- Planning your schedule
- Ethics
- 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
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.
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,