Dog trainers take on a huge responsibility with every new client they take on. Their success means everything when it comes to a dog’s ability to become a polite citizen of its home and the world at large.
Dog trainers have a lot to learn
Not surprisingly, obedience trainers have a lot to learn! The best trainers must know:
- Communicate effectively with dogs and people
- Understanding the science behind behavior modification as it applies to dogs
- Work with dogs and owners, individually or in groups.
- Collect a comprehensive set of training techniques and tips, because dogs are individuals with their own personalities, motivations and behavioral quirks.
- Recognize breed characteristics and apply this knowledge when developing a dog’s training plan
- Working safely with dogs
- Assess possible underlying issues that may be responsible for negative behavior (for example, a dog may be in pain, suffering from hearing loss, or reacting to new stimuli in its environment)
- Apply LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) training principles when deciding what approach to take with a dog.
- Socialize dogs who have bonding problems with humans or who have problems with other dogs.
- Effectively use your problem-solving skills to determine what will work with the most difficult dogs (and people).
- Teach owners to reinforce the lessons their dogs learn
- Reading a dog’s body language
If you’re looking for a unique, rote career, dog training is definitely not for you!
What basics should a comprehensive dog training course cover?
Learning to become a dog obedience trainer begins with an overview of breeds, normal behavior and expectations, as well as physical care, growth and development stages, and socialization.
Modern dog training is based on science. Students must learn the basics of behavioral theory, conditioning, and positive reinforcement. Then there’s learning fundamentals like signals and hand signals and mastering training techniques like perfect timing of a clicker.
In addition to learning how to train basic dog commands, such as sit, stay, down, and come, students must learn approaches to resolving the different behaviors they will be asked to correct: barking, jumping, mugging, chewing furniture and eating shoes, running out and many more!
Working with dogs safely is extremely important. Learning how to handle an aggressive dog, recognizing signs that a dog may be stressed, and maintaining a safe environment for a group class should be essential parts of a trainer’s training.
You may focus on the “dog” in dog training, but a large part of a good dog training course focuses on how to talk to and “train” the owners. If You Can’t Communicate Effectively to an Owner, How to Reinforce What a Dog Learns, then you are fighting an uphill battle; Everything you teach the dog can be lost if the owner doesn’t use the same playbook.
Dog training classes should cover the basics and more
You can sit in a classroom or take online courses and learn a lot, but unless you have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to live animals, you’re probably wasting your time and money . When it comes to dog training, there is no substitute for hands-on experience under the guidance of a watchful mentor.
If you’re considering enrolling in an online dog training course, finding a school that offers the opportunity for real-world learning is a must.
College of Animal Behavior has been teaching dog trainers since 1998 and their entire program was developed by professional trainers. A big part of any student’s ABC certification is the externship, in which each student is paired with a local training mentor.
Under the watchful eye of the mentor, students gain experience working one-on-one with dogs while receiving instruction and assessment.
Additionally, ABC asks students to volunteer at least 10 hours at their local shelter or rescue as part of its campaign to help shelter dogs,”Students save lives.” Students gain invaluable experience working with animals in need while helping them become more adoptable. Dogs who have learned good manners are much more desirable to future adopters.
Discover what ABC has to offer
Obtain your dog trainer certification through Animal Behavior College Dog Obedience Program is one of the best ways to launch your career. The program lasts approximately one year, and once certified, you’ll receive support from the school in the form of alumni benefits, including a listing in ABC’s searchable online dog trainer directory and access to a private job site. The school also offers a low-cost turnkey website and other assistance if you decide to take the plunge and start your own business.
To explore all that ABC has to offer, contact an admissions counselor at 800-795-3294. Sign up today and take the first step towards a rewarding career!