Find the Right Dog Trainer Course For You!

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Are you a professional dog trainer or interested in becoming one?

Yes

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In any our core dog trainer courses you can learn great modern dog training online without the added commitment of learning to teach others or standing for certification. All of these courses will fit the bill. Your dog will thank you!

Dog Trainer Foundations
Foundational course in modern dog training for you and your dog.

Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory
Everything Foundations offers, plus lots more teacher support to get you through the “ruff” spots. If you are thinking about applying to the Dog Trainer Professional program, this is your best choice.

Dog Trainer Comprehensive
Gain a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge to train your dog to a high level or apply skills in a related setting like shelter work, dog walking, or a veterinary office.

Do you already train with marker-based positive reinforcement techniques (aka clicker training)?

Yes

Let’s first build your core skills for modern dog training with any of our three core dog training courses; these skills are part of the baseline required to enter the Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program.

For many students, the Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory is the best fit, as it adds a dedicated coach focused on helping you learn and demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills for DTP entry.

Dog Trainer Foundations
Foundational course in modern dog training for you and your dog.

Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory
Everything Foundations offers, plus lots more teacher support to get you through the “ruff” spots. If you are thinking about applying to the Dog Trainer Professional program, this is your best choice.

Dog Trainer Comprehensive
Gain in-depth knowledge and build your skills and/or prepare for the Dog Trainer Professional program

Have you trained a behavior using shaping, capturing, or targeting?

Yes

It's possible you may use these techniques without knowing the technical term. Here is how each is defined:

Shaping: Building behavior by breaking it down into small components and reinforcing "approximations" of the goal behavior.

Capturing: The process of marking and reinforcing a behavior the learner does naturally, and that you would like to see repeated.

Targeting: The process of teaching your learner to touch some part of its body to a designated object.

These techniques are key to modern dog training, and each of these three core dog training courses will give you lots of opportunities to learn and practice. All these courses also provide excellent preparation for the Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program. For many students, the Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory is the best fit, as it adds a dedicated coach focused on helping you learn and demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills for DTP entry. You can choose one that best fits your budget and timeline.

Dog Trainer Foundations
Foundational course in modern dog training for you and your dog.

Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory
Everything Foundations offers, plus lots more teacher support to get you through the “ruff” spots. If you are thinking about applying to the Dog Trainer Professional program, this is your best choice.

Dog Trainer Comprehensive
Gain in-depth knowledge and build your skills and/or prepare for the Dog Trainer Professional program

Are you over 18 and do you have a high school diploma or GED?

Yes

We’ll be here when you are ready! In the meantime, consider enrolling in one of our core dog training courses to get ready for that next step. You might be particularly interested in the Dog Trainer Comprehensive (DTC) course for its deep coverage of training. However, please note the DTC course doesn’t cover teaching others, the business side of training, and is not eligible for KPA certification.

Dog Trainer Foundations
Foundational course in modern dog training for you and your dog.

Dog Trainer Professional Preparatory
Everything Foundations offers, plus lots more teacher support to get you through the “ruff” spots. If you are thinking about applying to the Dog Trainer Professional program, this is your best choice.

Dog Trainer Comprehensive
Gain in-depth knowledge and build your skills and/or prepare for the Dog Trainer Professional program

Do you have consistent access to the same dog that you can train approximately 10 to 20 hours per week?

Yes

Are you already a dog trainer?

Yes

If you're interested in taking your dog training skills to the next level, the Dog Trainer Professional program could be the perfect fit for you. One of the key aspects of this program is the emphasis on hands-on practice, which means you'll have plenty of opportunities to apply the knowledge you'll be learning.

However, it's important to note that in order to be considered for the program, you will need to have regular access to a dog. With some careful planning, though, you could be well on your way to becoming a skilled and successful dog trainer.

If you have questions, we’re here to help. Contact us at [email protected]

If you're looking to up your dog training game, the Dog Trainer Professional program is a fantastic choice. It emphasizes hands-on practice, so you'll be able to put your newfound knowledge into action along the way.

However, if you're already a trainer but don't have consistent opportunities to work with a dog, the Dog Trainer Comprehensive online course might be a better fit. It's a great way to continue honing your skills, but keep in mind that it doesn't come with any official certification.

If you have questions, we’re here to help. Contact us at [email protected]

Congratulations! You seem like a great candidate to apply for the Dog Trainer Professional program. We wish you all the best in your application process and look forward to welcoming you to our community of animal lovers and professionals.

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