THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
More than 2,300 dog trainers around the globe have earned our certification
(ONE OF THE BEST CAREER DECISIONS YOU’LL EVER MAKE)
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
More than 2,300 dog trainers around the globe have earned our certification
(ONE OF THE BEST CAREER DECISIONS YOU’LL EVER MAKE)
“It tells people—veterinarians, potential clients—that you have reached a certain standard in skill training and development. It really helped my positioning as a professional.”
— Sharon McInally
KPA Certified Training Partner (CTP)
“This course helps aspiring trainers all over the world build their training skills and change their lives.”
— Ken Ramirez, EVP and Chief Training Officer
“That 'A-ha' moment never really gets old, whether you’re working with people or dogs.”
— Laura VanArendonk Baugh
KPA CTP, Faculty Member
“That a-ha moment really never gets old, whether you’re working with people or dogs.”
— Laura VanArendonk Baugh
KPA CTP, Faculty
“It tells people - veterinarians, potential clients, that you have reached a certain standard in your skill training and development. It really helped my positioning as a professional.”
— Sharon McInally
KPA Certified Training Partner (CTP)
“This course helps aspiring trainers all over the world build their training skills and change their lives.”
— Ken Ramirez, EVP and Chief Training Officer
EXTRAORDINARY COACHING
Teachers 100% invested in your learning in a small class setting
TRAIN DOGS
Working or companion,
all breeds
TEACH PEOPLE
Graduate ready to teach group and private classes
CREATE A CAREER
Start your own business or teach others
CONNECT GLOBALLY
Join a network of trusted colleagues, always at hand
SET YOURSELF APART
Certification that’s meaningful
TRUSTED BY VETERINARIANS, BEHAVIORISTS, AND OWNERS ALIKE
WHY WE'RE CERTIFYING THE BEST TRAINERS
+ Hands-on with dogs: The most hands-on time with your dog, at home and in the classroom
+ Rich online content: 250 demonstration and teaching videos provide visual guidance; more than 40 downloadable training exercises help you practice skills at home
+ Time to absorb: Your learning is appropriately spaced to give you time to absorb the skills you need
+ Convenient: A 24/7 classroom in the cloud, accessible globally with your tablet, cell, laptop, or desktop—plus 25 locations for hands-on learning worldwide
+ Size matters: With small classes, everyone receives individual attention
+ True mentorship: Hours of in-person coaching
+ Your future is our future: To us, you are both a student and a future colleague
+ Deep feedback: You’ll know how you are progressing through in-person and/or video feedback
+ Start-up to growth: Your guide to the ins and outs of managing your own training business
+ Practical: Set-up, structure, strategy, and tools for successful launch and growth
+ Trusted: Written in partnership with Dog*Tec, the business experts for dog professionals
+ Our alumni have relationships all over the world. Find a KPA Certified Training Partner
+ Make an impact: Our graduates are running shelters, training, and leading behavior programs worldwide
+ Make friends who will stay with you for life
+ #1: We are the leading choice of training professionals
+ Mission-driven: Educate great dog trainers and teachers, and help them be successful
+ Best value: Not the most expensive and not the least—simply the best
+ History: The first and only program designed by training icon Karen Pryor
+ Modern: Updated frequently
+ Innovative: First full alumni program for graduates, first and only global program, first program to certify knowledge and capability in one program
This comprehensive program offers an in-depth curriculum that teaches both the science and the practice of dog training in particular and animal training generally, client teaching, canine behavior problem-solving, and dog training business management. The DTP program is based on the most up-to-date behavior science and modern training and teaching practices. Earn the confidence to help others and learn from our top-notch faculty the best practices that distinguish our graduates as leading dog trainer professionals.
Learn in a structured program with 21 lessons and 100 coordinated learning goals, with 250 videos, 40 hands-on exercises, and hands-on workshops.
See the visual Course Guide.
- Excel using cues as reinforcers to build solid behavior chains
- Capture and shape behaviors in at least two species
- Set up or grow a dog training business
- Shorten latency and increase the speed, duration, and distance of behaviors
- Teach human students using clicker training principles
- Help pet owners develop new behaviors to replace undesirable ones
- Much more!
See all 100 Learning Goals.
This course is for anyone with a significant interest in dog training and behavior. It is a great fit for someone looking to make a career in training and teaching others, someone looking to expand their existing skill set, or someone looking to add training skill to his/her animal care skill set, like a veterinary technician, pet sitter/walker, or groomer.
The course is fun, challenging with many touch points with your faculty, fellow classmates, feedback and progress assessments to help you along the way.
It is our only course that can result in KPA's professional certification. Need more information? Compare course options.
WHY WE'RE GRADUATING THE BEST TRAINERS
+ Hands-on with dogs: The most hands-on time with your dog both at home and in the classroom
+ Rich online content: 250 demonstration and teaching videos provide visual guidance; more than 40 downloadable training exercises help you practice skills at home
+ Time to absorb: Your learning is appropriately spaced to give you time to absorb the skills you need
+ Convenient: A 24/7 classroom in the cloud, accessible globally with your tablet, cell, laptop,or desktop plus 25 locations worldwide for hands-on learning
+ Size matters: With small classes, everyone gets individual attention
+ True mentorship: You’ll get hours of in person-coaching
+ Your future is our future: To us you are both a student and a potential future colleague
+ Deep feedback: You’ll know how you are progressing along the way through in-person and / or video feedback
+ Startup To Growth: Your guide to the ins and outs of managing your own training business
+ Practical: Set up, structure, strategy and tools for successful launch and growth
+ Trusted: Written in partnership with Dog*Tec, the business experts for dog professionals
+ Our alumni have relationships all over the world. Find a KPA certified training partner
+ Make an impact: Our graduates are running shelters, training and behavior programs worldwide
+ Make friends that will stay with you for life
+ #1: We are the leading choice of training professionals
+ Mission driven: Educate great dog trainers and great teachers and help them be successful
+ Best value: Not the most expensive and not the least. Just the best
+ History: The first and only program designed by training icon Karen Pryor
+ Modern: Consistently being updated
+ Innovative: First full alumni program for graduates, first and only global program, first program to certify for knowledge and capability in one
This comprehensive program offers an in-depth curriculum that teaches both the science and practice of dog training in particular and animal training generally, client teaching, canine behavior problem-solving, and dog training business management. The DTP program is based on the most up-to-date behavior science and modern training and teaching practices. Earn the confidence to help others and learn from our top-notch faculty the best practices that distinguish our graduates as leading dog trainer professionals.
This program will teach you the knowledge and skills you need to attain the highest standards of positive reinforcement training, effectively teach these skills to dog owners, and run a successful dog training business.
In a structured program with 21 lessons, 100 coordinated learning goals, with 250 videos, 40 hands-on exercises, and hands-on workshops.
See the visual Course Guide.
- Excel in using cues as reinforcers to build solid behavior chains
- Capture and shape behaviors in at least two species
- Set up or grow a dog training business
- Shorten latency and increase the speed, duration and distance of behaviors
- Teach human students using clicker training principles
- Help pet owners develop new behaviors to replace undesirable ones
- Much more! See all 100 Learning Goals.
This course is for anyone with a significant interest in dog training and behavior. It is a great fit for someone looking to make a career in training and teaching others, someone looking to expand their existing skill set, or someone looking to add training skill to his/her animal care skill set, like a veterinary technician, pet sitter/walker, or groomer.
The course is fun, challenging with many touch points with your faculty, fellow classmates, feedback and progress assessments to help you along the way.
It is our only course that can result in KPA's professional certification. Need more information? Compare course options.
ELEVATE YOUR TRAINING AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP
VIEW THE CURRICULUM
ELEVATE YOUR TRAINING AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP
VIEW THE CURRICULUMACCESSIBLE & INTEGRATED
Choose one of three program formats to integrate your online and in-person learning
WITH 25 LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE, WE HAVE THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG!
Work with your dog at home and at each 2-day workshop
Travel 4 times to attend each 2-day workshop
Complete one unit of the curriculum before each workshop
Work with your dog at home and at the 5-day workshop
Travel once to attend the 5-day workshop
Video submissions are required
Complete all units of the curriculum before the workshop
Work with your dog at home. We provide a dog for the workshop.
Travel once to attend the 9-day workshop
Video submissions are required
Complete all units of the curriculum before the workshop
Work with your dog at home and at each 2-day workshop
Travel four times
Complete a unit of the curriculum before each workshop
Work with your dog at home and at the 5-day workshop
Travel one time
Video submissions are required
Complete all units of the curriculum before the workshop
Work with your dog at home. We provide a dog for the workshop.
Travel one time to the 9-day workshop
Video submissions are required
Complete all units of the curriculum before the workshop
MEET YOUR FACULTY
Your Passion, Our Expertise
THE COACHING MENTOR YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED.
OUR FACULTY MEMBERS ARE ALL EXPERT TRAINERS AND EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATORS.
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Crazy Chihuahua Lady
Favorite place: Bar Harbor, ME
Equestrian eventer turned R+ horse trainer
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Pit Bull snuggler
Outdoor adventurer
Family dogs
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Vegan
Amateur Muay Thai Fighter
Zen Practitioner
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Toured in punk bands
Magazine editor
Aspiring snowbird
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
K9 fitness expert
Canine sport enthusiast
Target training is my jam
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Award-winning podcaster
Canine sports competitor
NCAA Scholar Athlete
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Barefoot under the Aurora Borealis
Fergus the car-loving cat
Australian Shepherds
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Raised 16 service dogs
Late blooming runner
Parents have had same phone number her entire life
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Writer
Spirituality
Competition Trainer
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Instructor courses
Chicken camps
Nature stuff
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Exotic animals
SCUBA diving
Sweet home Chicago
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Two-inch fencing scar
Fiction writer
Volcano climber
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Behavior
Dolphins, Sea Lions, Dogs
River City of Virginia
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Marine mammals
Appeared on Food Network
Traveled US in a tear-drop trailer
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Sheep mama
Poor-but-enthusiastic seamstress
Hours of walking with my dog
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Crafts
Sunshine
Untraditional routes
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Peace Corps Papua New Guinea
School principal
Deaf dog devotee
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Racing in Virtual Reality
Classic Cars
Hiking with Dogs
KPA Faculty
Certified Training Partner
Poutine and sushi
Speaks Japanese
Ottawa, ON
“Yesterday I completed my Dog Trainer Foundations course. I say ‘my’ because I have become very attached to this place of learning, virtual as it may be. It was a marvelous experience—a life-changer really.”
– Barbara G.
“It is a perfect match for my background in animal behavior. I wish I had learned about it sooner.”
– Kim P.
“I am a dog trainer working in Iceland. I think it is very important for all dog trainers to keep educating themselves and not get stuck in old habits. Foundations helped me get up and keep on moving! Thanks again.”
– Johanna Reykjalin
“I not only feel like this was an investment in my own training, but in the happiness on my dog.”
– Jennifer F.
“The course is excellent, combining information with activities and videos so that the learner can ‘see’ both trainer and dog at work and learning… and then be that trainer.”
– Stephanie E.
“I have completed a few trainers courses and this is the first to exceed my expectations. The content is well written and is delivered at a level that educates and excites.”
– Patricia Mahon, KPA CTP
“It was a wonderful experience and if I could I would do it all over again!”
– Ameigh Olson, KPA CTP
“Over the years I had completed many training and behavior courses, but the KPA course was by far one of the most thorough and complete training courses ever. I am proud to be a KPA CTP.”
– Shannon Coyner, KPA CTP, RVT, CPDT-KA
“This course has been the most amazing experience of my life and I am so pleased that I put other things aside for it. It has been so worth it.”
– Heather Stevens, KPA CTP
“My mentor told me that Karen Pryor Academy is the gold standard in becoming a certified trainer. KPA not only prepares you for animal training, but also teaches you how to coach, which is a HUGE part of working with owners and pets daily.”
– Rachel Lees, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)
“This has been without doubt the most rewarding achievement of my life. Really life-changing.”
– Carol Milner, KPA CTP
$5,600 USD*
Includes all lessons and in-person workshops
Low-cost application fee applied toward tuition
Six-month program*
Compatible with fulltime employment
- The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- CEUs: 30
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC):
- CEUs: 30
- AAVSB RACE:
- CEUs: 25
This program was reviewed and approved by AAVSB RACE program for 30 hours of continuing education in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. Please contact the AAVSB RACE program if you have any comments/concerns.
- CEUs: 25
- Submit your application and $50 USD* application fee online.
- We’ll schedule an interview and check your references.
- If you are accepted, secure your spot with a $500 USD* deposit.
- Learn more about how to apply.
*Application fee and deposit outside of the US may vary. See pricing guide.
Tuition is $5600-$5700 for courses located in the United States; tuition for locations outside the United States varies by country. KPA offers flexible tuition payment options. See tuition and view payment options.
Tuition for any location can also be found on the individual page for that location.
We continue to evaluate our COVID-19 policies to ensure that class attendees and instructors can learn and work safely.
Please be aware that our policies may continue to change in light of evolving health and safety information. Changes may occur at any time and could include the enhancement or reduction of protocols or policies related to masks, vaccinations and/or testing.
Reach out to us [email protected] should you have any questions
You get 1:1 coaching from the course instructor throughout the program, both during the workshop(s) and online. Your online classroom portal includes a discussion forum for you and your classmates and teacher. Teachers are given flexibility in how they structure support outside the workshop setting but typical online support, in addition to the class discussion forum, would be based around email and/or live chat.
Yes. Here is the Course Guide. You might also like to see the course Learning Goals.
The Dog Trainer Professional program is for trainers with previous clicker training experience. We will help you determine whether your experience is sufficient during the interview process. It can also help to compare related courses.
Students who apply for certain series two months before the application deadline may qualify for a $200 savings on tuition. May not be combined with any other discounts. See workshop schedule for qualifying series.
This course is for anyone with a significant interest in dog training and behavior. It is a great fit for someone looking to make a career training canines and teaching others, someone looking to expand their existing skill set or someone looking to add training skill to his/her animal care skill set, like a veterinary technician, pet sitter/walker, or groomer.
The course is fun, challenging with many touch points with your faculty, fellow classmates, feedback and progress assessments to help you along the way.
It is our only course that can result in KPA's professional certification. Wondering if another course might be right for you? Compare here.
- Consistent access to at least one dog for frequent training sessions
- Consistent access to at least one animal that is not a dog
- Computer or device with high-speed internet access and a modern web browser. Test your online experience with the demo course.
- Support for Adobe PDF documents
- Clicker, treat bag, and high-quality training treats
- Physical capability to handle dogs of different sizes and activity levels
- Ability to travel to instructor’s facility to participate in hands-on workshop(s)
- Ability to record video on phone, camcorder, or digital camera (required for National and World formats)
Yes, graduates of this program earn certification as a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. This is KPA’s only certifying-level course. Note that finishing the program is not a guarantee of graduation/certification. To certify, students must complete the course with the standards set for graduation. For details, please see the FAQ, "What do I need to do to become certified?"
Yes. Graduates of the program may use the title Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner or use the abbreviated version, KPA CTP. Graduates also receive a beautiful diploma suitable for framing and a "grad pack" with lots of goodies.
This course blends online/distance learning with in-person learning. A single instructor leads both parts. You will have up to 10 classmates and many activities with your dog.
You also choose a format for taking the course that is best for you. The three formats we offer differ only in the number of times your workshops meet and the duration of each of those meetings. The different formats help students more easily manage travel logistics and costs. All formats use the same curriculum.
- Regional (Four workshops, each is two days; video submissions are not required; you complete specific sections of the online curriculum before each workshop)
- National (One workshop lasting five days; you bring your own dog; video submissions are required throughout; you complete the online curriculum before your workshop)
- World (One workshop lasting nine days; we provide a loaner dog; video submissions are required throughout; you complete the online curriculum before your workshop)
Yes, videos of training sessions help your teacher assess your learning and they provide a valuable foundation for teacher feedback. They also facilitate your observation skills. You do not need previous experience in making a video of a training session. A smart phone is typically all the equipment needed. See program formats.
Click here to see the most recent list of our locations. If there is no location near you, you have two options:
- Attend a National or World format course where you only have to travel once.
- Request a location using this form.
- The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- CEUs: 30
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC):
- CEUs 30
Yes. If you cannot pay your tuition in full, we have two options.
- Pay in five installments with a zero-interest loan.
- Pay over 12 to 15 months with an interest-bearing loan.
