Dog Trainer Schools

[Maxy24]

Wasn't sure where to put this as it's about me but also about dog trainers sooooo... putting it here. I'm about to vent a bit, if you'd like to get to the actual question part skip to the last paragraph. I graduated from college one year ago now with a bachelor's degree in biology. I've been working at PetSmart in the petshotel since. I don't have a driver's license so that's been a bit of an obstacle as far as getting another job goes, but I have my permit now and will hopefully have a license in a few months. Then I'm expected to get a "real" job. I don't know what to do. I don't really have any experience in a lab to help get me hired and honestly don't want to work in one. I hated labs in college. I like science, but mostly I like learning about it. Give me some journal articles and I'm a happy lady. I don't really want to do all the stuff they talk about in those articles though. Not sure what else I can do with my degree without going for more schooling.


I've been thinking and thinking and making myself nauseous over it and what I really want is to be a dog trainer. I love training dogs and I really like educating people about dogs. I find animal behavior fascinating, I want to work with others who feel the same way. I think that would make me happy. Now whether or not my parents consider this a "real" job remains to be seen as I don't need my biology degree to do it, but saying you're a dog trainer sounds a lot more like a profession than saying you work at PetSmart. The only thing keeping me from jumping in with two feet is concern about how little money I'll make and lack of benefits down the line. Not sure if independent dog training places offer much. PetSmart offers lots of benefits but that's not really the type of training place I want to work at long term.


Anyway, that's all stuff I have to figure out. The purpose of this thread is to learn about the different dog trainer schools out there. I could have sworn we just had a thread like this but I couldn't find it, perhaps I was looking in the wrong places. So does anyone know people who have gone to places like ABC, Karen Pryor Academy, The Academy for Dog Trainers, etc? How did they like it? Did they feel prepared to start working as a trainer after graduating from the program? I'd like a program that has you work with a trainer or sets you up with an internship so I can get some experience. I have lots of book knowledge but not lots of actual experience outside of my own dog, Phoebe and some shelter dogs. I need someplace that's going to help me get that experience. Obviously they cost different amounts. I've looked at ABC and KPA and ABC is much cheaper but I'm not sure if it's as good of a program. I need someplace that doesn't need the whole tuition upfront as I don't have $5-6,000 on hand. Do you think which school you go to makes a huge difference as far as getting hired down the line? Did your dog trainer graduate from a training school? Any info and opinions are welcome, I'm still very much in the "thinking about it" stage.

 

[straw]

I'll share my experience! Although after three years, I am leaving my job as a trainer in a couple weeks.

I looked at the same online programs as you. ABC, KPA, and Jean Donaldson's Academy. I wrote off ABC after calling them and asking about what methods they taught and they were like "uhhh, what do you mean?" and I asked a few questions about learning quadrants and D/CC (as examples) and heard pages shuffling and the woman honestly had no idea what I was talking about.

I was still considering Jean Donaldson and KPA, but my boss offered to let me take her local program for free, essentially. I was working admin at her training school at the time and assisting puppy classes.

I think a big name can look impressive, but really, your training skills themselves will speak the loudest. In this industry, self-learning is really underrated. Getting your hands on dogs and trying different things, reading and researching are all a big help and can give you just as good a knowledge base as taking a course.

My boss (and trainer) did graduate from a training program - a local one that taught old school force-based training. She flipped her style on her own, doing her own research and joining communities interested in modern training (APDT and PPG come to mind). There are one or two trainers in my city who are KPA grads but for the most part, most of us have gained our experience by just taking local courses (three training facilities in the city offer dog trainer programs) and interning under other trainers.

 

[Raegan]

My biggest problem with dog trainer schools is that they are either unrigorous (ABC) or too short (National K9 will call you a "Master Trainer" for six weeks and $8K).

Nearly all of the theory is freely available online; with a biology degree and experience reading research there's even more open to you. Past the theory, there's just no substitute for training dogs. I am the biggest proponent the theory side has, but at the end of the day it's useless without the practical component of actual hands on training time with dogs, and dog owners.

Brush up on your pedagogy too, most trainers do more human instructing than dog training.

Dog trainer school can be a good investment if you need more structure and support in learning the theory side, and it can be helpful in setting up opportunities to get dogs to train. But in most cases I don't think it's the most effective way to gain that knowledge. The people I have seen be the happiest having gone to dog trainer school did it because they wanted the experience of going to dog trainer school (and usually a SPECIFIC dog trainer school), not because they wanted to make dog training a career (especially if they had no dog/training experience going in).

There's not a ton of money in dog training. Especially not if you're working for someone else; the only people I know making better than decent money have their own business. And business running is a completely different skill set, and a successful business is only loosely based on your training skill. (And for every one who is making a living running their dog trainer business, there are a dozen who are not).

I have very little formal training in dog training, but I have dog experience (ownership and working in the pet care industry) and don't really have a problem getting hired. It's not always for training positions, but I can demonstrate that I know my stuff and have the practical skills.

 

[Maxy24]

Thanks, I've heard other people mention they don't think ABC is very good but I wasn't sure why. I think I'll steer clear of them.

May I ask why you're getting out of dog training?

I think a big name can look impressive, but really, your training skills themselves will speak the loudest. In this industry, self-learning is really underrated. Getting your hands on dogs and trying different things, reading and researching are all a big help and can give you just as good a knowledge base as taking a course.

Well that's the thing, I don't know how to get my hands on dogs. I don't know any trainers so don't know how I'd go about getting any sort of internship or apprenticeship or else I'd be happy to go that route. I can't get experience without working with someone's dogs and don't know how to do that without working with a trainer. I feel like my options are 1. Try and ask local trainers if they do internships, 2. Become a trainer at petco/petsmart, work there for a while and get experience, then move on, or 3. Go to a dog training school. I don't really want to be a trainer at petco/petsmart because you're like 30% trainer, 70% cashier/whatever else they need, but I suppose it is an option.

 

[PerformanceDog]

I think many dog training schools are expensive for what they are, when you can learn all the information from talking with trainers and working with dogs.

I would ask around local trainers and see if you can do an internship (or if you already have a job, just ask if you can sit and watch them and possibly assist to learn).

If there is a local boarding and training place, I would try to get a job there, you could watch the boarding dogs if they are allowed to play together and will learn to read body language, I would also ask to watch or assist the trainers there (and maybe hopefully work your way up to being a trainer yourself there).

I am unsure of how many trainers are going to be willing to pay you to watch/assist/intern with them. But if you can afford to just take some time out of your week each week to watch and listen (and help if they like) then you will learn the information you need. Or take classes with them if you have a dog that can.

I would recommend watching/learning from several trainers.

I feel like once you get the basics, figuring stuff out becomes a lot easier because in a way it all falls into some sort of pattern. (reduce your criteria/break into small steps, understanding the 4quads and various learning theories, etc.) I mostly can figure out how to train anything I want, but I will still ask around anyway to see if someone has a better/faster/easier way of doing it. I also just like to get as many ideas/perspectives to train various things to enhance my learning. But it should all make sense.

There are so many great resources for independent learning. I would pick up some highly recommended books, dvds, facebook groups, youtube channels, etc.

 

[milos_mommy]

Ok, petco at least changed their dog training/trainer program pretty recently, so it's no longer true you need to be a cashier or salesperson (or try to sell ANYTHING, equipment wise, collars, food, etc during your class). I applied there because it was too much of a hassle to keep up with clients on my own, and I needed a job on the books. I've been training there about three months now and I honestly love it.

When I applied, the add said a required qualification was to have taken Karen Pryor's courses. I hadn't, but told them I was familiar with her methodology and read a number of her books, and got the position.

Petco is actually my only formal training. The other trainer in the store did the ABC.

I got most of my experience from:
1. Being self-taught....a lot of reading, going to webinars and seminars, and classes with my own dogs
2. I started to major in psychology in undergrad with a specialization in ethology. I only took a few courses on animal behavior, neuroscience, evolution, and basic psychology, but I learned a ton that I apply every day.
3. Volunteering. I worked with a mentor dog trainer through a rescue group (I'm not even sure what his education looked like, and he was young, but a good trainer). Basically at the rescue they let me train dogs and any dogs I wasn't totally comfortable with, I had a mentor to help. I got a lot of experience through rescue, plus sometimes when dogs got adopted I took them on as clients.

I don't know if other stores and regions are like they are here, but I don't think petco is a bad place to start (or even continue training PT). I really like their training philosophy, even though some of it is super corporatey. TBH, I trust their classes more than any of the other training schools in this area, which are sketchy as can be. But if you know of any training facilities nearby that you respect, definitely ask if you can assist classes (even for free as an "intern").

Also, I don't know if you have anything like this in your area but places like The Guide Dog Foundation and CCI sometimes take apprentice trainers.

 

[krissy]

To jump in a similar and yet completely different direction... have you considered becoming a vet and specializing in behaviour?

A veterinary behaviourist really doesn't do anything else (they don't see dogs with eye problems or vomiting) so if the rest doesn't interest you... you'd just have to get through the school portion and then never have to deal with it again.

Yes, they mostly see behaviour problems compared to just basic dog training... but a lot of solving behaviour problems IS dog training.

And you would make far better than decent money. You'll make better money than an average vet even.

Tuition will cost you a fair bit, but there's student loans to help cover that. And honestly, I don't think there's many jobs out there where you can earn really good money and not incur a bunch of debt getting there.

Food for thought.

 

[Maxy24]

I already know quite a bit about behavior and training. I agree there are lots of resources out there on that sort of thing. It's really just, how do I get experience? I can't start calling myself a dog trainer and taking clients when I haven't really trained any dogs. I also need some experience teaching people. I've worked with children a little bit (I used to bring pets to my mom's after school program and teach the kids about taking care of them), but teaching adults is different and not something I've done much of.

Ok, petco at least changed their dog training/trainer program pretty recently, so it's no longer true you need to be a cashier or salesperson (or try to sell ANYTHING, equipment wise, collars, food, etc during your class).

I didn't realize that, I was assuming they were similar to PetSmart. We have one trainer and she only does classes two days a week (and not all day), but she's there 5 days a week. So she does other tasks more than she does training classes.
Also, the fact that they want you to take KPA is kind of amazing, clearly they're stepping up their training game. Perhaps I will look into it. I know I've even seen apprenticeship job postings for them.

To jump in a similar and yet completely different direction... have you considered becoming a vet and specializing in behaviour?

I originally planned to go on to vet school after ungrad. Grades weren't there, money isn't there (my entire last two years of school is entirely loans, plus there are a few from the first two years), and I really don't want to go to school for 4 more years. I've pretty much given up on that.

 

[release the hounds]

To jump in a similar and yet completely different direction... have you considered becoming a vet and specializing in behaviour?

A veterinary behaviourist really doesn't do anything else (they don't see dogs with eye problems or vomiting) so if the rest doesn't interest you... you'd just have to get through the school portion and then never have to deal with it again.

Yes, they mostly see behaviour problems compared to just basic dog training... but a lot of solving behaviour problems IS dog training.

And you would make far better than decent money. You'll make better money than an average vet even.

Tuition will cost you a fair bit, but there's student loans to help cover that. And honestly, I don't think there's many jobs out there where you can earn really good money and not incur a bunch of debt getting there.

Food for thought.

what are things like in Canada? you're going to spend a couple thousand on a well known dog training school here, you're going to spend tens of thousands on becoming a vet relatively easily. One you can do in a summer, the other is going to take and undergrad and then a DVM degree, so we're talking a few years. Everyone I know goes to a vet, I can't think of anyone off hand that has gone to a vet behaviorist. I know lots of people that go see a dog trainer.

If you want to train dogs, get training dogs. read, experience, learn. Then figure out how to deal with people and go. There's one woman in this city that trains dogs I'd send people too. I have no idea what her credentials are and she's as busy as she can possibly be because of her reputation.

 

[Maxy24]

what are things like in Canada? you're going to spend a couple thousand on a well known dog training school here, you're going to spend tens of thousands on becoming a vet relatively easily. One you can do in a summer, the other is going to take and undergrad and then a DVM degree, so we're talking a few years.

I think krissy was trying to offer a solution to the money issue I mentioned in my first post, dog trainers make very little. Being a vet behaviorist is a way to essentially be a dog trainer but make a good income. I would love to have that job, I just don't think I can get there nor am I sure I'd enjoy what I'd have to do to get there.

If you want to train dogs, get training dogs. read, experience, learn. Then figure out how to deal with people and go.

Well I guess I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do that. School that sets you up with an internship is one way.



I was reading more about KPA. They have you do four workshops with a trainer throughout the program (my closest trainer is Emma Parsons which is kind of awesome). I didn't realize you had to bring a dog that you'd been working with. That's a bit of an issue. Tucker, who would be the easiest to work with at home, is unsafe. I could work with Phoebe, my aunt and uncle's dog, but she's getting pretty old and I'm not sure how she'd do.

 

[milos_mommy]

I train at petco and I literally go there 10 minutes before class, teach for an hour, spend 15 minutes taking down the barriers and doing last-minute things for clients, and leave. I also spend time doing stuff like calling clients for preliminary discussion, and calling people who are interested and want more info. There is a LOT of training. Weirdly, I had to do training videos for everything from cat diet to fish reproduction to the hazards of box cutters, which was a PITA but only took a few weeks. You have to spend like 12 weeks "student teaching" and going over a book with a mentor and it's ridiculously straightforward (don't pet a dog if it's growling at you, lol), and like state vaccine crap and bite first aid and dog first aid.


As for an ethology degree...if you like science and already have a bachelors in anything related....could you consider a public school program? When I was pursuing it, the grad degree would have cost about $8,000, mostly all covered by financial aid, but I don't know how easy it would be to get into a program depending on grades. You CAN actually get a degree in animal behavior without becoming a doctor. But most jobs there would be in research, or something like a zoo. I'm sure bigger shelters, even stuff like nat geo , probably hires people with those degrees.

And, as far as "you can't just start calling yourself a dog trainer"....yes and no. You can't go out and charge full cost for strangers with no insurance or anything, but...that's kind of how I started. I started with pet sitting clients. If they complained about behavior issues I'd offer to help them out and show them how to train. I trained my own dogs, foster dogs, and extended family's dogs. When my friend got puppies I helped train them, and they'd recommend me when someone they knew got a puppy. at one point I'm pretty sure I posted a craigslist ad or local flier saying I was an animal behavior student looking for hands on experience and offering low cost dog training. This is REALLY risky because of insurance and stuff and I don't know that I'd recommend it, but if you have the resources to start your own business, it's worth a try.

I'd definitely ask some local shelters and rescues. Tell them you're a young dog trainer looking to get more experience and you'd like to offer training to dogs in rescue or newly adopted dogs and owners. If they ask your credentials, tell them about your work at pet smart and any seminars or webinars you've attended, the methods you use and have studied, etc.

I should also note I have never made a living doing this. It's always been a PT thing for extra money (or tbh, for fun/volunteer). But I know if you're business savvy and can start a business and get insurance at network, you can make a modest but livable amount of money.