I know I've posted a similar thread before, but here goes. I'm always trying to expand my knowledge base of dog training with books, seminars, classes, experience... But I really want to do something where I'll really have something to show for it. There's quite a few options out there, and I thought I had this all figured out. But I've been weighing my options and just can't make up my mind.
At this point, my parents are willing to either fund or lend for education for me, so I wanna jump on that before I lose that opportunity. Here's my train of thought thus far.
I was initially going to go for the ccpdt-ka certification, but then I thought I might want to enroll in a course. ABC is out of the question, it doesn't seem like they have enough to offer me to justify the price. My next choice was the Karen Pryor academy, and I even went as far as to fill out the application-- but I didn't send it in. I do want to focus on reward based training, and clicker/marker training is a passion of mine. But I definitely want to expand into learning about protection/IPO, service dog training, etc. Although it looks like there's plenty to offer me, I'm afraid being a Karen Pryor graduate will take away the flexibility for the different training techniques I may encounter along the way. I am not even sure of what sort of policies and guidelines I would have to adhere to, but I can imagine (can anybody chime in about that?).
There's always the option of going to college to study something geared toward animal behavior, too.
So, I just want to know others' opinions on what's worth the price and/or certification. I know there's nothing more valuable than studying under a great trainer, but that just doesn't seem to be an option here.
At this point, my parents are willing to either fund or lend for education for me, so I wanna jump on that before I lose that opportunity. Here's my train of thought thus far.
I was initially going to go for the ccpdt-ka certification, but then I thought I might want to enroll in a course. ABC is out of the question, it doesn't seem like they have enough to offer me to justify the price. My next choice was the Karen Pryor academy, and I even went as far as to fill out the application-- but I didn't send it in. I do want to focus on reward based training, and clicker/marker training is a passion of mine. But I definitely want to expand into learning about protection/IPO, service dog training, etc. Although it looks like there's plenty to offer me, I'm afraid being a Karen Pryor graduate will take away the flexibility for the different training techniques I may encounter along the way. I am not even sure of what sort of policies and guidelines I would have to adhere to, but I can imagine (can anybody chime in about that?).
There's always the option of going to college to study something geared toward animal behavior, too.
So, I just want to know others' opinions on what's worth the price and/or certification. I know there's nothing more valuable than studying under a great trainer, but that just doesn't seem to be an option here.