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Posted by: YODEL on 2010-02-15, 20:40:24
Most of the "schools " out there are more or less rip-offs. They can't provide you with the amount of real-time, hands- on experience you will need to justify calling yourself a dog trainer & being able to work with a variety of different dogs. There are a handful of exceptions. Most notably would be Bergin University in California....the first & so far only legitimate, accreddited university that offers real degree programs in canine behavior science. The program was started by the Assistance Dog Institute and offers Associates, Bachelor's and Master's degree courses of study. You get real experience training service dogs & opportunities for extensive study into many areas of canine science & business aspects. If I'd have known about this place when I graduated high school my life may have been very different. Link: berginu.org/ The Tom Rose School in Missouri is a much shorter course, rather costly- but compared to MOST of the "vocational courses " in dog training, provides a lot more hands-on experience. Opinions vary; but there have been successful trainers who graduated from Tom Rose: tomrose.com/ certprogramsa.html Finally, there's the Triple Crown Academy; I believe they're in Texas. I don't know as much about them, except that I personally know somebody who went there & is now an accomplished trainer. However, she still had to start off "at the bottom " working in kennels & doing very basic work for a training kennel, and get that hands-on experience before she could venture out on her own. This is really the case for most folks who go to any vocational dog-training course. You simply can't learn to be a really GOOD trainer in just a year. It takes time, hundreds if not thousands of dogs, before you can call yourself a REALLY experienced, seasoned trainer. triplecrowndogs.com/ The other option is to find a real, respected, experienced trainer & work as an apprentice. IMO this is the best way to go about it if you want the best possible education at the right pace. Many times you don't have to pay, if you can find someone willing to work with you. You may end up doing a lot of dirty work, cleaning kennels, etc in exchange for the experience, but the chance to work with a respected professional trainer (and have that in your "resume " once you're a professional yourself) is priceless. Once you get out in the "real world " of dog training you'll find a lot of pro trainers who don't give much credit to "training school credentials " since the quality of their graduates vary widely, and as I said, 8 weeks to 1 year of schooling does NOT make you a trainer. BUT if you can say "I trained with so-and-so well known trainer guy for three years " you will find more people who take you seriously. In the meantime, any hands-on experience you can get with dogs is worthwhile. You have to be over 18 to volunteer with most shelters. I would contact any area humane societies and just ASK. See if they need people to work with adoptable dogs on basic obedience. Even get your own dog & get involved with local dog obedience clubs. Working at an animal hospital is another idea. Any way you can be exposed to handling different types of dogs will be valuable. Best of luck to you :).... |
