Course Description: Professional Trainer Program
20 Credits (24 credits for Honors)
Core Curriculum - 16 Credits
Elective Courses - 4 Credit Minimum
12 - 16 weeks
The Professional Trainer Program begins with the Core Course Instruction. All students attend this intense and exciting learning experience. Through a combination of lecture, observation, and hands on practical training, students learn the dynamics of dog training theory and a general overview of the intricate aspects to many dog training disciplines. To build a great house you must start with a great foundation: This is the Core Course Instruction, the nuts and bolts of creating respected dog trainers. Students learn the basics all professional dog trainers should know such as reading dogs, interacting with pet clients, the difference between pet training and competition training, marketing dog training, business ethics, along with lots of practical dog training and problem solving.
At the same time students begin the Advanced Core Curriculum and Elective Instruction. Students choose their areas of interest and are schooled with other students who have chosen the same electives. At least two electives are necessary for graduation and are included in the tuition. Additional elective classes are available. Elective classes are held daily and only students enrolled in a certain elective may attend. Through lectures, independent study, seminars from industry leaders, and hands on practical training, students begin to learn the language of dogs.
Testing consists of written tests as well as nationally recognized practical tests performed with dogs owned and trained by the student!!! The goal of this program is to teach students an intricate knowledge of obedience, to understand how to read dogs and adjust training accordingly, and to introduce students to the many dog training disciplines. This will allow them to make decisions pertaining to their desired specialty elective courses. The Core Curriculum teaches a solid basis of how dogs learn and the ability to “problem solve” and create training programs for dogs with specific training goals.
Advanced Core Curriculum and Elective Instruction
Must be completed for Graduation Certificate, but there is no time limit for completion and can be completed at sanctioned events.
Advanced core and Elective requirements are completed at students own pace. Many Advanced core and Elective practical course requirement testing must be completed in sanction events. This program is based on preparing students for competition in desired specialized areas. Our goal is to help students become savvy in the disciplines they find more interesting versus creating trainers who are mediocre in various fields. Our core requirements assure students will have a well rounded education, while still being allowed the opportunity to excel in personal areas of interest. Ongoing core requirements and electives can be completed in your hometown allowing flexibility in scheduling.
