Selecting the Right School
In the last ten years, many new dog training schools have popped up. So how do you choose between the many different ones?
There are a number of different things to consider when investigating dog training schools. First, you must know your goals going into it. Is this something you wish to do as a hobby or a career? If your goal is a hobby then a local AKC, UKC, or Schutzhund trainer may be enough to get you started. If you seek a career then here are some questions you should ask each school you are considering. Be sure you contact as many schools as possible!
Questions to remember:
Q. What is the length of the program?
A. You are looking for a program that lasts more than eight weeks. Less time than this is not enough to accomplish true career training.
Q. What are the instructor’s credentials?
A. Look for current performance titles through the UKC, AKC, Schutzhund, KNPV, USPCA, etc. Remember, being a member of an Association usually means that the person pays a yearly fee, or in some cases has made up their own association to be a member of. Recent Performance titles such as those mentioned previously show that the instructor has actually trained dogs to industry standard levels and is active in the event world.
Q. Does the school have requirements you must achieve?
A. This is probably the most important question to ask. Find out what you have to train a dog to accomplish, start to finish. Make sure it is a nationally recognized test; the higher the level of training the better. Many schools will say they teach you AKC or Schutzhund, but you must pin them down and ask if you actually train your own dog start to finish for an actually title.
Q. Are there testimonials and referrals?
A. This is a given: The school should have a list of graduates you can contact for questions about the school.
Q. What training methods are taught?
A. A good school will prepare its students for all popular training methods. Again, make sure you are learning all methods in a practical sense, working with dogs, not learning solely from books or lectures.
Q. What does a student’s weekly schedule look like?
A. All dog training schools have relatively short course lengths for career development. Your weekly schedule should be packed with working activities. If a school advertises non-dog training activities in place of education this could be a sign of a vacation rather than a place of education.
Q. Who is the supporting staff?
A. A school’s supporting staff should have years of experience in titling numerous dogs in performance competitions, working with numerous dogs and owners, and have great communication skills.
Q. What are the costs?
A. This is always a concern. A school’s tuition may be costly, but should not be gouging. Remember, at a good school you will be required to purchase training equipment and possibly dogs, food, show entries and vet care, as well as housing: Plan for these things.
Q. Is the school state certified?
A. Many schools advertise that they are state certified vocation or trade school or approved by a state to operate as a vocational or trade school. While this sounds very official, the process is fairly simple. While this allows schools the ability to accept a few government funded programs this says nothing about the quality of the education. However if you plan to use vocation rehabilitation or VA services to pay for your tuition such a school could be very useful to you. Schools with accreditation have to undergo a much more involved process with very strict government monitoring. To date, there are no accredited dog training schools.
Q. What is the graduation rate?
A. This can go both ways. Number one, if a school’s graduation rate is near 100% this likely indicates anyone who pays their money, graduates. This lowers the value of the graduate certificate. However if no one graduates, you will likely find a school with stressed out trainers and dogs.
Q. What is the health of dogs?
A. All good schools should be very conscientious about the health of all dogs on their campus. Ask how this is monitored and documented for all student dogs.
Q. What practical experience will you achieve?
A. The top schools allow the opportunity to work with clients and their dogs. This should not be carried out in a manner where you are doing the professional work for the business but in an educational manner.
Q. Do I own the dogs I train for requirements?
A. This answer should be yes. These should serve as your demo dogs upon school completion or you should reserve the right to sell the dogs at full value, therefore recouping a portion of your tuition cost.
Q. Business ethics and practice.
A. This should be at the forefront of any school. Sound business ethics and professionalism pertaining to dog training should be a major focus.
Q. Facilities/Plan a visit
A. Facilities should be adequately equipped for the training you will be doing. Facilities should be clean and up-to-date. You should plan visits to as many schools as you can to see the facilities firsthand.
Q. Job placement
A. Job placement can never be guaranteed. But a placement service should be offered. Keep in mind you may need to relocate to use these services.
The main thing when choosing a school is that you investigate all of them. You have to be comfortable with the facilities and staff. Remember that it is your future as a dog trainer, so investigate thoroughly.
