One excellent first step you can take is to join the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Sometimes trainers are hired by local city or county recreation departments, 4H clubs, or other community groups. Sometimes other pet-related businesses hire dog trainers, such as vets, shelters, groomers, and pet stores. Many dog trainers are self-employed, or work for a small business, often owned by a head trainer. When you look for a trainer to mentor with, make sure the that trainer is committed to furthering his or her own education, is open to learning about a variety of methods, and is devoted to humane training methods. Volunteering with shelters and local rescue groups is also extremely helpful to introduce you to a range of canine personalities, breeds etc. There is no formal apprenticeship system in dog training, but opportunities to work with other experienced trainers and a large variety of dogs is essential to your education. To learn more about this and other university programs that involve modern animal training, visit the Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas.ĭo I have to apprentice with an established trainer? Training a pet is a course requirement for graduates and undergraduates alike. Students do their hands-on research at zoos and animal shelters and at home. The University of North Texas in Denton’s Department of Behavior Analysis is offering graduate and undergraduate courses on behavior modification through positive reinforcement shaping. The emphasis at Moorpark’s Training Zoo is exotic animals, so there is not an intense focus on domestic dogs. There is a college that offers a program in animal training and management: Moorpark College. Undoubtedly, a formal education in behavioral psychology/ethology/veterinary sciences is very useful for an individual interested in professional training. Presently we are not aware of any degrees offered in “dog training” at any major universities across the country. The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, has information on animal care and service workers available in their Occupational Outlook Handbook. Remember, your education will continue throughout your career. The instruction should go on for weeks, not days. Your curriculum and education at the training school should include lectures, reading assignments and practical hands-on experience working with a large number and variety of dogs and/or other animals. How to counsel individuals, motivate handlers/owners, how to screen and steer clients. How to design your courses/instruction materials once you graduate. Dog development and ethology, genetics of behavior, fixed action patterns, social signals, body language, social development, critical periods, hormonal influences, breed characteristics. Comparisons of dog learning to human learning. Classical and operant conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement, positive and negative punishment, conditioned reinforcers, discrimination, generalization, habituation, sensitization and desensitization, blocking and overshadowing, motivation, establishing operations, conditioned emotional responses. Comparison and contrast of dog training with other animal training endeavors. A complete history of dog training from late 19th century to present. When you investigate a school, be sure to inquire about methods used.Ī good training program will cover the following subjects: As a matter of policy, at this time the APDT cannot endorse any of the selected training programs that are available around the country. This means they have read extensively on behavior modification and dog ethology, attended seminars, workshops and conventions, and perhaps mentored with other trainers. In general, those individuals employed as dog trainers are largely “self educated”. If you’re interested in a true national certification, please contact the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Investigate the program and how it fits with your needs. If you choose to attend a “dog training school,” do your homework. Many individual businesses will also be happy to charge you a fee and “certify” you. One should realize that a “certificate” from a particular training school is simply that: A certificate for completing one of the numerous training courses available.
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