Professional Trainer Courses

Each professional trainer course covers canine first aid and kennel and business management. Students are exposed to other areas of training no matter which course they take. Students are entitled to 2 weeks of free follow-up training in each of the 2 years following their graduation to continue to develop their personal training programs. Ask the other schools if they will invite you back each year at no charge! We are committed to your professional development and the success of your business. Graduates are also entitled to free consultations on training problems after returning home. Graduates receive professional trainer certificate and personal letter of reference. Courses begin first Monday of each month (February - November). Tuition includes books and class materials.

Professional Obedience Trainer Course

This is our most popular course for those wishing to embark on a career in dog training. This course concentrates on companion dog training in an in-board, in-home, and class setting. You will cover on & off-leash obedience, motivational techniques, house manners, behavior modification & shaping. You will learn how to council pet owners, how to sell your service, and how to follow-up with clients to ensure success. You will actually train dogs in our kennel for our clients under the supervision of a master trainer, so that you will have had the experience of training 10-20 or more dogs (usually more!) from start to finish before you graduate! You won't question your ability to put theory into action after graduating our program. Above all, this is a hands-on apprenticeship that will challenge you every day.

Professional Obedience Trainer Course (Emphasis Detection/SAR). Tuition is $3,400.00 (4 weeks), $4,100.00 (6 Weeks), $4,800 (8 weeks), $6,200.00 (12 weeks).

Professional Obedience Trainer Course (Emphasis Protection). Tuition is $3,400.00 (4 weeks), $4,100.00 (6 Weeks), $4,800 (8 weeks), $6,200.00 (12 weeks).

Police K9 Instructor’s Course

This course will certify you to train and conduct in-service training for Police K9 functions of obedience, practical agility, decoy techniques, trailing, evidence search, handler protection, criminal apprehension, tactical building and area search, felony vehicle stops, narcotics detection, explosives detection, and cadaver recovery. Blocks of instruction are included on selection testing police dog candidates, tactical deployment, case law, and record keeping and court testimony. You must be a current law enforcement officer, former law enforcement officer, or pass a background investigation to qualify for this course.

Police K-9 Trainer/Instructor’s Course. Tuition is $3,800 (4 weeks), $4,500 (6 weeks), $5,200 (8 weeks), and $6,600 (12 weeks).

K9 Detection Trainer’s Course

This course focuses on detection training for law enforcement or private security applications, covering narcotics detection, explosives detection, mold detection, and cadaver recovery. Blocks of instruction are included on selection testing police dog candidates, tactical deployment, case law, and record keeping and court testimony. You must be a current law enforcement officer, former law enforcement officer, or pass a background investigation to qualify for this course. Tuition is $3000 (4 weeks), $3700 (6 weeks), $4400 (8 weeks), and $5100 (12 weeks). Search & Rescue Trainer’s Course This course will focus on SAR training including, wilderness searching, scent discrimination trailing, FEMA Disaster, including bark alerts/re-finds. Selection testing of candidates for the above tasks, record keeping, and court testimony will also be covered.

K-9 Detection & SAR Trainer’s Course . Tuition is $3,200 (4 weeks), $3,900 (6 weeks), $4,600 (8 weeks), and $5,300 (12 weeks).

Accelerated Courses (2 weeks each) : Professional Obedience Trainer’s Accelerated Course ($1800 ), Detection Training & SAR Accelerated Course ($2000), Protection Sports & Decoy Trainer’s Accelerated Course ($2500 ), Police K9 Accelerated Course ($2500).

Protection Trainer & Decoy Course This course will train you to decoy schutzhund, KNPV and personal protection dogs. Protection theory and training techniques are covered in detail, puppies through adult. Use of the sleeve, full body bite suit, hidden sleeve & muzzle to bring out the best in the dogs you are training. Selection and testing protection prospects will also be covered.

Tuition is $3,000.00 (4 weeks).

Correspondence Courses

These courses are designed for those who wish to learn the theory and practice of professional obedience training without traveling away from home, yet are dedicated seriously to learning the art and craft of dog training. These courses are not a substitute for the practical experience gained through our hands-on apprenticeships, though they are designed to be as thorough and demanding as possible.

Professional Obedience & Behavior Correspondence Course
Topics Covered:

• Canine behavior, conditioning theory, and it's implications for training pet dogs.
• A Proven Training Program for basic through advanced obedience, including Theory and Methods.
• Introduction to Competitive Focused Heeling
• Introduction to a progressive method for using the e-collar for advanced training & competition.
• How to structure a successful training program.
• Behavior Problems and Behavior Modification Programs for typical behavior problems: housetraining, digging, chewing, unruliness, shyness, etc. Canine aggression: Dog aggression, biting, fearfulness, possessiveness, defensive behavior.
• The Business of Dogs. How to start a business: Organization, Legalities, Tax Considerations, Management. Marketing and advertising: Proven Techniques to build your business.
• Self-Study Questions & Final Exam Included.

Protection Theory Correspondence Course
Topics Covered:

• This course goes beyond the basic protection theory module, and discusses in detail, the selection & testing of prospects for sport and police K9.
• Prey and defense development applications, channeling drives.
• Preparing dogs for handler defense, and courage test exercises.
• Introducing the bite suit, and teaching targeting on the suit for police dogs and sport dogs.
• The course also covers basic guarding, hold and bark, and training the out.
• Includes information on the use of the e-collar in protection training.
• Modules on Focused heeling & control.
• Self-study questions and final examination included.

Additional Theory Modules For Correspondence Courses

1. Protection Theory Module Theory of Developing Controlled Aggression: Grip Training, Confidence Building. Protection Skills: Hold & Bark, Out, Handler Defense, Criminal Apprehension, Sport Training: PSA Training for Personal Protection and Liability issues. (This is not an extensive treatment as in the complete Protection Theory Correspondence Course).
2. Scent Theory Module Tracking (AKC & Schutzhund), Trailing: SAR, Police K-9 Style, Air Scenting.
3. Advanced Behavior Module Learn theory and terminology, theory of operant and classical conditioning, conditioning environment and variables, the use of aversive stimuli in learning, solving behavior problems for owners.

Correspondence Course Price List

Core Courses Core Correspondence Course ( Non-interactive) - $350.00
Core Protection Theory Correspondence Course - $450.00

Additional Theory Modules

Protection Theory Module - $175.00
Scent Theory Module - $175.00
Advanced Behavior Module - $175.00