I received email earlier in the month, from more than one person, actually, looking for information and asking some really intelligent questions about becoming a dog trainer.

My response in a nut shell:
I am really happy you emailed me with these questions, and I am very sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you... Now, let me see if I can help!

With regard to this being a primary or part-time career, you CAN make this a primary career, but you really need to have consistent clientele to do that.  The less you limit yourself, the more money you can make.. I have friends that do pet-sitting, board 'n trains, dog-walking, private clients, group classes, workshops, volunteer seminars, invisible fence training, etc. etc.  Obviously the potential to make money is greater when you can offer more.

Personally, the rates I charge vary a lot depending on many factors (location, what's the issue, etc.) AND the more you invest in your business, the more overhead cost there is.  As in any other occupation, this effects how much you charge.

Shelters can always use volunteers.  Getting your feet wet there just for experience with lots of different dogs is a great idea, even if you don't have training experience.

As far as not having a dog... You need to get you a dog, girl! :)  It isn't a requirement to have a dog to be a trainer.. I didn't when I started.. but you don't make a very good impression on clients when you tell them they are paying you to be an expert on dogs and you don't even have one.  Again, it doesn't mean you can't do it... You wanna get around dogs as much as you can, though, especially if you don't have one of your own because of life constraints.

I liked Animal Behavior College at the time that I went through it, but it IS rather rudimentary if you have already been a professional trainer for a while.. It isn't all pure positive, and that is one thing I REALLY liked about it, because SO many schools ARE all positive, and I am not..  I like the fact that I went through and finished ABC, and I am very happy to have those initials after my name.  It is also very affordable. my payment was like, $30 a month.

The very best thing you can do, in my opinion, if you want to be a dog trainer is to TAKE CLASSES, no matter how much you know - or think you know ;).  I have been surprised many times, and it is research to take classes as well as continuing education...

I got certified through PETsMART as well.. That, if you ask me, is really a good way to get started because although it isn't a very thorough education, you will get what you put in.  I trained for PETsMART for years and that is how I got into dog training in the first place... Training for a "big box" store like that gives you access to SO many different pieces of training equipment and SO many different dogs and people.. It also helps you hone your sales skills, because let's face it, if you can't sell yourself, it doesn't matter how good of a trainer you are because you won't have any clients if you can't "sell."

There are a few other good schools out there... Penn Foster (www.pennfoster.edu), CATCH Dog Trainers (http://www.catchdogtrainers.com/) <--- looks very cool, but is more expensive and I haven't gone through them yet, although I have got information from them, and then it gets more specialized and more expensive from there.

The BEST POSSIBLE STUFF that you can do if you want to get into dog training is to seriously get out there, get gritty and get your feet wet.  Volunteer at shelters, take classes with your own dog(s) <--- g*d forbid, if you don't have one, borrow one!, watch youtube videos on training, read books, join clubs... GET OUT THERE and immerse yourself in it!  There is NO substitute for experience! 

Also, the usual way of individuals becoming dog trainers is to shadow one you can relate with.  I STILL would shadow the trainers I respect, even today, with pride! :) So how long you do it all depends on you.  I usually have an apprentice one way or the other :)

I hope this was helpful... Please let me know.. I am happy to answer any questions.  Keep in touch!

Cassie

I received this email the other morning from a very good friend that I thought was worth sharing!

Cassie, I have something of a trainer's challenge for you!  My mom, the last time I was home, showed me a youtube video of "the world's smartest dog".  In it, part of the dog's routine was to "take a step" (ONE step) toward the toy.  The owner would tell him to take a step, take another step, back off, take another step, touch the toy, "wait till I count to three" before taking the toy, etc.  I told mom that Ky could probably do the same routine if we worked on it (she didn't believe me), and I know Spark DEFINITELY could, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen you ask him to "take one step."  I've started working with Ky on it with a clicker, and she does it, but I'm not sure that the point is getting across... She just takes a step forward, I click, and she gets a treat.  It must be the easiest thing ever for her :).  But I think if I were further away, she would take multiple steps, and obviously that's not good!  Do you have an idea for how to train this, better than mine anyway?  Wanna try with both of our pitties?  I think we could kick this "smartest dog" routine's butt if we wanted to... just another thing to work on since I'm pretty sure Spark knows that entire Project Train Your Dog workbook already!

Here's the link for the video -   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUcYSR-Xl_E   I'm totally sure Spark could do most of this... would be nice to see a pittie version of it :).  Let me know what you think?

My reply:
I think this is a GREAT idea.. I love it.  I can also picture teaching it... What I would suggest you do if you want to train Ky more complex things like this is to do some free-shaping!  It's super fun, just takes some patience... Are you familiar with it?  If not.. here's the breakdown!

I start teaching my dogs free-shaping like this.. I get an object (Patches just started learning with a soup can), and place it on the floor near the dog.  The object of this game is to get the dog to target the soup can (nose or paw, your choice, just have a specific goal in mind).  When you see Ky even acknowledge the can, click and deliver a treat (but have her come to you to get it).  It is tempting to lure them over to it, or shake the can, or put treats on it, but the point of this exercise is to teach you both free-shaping.  If the process of the dog nosing the can is really taking forever, as in 10 minutes or more, I might move the can with my toe or something to get the dog to acknowledge it.  It's like saying, "Hint, hint!  What I want you to do has something to do with THIS!"  Once you have her nosing the can and coming back for the treat, you move further away from it, change it's location, etc. etc. and start clicking for the progressive behaviors (as in, once she's good consistently "acknowledging" it when you're right next to the can, start withholding the click until she noses it, etc. etc. and then start adding distance.)  Add your cue word, "hit it" or whatever you want when she is consistently offering that behavior. 

When you're working on free-shaping a behavior, try not 'to ask for anything else during that session (sit, down, stay, wait, etc.) if you can help it - an exception might be asking Patches to wait while I reposition the target can.

The point of doing this exercise is that you are beginning to teach both of you the game!  It's like "hot, cold."  Click for approximations that are on the right track, ignore everything else.  Spark is WICKED good at this because he's been doing it since he was a puppy.  Provided he is "in the mood" (read: hungry, energized & motivated!), he will offer up all sorts of stuff trying to figure out what I want, and it is SO f*****g cool to see those gears turning.

It takes a lot of time at first.. Patience is the only negative about training this way... but the more you do it, the better they get at it, and it is fascinating because the dog really is learning all on their own, as opposed to depending on you to lure or physically manipulate.  It's neat, isn't it?  I should tape one of our sessions...

Here is a video I found on youtube explaining free-shaping, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFzfVa2hvEE <-- It's OK :)

The reason I went into all that is because that is exactly how I plan to teach it to Spark ;)

C

P.S.  That is Spark Plug & I in the picture.. He is going to "Git' your leash!" which I taught him using this method! :)

Q. What is your standpoint on dog aggression?  Can training eliminate it enough for that dog to eventually become part of a multiple dog home?

A. That all depends. There is a big difference between managing it enough to have that dog become part of a multi-dog home and eliminating it enough to have that dog become part of a multi-dog home. How much you can eliminate it & how much you'll forever have to manage it (with physical barriers & stellar obedience) depend on the individual dog... NOT just the breed. I am living proof that training (along with lifetime socialization & physical exercise) can make it possible to run a 4-male-pit-bull-household in which one of the dogs was on death row for liability reasons relating to his dog- and stranger-"aggression" issues.

There is also a real difference between true AGGRESSION and over-reactivity. Also a big difference between issues that stem from lack of early socialization/lack of exercise & issues that stem from genetics. Real, true aggression is really rather rare, and with truly aggressive dogs, my feeling is that you can usually get to a place where they are completely manageable, but you cannot completely eliminate every aggressive tendency.

Ya know, I also have to add that I've seen what people said was impossible come to fruition many times under certain circumstances, so if you find the right formula, almost any dog can be "made" to live in a multi-dog household. How people feel about "making" that dog do it is a different story.

Cassie

I am forever surprised by the amazingly low number of people who interview or observe their potential dog trainers/instructors before making a commitment, financial and otherwise.
Not to say I have not broke this rule IF the trainer comes super-highly recommended from someone I completely trust in their ability to handle and knowledge of their own dog, but generally speaking, I think it is an A+ practice to "interview" or observe the person you are thinking of hiring to entrust with your dog.

Right now, for example, I am looking for a trainer/trainers to work with me and my dogs in several different capacities, including PSA (Protection Sports) and competition obedience.

NOW, this is where many people will say the classic, "Aren't you a trainer??"  The answer is obvious: yes, I am.  The reasons I like to work with other.  (good) trainers, in a nutshell, include but are not limited to the following:
   
    >    I love the experience of being the student.  It is super helpful as a trainer to experience training from the student perspective, and also, I just loved being the pupil!  It is awesome to just be in a class, and for the hour, it's all about me and my dog, without having to have eyes all over the place, regulating a class :)
   
    >    You can always learn from another trainer, no matter what.  As a trainer, you can't be an expert in every facet of dog training; you just can't.  There is competitive obedience (and even there, there's UKC, AKC, CDSP, etc.), rally, agility, dockdogs, protection sports (PSA, Shutzhund, French ring, etc.), lure-coursing, K9s, military war dogs, nosework, behavior modification (dog-aggression, human-aggression, excessive fear, etc.), canine freestyle, conformation, flyball, disc dog, herding, hunting dogs, doggie drill teams... you see where I'm going with this.  I think a trainer should, throughout their career, stay humble enough to know that there is always more to learn, and training with someone whose expertise lies in a different facet or method is always a great way to expand your own knowledge.  That is one more reason why I continue to train under other trainers.

>    I take group classes with my boyz for the same reasons I recommend them to certain clients: the dog is learning and working amid distractions, for socialization (remember that dogs do not need to be playing to be socializing), proofing the skills you already have, and also... for the fun of it! :)

>     When you have a multi-dog household, the one on one time with each dog is invaluable.  They need time with you, and they need time away from each other!  I love working with my dogs - all very different - one-on-one under instruction from a great trainer, because as always, as an observer, they see things I don't see, and the feedback can be SO helpful in improving my dogs as well as my skills as a trainer.

I am sure I could add to that, but for now, that should answer the "but aren't you a trainer?  Why would you pay for training?" question.

That being said, the original reason I decided to put "pen to paper" on this subject was because I thought it might be helpful for those seeking a professional dog trainer to see the questions a professional dog trainer would ask while interviewing a potential professional dog trainer! :) 

1)    How long have you been professionally training?
2)    What area(s) do you specialize in?
3)    What kind(s) of dogs do you personally own?  Do you compete in any canine sports?  At what level?
4)    What schooling and/or certifications do you have?
5)    What methods/equipment do you employ?
6)    Do you have any apprehension about certain breeds? 

Now, first and foremost, there is not necessarily a "right" answer for any of these questions, i.e. just because someone doesn't compete in obedience doesn't mean they can't train pet obedience; because a trainer doesn't have initials after their name does not mean they aren't qualified, etc.  ***Note*** There is no regulation/requirement in any U.S. state at this time regarding dog training, meaning anyone can go home, claim to be a professional and start charging people for "training."  Hence, be mindful, be careful and do your research!

It is fair to say that you can find the answers to most of these questions regarding any given trainer that's been in the business for a while without actually "interviewing" them, but it won't give you the best idea of that trainer's personality or demeanor.  Don't be afraid to send an email or place a phone call to find a trainer you really click with.  Any good trainer will welcome questions and appreciate your commitment!

That, and "mad skills!" is what I will be looking for from the next new trainer I work with!

Happy training!