hello all. it's been a long time since i've been on here. maybe a few of you remember me. well i have a question. i have been very interested in a while about getting into professionally dog training and even starting my own dog training business. the thing is i have no professional experience and no education related to the field. i have been looking into starting the dog obedience and training course at Penn Fosters edu. online. could you please all give me your opinion on this. will my certificate from this school be recognized with other dog handlers and training institutions when it comes to finding a job in the field? i would totally appreciate any info. and advice.

is there no one out there to help me with this issue. ?
please please, some one shed a little knowledge on this for me.

Please please save your money.

If you want a meaningful dog training education then try Tom Rose School or Triple Crown Academy. Those are the only 2 dog training "schools for trainers" that mean a thing.

I do not understand how Penn Fosters thinks they can certify a dog trainer online. That's complete BS. Even working at PetSmart for a couple weeks as a trainer will get you more experience and hands on knowledge, and thats saying alot :p

Bounette,

I agree with Mike...and also, there is nothing out there that speaks louder than hands on experience.

I travel A LOT and host seminars and workshops all the time. I work hard with my crew as well as helping others.

No piece of paper can top hands on.....

Please listen to Mike and save your money. Offering any kind of training "certification" from online study is, IMHO, 100% ludicrous BS.

In addition to Mike's suggestion, there are several threads here that are loaded with suggestions about getting your feet wet in dog training. Briefly, may I suggest that you get into a local shelter and work your way from volunteer walking to handling difficult cases (if you are experienced enough) and also training your own dog(s) to perfection. If it's obedience you want to get into, I'd probably perfect my own dog(s)' obedience and I'd probably get into competition to get my face and abilities out there. Nothing like "proof of the pudding," I can tell you -- people who see your perfectly-trained dogs are eventually going to say "I want that!"

i also agree that hands on speaks alot louder than anything else, but i know people are also going to want to see that you have some training or schooling. something to put on my resume. i can't go apply for a job and say " uh professional experience,? oh, no but i have lots of dogs at home that i work with.
it's like applying for a job at a day care just because you have 10 kids at home.

i just figured i would need some sort of certificate and training. also the whole thing of getting my schooling online is so convenient. i'm an at home mom and can't really afford( in any sense) to actually GO to school right now.

Having your own dog well trained to the point where people drool with jealousy is a good way to start the conversation. Unfortunately, most people who are inexperienced enough to teach their dog to "sit" do not know how ludicrous online certs and affiliations are. They simply see the individuals who have them as MORE professional than those who don't. I have found that people usually don't know or care (at least in this area) what the cert stands for, they just want fluffy to be trained.
If you have experience, and feel you are good at what you are doing, then start by shadowing another trainer who is good. ask to help out in group lessons, or observe private lessons. Ask questions. A good organization to join is the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)It's a little better known than others, and they make an attempt at verifying skills before handing out the professional memberships.
If you are not experienced, please do NOT go to any online schools, especially not the ABC (animal behavioralist college) or others. They are (in my opinion) simply a pyramid scheme involving dogs. I would start the same way here too. Find a good trainer, and ask if you can shadow/observe. You might even end up with a mentor by doing it this way.

 Quote: cameron feathers

A good organization to join is the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)It's a little better known than others, and they make an attempt at verifying skills before handing out the professional memberships.

I just wanted to clarify something here...the APDT doesn't verify anything. They take your money and voila you're a member. The only thing they verify is if your credit card works. They do have links to upcoming "education" seminars, and do offer a group insurance rate for members, but there is no verification of experience involved.

Just fyi!

for the professional membership, they ask that another professional "verify your skills" by filling out a form based on their opinion. it is not at all a guarantee of skills, can easily be faked, but at least its an attempt. The lower levels, no you are right. They do not verify at all. It's not perfect, but it's a start.

Dog training for me is one of those "proof is in the pudding" professions. Get out there and train a dog - that's your resume right there. Volunteer at the local shelter to help put manners on the dogs awaiting adoption. I know someone who started out that way and now has a successful pet obedience training business - and many of her clients are referred to her by the shelter she volunteers for.

Personally, and I very well could be in the minority with this opinion, I am not impressed with people on the basis that they even went to a reputable school like Tom Rose or Triple Crown. Those schools give the tools but a true trainer also has great timing, instincts, and the ability to identify issues and how to treat them. I know people who have gone to these schools and some are great trainers and some are not even what I consider advanced at training their personal dogs <shrug>

Lots of people want to be dog trainers, and lots of people want to get credintials to look "reputable" but the best credintials are the dogs and people that you have previously helped. You need to get out there and put sweat equity into building a reputation ;-)