I'm planning on enrolling in a Dog Obedience/Instructor coursde through Penn Foster. I was curious if anyone had heard or knows anything (good, bad, etc.) about this schools program. I have the information and know what the course entails. I'd like to start as soon as possible, it's an online course and will be easier for me to do with a baby then it would to go out of start to be trained.

When I look back at what are the useful skills are for being a Dog Obedience Instructor ( after doing that for over 25 years now ), very few of them could be effectively taught online as they're almost entirely hands on.

This is just my opinion, but online would be the worst way to learn about this.

I second that.

I can see where in-person training would be best. And I'd love the chance to do it. But I can't go out of state for 6-8 weeks at the place I want to train at. Biggest things are that I have a husband that works shift work and a 7 and a half month old baby. I have nobody to watch the baby while I was away.

I know how to train dogs, but only to a certain degree (basic obedience-and some drive building, thanks to Ed's videos). I would like to know more. I know I could buy a plethora of books on dogs and read till my eyes cross. I plan on it.

There was another school I had considered.
It was ABC or Animal Behavior College. I spoke with someone about the College and that I'd be able to do all of it online, but would get to meet with a trainer that they chose. I had a couple of personal issues with this school. One, was that I'd have to drive a maximum (lady told me chances were that it wouldn't happen) of 298 miles. I hate to say it but the furthest I'd drive would be 100. The second problem I had was that the lady I spoke to mentioned Victoria Stillwell(sp?) and I don't care for her. JMO. Said that she was a graduate from ABC. Ok, sure. At that point in the conversation I started wondering if the school was actually for real, since I had never heard of it before. Well, the final thing was at the end of the converstion. The lady asked me when I'd like to start. Not if I had any questions. Well, I had questions. I asked her my questions, she answered, then asked again (twice) when I'd like to start. I told her possibly 6 months from now. She was done, she said for me to call back when I was ready to start.

I don't know if I'd want to do either program from either school. I would like to know if anyone has any knowledge of ABC. I'd also like to know if anyone has information regarding Penn Foster's program.

If anyone has any ideas on how I could get the training I want, so I can reach my dream and goal, I'd love it.

Join a Schutzhund club.

Best way to learn, if you cannot go to an in-service school.

You have three dogs, isn't there a training club of some sort by you that you could join? 3companion dog titles is a hands on first step. You end up meeting people, maybe assisting then teaching classes at the club, a good dog comes your way and you earn a CDX and on from there.

There is a club in Bismarck (70 miles from here) that I plan to join.

I'd like to join a Schutzhund club, but the closest one is in Bozeman, MT. The other is in Minn., MN, both well over 300 miles from me. Have to see what I can do.

I would avoid ABC like a case of herpes, it would be a total waste of time and money!

If it's about your family being the reason for not attending one of the two dog training schools that actually produces good trainers/instructors ( the Tom Rose School of Dog Training or Triple Crown Academy ), well then, wait until your child is a bit older - it'd be worth the wait, really.

Honestly, going to any other dog training school other than the two that I mentioned is a waste of both time and money. Do it right and train with pros, not with a bunch of wannabes that are held in contempt by most of us in the industry.

 Quote: Will Rambeau

I would avoid ABC like a case of herpes

I'll never feel the same about the alphabet again


Keleah,

I think you've been given some great suggestions and feel the DVDs from Leerburg and the plethora of books would be better than an online course; not to mention the hands on experience you can get at a club and the ever available training opportunities you have owning 3 dogs (they are beautiful). What do you think the online class you are looking at can offer you that you can not get from some very good books and DVDs? I'm kind of curious how an online course markets itself?

 Quote: will rambeau

I would avoid ABC like a case of herpes, it would be a total waste of time and money!

LMAO It's funny you should say that, Will, because I wasn't too impressed while talking to the "representative" for the "school". And when I told my hubby, he gave me the turd face and said don't do it!
I think I will wait till my baby is older and I know someone can care for her and any sibling she has.


Sheila, I think it's a combination of my love for dogs and some extreme spring fever! Been cooped up in the house for months because of snow and crappy roads.
And I know better. I know that I can learn alot from books-I love to read-and I can add to my growing collection of Leerburg DVD's.