Hi everyone,

I've read a few archived posts & replies here regarding dog training schools, but I wanted to pose my question about dog training schools in a slightly different way:

For someone like myself that is seriously considering the path of dog training as a career (be it now or in the future), how important is having at least some form of certification? Now I think I know the answer to that - which is, in the end it really doesn't matter. I don't care how many letters someone has next to their name... if they can't work with dogs, demonstrate knowledge of techniques with success, earn some titles, have a well-balanced companion dog, etc. - it always shows.

Now, strictly from a business point of view, I also think that it could certainly be beneficial to have some form of certification when you're out there trying to gather new clients & building up your reputation. To the average dog owner, I think seeing that a trainer is certified in some way is a strong selling point. Obviously a trainer must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of dog breeds, behavior, strong communication skills, all of that - but at the end of the day, having the word "certified" does look good on a business card or in an ad (especially when it accompanies other achievements and experience). If it gives me a confidence boost to be able to say I'm certified, that's another benefit.

For other clients - meaning for example performance dog folks, this is probably where that certification might mean much less. They're going to want to know how many dogs you titled in whatever sport you're promoting yourself as a competent instructor of. They want to see your accomplishments because let's face it, it's easy to talk but at the end of the day people know no one's "faking" a good / qualifying score in the ring.

So, I'm checking out ABC's program and so far on paper (monitor) it looks pretty good and it seems fairly priced. And since I have a full time day job, their flexibility to work through the course materials at my own pace is a huge plus. That said, I've read & heard a wide range of opinions on ABC - some from people that have not gone through their program and some very positive first-hand comments form those that have.

My goal with this is just to be able to obtain some form of certification from a reputable program, so that I have something to show (in addition to AKC titles) when/if I decide to train professionally. I like computers for now, but dogs are much more fun so I'm trying to open some doors for the future.

Some things to keep in mind - I'm not asking this question as a totally green trainer with just a few months experience. I've lived with dogs since I could walk (38 years), I've successfully rehabilitated / fostered / found good homes for dozens of homeless dogs (many of which no other fosters wanted to take on) over the last 10 years, I've already apprenticed under my first trainer, I'm currently training under some very experienced people, and I have multiple AKC titles on two of my dogs. So on the dog side, I'm very comfortable and (with all modesty) confident in my skills. Transferring this experience & love for dogs into a business, possibly full-time, is what I have in mind by asking about schools / certification.

To sum up, I'm leaning towards ABC being a good fit for me, but maybe not for those that don't have a lot of prior training experience. At the same time, if ABC doesn't have a good reputation among other professionals - I don't want to associate my name with them (this is the same reason I decided against accepting a recent offer to train for a franchise pet warehouse).

Then I think, well, Michael Ellis just opened his school in CA...

Sorry this was a bit lengthy, I do appreciate any thoughts / opinions / advice anyone here can offer. Thanks very much for reading-

Craig

Craig,

I don't think attending some program to earn their certification is going to mean that much. However, you can always look into becoming certified by an independent association, e.g., the CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer). That one isn't that difficult to earn. It's basically a test that's given several times a year in different parts of the country. You definitely need training experience as well as theoretical knowledge to earn this certification.

This link is from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and shows a number of progressive kinds of certifications:

http://www.apdt.com/join/certification/default.aspx

You're right in that performance dog folks will have different opinions of these certifications than pet owners, but that's where your reputation and experience will make the most difference, IMO.

I don't see how having a valid certificaiton can hurt you, but I wouldn't waste my time with most schools out there. Now, Mike E? In a heartbeat!

leih

I'm going to have to reply that among serious professional dog trainers, the ABC program is held in very low regard.

If was looking for a new trainer to add to my staff, a certificate from ABC would definitely take a candidate out of the running.

Also, the ADPT is a source of snickers from the serious professionals......it's more of a scam than anything else and if you aim to be taken seriously in the dog training world, don't embarrass yourself by associating your name with that organization.

 Quote: leih merigian

Craig,
I don't see how having a valid certificaiton can hurt you
leih

Well, let me play the Devil's advocate here.
What I have seen over and over again in the past is some low level wannabe dog trainer that flashes their "certification" around and talks big, but can't train a dog worth beans - and I've seen this very situation well over a dozen times in the past ( and I've discussed this *many* times with fellow dog trainers of my caliber, and *every* one of them had the same bad experience with them that I did - and that really says something! ).

So eventually among the pros it becomes that we won't even consider hiring someone that has what we consider to be a certification that is used to fool ignorant pet owners.......if a candidate's resume is so thin that they have to list a bogus certification given by a crappy organization, it just goes into the trash.

 Quote:

Now, strictly from a business point of view, I also think that it could certainly be beneficial to have some form of certification when you're out there trying to gather new clients & building up your reputation. To the average dog owner, I think seeing that a trainer is certified in some way is a strong selling point.

I think the best way to build a clientele is through word of mouth and having a couple of well trained dogs of your own. The proof is in the pudding for dog training.

To get some great word of mouth, I really think that volunteering at a shelter or with a rescue group will do much more to get you name out there and give you credibility with people then spending your time/money going through a certificate program. Give the new owners one free lesson or consultation, and hand them your card if they need more help. All of a sudden you're the trainer that works with the animal shelter. That alone will give you more credibility with John Q Public.

I did a home visit recently for a rescue group and the folks there were soon asking me about how I would recommend handling a couple of behavior issues. All I did was visit them being affiliated with an established, reputable group and have a good knowledge of the breed/dog behavior in general.

 Quote: will rambeau

Well, let me play the Devil's advocate here.
What I have seen over and over again in the past is some low level wannabe dog trainer that flashes their "certification" around and talks big, but can't train a dog worth beans - and I've seen this very situation well over a dozen times in the past...

Will,

I don't disagree with you. I've met a lot of people with CPDTs that can't train worth beans. But, the link does provide a progression of certifications, which is what I wanted to show. Some of them would mean more to me than the CPDT rubber stamp.

Still, I know many pro trainers don't think much of people with Ph.D.s in animal behavior, either. It's a different knowledge base, IMO, and doesn't mean someone who is educated in that way is actually also an experienced trainer.

There really isn't any subsitute for experience.

leih

 Quote: will rambeau

 Quote: leih merigian

Craig,
I don't see how having a valid certificaiton can hurt you
leih

Well, let me play the Devil's advocate here.
What I have seen over and over again in the past is some low level wannabe dog trainer that flashes their "certification" around and talks big, but can't train a dog worth beans - and I've seen this very situation well over a dozen times in the past ( and I've discussed this *many* times with fellow dog trainers of my caliber, and *every* one of them had the same bad experience with them that I did - and that really says something! ).

So eventually among the pros it becomes that we won't even consider hiring someone that has what we consider to be a certification that is used to fool ignorant pet owners.......if a candidate's resume is so thin that they have to list a bogus certification given by a crappy organization, it just goes into the trash.

Ok, so my question for you then, when looking at a trainers resume, what DO you want to see?

 Quote: will rambeau

<snip> So eventually among the pros it becomes that we won't even consider hiring someone that has what we consider to be a certification that is used to fool ignorant pet owners.......

Great replies everyone, thanks so much. I'm at work at the moment and will reply in detail later today, but I want to quickly address what Will mentioned above.

Of course in no way, shape or form am I looking to trick potential clients into hiring me (and I don't think you are suggesting I am Will) or trying to bloat my credentials and experience with a certification that I can tag on a business card. I just want to be very clear about that, in case anyone has the wrong idea. If I didn't feel confident in my experience and achievements, I wouldn't be considering ABC as a means of obtaining certification.

More so I'm just concerned that people - owners and other trainers alike - may prefer to see that word "certified" on a card, résumé, and in ads.

The thing is, if I'm going to obtain their certification, obviously my goal is that it helps me in this business. If an ABC certificate is going to damage my reputation in any way, I'll certainly ditch the idea.

I'd want to see a dog you've trained from a pup and it would need to have monster obedience, that would help more than a certificate. I'm a student of the Will school of dog training!