Just wanted to spout this... I am hoping really hard that I will get a chance to go to the TRS, it has been in the air for the last 6 months or so.
I can't afford it but my Great Aunt might consider paying so I am praying that it would be so. Probably way to excited at this point but I guess it doesn't hurt to hope. I wouldn't be going for another 8months-year cause I want to go to Guatemala again first...
I was wondering what leerburg's views where on the TRS but I found a page about it and now know.
After watching a DVD borrowed from the library of It's me or the dog I really think better trainers need to be available...

Edited by Elizabeth Anderson (01/20/2012 11:10 PM)
Edit reason: information left out

My choice would be Michael Ellis and I'm in the Tom rose area. I think the Ellis training is more in tune with understanding the dog and much more motivational. All JMHO of course!

ME is a great trainer however I would like to experience the TRS as I have through the DVD's gotten a feel for ME's training. I don't want it really to compete in sports much either at this point. I would say that I would equally love the opportunity for either school.
My dream is to be able to help as many people as possible with their dogs (training). Apart from this I want to learn spay and neutering to be able to do it is Mexico and Guatemala or where ever I go other than the US because there are so few people that do it and they charge way more than the average person can pay (this I can learn in Mexico from a vet friend).
Another reason is TRS is close to people I know and ME is quite a bit farther and I don't know anyone over there.
I am not sure at all if I will go but I feel it would be a GREAT privilege for me to be able to go.

Umm, how are you going to spay/neuter dogs without medical training? and access to drugs?

From what I've seen, Tom Rose teaches you how to train a dog. ME teaches you how to become a team with your dog. The latter makes you a more intuitive trainer and really how to communicate with your dog. Which leads to a better knowledge of dog behavior in general.

Spay/neuter dogs will come with training. But I would rather get that training in Mexico.

The TRS or ME's training school would make me a better trainer. Fact is I don't or wouldn't even have to go to school for it if I wanted to really learn to train dogs. All I have to do is be serious about it and practice on lots and lots of dogs and I WILL be a better trainer. School is just a little faster for getting basics and people will have more respect for someone after they have gone to school and achieved certification.
My dad didn't go to school for computer programming and he is highly wanted for his work making computer programs, not by the world but by the people that know what he is capable of doing and by them the word is passed on.
For me the title means little, I just want the knowledge and MES or the TRS is a high step from where I am now.
I know a lot of people here are partial to ME so I don't expect people to be for the TRS much. If it wouldn't have been recommended on leerburg I would have been hesitant.

Hey, if TRS is your choice, then go for it!

I just thought you were asking for opinions. I actually did seriously look into TRS a couple years ago. But a few things fell through and it didn't work out. If I had the opportunity today to go to a school, I'd chose ME.

Instead I'm going to community college. All you have to do there is train/work your dogs on the school grounds and write papers on dog subjects and people take you seriously

Ditto what Mara said. Honestly I have met two individuals who went to the Tom Rose School and while both are very nice neither showed training skills that I would consider outstanding (at least not worth the price tag of the education they sought at TRS in my opinion) The one individual rushed a young dog into obedience because the school told this person that the puppy (if I recall the puppy was approximately 6-9 months old) was ready. Got excused from the novice ring for snapping at the judge. The owner seemed surprised that I would suggest the dog was too immature to be shown at that time. Was not impressed needless to say.

I am not a huge fan of places like TRS and TC that seem to focus on making people "trainers" versus places like ME that work on improving specific skills and building upon the relationship with your dog. Yes, those skills can be transferred to a training business but that seems to be less of a goal in the completion of an ME class versus TRS/TC.

Honestly, my personal opinion is so much of what makes great dog trainers great is the natural ability to read dogs and time corrections/rewards appropriately and those are skills that either come naturally or through YEARS of experience. You cannot get those skills from a class - even one from ME

With all this said, I can feel your excitement for the TRS and I wish you all the best and hope you have a great time!

Thanks Mara and Ingrid...

I do get what your saying... Also I just went and re-looked at ME's site and realized that they are offering a course now that is 22 months. This is the type of thing I was looking for and they must have just put that up there because last I looked it was not there.

Now that I have seen that it might be more possible also with room at no additional cost makes me like it better because I wouldn't have to drive up with my camper. Still a year to think about it but I would have to say by having just read the immersion program from ME's school I would rather his school.

 Quote: Elizabeth Anderson

Also I just went and re-looked at ME's site and realized that they are offering a course now that is 22 months.

I'm sure it was just a typo on your part, Elizabeth, but for others who might be wondering, the new ME immersion course is 22 weeks, not 22 months. I had to go to the site and see for myself because my jaw kind of dropped when I read he was offering a class that was 22 months long.

haha yes really a typo...