I'm looking to find out how most of you came about your involvements in the dog world, or more accurately, how you got the knowledge to get you where you are.

I know there are a lot of "dog trainer schools" .... but is there another route than this? Is good ol' apprenticeship still in practice? Or do you just go with a dog club and learn in the group setting vs. one-on-one with an experienced trainer? Or just attend as many seminars as possible paired with club experience?

Do the "dog trainer schools" really turn out ready dog trainers?

I think becomming a dog trainer is something that happens with a strong love of dogs. The real trainers on this board may or may not have intended to do it but maby involvement with clubs and lots and lots of expierence put them where they are today. I've trained dogs for over forty yrs, but many on this board,half my age, Have twice the knoweledge I do. I've trained average dogs for Obd competition, and taught manners to lots of house dogs. I can train dogs, but I've got lots more to learn before I can call myself a dog trainer. Hmmm... That will make a nice little quote on my head stone someday. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Passion for working dogs and training is what gets most people rolling. If there isn't the intense desire you just burn out and get disinterested. I have plenty of friends that I tried to get involved in Schutzhund. A few REALLY got charged up about it, but a year or so later they fall out.

I've heard nothing but good things about Tom Rose's school. Looks intense, that would give you a big head start.

I have personal knowledge that Triple Crown Academy is also very good.

Isn't that funny that when you have a passion for something time flys. I have been training and working protection dogs for almost 4 years now. I figure I have over 2000 hours of training time. And time has just flown by. Your best bet is for hands on training. This is the only way to learn. Find a good club. At clubs you have all the other helpers, trainers and handlers sharing their ideas too. Its a wealth of information. Good luck

The good trainers understand dogs, not just the training methods. Tom Rose's school is 45min from my house. Even at my age, if I had the bucks, I'd be there.

Originally posted by dobeonguard:
Your best bet is for hands on training. This is the only way to learn. I couldn't disagree more with this statement. You don't have to train 300 dogs before you can be an extremely effective trainer; you DO have to understand the process of how the dog learns. Of course practicing the physical skills and timing by putting it into practice is ALSO important, but there is no need to reinvent the wheel by starting from zero and only learning as you train. Study learning theory and animal behavior and you will leap frog past the ones who shun it.

A dog trainer, in whom I had a great deal of respect, once told me dog training is not rocket science. The more difficult you try to make, the more difficult it becomes. Like dealing with people, dogs have different personalities. While certainly operant conditioning, regardless of the different names trainers use to describe techniques to appear individualized, is the dominant factor in any animal training. This trainer also told me that learning training techniques, regardless of whether or not you agreed with them, was like collecting keys. Every technique you hear about, stick it on your key ring. you never know which lock it may open someday. The last thing he told me, I'm sure others have heard in different ways. When you think you know it all, and there is nothing left to learn, It's time to go to work at a 7/11.

DFrost

My very first trainers (almost 10 years ago), were a well known and respected team who had also produced a TV show on companion dog training were wonderful. They used an apprenticeship program and asked me to join once I had finished training my pup.
It was a 2 year program (no pay, so you do it just for the love of dogs) and 3-4 nights/weekends a week. The first year you acted as an observer only. The second year you acted as an assistant to the regular trainer. In the third year I think they start you off training puppies under 6 months and then you get paid. I think they still do it this way.
Do to familial obligations and other circumstances at the time I was unable to accept their offer and participate in the program. I often wonder what would have happened. I would have had 10 years experience by now.
I'd definately go back to them with a new dog/pup for initial training. They were excellent.

Dog trianing, you will soon find out, has nothing or should I say little to nothing to do with dogs!

Kojak

Kojak, Yes I do remember them saying that. Any dog can be trained. But training the PEOPLE to train the dog....that's another story.
I was picked because I'm a people person, and often encouraged the others or complemented them when their dog did well.
Many people want to own a dog, but finding the right trainer who encourages you and inspires you to be a better dog owner/trainer, that's difficult. These trainers would often go to specific teams of dogs/owners and encourage them to further their training, specifically for obedience trialing.
To me, a dog trainer not only has to know their stuff and be experienced with many breeds/personalities of dogs, but they have to be approachable, patient, enthusiasitc, outgoing, fair and equal, and encouraging.
What's the point of going to a trainer if you're intimidated by him/her, if they play favourites, or if they have about as much personality as a loaf of bread?
Also, to be a good teacher you have to leave your ego behind. No one needs to see that you have an inflated opinion of yourself. That's a big turnoff in a class situation. I've seen that many times. If you're good it shows. There's no need to advertise.