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Aspiring trainer--any advice?

8K views 52 replies 14 participants last post by  Watry 
#1 ·
Hi there, community! First time poster here. I have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up! Four and a half years of college, $50,000 of debt and one useless degree later and I want to be a dog trainer! (My parents are so proud.) I have not had much luck talking any local trainers into letting me apprentice under them, so I have decided just to take the plunge and start an in-home training business. I will, of course, be starting small and do not plan on biting off more than I can chew. Any secrets, common sense, or advice I should know before starting off?
 
#3 ·
Positive Reinforcement Training is the way to go. :)
 
#5 ·
Thank you for your responses!

I have looked into getting certified. It is certainly something I plan on for the future. I've been researching for the past few months, reading pretty much anything I can get my hands on regarding dog training. I've gone through APDT's recommended reading list and begun purchasing away! I was hesitant to start a business without any experience. However, there's a Catch-22 that really leaves me with no other option. I cannot get hired as a trainer by most companies because I do not have experience, but I cannot get experience if no one will hire me. My plan is, before I dive head first, to test my abilities on friends' and neighbors' dogs and see how they stack up. In other words, I have not quit my day job yet.
 
#6 ·
That's a great plan. I also know of a few trainers who've started with PetSmart/PetCo just so that they have experience. That might be something to look into. I would just be careful with using methods that they teach, since I know they use aversives that aren't very helpful (pennies in a can and whatnot).
 
#9 ·
That was my plan A. Work at one of them, get experience. I applied at both. I used to work at Petsmart as a cashier so I thought I would be a shoe-in, but it did not work out that way. The manager I used to work for was no longer there. In fact, no one I worked with was there anymore to vouch for me. Plan B was working for a trainer in my area. That did not work out either. So here I am. Plan C.

Don't Shoot the Dog was one of the first books I bought! It was a great read. I plan on reading it again after I get through the two library books I have.
 
#10 ·
How are your people skills? How much do you like training people?


Because thats what the job REALLY is. Training people to train dogs. If you dont want to do that the job will suck the life out of you honestly :)

Learn about tagteach on top of the dog topics :) im a member of the apdt if you have questions about membership :)
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#11 ·
I have worked in customer service since I was 15. I went to college so I would not have to anymore. Now I work in a stuffy law office and cannot wait to get out. I never thought I would miss customer service, but after seeing the same two people every day I am dying to get back into it!

Admittedly, my teaching abilities are not as good as I would like them to be. I am a visual teacher--I like to show people how to do them and then let them do it. Although it sometimes turns into me just doing it. I have two of Nicole Wilde's books dealing with the subject on my reading list.

What is tagteach?

I would love to know more about APDT. Specifically what kind of teaching tools (seminars, resources, etc.) they provide members. What is the most beneficial part of membership?
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have worked in customer service since I was 15. I went to college so I
would not have to anymore. Now I work in a stuffy law office and cannot wait to get out. I never thought I would miss customer service, but after seeing the same two people every day I am dying to get back into it!
haha, yeah, Im in retail, and I always say I hate people, but deep down I know thats not really true :p


Admittedly, my teaching abilities are not as good as I would like them to be. I am a visual teacher--I like to show people how to do them and then let them do it. Although it sometimes turns into me just doing it. I have two of Nicole Wilde's books dealing with the subject on my reading list.
anything by Nicole is priceless. I was lucky enough to go to a seminar of hers a year :confused: or two ago... she is forever patient. When she was fielding questions, som' of them imo were a bit, well, bad (either very basic, or asking about what she JUST covered) and she never once acted irritated. Im assuming you have her "want to be a trainer" (or somthing to that effect) book?



What is tagteach?
Its applying many of the clicker principles to teaching humans. Sounds easy but its also tweeked a bit since humans use language and if its obvious your training them, they get offended. Attend a seminar if you can, I got to go to one at clicker expo being held by the creators.
TAGteach International | Sports, Dance and Special Needs Teaching

honestly, I think its a really good idea to learn this when your making the transition from teaching animals, to teaching people to teach animals. :)

I would love to know more about APDT. Specifically what kind of teaching tools (seminars, resources, etc.) they provide members. What is the most beneficial part of membership?
They hold a conference every year, I have not gone yet, I'm on the west coast and the last one was on the east coast I believe. There is a forum like this one on the site you can access once you join. There is a magazine FULL of helpful stuff they send out 4 times a year...you get info on insurance also.

Honestly tho, for me, the biggest benefit is just simply looking more credible to the public, and having a credible site list me. Since anyone can just say "im a dog trainer" its important you have som'thing to set you apart. You get to use the logo on your bussiness cards and website also.

but yes I get what you mean, you can't get hired without experience, you can't get experience without being hired. You cant be certified without experience that no one will give you. All the while, these bad trainers run around shouting dominance and taking naive peoples money. Its a silly system.

Have you decided to do classes? privates? what you want to offer? Not offer?



 
#14 ·
Maybe this is a bad idea, but my field is hard to break into as well (graphic design), and I know entry level folks who do projects pro bono (for free) or at a very discounted rate for awhile until they can charge normal rates and have a decent portfolio. You can end up building relationships with clients who may be willing to pay to keep you once you have more experience, and you'd also have more than just "friends and family" experience.
 
#16 ·
I want to do private in-home sessions at first to gain experience, build a client base and report, and get comfortable training. Right now I am only comfortable doing basic obedience. No aggression. I would like to attend a training program after I am sure it is something I am cut out for/have the funds. Later I would like to have a dog training facility where I hold group classes. I had planned to charge $35/hour to start with. Other trainers in my area charge $50/hour. At least I think. Now that I think about it I am not sure where I got that number. It's been a while since I have looked.
 
#17 ·
I started off at Petsmart, which gave me the experience to be able to get into more "credible" trainer roles. I run my own training program now out of a boarding kennel as well as take some clients on the side. I keep missing the deadline for my CPDT, but am going to try to do it this autumn. I have all the hours and two references, I still need my vet reference..
Anyway, ditto the probono or cheap work unless you're willing to go the petsmart route. BTW, Petsmart will teach you some good things (and last I checked I believe they are trying to update their curriculum to go away from any corrections- I was the most popular trainer in my district so they let me do what I want as far as not including corrections, using more clicker-heavy stuff, etc..) but you have to continue your own education via research, seminars, etc. Sounds like you've got a good reading list going :]
 
#18 ·
Any interest in doing a formal training program?
I see you are in the states (so maybe this is a no go) but these folks are awesome and really affordable. I know a number of students who have gone through the program - they said it was very comprehensive (including lectures on things like insurance and starting your business) and really prepared them well to start training.
The author/head instructor is also the founder and chair of the IPDTA.

Why CCS? - Become a Professional Certified Dog Trainer
 
#19 ·
The biggest thing I look for in a trainer is titles. I won't go to a trainer if they can't title their own dog, even if they have every APDT certification. All that is is paper and some time. It doesn't show me your skills.

I'm working at becoming a trainer, and I'm not looking for accreditation anywhere as of now, and I doubt I will. I'm working at trialing my own dogs and showing some of my acquantances' dogs. I do "pro-bono" training at the dog park where I work for members for free or the price of treats, but that is as far as I will go until I am ensured/bonded, and have titles to back up my knowledge. Would you trust someone to train your dog in obedience if they couldn't get an obedience title on their dog? Joe blow on the street may, but I wouldn't.
 
#20 · (Edited)
There are lots of good trainers without titles on dogs ;). Competition does not appeal to everyone and not all trainers have sound dogs for competition.
Also, For example, trialing dogs near me would involve traveling at least 80 miles one way, take a day off work plus pay entry fees plus pay a sitter to watch the other dogs
So while i dont disagree with the idea of titling being good, i think its unfair to insinuate a trainer must have a titled dog to be worthwhile. If i was looking for a schtzhund trainer, yes id look for titles but 99.999 % of the public doesnt want much outside of basics and som' behavior mod. I dont feel you need to be a professional racecar driver to teach the average person how to operate their sedan ;)
I've met trainers with ob dogs and they are useless for behaviot issues. I personally dont do akc obedience so i dont offer it. I offer behavior mod which is very VERY different. You cant title a dog in "resource guarding rehab" ob Titling takes money and time and money and time and more money and time that most adults do not have :) ;)
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#22 ·
There are lots of good trainers without titles on dogs ;). Competition does not appeal to everyone and not all trainers have sound dogs for competition.
Also, For example, trialing dogs near me would involve traveling at least 80 miles one way, take a day off work plus pay entry fees plus pay a sitter to watch the other dogs
So while i dont disagree with the idea of titling being good, i think its unfair to insinuate a trainer must have a titled dog to be worthwhile. If i was looking for a schtzhund trainer, yes id look for titles but 99.999 % of the public doesnt want much outside of basics and som' behavior mod. I dont feel you need to be a professional racecar driver to teach the average person how to operate their sedan ;)
I've met trainers with ob dogs and they are useless for behaviot issues. I personally dont do akc obedience so i dont offer it. I offer behavior mod which is very VERY different. You cant title a dog in "resource guarding rehab" ob Titling takes money and time and money and time and more money and time that most adults do not have :) ;)
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I just don't agree with it. I don't agree that there are a lot of good trainers without titled dogs. Trialing dogs for me requires a lot of travel, time off, and money as well as it does for most people, but that isn't going to stop me, because it's going to prove that I KNOW how to train dogs successfully. I don't have a dog that is sound for competition either, but I'm going to make the best of it and it will make me a better trainer. Anyone* can train a well-bred, perfect drive dog, but a backyard bred medical nightmare? It would speak lengths for the worth of the trainer, imo. And I'm just speaking for obedience training, etc. For behavior modification, I would go to no one less than a BEHAVIORIST, who went to college and got a degree to fix my dog. So I'm looking at titles and degrees either way. I don't feel that anyone can understand how to train a dog (whether it be in behavior or obedience) without taking up a LOT of time and money. Why not do something GOOD with that time/money and trial a dog or go to college?

Just my opinion as always.

I agree with Crio that it depends what you are looking for in a trainer, and behavior modification is much different than competition. From what I've read, a lot of dogs IN competition can have behavioral problems because of how their handlers train them (not saying this is you at all). When I was looking for a trainer for my rescue with fear aggression and reactivity, I looked for APDT certification, behavior background, and PR training. I didn't need someone who was showing a dog.
I don't know where you've been reading, but I know a large training community and trialing community, both online and in real life, and this is not the case at all. Most of these people are using great methods to train and have very well behaved obedient dogs as a result, and more help to work through any issues they may have. It is not as common anymore for aversive methods to be used to train a utility dog.
 
#21 ·
I agree with Crio that it depends what you are looking for in a trainer, and behavior modification is much different than competition. From what I've read, a lot of dogs IN competition can have behavioral problems because of how their handlers train them (not saying this is you at all). When I was looking for a trainer for my rescue with fear aggression and reactivity, I looked for APDT certification, behavior background, and PR training. I didn't need someone who was showing a dog.
 
#23 ·
Older books, maybe. I specifically remember the author talking about aversives quite a lot in Control Unleashed. :) I also couldn't afford a behaviorist when I was was working with my old rescue, and I don't think most people can (or are willing to spend the $$$). I think it's great that you want to compete with your dogs and get titles and can only be a benefit; I'm just telling you - as a client who has paid for a trainer, it was something that didn't matter to me, and I wouldn't have paid more for. ;)
 
#26 · (Edited)
Its a good thing your "standards" are not the same as the general public or there would be year long waiting lists to get into classes.

Your comment about how "anyone" can train the higher drive well bred dogs further drives home my point of a title not meaning everything. The right dog can mean everything. IIRC your dog has serious behavior issues around other dogs and has for quite a while now... So you plan on taking a dog that doesnt like that type of enviroment and putting him through it anyway? Just so you can look better to a tiny minority of people?

My dog was going to do agility, guess what, bad knees,no jumping. Thats non negociable and has NO bearing on how good a trainer a person is. I cant just (and wont) go out and replace him with a sound dog. Because competition is a silly concept to me. I dont like sports and i dont really care for many of the dog sports except to dabble. Som' people want to be pro ball players but most would just like to toss the ball occasionally. Not everyone has an intense drive and quite honestly most of the OB people ive met are waaay to serious. Agility people can be neurotic... Why do i want to put myself and my dog through that when 99.99% of the public doesny have a clue what the cgc is let alone ob titles? It impresses no one except the tiny group of people into that world...

Behaviorists are expensive and not everyone has that kind of cash, they also arent available everywhere. The idea is grand, but not realistic.
You seem to "know" alot of people "in real life" ( along with gobs of "show people" iirc )Id hate to have to ask you to validate that claim (again) ;)
As always, Id love to see videos of your dog working :) ;)
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#27 ·
Its a good thing your "standards" are not the same as the general public or there would be year long waiting lists to get into classes.

Your comment about how "anyone" can train the higher drive well bred dogs further drives home my point of a title not meaning everything. The right dog can mean everything. IIRC your dog has serious behavior issues around other dogs and has for quite a while now... So you plan on taking a dog that doesnt like that type of enviroment and putting him through it anyway? Just so you can look better to a tiny minority of people?

My dog was going to do agility, guess what, bad knees,no jumping. Thats non negociable and has NO bearing on how good a trainer a person is. I cant just (and wont) go out and replace him with a sound dog. Because competition is a silly concept to me. I dont like sports and i dont really care for many of the dog sports except to dabble. Som' people want to be pro ball players but most would just like to toss the ball occasionally. Not everyone has an intense drive and quite honestly most of the OB people ive met are waaay to serious. Agility people can be neurotic... Why do i want to put myself and my dog through that when 99.99% of the public doesny have a clue what the cgc is let alone ob titles? It impresses no one except the tiny group of people into that world...

Behaviorists are expensive and not everyone has that kind of cash, they also arent available everywhere. The idea is grand, but not realistic.
You seem to "know" alot of people "in real life" ( along with gobs of "show people" iirc )Id hate to have to ask you to validate that claim (again) ;)
As always, Id love to see videos of your dog working :) ;)
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ditto
 
#30 ·
I also wanted to add. I spend my spare money on seminars lectures and conferences. Stuff to improve knowlege and experience Not move toward a ribbon ;)

Ive attended seminars on three different dog sports among the many subjects and personally feel my time and limited money is better spent that way. .02
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#31 ·
Back to the you becoming a trainer. If you were willing to drive 3 1/2 hrs Zoey and I would gladly be your "clients" lol... Do a good job and I would even give you a review for a web site :)
 
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