Our dogs must be socially acceptable, as they become important members of our family. Often puppies and adult dogs can be a little unruly, therefore, dog obedience trainers and instructors are needed. They are professionals who work to train canines properly, as well as, teach their owners proper dog handling techniques.
Although dog obedience training programs are available 100% online, they may be hard to find. Generally, you will need a subject (aka your dog) to train, therefore, most obedience schools take place at a school campus or your local community center. Hybrid programs will allow you to study details online but will require you and your dog to work with a mentor. Most career diploma or certificate programs that focus on dog obedience training can be completed in less than a year.
Coursework included in your program will include a focus on learning the basic commands for controlled dog behavior. You will also learn about each type of dog breed and the requirement standards for the show ring, how to promote positive socialization and interaction between dogs and humans, as well as, the various stages of a dog’s growth.
Your online dog obedience program should also provide you with experience in walking a dog on a leash, pet safety and solving behavior problems such as chewing, excessive barking or jumping with voice commands and body cues. You will also learn proper housebreaking techniques, animal science and nutrition, behavior of domestic animals and some business management coursework for those interested in opening their own dog training business.
Depending on your interest, you may want to research what kind of training program you would like to specialize in. Do you enjoy working with domestic dogs with minor behavioral problems? Are you interested in showing dogs or helping handlers who do? Perhaps, you enjoy working with sporting dogs who hunts or the active dog training for an agility competition. It’s always best to pursue the type of training that interests you the most to get the best results.
To add to your accolades, you may choose to earn additional certifications to showcase your talents as a trainer and gain the confidence of potential clients. There are several professional certification organizations such as, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
To enter an online dog obedience trainer/instructor, most programs prefer that you have a high school diploma or GED. Online programs usually provide DVD’s and textbooks for learning (dog not included), however, through an online course you will be expected to train on your own time but… you will need to provide your own subject to train. On-campus programs will require that you bring your dog to class with you.
If you’re a dog lover, don’t hesitate to earn your training certification today! If you are interested in this career field, please see our choices for the best Online Schools for Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor programs.