Do I have to have a certification?
One should realize that a “certificate” from a particular training school is simply that: A certificate for completing one of the numerous training courses available. Many individual businesses will also be happy to charge you a fee and “certify” you. If you choose to attend a “dog training school,” do your homework. Investigate the program and how it fits with your needs. If you’re interested in a true national certification, please contact theCertification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Are there schools for dog trainers?
In general, those individuals employed as dog trainers are largely “self-educated”. This means they have read extensively on behavior modification and dog ethology, attended seminars, workshops and conventions, and perhaps mentored with other trainers. There are some “dog training schools”. As a matter of policy, at this time the APDT cannot endorse any of the selected training programs that are available around the country. When you investigate a school, be sure to inquire about methods used.
Learn more about dog trainer education programs.
A good training program will cover the following subjects:
- History of Dog Training. A complete history of dog training from late 19th century to present. Comparison and contrast of dog training with other animal training endeavors.
- Animal Learning. Classical and operant conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement, positive and negative punishment, conditioned reinforcers, discrimination, generalization, habituation, sensitization and desensitization, blocking and overshadowing, motivation, establishing operations, conditioned emotional responses. Comparisons of dog learning to human learning.
- Dog Behavior. Dog development and ethology, genetics of behavior, fixed action patterns, social signals, body language, social development, critical periods, hormonal influences, breed characteristics.
- Designing Classes. How to design your courses/instruction materials once you graduate. How to counsel individuals, motivate handlers/owners, how to screen and steer clients.
- Volunteering with shelters and local rescue groups is also extremely helpful to introduce you to a range of canine personalities, breeds etc.
Your curriculum and education at the training school should include lectures, reading assignments and practical hands-on experience working with a large number and variety of dogs and/or other animals. The instruction should go on for weeks, not days. Remember, your education will continue throughout your career.
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, has information on animal care and service workers available in their
Occupational Outlook Handbook.
What about college?
Presently we are not aware of any degrees offered in “dog training” at any major universities across the country. Undoubtedly, a formal education in behavioral psychology/ethology/veterinary sciences is very useful for an individual interested in professional training.There is a college that offers a program in animal training and management: Moorpark College.
The emphasis at Moorpark’s Training Zoo is exotic animals, so there is not an intense focus on domestic dogs.
The University of North Texas in Denton’s Department of Behavior Analysis is offering graduate and undergraduate courses on behavior modification through positive reinforcement shaping. Students do their hands-on research at zoos and animal shelters and at home. Training a pet is a course requirement for graduates and undergraduates alike.
To learn more about this and other university programs that involve modern animal training, visit the
Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas.