Animal enthusiasts that have a special affection for dogs drive dog trainers to pursue careers in the industry and may want to know the top best schools for dogs to learn.
A harmonious and loving bond between a dog’s owner and the animal is the aim of an obedient dog trainer.
To obtain experience working with dogs of different ages and sizes in various situations, aspiring trainers frequently begin the certification process by volunteering at dog shelters, adoption centers, and veterinarian offices.
The process of certification and skill acquisition will then begin. Schools like these 16 Dog Trainer Academies listed below provide a range of advanced courses to improve the link between humans and dogs and better understand it.
Look at the best schools for dogs to learn in the USA in 2024.
Are Dog Schools Worth it?
Puppy school is highly advised for your dog’s socialization and training.
You’ll receive regular support as you learn how to handle your dog’s behavioral and other needs as you attend puppy school.
The secret is to find a decent school, so get your veterinarian’s opinion.
It will be a fulfilling career choice if you enjoy learning new things and staying current with dog training and behavior development.
Dog training is a fascinating profession where you can work with dogs all day, gain respect as an authority, and significantly improve the lives of pet owners and their animals while earning a living.
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Why Should You Take Your Dog to School?
Puppies lack social skills just like newborn humans do. So, without considering the repercussions, they act in any way they choose.
But socialization teaches puppies how to act in a way that both people and other dogs will find acceptable.
2. It facilitates the growth of a stronger bond between you and your dog.
Early on, Kat Rooks, the behavior manager at KHS, informed me that obedience training emphasizes owners just as much as dogs.
She claims, “I spend a lot of time training owners.” “Teaching folks how to train their pets is part of my profession,” you say.
That’s because most people need to comprehend how dogs behave.
You can only train your dog effectively if you understand them.
When your dog misbehaves, you may become upset instead, but yelling will only teach your dog to fear or ignore you.
3. This could stop your dog from biting.
A well-socialized dog typically experiences less fear and anxiety than an unsocialized dog.
Less anxious dogs can approach unfamiliar people and situations without becoming fearful (good news for your mail carrier!).
According to a 2018 Animal Behavior and Cognition study, dogs with anxiety showed more signs of fear when they came into contact with robots that looked like dogs.
4. It keeps you all together while safeguarding your house.
A dog’s poor conduct can destroy a house. For example, untrained dogs may destroy household items like furniture and doors and use the restroom indoors.
According to survey results published in October 2015 in the Open Journal of Animal Sciences, people often decide to rehome their dogs due to bad behavior.
And almost 35% of those who responded to the survey said that having access to inexpensive or free training would have allowed them to keep their dogs.
What are the Things to Look for When Selecting a Dog Trainer?
What do you need, and what areas of experience does the trainer have?
Spend some time considering your needs before looking for a dog trainer.
Obedience training, trick training, behavior modification or rehabilitation, and training a service dog are all examples of potential training requirements.
Asking the appropriate questions when interviewing various dog trainers will be easier if you know the services you require.
Find out how long they have been providing that training and how much experience they have in each area.
What is the training philosophy of the instructor?
Ask inquiries to ensure that you are aware of the trainer’s techniques.
Does the trainer take a positive-only approach to train or a balanced approach?
When training or changing behavior, a force-free, only-positive approach is used, meaning only positive reinforcement; there are no other penalties for disobedience or undesirable/bad behaviors.
A balanced strategy uses a combination of primarily positive reinforcement, fair, humane consequences for disobeying learned commands, and aversive control for unwanted or undesirable behavior.
Look into the instructor.
Examine online reviews, consult the BBB to learn more about their business practices, inquire about the trainer’s qualifications from your veterinarian, and, if you can, speak with other customers. Referrals are essential and very beneficial.
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What are the best schools for dogs to learn in the USA?
1. Starmark Academy
It is situated in Hutto, Texas.
The tuition ranges from $5795 to $9795 for the 4, 8, and 12-week courses.
To train, students stay at the facility. A local shelter dog may be assigned, or aspiring dog trainers may bring their untrained dog along for instruction.
Starmark Academy takes pride in working with Texas homeless shelters to rehabilitate and train dogs in need to be fit for adoption.
Advanced behavior, kennel management, and competitive obedience are just a few courses students can take to become experts in canine training.
2. School for Dog Trainers at Highland Canine Training LLC
Harmony, North Carolina, is the location.
$5850 is the cost of a 6-week detection dog training school.
The cost of training to be a service dog trainer over 18 weeks is $13,775, and there are in-person classes.
Students training to become K9 police dog trainers, search and rescue dog trainers, and other professionals call this modern campus home, which spans more than 50 acres.
Newcomers to the field may spend up to 24 weeks studying. In addition, a 6-week course at Highland Canine Training LLC is available for those already working in the dog training industry.
3. The Academy for Dog Trainers
Emeryville, California, serves as the headquarters.
Students have a maximum of two years to finish the course; if paid in advance, the tuition is $6825. Online education is available.
The Academy for Dog Trainers offers an intensive course covering subjects like dealing with aggressive or fearful dogs and client counseling.
It has a team of dog training school owners and experts spread out across the globe.
Twelve to fifteen hours are devoted to watching online webinars and participating in video coaching each week.
4. Catch Canine Trainers Academy
Little Falls, New Jersey, is the location. It is without questions one of the top best schools for dogs to learn.
For instance, the $5370 Master Class Training grants pupils the title of Certified Dog Trainer.
Flexible online dog trainer courses are offered at the student’s speed, with training often lasting 6 to 18 months.
With the Catch Canine Trainers Academy, combining at-home teaching with on-campus classes is possible.
There are many creative curricular inclusions, ranging from corporate management to studying canine body language. The course fee includes access to mentor trainers.
5. The Tom Rose School
Located in Missouri’s High Ridge. The course costs $13 475 and lasts for 15 weeks.
On-campus at the school, training is conducted. The Tom Rose School provides comprehensive instruction across many disciplines.
Testing in areas like therapy dog international, AKC agility, specific odor detection, and private class instruction are among those that students must pass.
Ahead of prospective graduates are lectures, exhibits, and practical training.
6. Animal Behavior College
Valencia, California, is the location.
The courses are 7 to 21 weeks long and range in price from $2995 to $9700.
On-campus students who want to help dogs in need have the flexibility to study either on-campus or online.
Online trainers participating in Animal Behavior College’s “Students Saving Lives” campaign are matched with local shelters. There are also mentor dog trainers involved.
7. Top Tier K9
Located in Florida Madison.
Depending on the tier, courses’ lengths range from $1650 to $3950.
Additional living and transport costs apply if you decide to train on campus. Online learning is another option.
At Top Tier K9, several interests can be pursued. For example, soon-to-be trainers may consider careers as certified safe catch decoy/helper, pet trainer, or service dog trainer.
There are also classes available in project management and business development. This is part of the reason they operate as one of the top best schools for dogs to learn.
8. Royal Dog Academy
Located in Northridge and Beverly Hills, California
Prices vary depending on the course length; theoretical dog training costs $2000–$20,000 and includes 150 hours of practice to earn certification as a military, police, security, or canine trainer expert.
Online or in-person training is offered to students.
There are places across the country where students can work on practice hours at the school or at an allied institution.
Among the professions available are K9 police trainer, basic obedience trainer, and search and tracking dog trainer.
The Royal Dog Academy offers training for those interested in starting their own dog training facility.
9. Tarheel Canine Training School
Sanford, North Carolina, is the location.
There are two-week accelerated classes and six-month master’s programs available.
Some topics can be studied via correspondence for as little as $650. $15,750 will get you a Master Trainer course.
Tarheel Canine offers the chance to work with canines of all breeds and sizes, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 3:1.
Some dogs are brought in from Europe and trained to be K9 police dogs, bug detector dogs, protection dogs, and other breeds.
Customers also drop off their canine companions at board and train facilities.
10. National K-9 Learning Center
Columbus, Ohio, is the location.
Priced at $9995 (plus housing), the 6-week Master Trainer course is available.
Over a three-week period, there is a $5595 fee to become a professional obedience trainer. This institution is a campus-based one.
The National K-9 Learning Center’s campus includes both an indoor training area and a one-acre training field for hands-on practice.
Students may bring a dog of their own or a friend that is not well-trained.
For those who don’t have a dog, training is also conducted with dogs owned by local families. With the students, all dogs reside on campus.
11. Karen Pryor Academy
situated in Waltham, Massachusetts, and its instructors are spread out all around the world.
The cost of the 6-month program is $5300 in tuition.
The required in-person workshops are held in various states, and modules can be completed online.
The Karen Pryor Academy offers a unique learning environment that thoroughly prepares students for a career as a dog trainer by combining online learning, video instruction, and workshops.
Ten to twenty hours are required for online training and work. It is necessary to work with a calm, non-reactive dog.
12. Jo-Thor’s Dog Trainer’s Academy
This location is in Alpharetta, Georgia
For $3,800, students can take the 280-hour Dog Trainer 101 course.
The cost of the 800-hour Master Dog Educator/Trainer course is $10,500.
Students can take classes in person or online. An academy called Jo-Thor’s offers unusual courses like instruction on how to train dogs for commercials and movies.
Also, a dog talent agency, the school. In addition to basic to master’s training, this facility offers classes on nutrition, first aid, behavioral issues, and managing a dog-care business.
13. Rocky Mountain Regional Dog Training Academy
Denver, Colorado, is the location.
Tuition for courses of 3, 6, and 12 months duration ranges from $2,600 to $10,000. Trainers attend live classes.
At the RMRDTA, students receive more than 50 hours of practical instruction with dogs of all shapes and sizes, including shelter and rescue dogs that are up for adoption.
Trainers who serve as mentors work with dogs and students to bring out the best in both parties.
14. Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior
Atlanta, Georgia, is the location.
Over 100 hours of curriculum training cost $3,950. The course can be finished in as little as 12 months, though it usually takes six months.
Online courses are offered with the choice of an in-person workshop.
The academy’s faculty is made up of teachers and guides from all around the world.
The Victoria Stilwell Academy’s guiding principle is “Educate, Engage, Empower,” with the ultimate objective of empowering dog trainers to improve the lives of dogs.
15. The Dog Trainer College
Spencer, Indiana, is where it is as one of the top best schools for dogs to learn.
Prices for a range of courses start at $3,475 for fundamental obedience.
The cost of the 20-week Master Trainer course is $15,900.
All classes save those for behavior and obedience certification are held on campus.
The Dog Trainer College charges an additional fee for affordable living. The small campus hosts classes, exams, and cutting-edge, hands-on training.
Up to two dogs may be brought by students for training, or they may use an eager dog provided by the institution.
FAQs
The CCPDT is a pioneer in creating challenging exams to prove mastery of humane, scientifically based dog training techniques. The CCPDT certifications are remarkably regarded as a sign of professional distinction by thousands of dog training specialists worldwide.
For forty years, Paul Owens has been a leading authority on positive reinforcement training and a best-selling author under the moniker “The Original Dog Whisperer”! Owens is a Los Angeles-based trainer who takes a unique approach to train. He concentrates on dog-friendly training techniques.
Naturally, some training is more lucrative than others. Specialized trainers make more money than general ones, such as those service dogs, protection dogs, and scent work dogs. Trainers who focus on behavior modification typically earn more than those who train for “obedience” or talents.
However, in terms of duration, the canines who receive lengthy daily training sessions will finish their program in less than four weeks, but those who receive brief, biweekly training sessions would require at least nine weeks.
Conclusion
Professional dog training is a fulfilling occupation.
In addition to working with dogs, you also get to:
- Assist owners with dog training
- Own your business
There is undoubtedly one of these fifteen colleges that best suit your demands.
Are you a novice wishing to comprehend the fundamentals?
Or maybe you’re a professional looking to improve your teaching strategies and techniques.
Your decision is up to you, especially now that the top best schools for dogs to learn have been carefully outlined.
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