Dog Obedience School

The Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor career diploma program prepares students for a career as an entry-level dog obedience trainer.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Identify the senses of a canine and know how they function, and define the learning theory and classical and operant conditioning
• Describe common behaviour problems and strategies for prevention and treatment, identify the pros and cons of punishment versus reinforcement, as well as the signals and displays that dogs use to communicate with each other and with humans
• Apply knowledge of behaviour problems by recommending behaviour modification plans for the dogs in the three given scenarios
• Define dog testing, state the functions of the American Kennel Club, and list its seven major groups of dog breeds
• Apply knowledge of dog selection by selecting an appropriate breed for the persons in the case studies as well as selecting an inappropriate breed
• Identify the various types of canine training, know the commands to teach dogs basic obedience, and recognize types of dog-training equipment
• Apply knowledge of agility training by examining agility course diagrams and indicating correct and incorrect sequences and identifying handling techniques
• Identify dog tricks are and know how to use them, describe what play is an why it's important for a domesticated dog, as well as name recreational activities involving dogs
• Name the exercises required for classes of competition and describe the ways dogs are used to assist humans
• Describe basic nutrition, reproductive function, and caring for a dog in old age, as well as know first-aid procedures for shock and wounds
• Outline a dog training business plan, describe effective advertising and marketing strategies, and describe how canine day care centers are run
• Apply knowledge of the dog training business by writing an evaluation of the demographics as they pertain to starting a dog training business and providing information necessary to develop a business plan

The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

Structure of the dog; types of training; history and ethnology of the dog.

How dogs see, hear, taste, detect scents, and use touch; using knowledge of a dog's senses in the training process.

How and why dogs communicate; evaluating a dog’s demeanor by watching “from head to tail”; a dog’s relationship with its human “pack.”

Identifying and employing scientific theories of psychologists and behaviourists; using a dog’s learning abilities to teach and motivate.

Conditioning and how it relates to dog obedience training; difference between classical and operant conditioning; drive theory and its application.

Punishment versus reinforcement; nature versus nurture; effects of genetics; clicker training and the scientific principles behind it.

Temperament testing and using it to evaluate puppies; selecting the best dog for a particular client.

Proper housetraining techniques; training a dog to go on command, in a litter box, or in one place; how to choose and use a crate.

Pairing the most suitable breed with a prospective owner.

Food Bowls to leashes to safe toys.

Basic obedience training.

Ensuring a positive human-dog bond at an early age; puppy house training; socialization and how to prevent problems in adult dogs.

Instructing clients to teach tricks to their dogs; positive reinforcement techniques for the dog and handler; fun and useful tricks.

Understanding play behaviour; play in the context of obedience training; increasing the dog's motivation for training.

Recognizing signs of illness and distress; how to respond in the case of an emergency; addressing behavioural problems; reproductive science; medications; care for dogs in their old age.

Common behaviour problems; strategies for prevention and treatment.

Analyzing scenarios to determine if there’s a behavioural problem involved.

Terminology and requirements of the various levels of competition obedience.

Reference: The Right Dog for You

Triage and readiness; common emergency presentations; chemical and physical disorders; client communication and grief management.

Examine hunting breeds; different training methods; hunting and field tests.

Guide, hearing, service, seizure alert, and therapy dogs; dogs in medical emergencies; legal aspects of working with an assistance dog.

Navigating agility courses as a sport, speed and accuracy in competition; communication between dog and master.

Techniques in ground and water searches; what dogs are suitable for a particular rescue mission; organizations involved in search and rescue around the world; certificates associated with this work.

Sharing “down-time”; catch, flying disc, and walks in the park; organized activities for dog and owner.

Build an agility course using standard symbols of agility course design.

Demographics related to starting a business; developing a plan; obtaining funding; advertising and marketing issues; customer relations; legal issues relative to a small business.

Developing a mock business plan using the information gathered from the preceding business units.