Dog training

Hello everyone,
For the past few weeks I been going to job centre as I'm trying to find a job or a course, I have no clue what I really want to do and most of the courses don't really interest me so a few days ago I had the idea to try do something involving dogs, although I wouldn't really like to be a vet, so I thought about dog training... Only problem is, I have no idea where to start since I doubt there's a course at college to become a dog trainer.

I'm going to mention this on my next meeting with them and see what they advice me and where to start, because I'd like to start now, I thought about volunteering at a rescue centre but they only let 18 years volunteer and I only turn 18 in 5 months, they said once I turn 18 I could volunteer there as they think I have a big passion for dogs but I need something to do in this 5 months, does anyone have any idea on how I could get started?

Great idea, what about looking into courses on dog psycholgy?

I know the association of pet dog trainers APDT do courses and you could then
go on and be a registered trainer, but I imagine they would be very expensive.
Think they are usually weekend courses over several weekends.

What about the Trainer who helped you with Dragon, maybe he could point
you in the right direction.

Meanwhile could you offer to walk other peoples dogs or dog sit or something
like that to raise some money. I know where I live it costs about £15.00 to
to have one dog walked for an hour.

Good luck. I think its a great idea as you obviously love dogs and have put
a lot of time and effort in to your own dog.

Lizzie wrote:I know the association of pet dog trainers APDT do courses and you could then
go on and be a registered trainer, but I imagine they would be very expensive.
Think they are usually weekend courses over several weekends.

What about the Trainer who helped you with Dragon, maybe he could point
you in the right direction.

Meanwhile could you offer to walk other peoples dogs or dog sit or something
like that to raise some money. I know where I live it costs about £15.00 to
to have one dog walked for an hour.

Good luck. I think its a great idea as you obviously love dogs and have put
a lot of time and effort in to your own dog.

I've tried to walk people dogs, but my area is rather small and no one contacted me, I put the price quite low to get started 5 pounds per hour of walking, I think no one would trust me with their dogs since I'm only 17, that's probably the reason... :/

What about volunteering/ working at a vets one day a week. I worked at a vets from the age of 12 (after school) to gain experience. Or working at a boarding kennels? You can work there from the age of 16.

I'll see if the vets will take me, even though I don't want to work as a vet it gives me experience to manage dogs etc:) hopefully they will take me there.

I sent the vets a message, but I shall speak with them next time I go there which is soon most of them know me there already and they all say how we'll Dragon looks, because they seen him when I first got him and they all say we've done a brilliant job with him, so hopefully they will let me volunteer there and get some experience

i know our college does animal care courses,i dont know what it entails,must cover different animals too,might be worth asking your college if they do some thing similar?

Eleanor has just finished a diploma in Animal Management - does your local college do anything like that?

Caryll wrote:Eleanor has just finished a diploma in Animal Management - does your local college do anything like that?

What does that type of course involve?
I will check if they do something like that

Hi There,
If there is a reputable trainer or training school in your area (make sure they have accredited qualifications and use up to date, science based, ethical training methods - you could contact the APDT, www.apdt.co.uk to check this as they would have a list of trainers that have been assessed for suitability and relevant qualifications) and see if you can volunteer or intern with them.
When you start looking at courses, yes the APDT ones could be good as a starter, you could also try COAPE, www.coape.org, they have short distance learning courses which are reasonable enough and you could do while working, if you want to progress on, their higher level courses (to Diploma/Foundation Degree level) are expensive but again they are mainly distance learning with some block weekends, so you could work while doing them.
Bishop Buton, www.bishopburton.ac.uk offers a Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training over 4 years, I think it involves maybe 3/4 block weeks and some weekends of block study per year.
You could also look at doing a general animal care course and then continue on to do a specific course in dog training.
Whatever course you look at doing ensure you check them out fully, as far as I know there are a number of 'dog training courses' that still use the outdated 'dominance' training methods and I actually came accross one the other day that has a course 'teaching' people how to 'train' like Cesar Milan Again you could probably check with the APDT whether a particular course is up to scratch
Getting practical experience with a trainer alongside professional training will be invaluable, not only for the hands on experience with the dogs, but also in dealing with people - which can often most difficult part! If you want to be a dog trainer you need to love dealing with people as well as dogs!
The best of luck

Sounds like a good idea, hope you manage to get something sorted soon good luck

DragonTheStaffie wrote:

Caryll wrote:Eleanor has just finished a diploma in Animal Management - does your local college do anything like that?

What does that type of course involve?
I will check if they do something like that

It's basically how to look after a wide range of animals; feeding, grooming, spotting illness/injury, housing etc all to a high standard. Eleanor went to Moulton College (near us) which is known for its animal related courses right up to honours degrees. She worked with reptiles, dogs, cats, primates, spiders, snakes, llamas, sheep - you name it, they were part of the course!

Joe - your love of dogs, empathy and understanding, not forgetting to mention the great job you are doing with your own dog, shines through in all your posts.

You've been given a lot of good advice and I hope with all my heart that you can find a way to go forward to achieving your goal - it might not be easy but I've got a feeling you will get there.

I wish you every bit of luck I can ><

I studied Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Uni, and although i didnt have any previous animal related qualifications i still had work experience at the RSPCA which really helps!

It depends what level you want to start at, you could find a course at college to begin with and then take it furthur to uni level orr gain experience and go on to a degree straight away (providing you have the qualifcations to get in) which then enables you to go strate into training as a career.

Bearing in mind, no animal course is just focused on dogs, you will work and study a number of animals so a lot of your own research and self teaching will be vital.

Good luck I hope you find something. Let us know how you get on. Fingers crossed for you

I've been checking the courses at college and they don't do anything to do with animals, the only college what does is rather far away but I am thinking of applying for it, just unsure how im going to get to college ...

I know the courses are not just about dogs, it's about all animals really, I think it would be good for me though and I am going to be volunteering for RSPCA in September which is when I turn 18... Get some more experience there and get to help some dogs what need help.

I will have a chat on my next meeting at job centre and see what they say, they should point me into the right direction