Certificate in Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor

You’re about to learn how you can train at home for a rewarding career as a Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Professional in you spare time, without attending classes. Just think, in as little as six months, you can earn a Carrier Certificate from Queens College Continuing Education Program.

If you want to teach pet owners the art of handling their animals, prepare dogs for security or law-enforcement work, work for an established training center or even start your own business, then this certificate is for you.

As a Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor, you'll learn to understand dog behavior, communication, how to influence dog behavior using conditioning and reinforcement, and how to deal with behavior problems and teach competition obedience.

Now you can be a part of this rewarding profession – all you need is ambition, the desire to succeed, and the skills you’ll learn from the Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Certificate Program.

Program Outline

Instruction Modules
Your program consists of twelve Instruction Modules designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll need to complete your Fitness and Nutrition Program.
Here's how it works
 Your first Instruction Module will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Modules will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

Instruction Module 1
Learning Strategies
Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where, and how you'll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.
Introduction to the Dog Training Profession
Structure of the dog; types of training; history and ethnology of the dog.
Video:
Introduction to Dog Training and Instruction

Instruction Module 2
Sensory Abilities of the Dog
How dogs see, hear, taste, detect scents, and use touch; using knowledge of a dog’s senses in the training process.
Social Behavior and Communication
How and why dogs communicate; evaluating a dog’s demeanor by watching “from head to tail”; a dog’s relationship with its human “pack.”

Instruction Module 3
How Dogs Learn
Identifying and employing scientific theories of psychologists and behaviorists; using a dog’s learning abilities to teach and motivate.
Identifying Postures (Graded Project)
Determining a dog’s behavior by analyzing illustrations of different postures.

Instruction Module 4
Conditioning
Conditioning and how it relates to dog obedience training; difference between classical and operant conditioning; drive theory and its application.
Applied Dog Behavior
Punishment versus reinforcement; nature versus nurture; effects of genetics; clicker training and the scientific principles behind it.
Equipment: Clicker
Video: Clicker Fun: Click and Go

Instruction Module 5
Testing and Selection of Dogs
Temperament testing and using it to evaluate puppies; selecting the best dog for a particular client.
Housetraining and Crate Training
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.
Dog Selection (Graded Project)
Pairing the most suitable breed with a prospective owner.
Equipment: Dog poster
Supplement: Testing and Selection of Breeders

Instruction Module 6
Canine Equipment
Food Bowls to leashes to safe toys.
Commands
Basic obedience training.
Video: Educate Your Dog

Instruction Module 7
Puppies
Ensuring a positive human-dog bond at an early age; puppy house training; socialization and how to prevent problems in adult dogs.
Teaching Tricks
Instructing clients to teach tricks to their dogs; positive reinforcement techniques for the dog and handler; fun and useful tricks.
Training Through Play
Understanding play behavior; play in the context of obedience training; increasing the dog's motivation for training.
Video: Puppy Love

Instruction Module 8
Behavior Problems
Common behavior problems; strategies for prevention and treatment.
Basic Veterinary Issues
Recognizing signs of illness and distress; how to respond in the case of an emergency; addressing behavioral problems; reproductive science; medications; care for dogs in their old age.
Behavioral Analysis (Graded Project)
Analyzing scenarios to determine if there’s a behavioral problem involved.

Instruction Module 9
Dog Breeds
Origination of individual breeds; physical and temperamental characteristics; the AKC’s seven major groups of breeds.
Competition Obedience
Terminology and requirements of the various levels of competition obedience.
Video: Open Obedience Training for Dogs
Reference:The Right Dog for You

Instruction Module 10
Hunting Training
Examine hunting breeds; different training methods; hunting and field tests.
Assistance Dogs
Guide, hearing, service, seizure alert, and therapy dogs; dogs in medical emergencies; legal aspects of working with an assistance dog.
Booklet: "Field Training: A Guide for Hunting and Sporting Dogs"
Video: "Field Training your Dog"

Instruction Module 11
Agility Training
Navigating agility courses as a sport, speed and accuracy in competition; communication between dog and master.
Search and Rescue Training
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.
Recreational Activities with Dogs
Sharing “down-time”; catch, flying disc, and walks in the park; organized activities for dog and owner.
Agility Handling and Courses (Graded Project)
Build an agility course using standard symbols of agility course design.
Videos: Competition Agility Training: Obstacles
Videos: Search Dog Training: How to Get Started

Instruction Module 12
The Dog Training Business, Parts 1 and 2
Demographics related to starting a business; developing a plan; obtaining funding; advertising and marketing issues; customer relations; legal issues relative to a small business.

Creating a Business Plan (Graded Project)
Developing a mock business plan using the information gathered from the preceding business units.
Supplement: Work Experience Option
Graduation Module
(Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.)
Equipment:
Leather leash
Bait Pouch
Voucher for National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) Certification Exam*
Textbooks:
Starting Your Own Business (Textbook and CD-ROM)
Don't Shoot the Dog (Textbook)


NADOI has certain minimum requirements which must be met before an application is accepted. These requirements include a minimum number of years experience training dogs. These may be viewed in detail at National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, INC.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Learn the skills you need to become a Professional Dog Trainer with at-home, at your own pace, with Queens College Continuing Education Program.
With the help from Penn Foster Career School Fitness, Queens College Continuing Education Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Certificate Program can help you achieve your dreams — new career, better salary, and the satisfaction that comes with helping your clients look and feel better. Train quickly and conveniently through distance learning.

You'll learn
To understand dog behavior, communication, and use of the senses
How to influence dog behavior using conditioning and reinforcement
Housetraining, crate training, hunting training, and basic veterinary issues
How to deal with behavior problems and teach competition obedience

Flexible, Convenient, Self-Paced! There is no going to class, no need to rearrange schedules. You choose the right time and place to complete your coursework. And you work at your own pace. There's no one to rush you or hold you back.
While you'll work independently, you won't be alone. Expert instructors and support staff - dedicated to helping you complete your coursework — are just a phone call or an e-mail away.

Career Outlook

Your New Career
When you become a professional Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor, you'll have plenty of career options. Work for a kennel, an established obedience training school, or even start one of your own. Choose the job that fits your needs best.
There is a constant demand for skilled trainers because of the increasing number of animal owners seeking proper training for their pets. This will ensure jobs for the properly trained obedience instructors who are looking forward to a successful career. Apply the skills you learn in your training program diligently for a successful and secure future.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts a 14% increase in the number of employment opportunities for Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor professionals by 2012.*
Your New Skills .
Turn your love of animals into a profitable future. Wherever there are dogs, there is a need for dog obedience trainers and you'll have the skills for the job. Trainers with strong communication skills can reap the benefits of the best job prospects.

You'll learn every important part of being a Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor:
Facts about canine biology and behavior. The right knowledge can earn the respect that comes with the job.
Proper equipment and proper voice commands. These are vital to training any dog according to its unique breed.
Communication skills. It's necessary to communicate clearly with your clients... dog owners.
Prepare to join a professional association, work toward a valuable membership in the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).

* Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2012. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Experience Education Direct

Queens College makes sure that the Education Direct at-home learning experience is an easy, convenient way to get your Career Certificate. From the time you enroll, right through to completion, we’ll guide you every step of the way – nothing is left to chance or guessing. Here’s how easy it is to learn through distance education:
You learn at home and never need to enter a classroom! Study using textbooks and materials that are delivered to your door.
Complete your exams at your leisure.
Even though you train at home, you’re not alone! Education Direct has a network of instructors and support staff in place, ready to help. Contact them in the way that you find most convenient and comfortable. You may at you leisure discuss problems that you are having with an instructor or a member of the Thomson Education Direct Staff. Check your last exam grade or student status with just a click of your mouse, or e-mail your instructor.

Certificate

When you have completed the Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Certificate Program you will be sent a certificate of completion from Queens College Continuing Education Program. With your certificate in hand, you can start your freelance business or work were you’ll be ready to build you future!

Enrollment

The following are requirements for the Dog Obednience Trainer/Instructor Certificate Program:
The student must be at least 18 years of age.

The Student must have a High School Diploma/GED.

Take the first step toward an exciting, new career as a Fitness and Nutritional Trainer, today. It’s easy! Enroll today by just clicking below.
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