Canine Training Specialist Program - 8 weeks

This eight week course of instruction prepares students for advanced training principles including obedience and behavior.  Graduates may find suitable employment in veterinary clinics, boarding kennels, training kennels, obedience clubs and private dog training companies.  Students will learn the skills of working with basic and advanced obedience dogs, basic and advanced behavior problems, agility, advanced clicker training, kennel management, police K-9 and protection, scent discrimination, search and rescue, and assistance dogs for the handicapped.  Upon completion of this program, students will receive the certificate of Canine Training Specialist and will be able to conduct private lessons, group lessons, and in-kennel training. Cost $7545 (includes tuition, application fee, and basic equipment/books).

Learning Theory

In this course students will be instructed in the science behind how dogs learn.  Students will learn:

• The science behind how dogs learn.
• Evolution of learning theory, i.e. classical and operant conditioning.
• Application of psychological principles in animal training.
• How breed characteristics affect behavior.

Basic Pet Obedience

In this course students will be introduced to basic pet obedience theory and practical application.  Students will learn:

• How to properly approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Bite prevention training.
• How to build a good relationship with a dog.
• Basic obedience exercises (sit, down, heel, walking on a loose leash, recall, stay, place-boundary stay).
• Proper use and function of different types of training equipment.
• Introduction to different tools and methods used to train a dog to perform off-leash obedience exercises.
• Benefits and disadvantages of hand signals.
• How to train a dog to perform basic off-leash obedience exercises
• How to train a dog to complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen exam
• Proper applications for using the remote training collar
• Generalization of obedience under high levels of distraction
• Off-leash obedience training
• Control of dog at a distance
• Dynamics and working with multi-dog households
• improving the adoptability of dogs in a shelter
• Problem solving

Basic Clicker Training

In this course students will be introduced to clicker training concepts.  Students will learn:

• Principles of clicker training.
• Benefits and disadvantages of a clicker.
• How to condition a dog to the clicker.
• Five methods to teach a new behavior using a clicker.
• Use of a clicker in teaching basic pet tricks.
• How to tranisition to a variable reinforcement schedule
• How to fade the use of the clicker and when to bring it back in
• How the clicker can benefit shelter dogs
• Operant conditioning principles to teach complex behaviors
• Shaping and chaining animal behaviors for commercials and movies
• The use of a clicker in generalizing behaviors

Basic Principles in Behavior

In this course students will be introduced to basic canine behavior and behavior modification techniques.  Students will learn:

• Multiple methods of dealing with behavior problems.
• Prevention of behavior problems in dogs.
• How to use techniques such as counter-conditioning, desensitization, and extinction in dealing with behavior problems.
• How to use a clicker in conjunction with solving behavior problems.
• The best approach when dealing with difficult dog that may be fearful, dominant, or submissive.
• How to deal with common behavior problems like pulling, jumping up, barking, and more.
• The appropriate steps in conducting a behavior consultation
• Important factors in determining positive and negative prognosis in behavior problems
• Symptoms, causes, and treatment for behavior problems
• The difference between management and reversal of behavior problems
• Different types of aggression
• Prevention and management of aggression
• Reversal and management of the dominance hierarchy
• How to identify the difference between fears and phobias
• How to accurately describe and assess canine body language
• Techniques used in modifying separation anxiety and hyperactivity
• Developing a treatment stratgey for severe behavior problems
• How to set up a detailed plan for the dog and owners to help deal with severe behavior problems
• Uses of psychactive medication to treat acute behavior problems
• Techniques in handling dogs with aggression problems
• Temperament evaluation and selection of adult dogs
• Behavior modification and temperament evaluation of shelter dogs

Group Classes, Private Lessons, and In-Kennel Training

In this course students will be introduced to group and private lesson instruction.  Students will learn:

• The number one reason clients drop out of obedience class.
• The different types of group classes to offer.
• Structures and procedures for group class.
• How to perform training evaluations.
• How to instruct clients and their dogs in basic obedience training.
• The essentials to giving a private lesson.
• How to deal with difficult clients.
• How to give private obedience instruction to others
• How to assist with group obedience classes
• How to conduct training evaluations
• How to train in-kennel obedience dogs
• How to create a lesson plan for private lessons and group class
• Proper dog to dog introductions
• Pros and cons of in-kennel training
• Pros and cons of in-home training
• Conducting a group class and private lessons
• Customizing a training plan for a client's dog
• Train a wide variety of temperaments in an in-kennele environment
• The importance of balanced training techniques

Puppy Imprinting and Socialization

In this course students will be introduced to puppy imprinting and socialization.  Students will learn:

• Prevention of behavior problems.
• Puppy socialization techniques.
• House training techniques.
• Crate training techniques.
• Puppy obedience training techniques.
• Puppy proofing your home.
• Psychological development in a puppy
• The effects of genetics and environment on a puppy
• the critical socialization and imprinting period for a puppy
• Necessary drives and temperament needed for various dog sports and service work
• Puppy imprinting for competitive dog sports and service work
• Conduct and interpret puppy temperament evaluations
• Selecting the perfect pet
• Puppy imprinting for a pet dog
• Puppy kindergarten classes
• How to teach puppies to be active learners
• Proper introduction of a young dog into a new environment 

Agility Training

In this course students will be introduced to the exciting sport of agility.  Students will learn:

• Benefits of agility training for all dogs.
• Rules of AKC, NADAC, & USDAA competitive agility.
• How agility training can boost a dog's confidence.
• Explanation of different obstacles in agility.
• Performance of basic agility obstacles with dogs.
• Using targets in training.
• Sequence training of obstacles
• Ability to teach basic agility to others
• Setting up course designs
• How to solve problems in agility
• Developing a strategy for running an agility course
• Understanding a clean run in agility
• Advanced handling techniques
• Obstacle discrimination
• Maintaining control of an agility dog in drive

Kennel Management 

In this course students will be introduced to basic kennel management theory, practical application, and basic dog care.  Students will learn:

• Schedules for inoculations.
• What vaccinations are required for a dog when staying at a boarding facility.
• The importance of proper health relating to training.
• Maintaining a proper kennel environment.
• Proper sanitization and disinfecting of kennel runs.
• The proper way to clip nails, clean ears, and give baths.
• Stress management for dogs in a kennel environment.
• Maintaining a quiet kennel environment.
• Importance of daily visual inspections for the well being of a boarding dog.
• Basic canine anatomy.
• Basic health issues with dogs
• How to administer basic canine first aid
• What constitutes a medical emergency
• Maintaining the health and weight of dogs in a kennel environment
• Recognizing problems with dogs in a kennel environment
• How to maintain lifetime relationships with your clients
• Management of special services for dogs in a boarding environment
• Maintaining a professional relationship with clients
• Management of kennel staff and technicians
• Administration and logging of medication for in-kennel dogs

Business Techniques 

In this course students will be introduced to basic business techniques.  Students will learn:

• Basics needed for starting your own business
• Different structures of businesses. 
• Pros and cons of owing your own business.  
• Risk management- protecting your business.
• Where to turn for help.
• Marketing and promotional strategies
• Using public relations to promote your business
• Naming your business and choosing a logo
• Creating your mission statement and philosophy
• Setting up your chart of accounts and understanding financial statements

Competitive Dog Sports

In this course students will beintroduced to competitive obedience training.  Students will learn:

• Obedience exercises in competitive sports
• AKC, UKC, and Schutzhund obedience rules and regulation
• Different levels of competitive obedience
• Hand signals for competitive obedience training
• Preparing for competitions
• Building a good working relationship wit a dog
• The steps in a trained retrieve
• Using a dog's natural drive in training
• Attention training to the handler
• Proper conditioning for the canine athlete for sport dogs
• Introduction dog sports such as herding, retriever training, flyball, freestyle, flying disc, and Schutzhund training

Police K-9 and Personal Protection

In this course students will be introduced to Police K-9 training.  Students will learn:

• K-9 training theory and techniques
• How to evaluate a police dog candidate
• How to train a dog in scent discrimination such as narcotics, explosives, and cadaver
• Basic police dog tracking theories
• How a dog's nose works to detect different odors
• The misconceptions associated with protection training
• Pros and cons of offering protection training
• Evaluating and selecting a dog for protection training
• Steps in training a protection dog
• Safety and control of a protection dog
• How to recognize and develop a dog's drives

Assistance Dog Training for the Handicapped

In this course students will be introduced to assistance dog training for the handicapped.  Students will learn:

• Different types of assistance dogs
• Evaluation and selection of an assistance dog candidate
• Trained retrieve for assistance dogs
• Training behaviors required for service dogs

Search and Rescue I

In this course students will be introduced to search and rescue theory and practical application.  Students will learn:

• Describe what is involved in search and rescue
• The difference between tracking and air scenting
• The SAR dog in cadaver recovery
• Evaluate and select a SAR dog
• Training a dog in disaster work
• Training a dog for wilderness area search