dogma's Dog Training Apprenticeship Program

(this program includes the Canine Behaviour and Handling Certificate)

Click here to complete the online application.

We will be launching a website shortly that will be dedicated to our education programs! this will include more information on our current programs, scholarship information, details on graduates as well as the additional of new programs!

dogma Dog Training Apprenticeship Program:

dogma is proud to be offering a full dog training apprenticeship program. It is an intensive program designed for individuals who are serious about a career in dog training. This program must be completed within 16 months that includes classroom theory as well as practical experience.

Successful completion of the program offers individuals the knowledge and skills required to safely manage and work with dogs, modify behaviour, as well as how to effectively teach people how to train their dogs. Graduates will be provided a dogma Canine Behaviour Educator Certificate that will demonstrate these skills and knowledge to their clients. The goal of this program is to prepare you as a dog trainer and work you towards gaining your hours for the CPDT-KA (Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) designation.

dogma believes that an effective and successful professional dog trainer gains these skills through learning and experience. Our program is designed around this basis as we strongly believe that you cannot gain enough experience to be a qualified trainer in just a matter of weeks or months. Our program is committed to providing you with the theory and hands-on skills to ensure you have the confidence and experience to succeed in this exciting career!

dogma may have limited employment opportunities available for successful graduates of this program or other potential prospects for gaining the required training hours for the CPDT-KA designation. dogma will also coach you with setting up your own training business and will be providing a referral network for graduates.

Orientation for the next session begins Friday, September 6, 2013 at 6:30 pm!

Requirements:

•  18 years or older
•  Own a dog
•  Physical capability to handle dogs of different sizes and activity levels
•  Be people and dog friendly
•  Be a team player and have to ability to multitask
•  Successfully complete application and sit down interview before admission into  program

You must be able to attend a full day weekend class once a month (Saturday and/or Sunday's) and commit to one night and/or weekend day per week of classes (majority of the classes are 6 weeks long). You will be paired with an instructor who will personally mentor you through the entire duration of the program. There will be testing to ensure you have developed both knowledge and skills with dog training, handling, behaviour modification as well as group class instruction.

dogma believes that dog friendly, reward based training methods are the most efficient and effective. It is our philosophy to educate and improve the human-dog relationship based on mutual respect, and to do so with the least intrusive methods. We do not support any use of force, intimidation or physical manipulation in training, as we see these methods as unethical, inefficient and ineffective. They risk harming and deteriorating the human-dog bond. Our classes are taught with positive reinforcement and showing the dog how to be successful. We are committed to using only modern science-based methods.

Topics covered throughout the program (96 hours of classroom time):

•  Training Methods
•  Puppy Development
•  Canine Communication
•  Learning Theory
•  Basic Dog Training
•  Clicker Training 
•  Behaviour Problem Solving
•  Dog-dog Interactions
•  Complex Behaviour Problem Solving
•  Fear/Anxiety
•  Reactivity/Aggression
•  Shelter Dogs
•  Canine Health
•  Basic Grooming
•  Canine First Aid
•  Instructor's Skills
•  Private Training
•  The Business Side of Dog Training

Practical Experience (minimum 221 hours in total):

•  Minimum 104 hours of group class observation/assistance
•  Minimum 20 hours of Playtime observation/assistance
•  Minimum 30 hours of hands on dog daycare experience
•  Minimum 20 hours of private training observation/assistance
•  Attend a dog training class with your dog designed specifically for apprenticeship  students (an hour long, one night/week for 6 weeks)
•  Attend 4 free classes with your dog (value of $740)
•  Minimum 18 hours of co-teaching group dog classes
•  Opportunity to observe/assist in any of dogma's service offerings

Additional Opportunities:

•  Receive 30% of any other classes at dogma with your dog for the duration of the  program
•  Free attendance at any seminar provided by dogma
•  Unlimited access to dogma's large library of dog behaviour training books & dvd's
•  Free or discounted attendance to any continuing education event hosted by  dogma

Tuition for the program is $4850 + gst (including textbooks - dog behaviour and training books). Program fees are non-refundable.

Payment plans are as follows (can be paid through cash, debit, cheque or credit, but a credit card is required to have on file):

•  $3637.50 + gst deposit, $1262.50 + gst due 3 months later
•  $2425 + gst deposit, $2525 + gst due 3 months later
•  4 payments of $1262.50 + gst due at deposit, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months  later
•  Monthly payments of $430 + gst for 12 months

If you have any questions on the program, please email Megan Armstrong.