Becoming a Dog Trainer

Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a “professional dog trainer” if they receive money for giving dog training advice. That’s it. That’s the only requirement to use that term! So, the only thing that separates that person from, say your neighbor or relative, is that they are charging you money.

However, there are nationally-recognized credentials, that ensure that the person you are receiving advice from actually has the knowledge and experience to be safely advising you about dog training. A reputable trainer should have a certification as a dog trainer. There is the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, The Pet Professional Guild, Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, the Karen Pryor Academy, and the Victoria Stilwell Academy, just to name a few.

If you are seeking advice for any kind of dog aggression, you should be seeking out someone who is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, with credentials from The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, The Pet Professional Guild, or Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers. The term “Behaviorist” should only be used by someone with a Masters Degree or Ph.D. in Certified Applied Animal Behavior. A “Veterinary Behaviorist” has a DVM and a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior. These professionals usually practice within the scope of a veterinary practice or a veterinary school. It is critical that you only seek the advice of a credentialed canine behavior professsional when it comes to matters of aggression in dogs. Believe it or not, some of the “personalities” on television that give dog training advice have no nationally-recognized credentials. The field of dog training is still largely un-regulated, even in the case of serious, dangerous dog behavior.

At Teamworks, we believe in making sure trainers have the experience and knowledge to take on the roles they are entrusted with. We believe in interships, hands-on experience, certifications, and continuing education. A typical “roadmap” to becoming a dog trainer and then behavior consultant at Teamworks would be

At least two years of experience in a job where you have worked one-on-one with many different breeds
At least one year of experience assisting group classes with two different Teamworks instructors
Read How Dogs Learn by Dr. Mary Burch, It’s Not the Dogs It’s the People by Nicole Wilde, Excel-erated Learning by Pam Reid, Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey, and Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross, Take Control, But Don’t Lose Control by Michele Godlevski
Pass the Teamworks Instructor Certification Exam
Teach group classes (Puppy, Puppy Confidence, CGC, Distraction Proofing) for at least two years to gain experience working with dog owners
Read The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
Pass the CPDT exam (or Pet Professional Guild exam, or Karen Pryor Academy exam, or Victoria Stillwell Academy exam)

Becoming a Behavior Consultant

Have at least 6 years of experience teaching manners classes and a minimum of a CPDT or equivalent certification.
Assist Behavior Modification Classes
Read Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed by Leslie McDevitt, Behavior Adjustment Training by Grisha Stewart, Feisty Fido by Patricia McConnell, The Sentry Dog by Michele Godlevski, From Fearful to Fear-Free by Dr. Marty Becker, Separation Anxiety in Dogs by Malena DeMartini-Price , Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals by Dr. Karen Overall, Canine Behavior by Bonnie Beaver, Applied Dog Behavior and Training by Stephen Lindsay, James O’Heare’s series of books on Behavior Modification
After reading these texts, observe behavior consultations
Pass the IAABC Behavior Consultant exam or the CCBC offered by the Certification of Professional Dog Trainers.

Here is the Teamworks Employment Application that you can fill out and email to us if you are interested in a career with us. Word Doc | PDF Doc