Dog Behavior Training - Dog Training to Correct Behavior Problems
Recommended Answer:
Books:
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson is the best book out there. Anything by Patricia McConnell, Karen Pryor and Ian Dunbar is also great, but start with Culture Clash. After that, you should go on to read grad thesis and scientific journals, (although sometimes you have to pay and subscribe to get this stuff for a nominal fee.)
You can attract clients with your own website, or posting on Craigs List, the problem is keeping them. You want turn over rate and word of mouth, since that is mostly where you make your money. To ensure this happens, you should be kept up to date on the latest Dog Training science so you always give the best advice possible. I constantly check the above Dog Trainer's websites for new info, look up scientific studies and go to reputable sources like the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians just to name a few when I'm trying to update on dog behavior and such.
There are courses, schools and the like of course, but the only one that really stands out for me is the Dog Training Academy in San Francisco. There are many courses out there and schools that can teach the same thing, but if you're gonna do it, might as well be with a super reputable one that will look good on a resume. Many of these courses cost upwards of $4,000 and you always run the risk of going with a quack who will teach you many incorrect things. This is why study by self initiative is so important.
Science is important. As Dog Trainers we are basically teaching people how to communicate with their dog what they want and don't want, and unless we understand the psychology of dogs, we inevitably come short on giving out good advice. The idea that dogs are pack animals is now outdated, so much scientific study has come up about how dogs have branched out from wolves and yet people, including some dog trainers still dish out the "dogs are just like wolves" mantra, and they aren't. If you don't keep up with the science you won't know this stuff.
Here's the most recent study I've looked at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story…
It was done by a scholar and researcher of dog behavior, biology and cognition who went to Oxford. This is the stuff you should listen to, not just some TV Dog Trainer who spouts off stuff that has no science of proof to back it up. So don't forget to study, and remember that science is where its at.
Now here's an easy way to get into Dog Training and be paid for it. Many PETCOs and Petsmarts will pay for you to get trained. Apply at a local PETCO that doesn't have a Dog Trainer and tell them you've had experience, they will put you through their training which was developed by Karen Pryor herself and you'll even get paid for it. One of the Dog Trainers I work with started there and she's done quite well for herself.
You can also work for free under an apprenticeship at your local dog training school for experience, perhaps doing odd jobs for them in exchange. They may even hire you once they feel you're ready.
Good luck! Let me know if I can be of any further assistance! The most important thing to remember is: You must love dogs! = )
Pick the Best Dog Training Collar to Train Your Big Dog to Walk
- Hands on with a seasoned, professional. Avoid "franchise and chain" trainers. FInd the "real McCoy" and learn from him.
- Do you want to get into training hunting dogs professionally, or another type of training (or all kinds in general)?
For hunting, I would suggest that you get yourself a pup or two, train it (or them) for hunting and then sell the pups, probably through one of the hunting dog newsletters or magazines. Then get another and do it again. Word will get around if you're a good hunting dog trainer. You could try writing short articles for the hunting publications, and run a small ad in some of them. It's a good way to start out.
No comments:
Post a Comment