Becoming a dog trainer - advice needed

[The Dog House - Watford]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some professional advice and I am hoping that you can help. I currently run a pet care company and I would like to expand my personal knowledge / skills by becoming a dog trainer. I have several customers that ask for advice with their dogs behaviour and so I feel that anything that helps both me and my customers look after their dogs better, has got to be of benefit.

My problem is that there appears to be no real "official" study programe in the UK that I need to follow to become a qualified and recognised trainer. I have found numerous websites offering 2 and 4 day courses, but I do not feel that is anywhere adequate to equip anyone with the knowledge and tools to advise dog owners whose pets display difficult behaviour.

I am looking to find a trainer that I can shadow to gain practical experience, but it worries me that some individuals who claim to be a "trainer" or "behaviourist" have no real training themselves.

What has been your experiences? All advice welcome.

 

[gypsysmum]

For training try the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

For behaviour try COAPE or APBC.

All three are excellent professional bodies

 

[The Dog House - Watford]

Hi there, thanks for your response. Do you have personal experience of any of these organisations, I would value your opinion / experiences if you have.

 

[chelynnah]

For training try the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

For behaviour try COAPE or APBC.

All three are excellent professional bodies

These are the ones I would recommend as well. My experience with them is from working with my dogs under people who hold these qualificiations and a couple of friends who are currently undergoing training with them.

Unfortunately these days anyone can set themselves up as a Behaviourist or Trainer with absolutely NO recognition whatsoever. These three bodies are well recognised throughout the UK, and I would have no hesitation about going to a trainer/behaviourist with any of these credentials.

 

[The Dog House - Watford]

Thanks for your advice. I have now enrolled on the APDT foundation course for 2015 and have backed it up with assisting at 2 separate dog training schools.

 

[gypsysmum]

I have been a member (now retired) of both the APDT and COAPE.

You will not regret your involvement with the APDT