5-Week Course with Certification
Basic obedience trainer course
Week One: Learning Theory & Foundations
Topics Covered:
- Understanding canine cognition and learning theory
- Classical vs. Operant Conditioning
- Reinforcement vs. Punishment
- Marker training
- Drive theory and motivation
- Engagement techniques
- Puppy learning stages and fear periods
- Building confidence in young dogs
- Luring, shaping, and capturing behaviors
- Introduction to leash pressure and handling
- Running structured puppy play sessions
- Kennel operations: Sanitation, feeding schedules
Assessments & Practical Work:
- Demonstrate basic engagement exercises with a dog
- Demonstrate a Puppy Class
- Demonstrate proper handling and confidence-building exercises
Week Two:
Basic Obedience & Equipment
Topics Covered:
- Canine body language and communication
- Mechanics of the prong
- Proper fit / placement
- Safe and effective lead handling
- Timing
- Introducing a dog to equipment
- Hands-on: Teaching basic commands
- Health & Welfare
Assessments & Practical Work:
- Demonstrate basic obedience w/ a prong collar
- Demonstrate proper lead handling and confidence-building exercises
- Health & Welfare test
Week Three:
E-Collar & Advanced Obedience
Topics Covered:
- E-collar fundamentals: Proper introduction and conditioning
- Understanding stimulation levels and avoidance vs. guidance
- Common mistakes and troubleshooting
- Advanced Obedience Overview
- Off-leash reliability
- E-collar recall, sit/down at a distance, heel, place work
- Working through distractions
Assessments & Practical Work:
- Demonstrate proper e-collar introduction on a green dog
- Demonstrate an advanced obedience routine
Week Four:
Elite Obedience & Kennel Management
Topics Covered:
- Precision obedience and Elite-level handling
- Distraction proofing & duration training
- Tactical obedience for working dogs
- Running board & train programs
- Managing multiple dogs in training
- Kennel operations: Sanitation, feeding schedules, and structure
- Stress management in a kennel environment
- Client communication and record-keeping
Assessments & Practical Work:
- Work a dog through commands on & off-leash with multiple distractions
- Develop a kennel management plan for a 10-dog facility
Week Five: Demonstration & Career Development
Topics Covered:
- Preparing a dog for a public demo
- Teaching clients handling and reinforcement techniques
- Troubleshooting common obedience issues
- Communicating effectively with different types of owners
- Conducting private lessons and group classes
- The business of training: Marketing, pricing, and client retention
- Hands-on: Conduct a client han
doff session - Present a fully trained dog in an on and off-leash demo
Assessments & Practical Work:
- Perform a full demonstration with an obedience-trained dog
- Conduct a transfer session with a client
- Submit a written training plan for a case study dog
