Professional Dog Trainer Course Curriculum

These times are the times of the actual lectures, videos, webinars, etc. It does not take into consideration the time it will take to do the assignments.

Total length of presentation: 75 hours 30 min

INTRODUCTION

• Introduction on logistics of the course – 41 min

MODULE 1 – 9 hours

• Behavior – 4 hrs
  • Nature and Nurture
  • Development
  • Science – Dogs vs. Wolves
  • Dominance
  • Normal Dog Behavior
• Learning – 2 hrs 35 min
  • Science & Scientists
  • Terminology
  • Describing & Measuring Behavior
  • Intro to Learning
  • Types of Learning
• Humans – 25 min
  • Relinquishment
• Training – 2 hrs
  • Domestication
  • Philosophy of Training
  • Science of Training
  • History of Training
  • Methodology

MODULE 2 –  5 hrs 30 min

• Humans – 2 hours 20 min
  • Careers in Animal Training
  • Time Management
  • Professionalism
• Learning – 1 hr 20 min
  • Classical Conditioning
  • Consequences, Reinforcers, & Stimuli
  • Pairing
  • Extinction
  • Using Classical Conditioning
• Behavior – 50 min
  • Dog Groups
  • Dog Breeds
• Training – 1 hr
  • Humane Hierarchy
  • Management
  • Fundamentals
  • Classical Techniques

MODULE 3 – 27 hours

• Learning – 2 hr
  • Operant
  • Reinforcement
  • Punishment
  • Extinction
• Behavior – 40 min
  • Enrichment
  • Exercise
  • Management
  • Humane Hierarchy
• Training – 4 hr 7 min
  • Intro to Training
  • Using Reinforcers
  • Training Concepts
  • Equipment
• Puppies – 1 hr 35 min
  • Developmental Stages
  • Socialization
  • Bite Inhibition
  • Training
  • Classes
• Humans – 15 hr
  • Facilities
  • Interviews
  • Pricing Your Services
  • Types of Classes & Private Consultations
  • Marketing Classes & Private Consultations
• Training Project – 2 hr 30 min
  • How to Train Basic Obedience Behaviors

MODULE 4 – 17 hours 20 min

• Finding a Mentor – 21 min
• Learning – 1 hr 12 min
  • Reinforcement Schedules
  • Practical Applications for Operant & Classical Conditioning
  • Limits & Characteristics of Learning
• Body Language – 2 hrs 26 min
• Training – Obedience & Manners – 1 hour
  • Generalization
  • Discrimination
  • Stimulus Control
  • Behaviors to Train
• Training – Common Behavior Problems – 1 hr 22 min
  • Common Behavior Problems
  • Resolving Common Behavior Problems
• Humans – 11 hrs
  • Ethics

MODULE 5 – 16 hours

• Training – Advanced Concepts – 7 hours
  • Miscellaneous Concepts
  • Shaping
  • Chaining
  • Training Plans
• Final Training Project – 4 min
• Training & Behavior – Serious Behavior Problems – 8 hrs 15 min
  • Emotional Behavior Problems
  • Predation & Predatory Drift
  • Training for Serious Behavior Problems
  • Functional Assessment
  • Nutrition & Medication for Behavior Problems
• Humans – 49 min
  • Clients
  • Myth Busting
  • Marketing

BONUS MATERIAL

• Where to Go Next E-book
• Price Setting E-book
• How to Do a Private Consultation E-book
• How to Start a Group Class E-book
• Creating a Curriculum Video

Following is a 16 minute video giving a small sample of the main categories: Behavior, Learning, Training, and Humans. This will give you an idea of the instructor’s style and the level of discussion.