Thursday, July 30, 2009

how to become a dog behaviorist/trainer?

I would like to help others with behaviour problems as a behaviourist in the dog training circuit
Answers:
there are many courses available online through community colleges.. Just do the search for "animal behavioral sciences online" , and see which colleges offer the courses in your state.
If you would like an outstanding course of animal behavioral sciences, Moorpark College in CA has a wonderful teaching zoo. Trainers for guide dogs for the Blind, and others are recruited from this college.> http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/~eatm/..
If there is an ASPCA or SPCA in the city where you live, call them (they are in the Yellow Pages) or, call directory assistance for your city.

In some cities they have training programs for volunteers and non-volunteers.
There must be some kind of qualification you need or we would all be doing it! If you feel you want to do this as a job, you need to google search and follow it through. Training dog behaviour is very serious and would be dangerous if in the hands of non trained but well meaning people!!
Train with a certified trainer. The Humane Society of the United States has an on-line university through which you can take various dog related courses (including assessment and behavior classes); they can also refer you to trainers who live close to you. We also suggest that you take a doggie first aid/CPR course, and volunteer at your local pound/shelter. They always need help assessing the dogs.
http://www.furdoor.com/trainer.html.
oooooo i know!! watch the dog whispror! hes the best!
(1) Go learn how to train for and teach obedience from someone who knows what they are doing - and that IS NOT Petsmart. Work with someone who actually does upper level AKC competition. Which means Open, Utility, upper level Tracking

If you don't know what I am talking about, go here and read the rules and explainations

http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/inde.

http://www.akc.org/events/tracking/index.

It is all a whole lot harder to do than it sounds.


(2) Get a dog that is of a breed to be competitive and learn how to train it for that (and I mean UPPER LEVEL - nothing like a test of your skill to have to than to teach a dog to do hand signals, directional go-out, retrieve work, tracking to the highest level..)

If you can't do college level work, you have no business teaching elementary school.

(3) Then go get a dog in a breed considered "tough" and "not an obedience competition breed" and get it to do the same thing.

There is this delusion out there that every single dog can be "kitchy kooed have a cookie" into doing things. Tell that to an ill-mannered, undisciplined Husky who wants his own way when told "No - stop" and is attempting to rip your face off to get his own way. (And I have dealt with that!)

A German Shepherd from Schutzhundl ines is NOT the same as an obedience line bred Golden..

You have to learn about all the different temperments of the different breeds. What works on one will probably not work on 30 or 60 other breeds

(3) Get out and work with training dogs for Search and Rescue, as Service Dogs, as patrol dogs.. (And since you don't know what you are doing, and even if you know a little, it is for free.)

(4) Get involved in the local kennel club or agility or obedience club.

Go here to find one:
http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf.

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf. (set on all breeds)


http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf.



YOU CAN NOT LEARN HOW TO DO IT FROM STUPID BOOK OR TV SHOW OR CD OR SOMEONE LECTURING YOU ABOUT THEORIES.

YOU LEARN BY DOING UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF SOMEONE WHO DOES KNOW

Don't waste your money on these pseudo-programs or classes that give you a certificate. Those are just some private groups who have decied to hand out pieces of paper (and they are a JOKE among top-flight performance people who have to know how todeal with behavior.)

The people who train at the highest levels of obedience and performance will just laugh.

If you want a degree, then back to school for a BS in biology or chemistry, then vet school and then post-doctoral work in animal behavior.

But, you will still need all the hands on experince - figure at least10-12 years for that part alone.
Hello Sharon, so you want to be a dog trainer/behaviourist eh?One has to be a Pysdogalist! This is indeed not a problem especially if you are a lady,(as your name suggests) ..You mearly treat each dog as one would a boy-friend! You therefore order him to behave at all times, do as he is told without answering back,allways walk at my side, sit when I order him to,come to me when I call him or her, jump when I tell him,he may answer 'How high' but ignore him; walk him where there are lots of trees at first, keeping that poop scoop handy (just in case) and later teach him that it is very important that he/she waits outside every fashion store that you wish to visit, and reward him with a small tit-bit on your return. all that and you've made it 'babe' . You've taught him well, and you deserve a prize.your choice , a new hair-do , a pair of shoes , or a nice dress.good idea eh!
In the UK you need a degree in human psychology to join the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, you then apprentice alongside a registered member.
http://www.apbc.org.uk/
You only work on referral from a vet since so many behaviour problems have their roots in physical illness and pain - and you can't train out pain.

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