Watch this short video to learn how real people — including teachers, carers, dog walkers/groomers, retirees, business people — are all building dog training careers they love.
Just pop in your details and I’ll send it straight to you.
In this short video, you’ll learn:
What it’s really like to be a dog trainer
How long it takes to get started
Why in-person support and small group training matters
What it takes to earn a living doing what you love
People often ask me what’s different about my programme, and why I keep it so small. You can check out the answers by reading on.
For full transparency on cost and what’s included, you can view our dedicated Dog Trainer Certificate Programme pricing page
I’m Sandra Lawton, an award-winning dog trainer and author of Leading the Pack. I’ve helped hundreds of people change careers and become certified, confident dog trainers — even if they had no experience to start with.
Discover How I Went From Clueless Dog Owner to In-Demand, Highly-Paid Dog Trainer…And How You Can Too!
17 ago, I was where you might be right now. I had just brought home an adorable but crazy out of control flat-coat retriever puppy named Rolo. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get him to behave. We even got kicked out of TWO dog training classes for being too disruptive! Talk about embarrassing…
But that frustration became an obsession to learn everything I could about dog training. Fast forward a couple years, and Rolo and I had earned our Working Gundog Certificate. More importantly, I had discovered my true calling in life – helping dogs and their owners build a loving, trusting relationship through effective training.
But that frustration became an obsession to learn everything I could about dog training. Fast forward a couple years, and Rolo and I had earned our Working Gundog Certificate. More importantly, I had discovered my true calling in life – helping dogs and their owners build a loving, trusting relationship through effective training.
Becoming a dog trainer didn’t just give me a job. It gave me a meaningful purpose, a way to make a real difference doing something I absolutely love. And it’s given me the financial freedom and flexibility to live life completely on my own terms – no more bosses, no more commute, no more limited holidays.
The best part? There has NEVER been a better or more lucrative time to become a dog trainer. The UK pet dog population has exploded to 9.6 MILLION and owners are spending more than ever on training services. With the right training and support, you can have dog owners queuing up to throw money at you!
So the question is – what’s stopping YOU from having the job of your dreams?
We believe in complete transparency. To see exactly how much the programme costs and why, take a look at our Dog Trainer Certificate Programme pricing page
If you think you need loads of experience, special skills, or even your own dog to become a successful trainer, think again! My Dog Trainer Certification Programme will take you from dog enthusiast to confident, competent professional trainer in 4 simple steps.
BUT, before we look at the 4 simple steps, let me just explain why my programme is different:
We help you to,
DEVELOP YOUR UNIQUE TRAINING STYLE
Why be a carbon copy when you can be an original?
Most dog training courses teach you to follow their method exactly. We’re different.
At The National Dog Training Academy, we believe great dog trainers aren’t made by copying – they’re developed by understanding, experimenting, and growing. Here’s how we do it:
✦ Foundation Phase: In Level 2 you’ll master our proven 6-week training programme – your springboard to success. You’ll receive our complete, ready-to-use system that’s been refined through years of experience.
✦ Guided Innovation Phase: During your hands-on training, you’ll:
✦ Evolution Phase: Graduate with both our proven system AND the confidence to make it your own.
I don’t just teach methods – I teach you how to think like a professional trainer.
LEVEL 1 – ONLINE: Learn all the crucial theory about dog behaviour, learning, training methods, business basics, teaching skills and more. No prior experience needed! (10 hours)
LEVEL 2 – ONLINE: Dive deeper into the NDTA’s unique, proven dog training system with comprehensive video tutorials. Start practicing with your own dog or dogs you know to solidify your skills. (~25 hours)
LEVEL 3 – IN-PERSON: Put your knowledge into action with 4 intensive, exciting days of live training with me and my expert team in Southampton. You’ll get hands-on experience training real dogs and humans. Teaching your first classes. We keep these groups super small (max. 4 people) so you’ll get plenty of personalised attention and support. This is where the magic happens!
LEVEL 4 – ONLINE: This is for later, when you have your own classes running. Continue mastering advanced training techniques to help your clients with behavioural issues and keep their dogs progressing after basic training.
By the end of Level 3, you’ll be a bona fide dog training wizard, ready to launch or level-up your own profitable dog training business! And don’t worry – you’ll have ongoing support and mentorship from me and my team every step of the way. We’re here to make sure you succeed, no matter what.
Heard enough? Ready to get started on the most rewarding journey of your career? Here’s what to do next:
Pick your Level 3 In-Person Training dates. This is when you’ll come train hands-on with us in Southampton.
Enroll now for just £1997 (including VAT). This is an absolute steal considering everything that’s included! You immediately get access to Level 1 & 2 online so you can start learning right away.
Get ready to transform your life as a successful, NDTA certified dog trainer!
Don’t waste another minute at a job that doesn’t fulfil you or let fear hold you back from pursuing your passion. If I can go from a clueless, frustrated dog owner to an in-demand trainer and business owner, so can you! All it takes is deciding you’re ready and taking that first step.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get you leading the pack as a certified dog trainer!
Due to demand we are running courses through to November this year, 2025.
February 2026 dates available with a 4 month payment plan option. Want details of this? Just whizz me an email.
Got questions? Give us a call on T.07714 769260 or email me directly.
More course detail below – click here.
For full transparency on cost and what’s included, you can view our dedicated Dog Trainer Certificate Programme pricing page
I understand – becoming a professional dog trainer is a big decision.
If you’d like to explor this career path before committing to the full programme, I’ve created the Dog Trainer Launchpad. A 4 week introduction that helps you discover if this is truly your calling.
Launchpad graduates who continue to the full programme, get the cost of this course refunded.
Many of our students say, if they’d had this option, they would have made their career change much sooner. That’s why we’ve set this up to help you make your decision sooner. Life’s too short to hang around.
Training dogs can be a way to do something you truly enjoy, while making enough money to support yourself, your family, and – of course – your dogs. But, being a dog trainer is as much about people as it is about dogs. Learning how to train a dog, does not equip you to become a dog trainer.
If you’re not sure being a dog trainer is for you, and you want to find out,
I can’t thank you enough for building my confidence and showing me direction. It truly means a lot to me 🙏 you are the kind of mentor anyone would wish for
This is just a quick email to say a mega thank you to you, Tracey and the rest of the wonderful people who helped us during last week.
It was a real privilege to have been taught by you. I have learnt so much during the course and can't help thinking how well the course was run and how important the hands-on activities were to gain confidence, understanding and knowledge.
I just wanted to say thank you for such a great week. I’ve really learnt so much and enjoyed being with you all and I was slightly torn about wanting to go. I couldn’t get over the amount of support from your customers and staff which made it all the more special.
Hi, I’m Sandra, head and founder of The Multi-Award Winning National Dog Training Academy (formerly AA Dog Training). A Fellow Member of the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning.
Dog training and puppy training all began when I got Rolo, a Flatcoated retriever, without understanding that I’d got myself a pet gundog. In fact, I’d never even heard of a gundog before!
But Rolo and I had to find something we could do together that we would both enjoy. What we found was gundog training, and in it I recognized an opportunity to take my dog training career seriously. I discovered Steve Mann and took two of his courses and a year-long mentorship.
Since then I have graduated from many dog training courses, including earning a Diploma in Canine Studies and a Professional Dog Instructors certificate through Cambridge Institute of Dog Training and Behaviour.
I’ve even trained with Phillipa Williams and Richard Curtis (who respectively perform in Gundog, and Heelwork to Music, at Crufts).
When I set out on the road, it was lonely. It was scary. Very few people who were on my course ever achieved their dream. That’s why I am so passionate, not just about the training we do for dogs and handlers, but training and supporting others to become dog trainers.
I’m also passionate about people being happy in their work. So many hours of our lives are spent in work. I believe we are all entitled to a job that makes us want to jump out of bed in the morning.
If you think being a dog trainer will do that for you, I’d love to accompany you on your journey.
Being a dog trainer is a very practical career. You can’t learn it online alone. That’s why we offer the 4 day practical component and why I chose to join the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning.
If you want to find out more about me and my past experience before becoming a dog trainer, just click here.
Understanding The Dog
If all you want is to understand your dog better, you can take this course alone.
The Human
And much more …..
Online self-study combined with 2 live, online classrooms. The live sessions will also be recorded.
This level is all about preparing you for the practical training level.
You will:
Booking confirms you have read Terms and Conditions
You need to be seen and heard, not get lost in a crowd.
Level 3 – we provide the dogs
You will put together all that you’ve learned in Level 1 and 2, and work in a small group (spaces are capped at 4 participants) with me and my team.
We guarantee you the personal attention you need to succeed in setting up your dog training business.
Remember, you have lifetime support, 121 zoom, emails or you can visit us in person
This all inclusive, Dog Trainer Certificate Programme, taking you on your next career path, with lifetime support is just, £1997 incl. VAT.
Lifetime Support and Guidance as and when you need it – priceless. I know the personal value of this. It’s the one thing I wish I’d had available when I started out. All the worries, concerns and questions that kept me awake at night.
That won’t happen to you – you have someone you can turn to.
Additional Resources
September 9th – 12th – Now Full
October 14th – 17th
February 2026 – 24th – 27th
4 places only on any course
Your certificate is good for life. You will have the responsibility to take some basic continuing development courses each year, though.
You can take as long as you like to complete the onine learning. Level 3 date needs to be booked in advance, but we will do our very best to provide alternative dates, if you can provide genuine reasons for needing to change this.
So, if you’re ready to begin your journey as a dog trainer, please act fast. There are only 4 spaces available for each practical section, and they disappear fast!
Click the link below, select your course date and payment option, and I’ll see you in class.
Booking confirms you have read Terms
© NDTA 2025
| VAT number: 287 0655 73
Website by Eldo™
