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How to Become a Dog Trainer

How to become a dog trainer. Full Certified Dog Trainer Certificate Programme. Scroll down for the Full Course Programme.
Join a Multi-Award Winning Dog and Puppy Training Academy.

NDTA

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Watch the video to find out how I became a dog trainer and how you can too.

Join a Multi-Award Winning Dog and Puppy Training Academy.

How to Become a Dog Trainer 

NEW for 2024

Bespoke, Tailor-Made,Training Programme Available – Check it out here.

Ready for a change of pace, and profession?

With certification training through the National Dog Training Academy.

This is not a ‘quick fix’ course. It will take you several months to complete, after which you will need to gain experience with your first paying customers, to move on to LEVEL 4 – Bronze Award Level Dog Training.

This programme will train you to a high standard and is for people who want to offer a quality, professional service to their customers and make this a professional career move.

We give you lifetime support, so you’re never alone.

Do you love dogs, and working with people toward a common goal? 

  • Are you tired of spending your work day inside, at a desk, or on a computer?
  • Have you considered becoming a certified dog trainer?

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. 

This programme equips you for training dogs AND people

Not Everyone Is Made For An Office Job 

There’s so much more to choosing your profession than choosing the one with the highest pay. In fact, if there’s one thing that we’ve learned from the world shutting down, it’s that being in the right job can impact your life in MANY more ways than financially. 

Life is too short and too precious to spend 60% (or more) of it doing something you don’t absolutely love. So if you’re not happy where you are, it may be the right time to explore and find something that will make you happy. 

We will support you all the way. 2023 has seen the addition of our new, monthly coaching programme to be sure you never feel alone. 2024 now includes LEVEL 4, absolutely free, on completion of LEVEL 3 and evidence of starting your business.

Find out More about the Programme

If you just want to start by learning more about dogs, sign up for the Understanding the Dog module, online. You can book this by clicking here. Just £47+VAT.

 

 

About Sandra and The NDTA

Hi, I’m Sandra, head and founder of The National Dog Training Academy (formerly AA Dog Training). A Fellow Member of the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning.

Sandra Tommy

How I became a Dog Trainer

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.

If you’d like to book a call with me, please use this link here. 

Testimonials

About The Programme – Dog Trainer Certificate

The National Dog Training Academy’s Dog Trainer Certification Course is a multi-level programme, beginning with theory and online learning in Level 1. Level 2 continues your online journey with the addition of live, online classrooms. Level 3 takes you to a fully hands-on practical training, 4 days,face-to-face with our trainers in Southampton.

Level 4 and above leads  you to exciting, new challenges, when you’re ready.

Levels 1-3

Required for your Dog Trainer Certificate. Levels 2 and 3 must be completed within 6 months of each other. 

Level 1 and 2 online – Level 3 in person in Southampton

See available dates below.

Levels 4 – Online, Taking you to Bronze Level 

Released to you, free of charge, when you evidence that you have started your business, post Level 3. This will progress all you learn in Level 3, meaning you can take you clients up to Bronze Level Award and beyond! Imagine handing out your first Bronze Award to a customer.

Very soon after, if you want to do specialist courses,

return to complete The NDTA Specialist Courses

Unique, NDTA, specialist courses

Pet Gundog – our most popular classes – our very own grading programme and activities.

Scentwork – learn Truffle Hunting the proper way, as the real Truffle Hunters do it.

Tracking and Trailing- run these classes with fun, unique lesson plans.

Fun, safe, agility – no big equipment. Avoid injury to dogs and learn fun agility, safe, skills and handling.

All of the above are run throughout the year. These add on classes will get your business booming. Stand out from the crowd.

 

Here’s How it Works

Sign up for the Full Dog Certification Programme

Level 1 – 4 and lifetime business, online, monthly, group coaching

All for just £1997 incl. VAT

Level 1 – Theory online, Understanding the Dog and The Human – the beginning of your teaching learning.

Level 2 – Online video training. Start learning how to train a dog, properly, using the correct methods of positive reward based training. For this you need to practise the techniques on your own dog or others that you know. Gain as much experience as possible at this level.

Start creating your lesson plans and developing your Work Book.

Online classrooms are included in Level 2, one month before your In Person, Level 3 course. These classrooms ensure you are ready to start teaching when you arrive for Level 3 in person training.

Level 3 – spend 4 days in Southampton, with my me and my team, as you put into practise all that you’ve learned. Teach, teach, teach. That’s what Level 3 is all about. Teaching a group of people, outside, when they all have a dog, is NOT like, teaching a group of people sitting on a chair in a room.

Go home, prepared and ready to take your first paying customers, either one to one or in a group.

Level 4 – released to you, free of charge, online, when you take on your first paying customers.

Why don’t we release Level 4?

We don’t want you to be overloaded with information. You need to digest, practise and evidence your learning before moving forward. Level 4 gives you the training to keep your customers moving forward. They complete your first 6 week course, then you get them signed up for their next course, and their next …Keep your customers for life with the exciting challenges you can offer them.

Limited places are available and 2024 is filling fast.

Don’t Miss Out.

Sign Up Today

 

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Level 1 – Two short courses Online, Self-Study

  10 hours of study in total

The first course of Level 1 takes you through the background of the dog and the theory  of how a dog learns. The second course of Level 1introduces you to teaching people, how adults learn.

Level 1 gives you all the theory to get you started and prepare you for Level 2.

Level 1 covers the background knowledge 

Understanding The Dog                                                                      

  • Evolution/domestication
  • Understanding the dog
  • Introduction to how dogs learn
  • Understanding socialisation       

If all you want is to understand your dog better, you can take this course alone.

We will refund the cost of this course if you go on to complete the full Dog Trainer Certificate programme.

Sign up for Understanding the Dog          

The Human

  • Understanding the adult learner
  • Introduction to effective teaching
  • Communications skills
  • Role/responsibilities of a dog trainer

And much more …..

dog studying2

Level 2 – Hybrid Learning

25 + hours of study

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: 

  • Learn the NDTA, positive, effective way of training dogs.
  • Practise with your own dog or a dog you know, 
  • Develop your draft lesson plans, supported by the online classrooms.

You will perfect these in Level 3, in person training.

Level 2 also prepares you for being self-employed.

If that’s new to you, it will give you your starting point, so you know how to get started. How to find your venue and get your marketing started.  

And if you run into any problems, email and telephone support are available if needed. 

On completion of Level 3, monthly, online, group coaching, is also there to support you.

Sign up TODAY

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Puppy Training Near Me

Level 3 – In Person Training

4 Days of Practical Training in Southampton

Small groups – 4 Maximum

Don’t get lost in the crowd

Dates available below 

Book your in person training date and get started now, with the online study.

March 5th – 8th 2024 – NOW FULL

April 2nd – 5th 2024 – 1 space unexpectedly available

Available Dates

May 28th – 31st (Half Term) – NOW FULL

July 9th – 12th 2024

  • Monthly, online group coaching INCLUDED
  • Level 4 online – Bronze Level INCLUDED
  • 4 places only on each course

Sign up TODAY

Select your chosen dates at checkout

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Level 3

  • Practise teaching dogs
  • Practise teaching people
  • Practise teaching groups of dogs and people
  • Learn your lesson plans and course layouts
  • Prepare for your home visiting service

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. This ensures that you won’t get “lost in the crowd,” and will guarantee you the personal attention you need to succeed in setting up your dog training business.

You are welcome to bring a sociable, friendly dog to help you train. This must be by prior arrangment, so we can plan dog numbers for the training. Your dog MUST be able to settle in a crate or in your car as required. 

£1,997 paid in full, or two separate payments of £1,149. 

The final Payment must be made in full before starting Level 2 of the programme.

Sign up TODAY

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How to become a dog trainer

Dog Trainer Certificate

£1,997.00 Inc. VAT
Dog Trainer Certificate Programme

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I'm ready for this course?
  1. The best way to know if you’re ready for the NDTA Certified Dog Training Program is to take the “Could you be a Dog Trainer” self-study course, for only £19.97 to find out if being a dog trainer is right for you. 
Are there any prerequisites?
  1. Nope! You can start at Level 1 without any previous instruction. Even if you have been or are a teacher, we urge you to complete the teaching module of Level 1. However, often we repeat something, we always learn something new. 
What if I don't live in the UK?
  1. Right now only Level 1 and Level 2 are taught with online options, and Level 3 must be taken within 6 months of completing Level 2. That means that you can take the courses if you live elsewhere in the world, but you will need to travel to our facility in Southern England, to complete your training. 
What if I don't have dog to bring to Level 3 with me?
  1. That’s ok! We prefer you not to bring a dog. That means you can concentrate on your learning. We have plenty of canine companions here at the facility to stand-in as your training partner.
How long is my certificate good for?

Your certificate is good for life. You will have the responsibility to take some basic continuing development courses each year, though.

What if I buy the full programme but don't finish in the allotted time?

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.

What if I fail? Do you have any guarantee or re-take policy?
  1. There is no failing here. We will work with you until you are ready for the certificate. If you need additional training, we will arrange for additional face-to-face practical training at no additional cost. You can also choose to shadow our trainers and teaching a class at any time. 
How soon after the course can I get started?
  1. Level 2 gives you preparation work for getting your own classes started. On completion of level 3 many people feel ready to start straight away. Others take it more slowly and practise all they’ve learned with family/friends or people they know. Your assessments in Level 3 will help you understand where you are at in your journey. 
Can I do this part time, while working in my current role?
  1. Yes this is perfectly doable. You do need to be prepared to work some weekend time. I worked for 6 months in a full time role while setting up my dog training business.

Sign up TODAY

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.

Sign up TODAY

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We are a multi-award winning dog training academy of excellence.

View our​ awards