Dog training schools

[ishmael]

I've been contemplating my fifth or sixth career. I need to do something other than the rot I've been sitting in for a few years; most distasteful sometimes and I need some regular money.

I love dogs, and think with a bit more training I might begin to understand them pretty well.

Any suggestions for a school? Is this a pipe dream, or can a well educated trainer do alright?

Asking. Please don't make it a referendum on me. Just asking about dog training schools.

[Phil Heffernan]

I have a feeling that to be a great trainer of dogs is a bit like being a good actor...You either have it or you don't.

That being said, I'm sure you can find out if you 'have it' by attending a school...I don't know of any, but I have enjoyed reading the book by Cesar Milan of TV fame, 'Cesars Way'...He definitely is a natural...

Many disagree with his somewhat aggressive technique, but I think he is on to something real...His firm approach is based in love, and most creatures, canine and otherwise, respond to structure, and knowing what is expected of them...

PH

[Bob Cleek]

I do think that there are "dog whisperers" who really are able to communicate with canines unusually well. I don't know any, however, who haven't spent years and years working with dogs. It isn't the sort of occupation you can pick up in a community college course. Try keeping several dogs for years and whelp a few litters and so on. Training is an art. Unless you are willing to put in the time, it isn't something I'd advise anybody to get into on the fly.

[Phil Heffernan]

I do think that there are "dog whisperers" who really are able to communicate with canines unusually well. I don't know any, however, who haven't spent years and years working with dogs. It isn't the sort of occupation you can pick up in a community college course. Try keeping several dogs for years and whelp a few litters and so on. Training is an art. Unless you are willing to put in the time, it isn't something I'd advise anybody to get into on the fly.

I'd have to agree. But pursuing the art of 'Dog Whisperer' would yield many benefits just in its process, and WOULD be a worthwhile pursuit...Just don't expect it to be money making proposition for some time...

PH

[JimM]

Jack
Most of the professional dog trainers that work with troubled dogs have degrees in Animal Behavior. Most university will have courses in the biology, zoology or psychology departments. Casar Millan is very unusual since he has little formal training.

Your average AKC dog training instructor has apprenticed a long time with a trainer with years of experience and has taken many week end seminars to learn different dog training techniques. Most of them don't make much money teaching people how to train dogs, its a work of love.

IF you want to go to a dog training academy, look at the adds in any dog magazine. They usually have web sites. I can't speak to how well they train people to train dogs or to deal with problem dogs.

[Bob Smalser]

Gotta love that Cesar Milan.

He's pulling the pendulum back to center from those whose idea of "dog breeding" is 100% ring performance and training is 100% bribes.

[botebum]

Pipe Dream Jack, Try Plumber's Helper. Not horrible pay and if you can stand the smell and the plumber doesn't kill you for spouting philisophical bs, you could make a career of it.

Doug

[Memphis Mike]

I don't see anything that's unattainable as long as your head is in the right place.

Go for it.

[Ken Hutchins]

A big part of dog training these days is the performance events, obedience, rally, agility, earth dog, etc. these all require specialized training and experience handling and developing dogs up to championship levels in the various events. I doubt if there is any 'schooling' for this you got to get out there do it, get proficient in the events and then possibly be a trainer.
First requirement is get a dog.:)

[Bob Cleek]

Actually, Caesar Milan (who admittedly was once an illegal alien, BTW) has a long history with dogs. His bio is out now and interesting. As a kid in Mexico, his chores included caring for the dogs on the cattle farm. He learned from them by watching their pack behavior. I also have learned much in the same way. I would suggest that the best way to learn "dog language" is to observe them and participate in their pack behavior. They really do communicate with one another continuously, primarily through body language. Once you get the knack of it, you can do the same. I don't think you ever really get to fully appreciate dogs unless you have three or more at a time... but not everybody can accommodate that, of course.

[ishmael]

Thanks all. Good observations.

My dog experience has been pretty much limited to my own companion animals, though I did work in my early twenties as an apprentice dog trainer for about a half a year. I've never lived with a bitch whelping pups, gone through that whole cycle. I'm sure the more you are around the body language of all the cycle, the better you are as a trainer.

The reason I quit the company was because a large part of the focus was on training for protection. That's okay, in its place, but this was 1980 mean-streets Cleveland, and a lot of folks were getting Dobermans as a sort of bling. I didn't like that. Some of the people and some of the dogs made me uncomfortable. I came to dislike the guy who ran it, too. He'd have made a better used-car saleman. Unctious.

Anyway, thanks.

[Stiletto]

Bob makes a good point, one of the joys of dog ownership for me was learning some of the myriad facets of dog psychology.

[Donn]

Pipe Dream Jack..

No question about it.

[Larks]

Ish', I've always thought they weren't actually "dog" training schools so much as "dog owner" training schools.

For what it's worth I reckon if you know dogs and are good with people you'll have no problems and will have a very rewarding time of it.

cheers
Greg (dog owner)

[ishmael]

Golly, someone dug this out of the archives.:)

I do love doggies. Don't have one right now, but I think I do understand them pretty well.

When I had Sheba in for one of her last appointments the gal sitting next to me had an aging Boarder Collie. We chatted, her dog a nudge, a love, "Hey, look at me!" He was very sweet, and Sheba was too sick to be jealous. The woman kept sheep, and this collie was one of two she ran them with. He was getting on, and just in for a check up.

Peace, brothers and dogs. I don't have much else to say just now.

[Larks]

Mate, I didn't look at the date of the first post, just saw it come up in the "new posts"
cheers

[clancy]

Golly, someone dug this out of the archives.:)

I do love doggies. Don't have one right now, but I think I do understand them pretty well.

When I had Sheba in for one of her last appointments the gal sitting next to me had an aging Boarder Collie. We chatted, her dog a nudge, a love, "Hey, look at me!" He was very sweet, and Sheba was too sick to be jealous. The woman kept sheep, and this collie was one of two she ran them with. He was getting on, and just in for a check up.

Peace, brothers and dogs. I don't have much else to say just now.

It's obvious that the person who revived this thread is in the business of selling the cd, so reported.