School for Dog Trainers

Animal Behavior College (ABC)

Success Stories

Cheryl

I have owned dogs all my life since I was a child. I have also owned raccoons and have experience in horseback riding as I took a class in college on horsemanship. I own three dogs right now and the things they do every day amaze me. To people that do not have dogs, I would say that they are missing out on unconditional love, loyalty, and great companionship.

I loved the group observation and participation. Actually working with the dogs and receiving an abundance of knowledge from my experienced instructor was a great learning experience for me.

I am very interested in dogs and would like to use the training I received at ABC to train dogs as a second source of income, maybe even having my own business one day. I would like to start out part-time and work my way up, furthering my education as I go.

ABC gave me a new knowledge of what a dog's reaction means, how to treat and train the dogs I have, as well as other dogs. Now I have a greater urge to learn even more. My love for dogs makes me determined to become the best trainer I can be.

Lisa

I've had about 5 dogs throughout my life (all rescues), like Huskies. I have always related well with dogs and seemed to have a knack for training them. Since I really care about dogs and like working with people, I decided to join Animal Behavior College and become a Certified Dog Obedience Instructor.

I really liked the hands-on classes. I enjoyed working with all of the different breeds and personalities of dogs (other than Huskies). Now I have knowledge on how to handle difficult situations with dogs. And I liked working with all of the different people, too. There are a lot of different breeds to train and ABC gave me the experience and knowledge I need to pursue a dog training career and start my own business.

Nadine

Before attending Animal Behavior College the experience I ad with dogs was with my own, and as and apprentice for a dog groomer. Because I love dogs I wanted to help the ones that people just "throw away" so I wanted to become an obedience trainer.

I gained so much knowledge and experience from ABC's hands-on training that I will be volunteering with the local Humane Society and working as a professional dog obedience instructor.

The knowledge of one of ABC's Program Managers, Jori, whom I was always able to call for help, was one of my favorite parts of ABC. I would recommend ABC to others because they are so knowledgeable about training and they are always there to help you.

Lana

I always wanted to become a dog trainer because I love animals. But before going through Animal Behavior College, I didn't have too much knowledge on how to teach others basic obedience except what I had seen on TV and read in books. But of course none of this was as in-depth as ABC.

I am also currently in college to become a veterinarian. Then I will be able to help my clients solve their dog's behavior problems due to the knowledge I gained from ABC. Also, I figured that being a dog trainer will help when I open m own doggie day-care because I will be able to offer my clients obedience courses. I know I will be successful because I love to work with dogs and their owners.

ABC taught me more in-depth ways of dealing with problem behaviors and also how to teach others how to work properly with their animals. My favorite part of ABC was the obedience classes. I loved seeing the owners' faces when they saw their dogs beginning to learn the commands. I now know how to teach owners the basic obedience commands that will make their dogs better companions.

Rene

Prior to my being a student with Animal Behavior College, I studied at Moorpark College working with squirrels, cats, reptiles and exotic animals. I enjoy working with dogs and wanted ongoing knowledge about them.

ABC has the most diplomatic type of training and I really enjoyed their hands-on classes. I have changed and corrected my old training methods from over the years to the positive training methods I have learned with ABC.

I am hoping and willing to continue learning the latest ideas so I can teach them to others. I have never come across an organized training program as thorough as ABC.

Michelle

Like a lot of people, I have had dogs all my life. I am also on the board of Directors for the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City which allowed me to realize first hand how dog training could improve the likelihood of adoption for almost every dog.

I think there is an important bond between humans and animals that we can use to enrich our lives. I have never met a dog that I could not find something positive about. For example, I rescued a 1 ½ year old Dalmation that had been in a shelter for 3 months and within 2 weeks he was perfect and has been the #1 dog in my life. Now I can use the knowledge and experience that I gained from ABC to help other shelter dogs become more adoptable.

I really enjoyed learning about the different personalities of the breeds. The hands-on training was my favorite part of ABC. I was able to see the different personalities of the people and their pets during the hands on training called "Observation" and "Participation".

Right after I completed ABC, I was hired by ABTA as a Professional Dog Obedience Instructor. ABC gave me the knowledge and experience to be a success in the dog industry.

Viki

Other than always having at least 2 dogs in my family at any given time while growing up, I had no dog training experience at all before I went to Animal Behavior College. I am currently a school teacher, and take pleasure in working with people. Also, I have always enjoyed working with dogs. Now I can combine the two. It is really more a matter of teaching the owners about their dogs so that they can work in conjunction with each other. ABC gave me a great understanding of dog behavior and also helped me understand how to teach owners to relate to their dogs.

I thought the "hands-on" was the best part of ABC. I am more of a visual/kinesthetic learner, so this part of the Program was more effective for me than the written material. I eventually want to have my own business, such as a doggie day-care. With the knowledge I gained from attending Animal Behavior College, I can make that a reality now.

Stacey

I had been out in the business world in management and found it was not rewarding. So I turned to something I love and am passionate about. Dogs. I volunteered in shelters while growing up and all throughout college. One of my goals is to make shelter dogs more popular and attractive to prospective owners so they can get adopted. I also worked in an animal hospital for 2 years before I joined Animal Behavior College and I am still there. ABC helped me tremendously in that field. I have an advanced understanding of dogs and can now communicate better with them through the tone of my voice.

I have bragged about ABC to a lot of people. The manual was very user friendly and presented the material in a way that was easy to understand. It was nice having a Coordinator throughout the program that I could call whenever I had questions. One of the things I really liked about ABC was learning about the different canine behavioral characteristics. I now have an understanding of the intricacies of canine aggression and factors relating to fearful behavior.

I am a positive, outgoing and enthusiastic person so I enjoyed the motivational format of the Program. Positive reinforcement was what motivated me to work with people in the first place and it works even better on dogs. The hands-on training was the best part of ABC because you get to use what you learned. My trainer was great and spent extra time with me. And I was fortunate enough to get to see the reviews of the class that I taught so I could see how well I did. I plan to teach group and private training and find homes for more dogs because of what I learned from ABC.

Sandra

I have been a petsitter for five years. During this time, I saw many of my clients enroll their dogs in obedience classes, go through the sessions and end up with dogs that were still completely untrained. These classes, also, did not address the dogs' behavioral problems that existed. I knew there had to be a better way and decided to become certified in dog training myself.

I always loved dogs but not until I went through the ABC program, did I truly begin to understand them. Having a dog sit or lie down was never a problem for me, that was simple. Reading their body language and getting a better
feel for what was going on inside their mind was something I was lacking.

ABC provided me with this knowledge and it has proven to be invaluable to me. It has allowed me to better help my clients understand their dogs and correct
behavior problems. Being able to turn problem behaviors around and save a pet from ending up in a shelter, has been incredibly rewarding. Without ABC instruction, I would not have been able to do this. Since I graduated
ABC, I have been offering both private and group training classes. I just love the challenge and enjoy helping a dog to become a welcome member of the family.

Chrisi

Originally from Chicago, I came to Los Angeles with the not-so-unheard-of dream of becoming an actress. After spending the majority of my adult life in miserable jobs, I decided I wanted to find work I could ENJOY doing that would also allow me time to pursue acting. As if it had been staring me in the face all along, I remembered my childhood love of animals, especially my family's two golden retrievers. After research and tremendous support from my new husband, Buck, I leapt forward into the world of dogs.

ABC has been a terrific experience. I love helping owners bridge the communication gap between human and canine. The apprenticeship was a great way to work in the class environment with a safety net. I fully intend on stealing my instructor, Linda's great stories to pass on to my future students! I plan to continue in the group setting at Petco, as well as furthering my studies to become a private trainer. I am also in the process of establishing my own Pet Sitting/Dog Walking service called, "What About Fluffy?" I will be focusing on caring for all types of pets in Van Nuys and the surrounding communities

When I found my three cats were immune to my dog training skills, I adopted a stray Golden Retriever/Irish Setter mix, Barnum. He has been my most difficult student, as I have to live with anything I don't instill properly! I also volunteer at the SPCA LA and want to encourage anyone looking for a dog (or cat) to check them out. Just as becoming a trainer has made me see dog behavior in a clearer light, working for the SPCA has blown all of my preconceived notions about animals in rescues. The majority are there because owners just gave up on them. But I know with the right amount of attention and training, every dog can be a wonderful companion.

Al

After twenty-five years of being in the retail baking business, it had lost it's thrill,and I was looking for something different. Over the years I have enjoyed training and working with my own dogs and helping friends train their dogs. One day I had a thought, why not try doing this for a living. I started training part time. After doing part time for five years I'm making the move to full time training and specialized boarding.

The ABC program gave me some new insights and the confidence to take on my new career. It was a pleasure to talk with the ABC staff. They were helpful and knowledgeable of all things dogs.

In the years to come I hope to work with dogs an their caretakers to ensure they have long and happy lives together, so that man can truly be dogs best friend.

Steve

I have always had a passion for animals, especially dogs. However, I never imagined I could make a career out of it. I found an adorable puppy at the Long Beach Animal Shelter to give to my fiancée, Monica, for Christmas. But when we arranged for training classes with the local recreation department, Monica was called out of town on business for a month, making me the primary trainer. I worked with our puppy daily and we both made outstanding progress. When the class was over, Sable, the youngest puppy in the class, finished in second place. After seeing how successful the training was with Sable, neighbors and friends began asking me for advice and quick behavior solutions. After several success stories with neighborhood dogs, I knew I had come across something I had a real passion for, so after taking Sable through an advanced obedience program, I decided to inquire about becoming a trainer at the local Petco store. I found out about Animal Behavior College (ABC) and quickly signed up for the Dog Obedience Instructor Program. I am so happy I did. I am now a certified Professional Dog Trainer getting paid to help people and their dogs

Gerilynn

Hi, my name is Gerilynn and this is my wonderful dog, Sam. I am a graduate of Animal Behavior College. Attending the College was one of the best choices I have ever made for myself. I am now able to help dogs and their families build lasting rewarding relationships through training and education. I truly feel by educating dog owners we can help decrease the numbers of homeless dog in shelters and rescues. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a professional dog trainer is seeing the happy faces of owners when their best friends are obedient members of the family. 

Bobbi-Lynn 

I became interested in animal behavior when I hired a professional trainer to help with my 1 ½ year old Siberian Husky, Siam, who was suffering from separation anxiety. The professional trainer I hired worked for Animal Behavior & Training Associates, Inc. (ABTA) and the results were so great that when I got my second Siberian Husky, I called ABTA again. When speaking with the folks at ABTA I learned about their school for dog trainers, Animal Behavior College (ABC), and the rest was history. I graduated from the College with honors and accepted a position with ABTA, teaching private in-home lessons. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is serious about a dog training career. The people at ABC keep everything professional and take dog training very seriously. They love and respect dogs, and they strive to impress the same philosophies upon their students. 

Beth

My name is Beth and I became interested in working with dogs almost 10 years ago when I took my Golden Retriever, Bailey, to K-9 Kindergarten and basic obedience. I had so much fun and learned a lot about communicating with dogs. I decided that one day I’d like the opportunity to share that ability so people could enjoy a well-behaved pet in their home. Even though I have a background in travel and a paralegal certification, I can honestly say that dog training gives me the fulfillment I’ve long searched for in a career. There is nothing more rewarding to me than to watch an owner’s face light up when her dog responds to her commands! Most people have had the frustration of having a dog that “just won’t listen”. I’ve learned through training that communication is the key to making that dog listen and knowing that I can help make a difference is a gratifying feeling. 

As a recent graduate of ABC (Animal Behavior College) I can say that the experience has been very enjoyable and ABTA has an excellent training program. The information I received through the program was very thorough and the coordinators were helpful. Once I got involved I learned there is so much more I can do with an obedience background. I’d like to develop my skills into the advanced and private training areas and eventually do this full time. I recently “rescued” a Golden/Shepherd mix (Gabriel) from a home where he was badly neglected and in desperate need of love and patience. Coincidentally, I was going through my training when I took Gabe so it didn’t take long to resolve his problems with separation anxiety, dominant aggression and running away. People can hardly believe he’s the same dog! I’m proud to say that with the help of ABTA and a little patience, I’ve saved the life of a dog who was headed for the dog pound. Now Gabe is one of the most well-behaved, intelligent and LOVING dogs I’ve met yet! I’d now like to get him involved in agility or a more advanced area of training and am looking forward to working with ABTA to accomplish that.

Wendy

Years ago I took the public bus to college and every morning there was a man with his seeing eye dog. I would look at the dog and think "What a great career, training dogs to help people." Well years later, stuck working in retail, I thought I really needed to get into something I like doing. At this point my mother started showing Shiba Inu's and asked me if I could help her. At one of the shows they had Search & Rescue dogs, again what a great career. After 4 years of showing dogs I took one of the puppies I kept from one of my litters to an obedience class at Petco. I thought if I could train a Shiba Inu I can train anything!!! I talked to the person training the class who told me to call Animal Behavior College (ABC). I told them my goal of becoming a professional dog trainer and came to the decision that enrolling in ABC would be the first step in the right direction. I successfully completed ABC and am now a full time mom and teach two dog obedience group classes a week at Petco in Woburn MA. I was right, “What a great career!”

PJ

As a Professional Pet Groomer for over 25 years, I heard innumerable heart breaking stories from my clients about their unsolved pet problems.  I always wanted to help them, I just didn’t know how. 

One day I read a brochure at Petco about Animal Behavior & Training Associates, Inc., describing their positive motivational training methods.  I called the 800 number listed on the brochure and to my delight I learned about Animal Behavior College (ABC), a school for dog trainers.   I enrolled in ABC, completed the course and became a Professional Dog Obedience Trainer. 

Nancy

I graduated Animal Behavior College in October of 2000 and was thrilled when I was offered a Group Obedience Instructor position with ABTA.  I accepted the position and currently teach at two Petco stores in the Houston Metro area. 

In the past, I have been a breeder of Brittany Spaniels and Rottweilers, but I have been a dog lover all my life.  I decided to become a professional dog trainer after enrolling my Weimaraner puppy in an obedience course at Petco.  I had always wanted to have a career that involved animals and it became apparent to me that it was a definite possibility after reading the flyer I received when I joined the class. 

I feel that I have found the true passion in my life and have plans to advance my training education even further.  I have started a Pet Sitting business and am loving it.  I enjoy my work more than I ever could have imagined.  It is so fulfilling to see how many people are interested in having their dog be a well-mannered member of their family and of society.  I believe I am helping Pet Owners make the ‘canine connection’ with their dogs, and these people are a ‘breed’ of their own and should be applauded as being responsible pet owners and citizens.

Maureen

Before I found Animal Behavior College, I did not have any formal dog training experience. But I'd always had dogs growing up, even as many as 6 at a time when I was living in Africa. I spent a lot of time animal watching and I volunteered in shelters and sanctuaries. I saw such incredible misunderstanding between dogs and their owners and I thought it such a shame. So I decided to better the odds in my own little way, by becoming a dog trainer.

At ABC I learned the fundamentals of what to do to achieve my goals. ABC showed me how to get where I wanted to be. I especially enjoyed the comprehensive curriculum presented in the program and the special attention showed to me by the Program Manager.

I have such a strong desire to impart all the knowledge I have as fast as I can. So, I am pursuing a training career by researching various training methods and by working for ABTA as Group Class Obedience Instructor. I am very determined and confident that I can use the knowledge and experience that I gained from ABC along with my communication skills to bring the world of dogs and people together.

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A Guide to Training Your Dog