What to Expect from the On-Campus Dog Obedience Training Program at Animal Behavior College

 

Love dogs?  Looking for a career where you can make a tangible difference? 

Becoming a dog obedience trainer allows you to spend your days surrounded by dogs, helping them to bond with their humans and helping both fix behavioral concerns while learning good canine manners. The chance to improve lives for both animals and their people can be the highest motivation for all great dog trainers.  

Animal Behavior College’s in-person dog trainer course is perfect for the serious student looking to fast track their education by attending a fully immersive, in person, hands-on approach, held in a traditional classroom setting (with field trips!) 

In addition, a lot of military veterans also find dog training to be an attractive career.  Many find their way to the Animal Behavior College’s on-campus program and appreciate working with other students who have had similar military experiences.  

Also, veterans may be able to use the GI Bill to pay for ABC’s on-campus program which is approved by CSAAVE, the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education.   

 

Learn Dog Training from Working Professionals

Animal Behavior College was founded in 1998 by professional dog trainer and veteran, Steve Appelbaum.  Staffed by working professional trainers who have a passion for dogs, the school’s mission is to help similarly passionate people launch animal careers.   

In a nutshell, ABC is a society of people who love animals and want to make life better for them. 

Animal Behavior College has long been known for its outstanding online dog obedience training program, but the school also offers an exceptional in-person program.  Taught on their Santa Clarita, California campus in an intimate classroom setting, the five month course is collaborative, supportive, and immersive. 

With more than two decades of experience training dogs in the military as well as additional years dedicated to helping dogs in rescue organizations as both an Executive Director and a Certified Animal Trainer/Behaviorist Specialist, the on-campus classroom instructor Seth Hutson leads a team of students as they learn the skills to be a trainer.   

 

What Is the On-Campus Program Like?

For roughly 22 weeks, classes are every day, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The campus is in a beautiful Southern California setting, and the schedule leaves plenty of time to explore the region.  You can go to class in the morning, the beach in late afternoon, and check out Hollywood at night! 

The ABC dog training classroom is not like any classroom you’ve ever experienced.  Yes, it is brick and mortar like other in person learning scenarios, but how many of those classrooms also include canine students?!  Most students bring their own dogs, and the instructor brings in dogs he is currently training.  Students learn skills and techniques and then immediately have the chance to try them hands-on. 

Pairing up, students work as partners.  One will act as a helper, advising on steps and keeping an eye on the process, while the other works directly with the dog.  Then they switch roles.  The instructor is always there to watch and provide advice or direction.  

Students also get to work with actual clients in the classroom as part of their learning experience.  The clients recognize the students’ status as trainers in training, and the instructor is always there for guidance. 

The training methods taught by ABC follow the LIMA method (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) in every possible training case.  Dogs work to earn a reward; vs. receiving a punishment first, as part of the learning process.   

Because each dog is different, students learn problem solving skills that will help them patiently figure out what will work for each individual pet. 

 

Students Save Lives

Another part of the program involves working with shelter dogs at a local animal shelter.    Two times a week, students go to a local shelter to practice their training techniques while helping dogs become more adoptable. 

These days are spent walking dogs, training them to have a calm demeanor, socializing them, and helping them master basic obedience skills.   

Working with shelter dogs is important for the dog because many of them have experienced so much human disappointment in their lives and beneficial for the student who can put to practice, what they have learned to help change behavior issues.  No one knows what the pups might have experienced before finding their way to the shelter but  ABC students can help them be less fearful, building trust and confidence in humans and learn simple obedience commands, all to help them become more adoptable! 

All of this work usually results in about many dogs finding their forever homes during the course of each five month session. ABC is Student Savings Lives! 

 

A Career the Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Success is never feeling like you’re working, and passionate dog trainers can relate.  If you’d like to enroll in the ABC on-campus program and become a dog trainer, call 800-795-3294 to speak to an admissions counselor.  The next session begins October 2, 2023.