Professional Trainer Program

Professional Dog Training Workshops, running Monday through Friday for 8 weeks. 

5  days/week
Monday to Friday,  8 am to 1 pm  
Start Date: July 1, 2024

West Coast Canine Academy is offering a series of week-long workshops for anyone wanting to learn how to train dogs, whether you are a first time dog owner or a well established professional with a career as a dog trainer. The different elements of dog training have been divided up into a series of week-long workshops, each one focusing on a different aspect of dog training. 

This is not your average dog obedience training course, rather, it is a unique and effective program that focuses on positive training for life in the real world. Our training methods use positive training techniques based on classical, operant, high reinforcement conditioning and BAT systems for behavioural modification.

BENEFITS
A hands-on course where students will train their own dogs to a high standard of obedience and handle up to 25 dogs or more per week.
Learn the necessary skills to become a professional dog walker, and keep all your dogs under control.
Learn how to teach classes for basic and advanced obedience.
Learn to become a great dog handler who can work with any dog.
Learn to recognize different forms of aggression and reactivity and how to start the rehabilitation process.
Learn how to safely handle fearful dogs and teach them to trust you.
We provide ongoing support after the course is completed.  Our students are welcome to come work with us and gain experience training dogs.

COST
Text book:  $52.50, tax included
Each workshop costs $840.00, tax included.

SCHEDULE
Each workshop lasts 1 week. The 8 workshops run for 8 consecutive weeks during the months of September and October.

Download Application Form.
For more information contact Julie Carter at 250.882.4132 or  juliecarter@shaw.ca 

“The West Coast Canine Academy’s Professional Trainers Program is the best training course I have been on! It consists of classroom style teaching as well as hands on learning with lots of different dogs. Julie gave us the opportunity to help coach one of her puppy classes over the six weeks which gives you a great deal of confidence in talking to new people about the techniques you are learning. Julie and Dorothy’s knowledge of dogs is unprecedented and I am confident to share this same knowledge with my clients, knowing that I am giving good, sound advice. ” — Rebecca Squires

"Such an amazing course—it not only provided me with the education and skills to become a dog trainer it also challenged me to grow as a person and has improved my relationship with my dog . A positive, amazing experience!" — Pam Fleming

Instructors are amazing.  I highly recommend this course , very friendly and well-organized teachers. I feel confident I have enough knowledge and training to be a dog trainer. Loved it! — Rachelle Parent

Workshop 1: Selecting and raising a healthy puppy

This workshop is perfect for anyone in the dog business and for individuals wanting to raise a puppy. 

  • Puppy temperament testing (theory and practical)

  • Selecting a breeder (how to find a breeder that is right for you)

  • Selecting the right breed for your lifestyle

  • Puppy’s first week at home

  • Puppies and kids (do’s and don’t’s)

  • Socializing your puppy

  • Dangers for pups

  • Crate training

  • Potty training

  • Good manners (jumping, biting, etc.)

  • Separation anxiety, how to avoid it

  • Basic puppy obedience

  • Dietary options

  • Choosing a veterinarian

Workshop 2: Leash walking

This is often the #1 problem for most dog owners! Who is walking whom? In this workshop you will learn how to teach a dog to walk calmly on a loose leash in any situation. We will be learning to train dogs aged 12 weeks and up. This workshop will be full of hands on practical experience.

  • Puppy leash walking games

  • Leash walking 6 months and up

  • Building value to focus on the handler (the dog will choose to ignore outside distractions)

  • Greeting other dogs with good social etiquette, on a loose leash (loaded with practical experience)

  • Reinforcement zones (rewarding correct choices)

  • Formal healing (CKC)

Workshop 3: Basic sit/down stay, impulse control,
and advanced distraction work

This workshop is a must for all dog trainers, owners and handlers. It will include potential life saving skills (bolting from your front door, your car, across the street etc.)

  • Crate games

  • impulse control games

  • Basics of the sit command

  • Teaching the sit/stay

  • Sit/stay with distractions (3 levels)

  • Basics of the down command

  • Teaching the down/stay

  • Down/stay with distractions (3 levels)

  • Down/stay, the ultimate distractions (other dogs, bunnies, deer!)

 Watch video

Workshop 4: Recall

Develop a willing, joyful, reliable recall.

  • Puppy/novice recall games

  • Long line work (teaching dog to stay close to the handler on the trail)

  • Common handler errors that weaken your recall

  • Recall with distractions: Building blocks for success.

  • Dog distractions: the ultimate recall!

Workshop 5: Commands on the move —
Going above and beyond; the ultimate partnership

Learn to develop your dog’s ability to switch from one behaviour to another while in motion. 

  • Down from a distance

  • Down while in motion

  • Down in flight (running away from handler)

  • Down in recall

  • All of above in a group of dogs

  • All of above with distractions

  • Walking wait (handler keeps moving)

  • Walking down

  • Walking stand

  • Walking sit

  • Down to sit at distance

Watch video

Workshop 6: Training the Trainers

Learn the skills needed to be an effective dog trainer. In this workshop you will learn how to effectively teach clients to train their dogs.

Learning to pass on the skills learned in previous workshops
One on one with clients
Hands on working with clients and gaining confidence teaching others
Hands on working with different dogs
Marketing and growing your client base
Communication styles/people skills
Lesson plans/class management
Teaching styles and learning styles

Workshop 7: Introduction to Reactive Behaviours

In this workshop we will introduce you to the different types of reactivity that occur in dogs. We will learn to recognize these types of reactivity, understand their causes (both genetic and environmental), how and when to help, and when to decide to seek more experienced, professional help. We will look at ways of helping reactive dogs using the method of Counter Conditioning. 

  • Resource guarding

  • Reactive to people

  • Reactive to dogs

  • Fear based aggression

  • Reactive behaviour on leash

  • Fear of children

  • Fear of men and/or women

  • Understanding the rescue dog

  • Reading body language and dog behaviour