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Level 1 Apprentice – 130 hours

Goal: To lay the foundation of skills and information necessary for a competent dog trainer.  Upon successful completion of this course, student should be prepared for the position of unpaid or paid training assistant, depending on prior education and experience.

Prerequisite: None

Cost: $600

Commitment:

Option #1: 4 months, one day per week, 8 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Option #2: 4 months, two days per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Option #3: 8 months, one day per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

(All options: Assist with Academies as available)

Curriculum

48 hours minimum (four full sessions) of Level 1 Class – preparation, observation, assisting, student teaching, wrap up
6 hours minimum teaching under supervision
10 hours minimum observing private training and/or advanced classes, assisting as appropriate
8 hours minimum discussion and review of class observations, assigned reading, videos
20 hours minimum assisting w/shelter behavioral assessments
20 hours minimum answering shelter behavior hotline calls
16 hours minimum animal care/administrative assistance
1 hour – written exam
1 hour – practical exam

Level 2 Apprentice – 130 hours

Goal:  To build on a trainer’s basic foundation of skills and information in preparation for a career as a professional dog trainer.  Upon successful completion of this course, student should be prepared for a position as a paid trainer under supervision, or as a head trainer, depending on student’s prior background and experience coming into the course, and the degree to which s/he assimilated and can apply the course information.

Prerequisite: Completion of Peaceable Paws Level 1 Apprenticeship or equivalent thereof. Equivalency requirement can be met through a combination of: demonstrated skill handling/training dogs using primarily positive reinforcement methods; submission of documented minimum of two years professional or five years personal/structured dog training experience, and passing of a written equivalency test.

 Cost: $600

Commitment:

Option #1: 4 months, one day per week, 8 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Option #2: 4 months, two days per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Option #3: 8 months, one day per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

(All options assist with Academies as available)

Curriculum

8 hours minimum (one full session) of Level 1 Class – preparation, observation, assisting, student teaching, wrap up
36 hours minimum (three full sessions) of Level 1 Class – teaching under supervision
16 hours minimum observing private training and/or advanced classes, assisting as appropriate
8 hours minimum discussion and review of class observations, assigned reading, videos
20 hours minimum assisting w/shelter behavioral assessments
20 hours minimum answering shelter behavior hotline
20 hours minimum animal care/administrative assistance
1 hour – written exam
1 hour – practical exam
 

Level 3 Apprentice – 150 hours

Goal: To help the trainer grow and gain confidence in training and behavior knowledge and skills, and prepare for a career as a professional dog trainer.  Upon successful completion of this course, student should be prepared for a position as a paid trainer under supervision, or as a head trainer, depending on student’s prior background and experience coming into the course, and the degree to which s/he assimilated and can apply the course information.

Prerequisite: Completion of Peaceable Paws Level 2 Apprenticeship or at least one level of the Peaceable Paws Intern Program or equivalent thereof. Equivalency requirement can be met through a combination of: demonstrated skill handling/training dogs using primarily positive reinforcement methods; submission of documented minimum of three years professional or six years personal/structured dog training experience, and passing of a written equivalency test.

Cost: $750

Commitment:

Option #1: 4 months, one day per week, 8 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Option #2: 4 months, two days per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

Options #3: 8 months, one day per week, 4 hours per day plus 2-hour written and practical exam

(All options:  Assist with Academies as available)

Curriculum

24 hours minimum (three full sessions) of Level 1 Class, teaching
16 hours minimum of Level 2/other advanced classes, observing, assisting and teaching as appropriate
8 hours minimum (one full session) of Level 2/other advanced classes, teaching
10 hours of private behavior work, observing, participating, and assisting as appropriate.
8 hours of discussion, review of: class observations; assigned reading; videos
8 hours attendance at monthly Peaceable Paws event activity: DogTalk, Dog & Puppy Party, MDCDT/Rally
24 hours minimum assisting w/shelter behavioral assessments
30 hours minimum answering shelter behavior hotline
20 hours minimum animal care/administrative assistance
1 – 1 hour discussion written final subject paper <<item a) above>>
1 – 1 hour practical final exam <<item b) above>>  

Special Assignments:

a)      select agreed upon area of special interest in behavior and training, read at least three books and write a 2500 word paper on the subject, and

b)      set agreed upon training goals to achieve with own personal dog by completion of the course for practical final exam.