Who licenses dog trainers?

[NicoleLJ]

It does for me- you forgot who I worked for when I started Kym- think about it..
I do not care what other poeple do, but with my past in training for k-9 and customs- maybe that is why the difference.

Yes and custom dogs are trained to smell out drugs hence using a controled substances and why those trainers of those dogs would NEED to be liscensed. But for a regular dog trainer they do not use controled substanses and do not legally have to be liscensed, certified or the like.
Nicole

[agilityk9trainer]

It does for me- you forgot who I worked for when I started Kym- think about it..
I do not care what other poeple do, but with my past in training for k-9 and customs- maybe that is why the difference.

Are you currently training customs/police dogs? I would think with that background you would know the difference between the need for licensing for customs work and "licensing" for pet training, which is all you are doing now.

[Ceph]

LOL!! I've never been called obnoxious.

I can see in your situation where you might seek some outside help. However, if I remember rightly, ABC costs about $3,000. I wouldn't pay that. I, had to drive TWO hours one-way to get the training I desired from my training mentor. I did it often, and still attempt to do so as time permits. If you really want to get good, you make these sacrifices. I am now considering driving 1/2 way across the US to get to a trainer I much admire. This is what you have to do to better yourself. However, the training you get from ABC is pretty basic. If it's stuff you can get with an easy hour's drive from your house, then I'd certainly go that route instead. Not only will you learn, but you will also develop local contacts and increase your rep. among the doggie community. Training alone at home will not give you these valuable contacts and reputation. In our business, reputation becomes everything.

If you want to get good, you make sacrifices. Back in the early 90s when agility was just starting, people in my area had to drive for 10 hours to get their training. And, they did it. Two hours is nothing compared to that. You do what you have to do to get good.

Dude, I'm at a senior military college. I wear uniform 5-7 days a week and I have to request leave to drive anywhere....I take 18 credit hours a semester and I am at a technical school(Virginia Tech) which is a wildly difficult school to attend....tell me when I have time to drive two hours to go anywhere. I have a curfew, I have a certain number of leaves a semester, and not only that, I am a member of the military marching band (which is also my company). I havent had a single 'normal year' of college....I study, I march, I clean my room, attend class and press my uniform, I attend Guard Drill and I work in a shelter and with my mentor. I wake up at five and go to bed at midnight, I exercise regulalry because it's expected, and I go out to the barns to check on the horses that are a part of my classes. I dont see my parents or my brother ever because my weekends are taken up doing military and Guard duties. Maybe if I am lucky I see my boyfriend of a year. I cant wait to get out of college because for once I might actually have *time* to do things. Believe me when I say I know what sacrifice is...And driving two hours is not a sacrifice I can make.

Though it is nice that my mentor is in addition to being a ABC cert. teacher and agility teacher with alot of students in the local area....thats pretty good in my mind.

It also helps that my car is 15 years old and falling apart at the wheels...I decided to do this because I love working with dogs, and because when I do graduate I need a job outside of the National Guard...Dog training seemed like a logical choice, and once I do graduate and have time I will work with others, but until then I take the avenues available to me.

[agilityk9trainer]

Dude, I'm at a senior military college. I wear uniform 5-7 days a week and I have to request leave to drive anywhere....I take 18 credit hours a semester and I am at a technical school(Virginia Tech) which is a wildly difficult school to attend....tell me when I have time to drive two hours to go anywhere. I have a curfew, I have a certain number of leaves a semester, and not only that, I am a member of the military marching band (which is also my company). I havent had a single 'normal year' of college....I study, I march, I clean my room, attend class and press my uniform, I attend Guard Drill and I work in a shelter and with my mentor. I wake up at five and go to bed at midnight, I exercise regulalry because it's expected, and I go out to the barns to check on the horses that are a part of my classes. Maybe if I am lucky I see my boyfriend of a year. I cant wait to get out of college because for once I might actually have *time* to do things.

Though it is nice that my mentor is in addition to being a ABC cert. teacher and agility teacher with alot of students in the local area....thats pretty good in my mind.

I'm not a "dude." And, if you're that busy, then I doubt you're getting the hands-on experience you really need to become a great trainer, making my suspecisions of ABC grow even stronger.

If you're so busy you can't even drive an hour away, then you are not ready to become a dog trainer. It takes time and energy. Lots of both. And, determination to get with the best trainers possible.

Like I said, if you want to get good, you make the sacrifices. If you can't make them, then you can't get good.

If you want to get great, the sacrifices become even more intense.

The choice is your's. Of course, I can see why you bristle at my opinion of ABC. You've spent a lot of money to get certified with them. I'm sorry you're offended, but you CAN get for free what ABC is charging you $3,000 for (even if you have to drive an hour to do so). The truth sometimes stings.

[Ceph]

I call everyone dude, so dont worry about it.

Honostly, I dont care as much what you think...what matters is that I do the best for the people I work with. What's important is the willingness to learn about it, to try and make yourself better. It might take me a little longer to get there, but I'll be danged if I dont. To be able to accept new idea's...it's why when I get out of here I am going to start small and work my way up...because I figure I will learn more that way...It's also why I spend my spare time reading...because I learn from that as well...

Plus, I have a great background in animals. I may know more about horses, but my major requires general animal behavioral classes, genetics, repro, anatomy, phys, and nutrition. You know, a BS in Animal Sciences can't hurt at all....and that took only five years to achieve...and a five hour drive....to add to that I learned a whoooole lot about discipline and business behavior, which cant hurt either.

People can get to the same place through different methods...It takes time and work, but one way isnt always the only way. Do what works for you...for me it wasnt about the money...The National Guard pays my tuition, which helps me out alot....so I dont care whether or not I wasted it....I feel like I have had a rewarding experience...and thats what matters to me...that I got something out of it.

I have also learned to not be intolerant of different methods of doing things...one should do what works best for them. Being intolerant of different ways people do things...is well....kinda obnoxious.

[mike001]

Dr.Goodnow..........Federal Laws in the states do not apply to Canadians.
And those fedral laws say a lot more than what some people use as proof for everything.
Sorry, I still have to hold my ground on trained and licenced trainers.
Maybe if all the trainers were required to pass graduate and pass test and be evaluated the shelters wouldn't be so full.

[DrKym]

Dr.Goodnow..........Federal Laws in the states do not apply to Canadians.
And those fedral laws say a lot more than what some people use as proof for everything.
Sorry, I still have to hold my ground on trained and licenced trainers.
Maybe if all the trainers were required to pass graduate and pass test and be evaluated the shelters wouldn't be so full.

So you quote our laws, knowing nothing about them? Then you quote non existant Canadian laws, and you want to hold your ground?

Well just keep treading water, with all your flailing your bound to go under in your pool!

[borzoimom]

Are you currently training customs/police dogs? I would think with that background you would know the difference between the need for licensing for customs work and "licensing" for pet training, which is all you are doing now.

It goes by what the certification says. Unless I want to go back though- spending weeks from home again, it wont change. And I do not have time, nor care but that does explain why I have to be licensed and others dont. Actually I have wondered why for a long time. Thanks all..
I cant leave home all those weeks with 4 and a litter on the way- I do not see going back this year at all. And now- after reading all this- why should I bother.. jeez- I think its been over kill on my end, and after all these years, if they want me to continue- they can let go the requirement as far as I am concerned.

[NicoleLJ]

Maybe if all the trainers were required to pass graduate and pass test and be evaluated the shelters wouldn't be so full.

See that right there, out of your own mouth, shows you KNOW that it is not required legally. That trainers do not legally have to be certified or liscensed. So basically it is only your OPINION that they should be. Legal requirements and opinions are two totally different things.
Nicole

[pessimisaurus]

Basically any joe on the street can call themselves a dog trainer. thats why its so important to do your research when choosing one. the woman I trained under has written out some info on telling the difference btw the different terms people use (i.e. "behaviorist", "trainer", "behavior specialist", etc) on our site: http://www.seattledogs.com/faqs.htm#how

[agilityk9trainer]

Ceph,

I wish you good luck in your dog training endeavors.

[mike001]

Dr. Goodnow....the ADA laws are all over the internet for everyone to read.
As for our Canadian laws I respect the ones that pertain to me.

I guess if people want to put out their money to train with a self made trainers that's their business.
I will stand with the certified licensed trainers that I know and admire.

[borzoimom]

...I guess if people want to put out their money to train with a self made trainers that's their business.
I will stand with the certified licensed trainers that I know and admire.

That seems to be the general idea around here- I always have a waiting list for classes.

[applesmom]

It goes by what the certification says. Unless I want to go back though- spending weeks from home again, it wont change. And I do not have time, nor care but that does explain why I have to be licensed and others dont. Actually I have wondered why for a long time. Thanks all..
I cant leave home all those weeks with 4 and a litter on the way- I do not see going back this year at all. And now- after reading all this- why should I bother.. jeez- I think its been over kill on my end, and after all these years, if they want me to continue- they can let go the requirement as far as I am concerned.

Who is they?

[caseysmom]

Sorry guys- even Utah required a trainer to be licensed- READ IT AND WEEP.. I also have the Va. State law of license coming to me by email- I will post it later- off to class in 15 minutes..
http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/031.pdf

Did your class get cancelled?