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Apprenticeship Program

The Wags and Wiggles program for dog trainers has received national acclaim and has been featured on Animal Planet. Numerous people over the years have studied under Laurie Zurborg.

Some have come to work here, and some continued their journey at shelters. The dream of becoming a top dog trainer can now come true and you can learn from the best.

The three levels of apprenticeship can accommodate people fresh to the business or those with prior experience. This venture should not be taken lightly. It is a big commitment on your part as well as Wags and Wiggles. If you have never used clicker training, we recommend taking a class at Wags and Wiggles first to familiarize you with our method of training.

In order to take the CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) test you must have at least 300 hours experience in dog training within the last five years. Two hundred twenty-five (225) hours or 75% of experience must be actual teaching hours as a ‘Head Dog Trainer’ or Instructor. Seventy-five (75) hours or 25% of experience can be in other related areas.

Before jumping into any new career, you should do some research. We offer a real-life hands-on apprenticeship program that will teach you the people skills, dog skills, and training skills needed to be a well-rounded dog trainer. Here are some other programs to look into before jumping in.

Dog Trainer Entrance Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must never have been convicted of a felony.
  • Must physically be able to handle any dog of any size, even untrained dogs that jump and pull.
  • Must be people and dog-friendly, be a team player, and be able to multi-task.
  • Must own your own dog.
  • Must have some experience training dogs (your own or others) or working with dogs in some capacity.
  • Must complete a personal interview with Wags and Wiggles.  Email Laurie.

 

Wags & Wiggles Apprenticeship Outline

LEVEL 1 - TRAIN THE DOG

GOAL
The apprentice will have a foundation of knowledge in basic dog training and handling skills. This includes basic canine knowledge in husbandry, body language, communication, and breed information. You will be exposed to behavioral science that includes operant and classical conditioning terminology and concepts. We will build the proper mechanics of clicker training: timing, observation, and treat delivery. We will assist the apprentice in the evaluation of his/her aptitude for and commitment to being a professional dog trainer. Upon completion of this level, the apprentice should be ready to decide if dog training is the right career for them. They will also have acquired the basic skills to train basic behaviors in dogs. Further levels will be necessary to prepare the apprentice how to teach human clients how to train their own dogs and become a fully skilled dog trainer.

PREREQUISITE
Application and pre-approval from Laurie Zurborg, CPDT. Email Us for an application and appointment.

COST
$950

COMMITMENT
Average completion time is 3 months. Total time is 60 hours. 30 hours of one on one time with your Wags & Wiggles Mentor. 10 hours of learning dog behavior in our playgroups. 2 group classes for approximately 18 hours. Practical review time or trainers meetings with Laurie Zurborg, CPDT or Ranaye Kahn, CPDT for 2 hours. This review time can be done individually or in a group setting with other apprentices. Training periods are usually scheduled for 6 hours per day, once a week, Monday through Friday.

CURRICULUM

  • 2 - 5 week Level 1 obedience classes. The first class you will attend as observer and the second class you attend with your own dog or a borrowed dog can be provided.
  • 10 hours minimum observing dogs in the daycare, learning basic dog handling, assisting in daycare evaluations, discussion and review of dog behavior, pack behavior and management. This includes learning animal care, husbandry, and administrative assistant duties relating to dog daycare & dog training.
  • 30 hours minimum observing and assisting in the Wags & Wiggles dayschool program, Wags & Wiggles board/train program, and Wags & Wiggles Private Playgroups. This includes assisting in training evaluations and temperament testing.
  • Attendance of trainers meetings (if applicable)
  • 1 hour - written exam
  • 1 hour - practical exam
  • Additional reading of books or videos will be required

LEVEL 2 - TRAIN THE HUMAN

GOAL
This level starts to focus on the human aspect of dog training - learning how to teach people. Dogs are only half of the equation. Apprentice will learn to observe dogs and people and learn to defuse potentially hazardous situations. Apprentice will learn to communicate effectively to all clients (no matter the personality or problem), learn to use positive reinforcement with humans, develop a behavior plan, as well as build the ability to explain how to improve client/dog behavior. Upon completion, the apprentice will have some basic skills on how to instruct people to train basic behaviors in dogs. The apprentice, depending on the level of prior experience and knowledge, may be ready after this level to have a paid or unpaid trainers assistant position with Wags & Wiggles or elsewhere. Further levels will be required to be a Head Trainer and instruct classes on your own.

PREREQUISITE
Level 1 or at least 6 months prior dog training experience. Pre-approval from Laurie Zurborg, CPDT is required.  Email Us for an application and appointment.

COST
$950

COMMITMENT
Average completion time is 3 months. Total time is 60 hours. 30 hours of one on one time with your Wags & Wiggles Mentor, working with clients in private or group settings as an assistant. 10 hours of advanced work in our playgroups. 2 group classes for approximately 18 hours. Practical review time with Laurie Zurborg, CPDT or Ranaye Kahn, CPDT for 2 hours. This review time can be done individually or in a group setting with other apprentices. Training periods are usually scheduled for 6 hours per day, once a week, Monday through Friday.

CURRICULUM

  • 2 - 5 week classes. The first class is an Obedience Level 1 you will attend as an assistant, interacting with clients. and The second class will be an advanced level class you attend with your own dog or a borrowed dog can be provided.
  • 10 hours minimum observing dogs in the daycare, learning basic dog handling, assisting in daycare evaluations, discussion and review of dog behavior, pack behavior and management. This includes assisting with clients, dealing with problem behavior in the daycare, and assisting in the instruction of daycare staff.
  • 30 hours minimum observing and assisting in Wags & Wiggles Group Classes, Wags & Wiggles Puppy Classes, Wags & Wiggles dayschool program, Wags & Wiggles board/train program, and Wags & Wiggles Special Classes. This includes assisting in training evaluations and temperament testing. The apprentice will learn to communication skills to help clients in classes, answering basic training questions, and getting people signed up for the appropriate class. The apprentice will also learn TagTeach in order to assist the client end of the leash. Most "client" interactions in this level will be in mock or group situations.
  • Attendance of trainers meetings (if applicable)
  • 1 hour - written exam
  • 1 hour - practical exam
  • Additional reading of books or videos will be required

Level 3 - THE ROAD TO CERTIFICATION

GOAL
To help the apprentice become a fully independent trainer and prepare for a career as a professional dog trainer. Upon successful completion of this course, the apprentice should be prepared for a position as a paid trainer under supervision, or as a head trainer, depending on prior background, people skills, and commitment to learning all aspects of dog training. Apprentice will be able to understand the design of class curriculum and how to handle themselves in a class or private situation. Further training would be needed to deal with dog-dog or dog-human aggression, abnormal dog behavior, or difficult cases. It will be up to the apprentice to sign up to take the CPDT test at the end of this level.

PREREQUISITE
Level 2 or equivalency requirement. This can be met through a combination of the practical exam to demonstrate skill handling/training dogs using primarily positive reinforcement methods; documentation of a minimum of 1-year prior training experience; or a written test. Pre-approval from Laurie Zurborg, CPDT is required. Total time period (not the number of hours) can be reduced if more hours are completed per week.

COST
$950

COMMITMENT
Average completion time is 3 months. Total time is 60 hours. 30 hours of one on one time with your Wags & Wiggles Mentor, working with clients in private or group settings as a lead member. 10 hours of advanced work in our playgroups. 2 group classes for approximately 18 hours. Practical review time with Laurie Zurborg, CPDT or Ranaye Kahn, CPDT for 2 hours. This review time can be done individually or in a group setting with other apprentices. Training periods are usually scheduled for 6 hours per day, once a week, Monday through Friday.

CURRICULUM

  • 2 - 5 week classes. Depending on the level of the student, you may teach parts of the obedience level 1 class. You will also continue your education in another advanced level class.
  • 10 hours minimum observing dogs in the daycare, learning basic dog handling, assisting in daycare evaluations, discussion and review of dog behavior, pack behavior and management. This includes assisting with clients, dealing with problem behavior in the daycare, and assisting in the instruction of daycare staff.
  • 30 hours minimum assisting and instructing in Wags & Wiggles Group Classes, Wags & Wiggles Puppy Classes, Specialty classes if appropriate, Private In-school or In-home lessons, Behavior Consults, Wags & Wiggles dayschool program, Wags & Wiggles board/train program, and Wags & Wiggles Private Playgroups.
  • Attendance of trainers meetings (if applicable)
  • 1 hour - written exam
  • 2 hour - practical exam
  • Additional reading of books or videos will be required