Professional Dog Trainers Program: Curriculum
Safety for Dog Trainers and Dogs
The Wonderdogs team shows you how to play it safe! Learn important safety tips and how to implement them when training dogs of any size and temperament. We spend a minimum of 3 hours on this very important topic.
During the Professional Dog Trainers Program, you will also learn about how to keep your client’s dogs safe while at home, at training and everywhere in between. This information is extremely important and is covered extensively in the course. We spend a minimum of 2 hours on this topic.
Canine First Aid basics are also covered in the program.
My husband and I were travelling to the interior of BC, when we stopped at a gas station in Princeton. The gas station is right next to the highway and a bridge, and there is a trail running along the river under the bridge. Our 1 year old Australian Shepherd, Fawn, got out of the car with us. We each thought she was on the other side of the car, and when we realized that she was not with us, I began calling her. As I walked up the bank toward the highway, I saw her. She was obeying me exactly as I had trained her and was running toward me– right toward the highway. I yelled “down!” as loudly as I could, and she dropped right along the edge of the pavement as a pickup truck flew past. I have no doubt that if she had not been trained, and had not dropped instantly, that she would have been hit and likely killed. She lived a happy life to the age of almost 13. I am now training my second Aussie, Ghillie, who is now just a year old. I am very confident that her training with Ben will be equally important as she travels with us everywhere we go. I highly recommend Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs training, for dogs and their people.
Cori Barraclough
Victoria, BC
clbarraclough@shaw.ca
Canine Psychology (alpha wolf, instinct, temperament, etc.)
This component of the Professional Dog Trainers Program will give you an understanding of how dogs reason and respond to the environment in which they live. This information is the foundation of any training, and an essential part of evaluating a client’s dog. At five weeks of age a puppy displays numerous personality traits. The Wonderdogs team shows you how to select a puppy for its health, intelligence and temperament. Our team use our own tests as well as those used for the seeing eye dogs for the blind. The Wonderdogs techniques for socializing and conditioning a puppy to the stress and noise of modern society are very effective. This is an essential part of a puppy’s upbringing, ensuring a stable temperament for future training. Our foundation training is an excellent start for any dog, young or old. Fun, nurturing, and stress-free for dogs, this concept is unique and integral to his training technique.
I found the course exciting and extremely informative. Since graduating, I have helped clients with basic obedience and also taken jobs within the film industry.
Georgina Bradley, Vancouver, BC.
Breed Temperaments
Invaluable in the understanding and training of dogs is a working knowledge of dog breeds and the various temperaments and characteristics associated with them.
Obedience Training: Beginner to Advanced
Obedience training is the leading area of revenue for most professional dog trainers. Consequently, this is the main area of focus during The Wonderdogs 12-week Professional Dog Trainers Program. It includes:
Walking Exercise
Complete on leash control with no pulling – ever!
Complete off-leash control in any situation
Sit Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Holding position under heavy distraction (using toys, treats, dogs, people)
Holding position from 600+ feet
Response while in Motion
Down Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Holding position under heavy distraction (using toys, treats, dogs, people)
Holding position from 600+ feet
Response while in Motion
Indefinite Long Down (1 hour +)
Invisible Down Command
Come Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
While Playing (with a person, a toy or another dog)
Response from 600+ feet
Response under heavy distraction
Invisible Come Command
Heel Command
On and Off-Leash
Straight Heel
Jot-outs
Fast and slow
Start/Stop with automatic Sit
Circle right and left
90 degree right and left turn
180 degree right and left turn
Third degree
Automatic Heel (hand signal, no voice)
Zig Zags
Tight circle right and left
Heel hand signal only – from a distance
Heel on the spot – right and left
About turn – towards dog
Reverse Heel
Finish on Heel
Stand Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Down to Sit Command
From 125+ Feet
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Down out of Motion
From walk and run
By side and at distance
Road Safety
Automatic Stop and Sit at every Curb
Tricks
Take that Dog
Roll-Over
Spin
Jump Arm or Leg
Jump over Head
Weave through Legs
Rear Up
Plus many others!
Tracking
500+ feet through changes of terrain
Problem Behaviour
Would you believe that most dog owners lose hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of personal property before enlisting the services of a reputable trainer? The results from our counseling for problem behaviour are remarkable. The feedback received from thousands of clients over the past three decades indicates that problems such as aggression, housebreaking, jumping up, barking, chewing, digging, and many more are often resolved within 2-3 days.
Topics include an in depth and comprehensive study of all problem behaviour areas:
- Housebreaking problems
- Excessive barking
- Destructive chewing
- Jumping on people and furniture
- Dominance-related aggression
- Aggression towards adults
- Aggression towards children
- Aggression towards dogs and other animals
- Digging
- Separation Anxiety
- Fear and phobias
- Fence jumping
- Car sickness
- Car chasing
- Stealing food and/or begging for food
- Door dashing
- Hyperactive behaviour
- Submissive and hyperactive urination
To Who It May Concern
I own a 2 ½ year old Rottweiler. I went through obedience training with three other trainers. Even with all this time and money spent on training, the dog was still totally out of control. He would jump up on people and was aggressive toward other dogs. It was to the point where I would only walk the dog early in the morning or late at night when no one was around. This was no fun for me or the dog. I was at my wits end. It was try another trainer or do something more drastic. Then I read an article on Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs. I decided to give him a try.
After talking to Ben he said it would take about ten sessions to fix the problems. I started working Ben. We started working on the dogs problems of jumping on people and his aggression towards other dogs. Within two sessions the dog was no longer jumping on people. Ben would bring his dogs out so we could fix the aggression problems. Ben told me how to correct the dog when he showed aggression, then he would work his dog around mine until mine was no longer aggressive. Within a few short sessions the dogs were playing together. We also worked on basic obedience. Ben helped me get rid of bad habits I had when doing obedience work with the dog. In the end Ben’s method of training worked where all others didn’t.
You can save yourself a lot of time, money, frustration my going to Ben to have your dog trained. I know I would have done it in the first place. I went from not being able to take the dog around people or other dogs to being able to take him anywhere. This method of training gave me back a piece of mind and saved the dog’s life.
John Boehler
Victoria. B.C
Car-Proofing
Teaches your “canine clients” to jump back every time a car is heading towards them. This training can be a lifesaver for dogs living in urban areas.
Perimeter Training
Teaches any dog to stay inside the property line when left out in the yard, regardless of the distraction.
Poison-Proofing
How to teach dogs not to take food from strangers or to scavenge it off the ground, but to accept it only from their owner’s hand or their food bowl.
We also cover coprophagy during this topic.
Trick and Frisbee Fun
Ben and The Wonderdogs at Kent Elementary, Agassiz, BC
The Wonderdogs team will teach you how to train your own trick and frisbee dog(s) during the Professional Dog Trainers Program. We will draw on our many years of experience to show you how to create your own wonderdogs and make top dollar as an entertainer.
Watch the Cool Tricks video to witness the amazing routines that Ben’s Wonderdogs have performed across North America.
Topics include:
- Creating and finding entertainment opportunities at sports events, fairs, corporate picnics, conventions, and private parties
- How to involve your audience in your show and get the best response from them
- Negotiating the best deal for yourself, and writing up the contract
- Pricing: how much should you charge per show?
- Pros and cons of working through a talent agent
- How to write a press release, and receive tremendous media exposure free of charge
- How to ensure your dogs’ safety and the audience’s safety
- Pros and cons of a wireless P.A. system
- Pros and cons of using a music soundtrack during your performance
- How to promote yourself during your show – company vehicle, T-shirts, signed photos, etc.
- Spin-off income: sale of t-shirts, videos, dog training lessons, etc.
Ben has had so much enjoyment performing with his dogs over the years, and now he wants to share that with others. Graduates of the Professional Dog Trainers Program will be invited to make guest appearances at Ben’s shows for some first-hand experience!!
Truly a gifted, results-oriented trainer, Ben effortlessly combines his dog training practices with a teaching style that is professional, effective, and fun!
Al Whitlam, Comox, BC
Retrieving
Retrieving any object, using directions (right, left, and straight), send-aways, take it and drop.
Protection & Tracking
There is a big difference between a highly trained personal protection dog and a “junk-yard” dog. The top Schutzhund dogs in North America are fearless and ferocious when competing, yet they are absolutely dependable in day-to-day situations. Over the years, Ben’s Wonderdogs were in the public year round and are routinely mobbed by boisterous children after their trick and frisbee show. It may surprise you to know that they all had an advanced level of personal protection training.
Topics include:
- foundation training and confidence building
- sound off and alarm dog training
- role of the agitator (bad guy)
- simulating real-to-life protection situations
- training to guard property, house, and car without the handler present
- how to build drive in a dog and use it to your advantage
- recall during the attack command
- releasing the agitator after the attack
- “automatic response” – teaching a dog to attack automatically when the handler is threatened
Dogs for Movies, TV, and Advertising
Over the past two decades, The Wonderdogs team has trained numerous dogs for movies, TV, and advertising. They will share all their hard-earned expertise in what can be a “dog-eat-dog” industry. This work can be extremely challenging and rewarding and bring out the creative side in any “dog wrangler”. Topics include written contracts, arranging payment in advance, and negotiating the best deal for your time on the set and for all your “extras”.
Dog Walking, Sitting, In-Home Boarding and Doggie Daycare
We will teach you how to make a healthy profit providing these high-demand services, while avoiding numerous pitfalls.
Dog Walking Get in great shape and make money when you take your client’s dogs out for a run!
Dog Sitting Make money pet sitting while living rent-free!
In-Home Boarding Learn how to set up your own Pet Hotel or Kennel Alternative boarding dogs in your home.
Doggie Daycare Learn all about caring for your client’s dogs while they’re away for the day.
Nutrition and Exercise
Do you know what you are feeding your dog? This component of the program will teach you how to evaluate and choose the best food for your dog’s health and of course, for your dollar. In addition we will show you many creative ways to give a dog complete exercise in a safe environment, as well as how to make inexpensive toys that dogs will “attack” for hours on end.
Basic Medical and Canine First Aide Information
Safety and canine first aide is covered extensively within this program. Everything that you will need to know about how to deal with an emergency situation and more will be taught.
Flea Control
There is a vast market for flea control services, especially in warmer climates. We will discuss safe and effective means of controlling these pesky critters including chemical free options.
The Business of Dog Training
Operating any business requires several key components to ensure success. In this section of the program, particular emphasis will be placed on the creative aspect of owning your own training and boarding facility. Also covered in detail the marketing, sales, and advertising techniques that have seen The Wonderdogs business prosper. This includes entertaining with the Wonderdogs at fairs, sports events, conventions, and private parties.
- Marketing and Sales: the backbone of any business
- Spending your advertising dollars wisely
- Advertising conception and implementation
- Designing a business plan focussing on the dog related services you will provide for your clients
- Staging an event the media cannot ignore
- Creating an image through company uniforms, vehicles, stationery, etc.
- Increasing word-of-mouth advertising
- Public Relations: from young children to senior citizens – recognizing your client’s specific needs and tailoring your teaching approach accordingly
- Ins and outs of hiring staff
- Zoning regulations
- Incorporation vs. proprietorship
- Insurance: What do you really need?
- Producing your own DVDs and CDs for clients or for resale
- Travel locally or worldwide training dogs, selling your training products such as books, pamphlets, and DVDs, and doing training seminars. Even better, enjoy this travel without paying for accommodation!!
- Designing forms, contracts, and literature that save time and repetition
- Pros and cons of expanding into: sales of pet food and supplies, dog grooming, pet sitting, and kennel services
- Finding training venues and how to get them rent-free
- Designing a resume that will get you the job!
- Dealing with conflict resolution
- Info and resources on how to create and design a website for your dog training services
- Basic income tax information: how to maximize your write-offs and decrease your income tax.