John Rogerson

21 Day Dog Trainer/Behaviourist Course

This course is limited to 16 students. You should be conversant with training procedures, have a good understanding of the various competitions that are available as well as having knowledge of the UK Kennel Club Good Citizen Test or the American KC Good Citizen Test (CGC). Following the course description, I will have a questionnaire for you to answer as it is vital that everyone who attends the course is about the same level so that individuals do not get left behind.

The first phase of the course looks at basic training both in theory and in practice. You will be working with dogs from the Humane Society or selected “client” dogs. You will not work with any dog with which you have had even a passing relationship (i.e. bringing someone else’s dog to the workshop). On this phase of the course, we will look at approaching many problems from a training perspective. How can you have a dog that is dog or people aggressive when outside the house, if it is trained to sit when told, walk correctly on the lead and come when called? Because we will be working with the more difficult dogs (i.e. not your own), it will allow you to develop better personal handling, training and communication skills. John believes that if YOU cannot handle a dog and get it to behave in a particular way, it will be impossible to teach the OWNER to carry out any behaviour modification procedures.

There will also be lectures to supplement the practical sessions and some self study in the evenings. You will work in small groups of four to discuss various related topics and then have the opportunity to put your theories into practice.

Phase Two of the course begins to focus on behaviour problems and we will look at diagnosing and modifying bad behaviour. You will be shown how to train dogs for very specific and specialised tasks, some of which will take place outside in public. You will again be working with problem ‘dogs’ some of which will involve handling and attempting to modify aggressive behaviour. To supplement the practical and theoretical sections, there will also be a great deal of self study and written tests. These tests will help to identify your areas of weakness so you can work on these weaknesses during the final phase of the course.

Phase Three takes a more in depth look at behaviour counseling and instructing owners. You will be seeing owners who are having both training and behaviour problems with their dogs. There will be in-house group consultations (groups of four), home visits (groups of two) plus reports and programmes to write out for owners to follow. You will gain experience in manning a telephone advice line for owners who are experiencing difficulties with their dogs and will be required to deliver a short lecture to a selected audience.

John will assign you a dog. Over the 21 days, your dog assignment will change one or more times. You are responsible for walking and feeding your assigned dog so it is probably best if you do not plan to bring your own dogs. They will get little attention. Interested? Just fill in the questionnaire and email me at the address below.

1. Tell me about your own dogs, both past and present. Are you having any problems with your current dog(s) and what standard is it trained to?
2. What classes have you attended with your dog:

   Student:

   Assistant Instructor:

   Instructor:

3. Have you ever worked (even as a volunteer) at a shelter taking dogs out of kennels or as a dog walker?
4. Have you handled dogs on a regular basis as a Veterinary Technician or breed show handler?
5. What do you know about the following areas of specialised Training? Guide Dogs, Hearing dogs, Therapy dogs, Search and Rescue, Assistance dogs for the Disable, Police Dogs, Drug Dogs, etc.?
6. Are you familiar with Obedience Trials, Tracking Tests, Agility, Flyball, Gundog Trials, etc.?