The first step is to decide which area of dog training is most interesting for you; is simply pet dog training (basic obedience and advanced obedience), behavior modification, agility, rally sports, herding, puppy training, therapy dog training, working dogs (police, detection, protection, Search and Rescue). The second area you should work on is deciding how you want to work your schedule or run your business. If you are the person who wants a little more freedom, then private lessons and group classes would be the area to focus on. However if you want the consistency of an everyday schedule, in-kennel training may be a better choice for you as a dog trainer.

Next you should narrow down a few schools that interest you, and go personally visit the site. You can get more out of personal visit than a telephone call; meeting the people you would be working and learning from can help you decide if you are a good fit for that particular school or environment. After a quick visit you can decide how much time you want to put into your career. For example, you could choose a 6 week program or tough it out and sign up for the 12 week program (which will allow you more experience by putting your hands on different breeds of dogs with different behaviors).

At Highland Canine Training we offer teaching for all the above areas of dog training. Students are able to combine classes and learn as much about as many areas of dog training as they can obsorb. Students who are just starting out,often sign up for obedience courses, but are also interested in protection courses; as a student you are able to take the both courses parallel for the length of time you wish to attend (6-12 weeks). Highland Canine also offers custom classes to fit your lifestyle. Many of our students also work full or part-time, have families, layed-off, or simply live out of state; we are able accomadate their schedules to help them earn the certification they are striving for!

Many students ask how they can gain experience after their school is finished and they are building their book of business? The answer is simple, pro-bono work with local shelter and rescue groups is the easiest way to gain experience and give back to your communities and the animals. Now more than ever, family pets are suffering because; people are surrendering their family pets at rescue groups or pounds because they are moving (leaving animals behind), have no time for the dog, or simply don’t like the dogs and will not take the time to place them in a proper home or work on fixing behaivor issues. Rescue groups will return the favor and referr business to you so everyone wins!

Finally, many people want to become dog trainer’s so they don’t have to work with people. That is not the case, the wonderful dogs usually belong to people and you must be able to communicate effectively with the owners to first off, diagnose the problem (if any), then teach dog owner’s how to work with their dogs! At Highland Canine Training we involve our students in the initial drop off of client dogs, what questions to ask the oweners, how to perform at both private lessons and group class settings, and how to teach the pet owner’s to work with their dogs and complete the “Go Home.”

If you think becoming a dog trainer may be in your near future, please give us a call or better yet stop by for a visit ,and we would be happy to introduce you to the wonderful world of dogs!

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Like us, dogs have a language and barking is part of that language. With a little understanding and proper training we can solve the barking problem.

Barking can be classified as follows:
1. Excitement Barking
2. Warning Barking
3. Fear Barking
4. Guard Barking
5. Frustration Barking
6. Learned Barking

We have heard all 6 of these barks, but probably didn’t pay much attention to the differences.

Excitement barking is usually a series of high pitched barks and a lot of body movement. The warning bark is a quick low sounding bark. It sounds like the word “woof.” Fear barking is high pitched and like excitement barking it comes in a long series of barks. Unlike excitement barking which sounds happy, fear barking sounds like the dog is becoming hysterical.

Guard barking is easy to recognize. The dog will growl then bark. The barking may be one or two or even three times followed by another growl. We have all heard frustration barking. That’s the one that drives us crazy. It is the endless bark bark bark bark bark bark that seems to go on forever. And of course, learned barking is the bark that your dog does to get your attention. The dog will bark and then turn to look at you knowing that some type action will take place. Most of us have reinforced that behavior unknowingly.

So the next time you think a barking dog is aggressive, dominant, or is just being a pain in the neck don’t get angry, instead take a moment to listen.

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We will keep you updated on our trip, and share our experiences and turn out with this seminar!

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