The Best Dog Trainer School - Good Dog Academy
Mar 20, 2025Good Dog Academy is the best choice for your professional pet dog training education. Our foundation and flagship dog program, Professional Pet Dog Trainer Certificate (PPDT), will provide everything you need to know to get started in the diverse pet dog industry. It will open doors that you might never have considered. At our dog training school, you will be connected with the foremost experts in the dog training industry.
Before considering any future dog training career paths, you will need a foundation of dog training knowledge as well as obedience and handling skills. Good Dog Academy was created for someone just like you. Someone who has a passion for dogs and needs formal education to get started in a career with confidence and competence. A dog training career that will fulfill your desire to work with dogs in a professional setting.
Good Dog Academy was developed by experts with over 40 years of experience in dog training. After helping thousands of dogs, they needed to share their passion based on education and experience. Dog training that included a broad spectrum of theoretical topics and essential information about dog handling skills. Adding crucial canine first aid to the program gives students a great starting point to how dog training can be your vocation. Good Dog Academy is a well-rounded dog training program.
Good Dog Academy’s training methodology is positive reinforcement and uses the Humane Hierarchy model.
The program takes approximately 28 weeks to complete. The foundation knowledge is important whether you have an end goal of:
- Learning how to open a successful dog training business
- Training how to become an expert handler for dogs at a vet office
- Gaining the knowledge to work at a animal shelter - either municipal or private
- Working with a dog rescue organization - either domestic or international
- Exploring the movie and tv industry
- Working as a dog care provider at a large company
- Puppy and dog sitting
- Owning a flourishing pet store - being the expert in dogs
- Participating in the many dog sports the public enjoys
Your investment of $1295 Canadian includes all taxes and processing fees. It also includes our exclusive Business for Professional Pet Dog Trainers program. The cost can be earned back from 2 - 3 group dog training classes of 6 clients.
The Opportunities Available To You When Becoming A Dog Trainer
You will be surprised how many doors open once you have the basic dog training knowledge you need. Your direction will become evident and may even change over time. Attending a dedicated dog behaviour training program will give you credibility and confidence.
PROGRAM CONTENT, RELEASE SCHEDULE AND OBJECTIVES FOR GOOD DOG ACADEMY’S PPDT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Week 1
Your Bonus Material Information
Understand what Bonus Material you will receive
Theory - Introduction
Explore some housekeeping topics and program expectations. Learn how Critical Thinking and Focused Observation will help you to become a better professional dog trainer.
Principles of Training
Learn about popular dog training methods and how to choose a training methodology.
Training Equipment
Investigate the many pieces of training equipment that are available. Learn how to properly fit the most common and popular pieces of dog training equipment and some pros and cons of each.
Evolution of the Dog
Examine the origins of the domestic dog and why there is so much diversification in this species. This will help you to determine the traits that are going to be most prominent in a variety of dog breeds.
Week 2
Dog Breeds
Become familiar with many dog breeds and their traits as recognized by popular kennel clubs.
Selecting a Dog
Learn what questions and facts should be considered when choosing a dog.
Today’s Canine
Learn why the start a dog gets in life, including his genetic make up, plays a big role in the outcome of the adult dog.
Week 3
The Physical Dog
Study about a dog’s general health, brain and senses, life cycle, and common ailments.
Canine Language
Understand how dogs communicate and why this topic is important to your safety and the safety of others.
Week 4
Training Philosophies
Get educated about the various opinions and philosophies that exist in dog training. Your clients will ask you many questions. Your answers will help you to gain your client’s trust.
Learning Theory
Understand the science behind the way dogs learn and how that will have a direct impact on your training plans. This course explores the science behind how dogs learn.
Behaviour Problem Solving
See how to tackle common problem behaviours and offer a problem solving flow chart of solutions to your clients.
Week 5
Fear and Anxiety
Look into the definitions and relationships between fear and anxiety. How does Fear and Anxiety affect your training plans?
Aggression
Learn how to analyze aggression and the possible scenarios you will encounter when working with dogs.
Week 6
Euthanasia
Understand the basic facts about euthanasia and how to support your clients during this difficult decision making process.
Nutrition
As a well-rounded dog professional, you need general knowledge about nutrition and dietary options.
Bylaws
What information do you need from your municipality in order to comply with its bylaws? What questions should you ask when you are considering opening a business at home or in a dedicated location?
Instruction
Learn valuable tips that will prepare you to work with and instruct clients. Speaking skills, registration forms, demonstration dogs and more are must haves before you step out into your first group class!
Week 7
Study and Write Final Exam
Show us what you’ve learned!
Week 8
Canine First Aid
What do you need to know in an emergency? Dogsafe® Canine First Aid is designed to teach you the knowledge and skills you need to deal with a sick or injured dog until veterinary care is available.
Week 9
Introduction to Practical & Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 1
Cues and Markers | Focus on Cue | Touch Targeting | Team Work Game - relationship building
Week 10
Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 2
Sit Stay | Loose Leash Walking | Release Cues
Week 11
Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 3
Move to Heel on Cue | The ‘Bank of Plenty’ Game | ‘Back Up’ to Leash Pressure | Sit and Down in Heel Position
Week 12
Practise Week
Week 13
Submit Video #1
Used to evaluate your dog handling skills. Reviewed by our Director of Training. Extensive feedback and coaching given.
Week 14
Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 4
Down Stay | Treat Toss - Recall Foundation Game | Formal Heel in Motion
Week 15
Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 5
180° Turns | One Minute Sit and Down Stays with Distraction | Formal Recall Techniques | Collar Desensitization
Week 16
Basic Obedience Skills - Lesson 6
Sit and Down Transitions from Six Feet | Proofing Your Skills
Week 17
Practise Week
Week 18
Submit Video #2
Used to evaluate your dog handling skills. Reviewed by our Director of Training. Extensive feedback and coaching given.
Week 19
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 1
Heeling with No Hands | Heeling Patterns
Week 20
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 2
Stand On Cue and Stand Stay | High Arousal Low Arousal Game
Week 21
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 3
Proofing Your Stays | Come To Heel
Week 22
Practise Week
Week 23
Submit Video #3
Used to evaluate your dog handling skills. Reviewed by our Director of Training. Extensive feedback and coaching given.
Week 24
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 4
Down, Sit Transitions | Recalls From A Distance
Week 25
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 5
Stationary Position Game | Advanced High Arousal Low Arousal Game
Week 26
Intermediate Obedience Skills - Lesson 6
Down in Motion | Off Leash Heeling and Proofing
Week 27
Practise Week
Week 28
Submit Video #4
Used to evaluate your dog handling skills. Reviewed by our Director of Training. Extensive feedback and coaching given.
End of Week 28
Bonus Material released.
Where to next?
Graduation!
Good Dog Academy's dog trainer program is taught exclusively online. Online education is now a normal and accepted method of learning. Learning how to train dogs online is no exception. Using existing technology, learning and evaluation techniques makes the process easy for the dog training student. Good Dog Academy also has a robust feedback and coaching component and Live Monthly Dog Trainer Webinars where you can connect with our Director of Training.
Our dog trainer program offers a great learning environment. Join our canine school Community Portal and engage with your dog trainer classmates to discuss topics that are important to you. Enjoy the Live Monthly Webinars. Keep connected!
