Advanced Canine Training
(15 credits) Earn Your Canine Training Certification
Building on the fundamental skills learned in Canine Training & Behavior, further develop your skills to incorporate canine behavioral science principles in different situations. By the end, you’ll have earned your canine behavior certification and feel ready for your dream career.
Skills You’ll Learn
Acquire the various skills below to become a professional dog trainer (independent or part of an organization), help animal shelters, or run a canine obedience school—just to name a few career possibilities.
Your training will allow you to:
- Effectively treat persistent behavioral problems and and create extended treatment plans.
- Develop comprehensive training goals in a variety of situations.
- Incorporate behavioral science into training and problem solving.
- Read canine body language.
- Incorporate cognitive challenges, enrichment, and choice into your training plan.
- And much, much more!
Program Courses and Requirements
The Advanced Canine Training certificate requires completing three classes in the specialized program in Canine Training & Behavior, plus two additional classes, for a total of five online courses (15 academic credits).
Required courses:
- ABI 234 Canine Training
- ABI 271 Canine Behavior & Enrichment
- ABI 312 Canine Health & Nutrition
- ABI 334 Advanced Canine Training (prerequisite is ABI 234 Canine Training)
Choose one elective:
- ABI 126 Animal Minds & Emotions
- ABI 238 Therapy Dog Training
- ABI 254 Canine Aggression
- ABI 264 Training the Canine Athlete
- ABI 274 Canine Scent Work
- ABI 284 Building Your Dog Training Business
Fieldwork Hours
Students in our dog behavior training certification programs must also complete a field requirement of 40 hours at an approved organization. Interacting with dogs in a variety of settings will sharpen your skills and prepare you for your future.
Please note that students in the Advanced Canine Training program do not need to complete the field requirement more than once. Field hours used for either the Canine Training & Behavior specialized certificate, the Service & Therapy Dog Training program, or the Canine Sports Training program can be used to satisfy the field requirement for this course.
Career Opportunities
Upon graduation, students can use the designation CACTP, Certified Advanced Canine Training Professional, that opens up many employment paths. Graduates start their own businesses after obtaining their certificate, working as independent dog trainers and behavioral consultants.
Other graduates find work in:
- Kennels
- Animal shelters
- Veterinary practices
- Animal control agencies
- Service dog institutions
- Sanctuaries
- Other dog-related organizations
The animal care and service industry, which includes animal trainers, is expected to grow at 11% over the next decade. Opportunities in training have never been greater!
ABI’s Approach
Students at the Animal Behavior Institute participate in a highly interactive online classroom where you:
- Engage in regular dialogue with professors and student
- Receive feedback each week
- Complete collaborative projects while working with your own animals
- Meet weekly for a mentoring session with your instructors
Hear What Our Students Have to Say About Their Experience
Luisa McGinn’s Story
Luisa has always been an animal lover. Even as a Legal Support Professional, she made time to volunteer at animal shelters. Through her volunteer work, she began to work with veterans, and she realized that veterans can find a lot of support from having a support dog.
In a life-changing decision, she switched careers so she could transform shelter dogs into support dogs for veterans and others with disabilities. She turned to ABI to gain the experience she’d need to make her dream a reality.
Luisa completed both the Canine Training & Behavior and Advanced Canine Training courses to ensure she knows how to train and handle dogs of various backgrounds. She also plans to take the Animal Assisted Therapy course to round out her skills.
“I set out to work in the field of animal care to make the world a better place by helping animals help people, and by sticking to my goals and staying true to my calling and my passion, I have achieved a successful new career in a very short time.”
Why Choose ABI for Advanced Canine Training
FAQs
How long does the Advanced Canine Training program take?
The Advanced Canine Training program takes six months to complete. However, it could take longer if you haven’t completed the required fieldwork hours.
What’s the difference between this and the Canine Training & Behavior program?
The difference between this program and the Canine Training & Behavior program is that this program builds off the foundations you learn in the Canine Training course, so you can develop more advanced skills.
Can I become a certified professional dog trainer online?
Yes, you can become a certified professional dog trainer online when you complete ABI’s courses.