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Course Outline
Module 1: History & Psychology of Dogs
- The Evolution of Dogs
- Ancient and Rare Breeds
- Breathing New Life into Declining Breeds
- Famous Dogs in History
- The History of Breeding
- The Cutting Edge of New Dog Breeds
- Breed-Specific Inherited Characteristics
- Types of Dogs
- Dogs with Jobs
- Cynology
- Developmental Stages of Dogs
- Anthropomorphism
- Dog Intelligence
- Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner
- The Alpha Dog – Fact or Myth?
Module 2: Dog Training - From Theory To Practice
- Defining the Owner-Pet Relationship
- A Trained Dog Is a Happy Dog
- Basic Principles of Dog Training
- Operant Conditioning
- Classical Conditioning
- Reinforcers
- Primary & Secondary Reinforcers
- The Premak Principle
- Aversives
- Compulsion Training vs. Positive Reinforcement
- Extinction
- Shaping
- Chaining
- Habituation
- Desensitization
- Basic Dog Training Equipment
- Training Accessories
- How Would You Like to be Choked or Shocked?
- How to Use Your Clicker (or Your Voice or Hand Signals)
- Teaching Your First Command
- The Four Commands All Dogs Should Know
- More Obedience Commands for Fun and Utility
- Scoring a Dog’s Level of Obedience
- Comparing Training Techniques and When to Use Them
- Troubleshooting
- Not Overreacting to Spontaneous Recovery
- Teaching Your Dog to “Obey” — and Not Just to Work for the Treat!!
- How Long Does it Take to Train a Dog?
- Obedience Training vs. Behavior Modification
Module 3: Basic Training for Puppies (and their New Humans)
- If You Want a Good Dog, You Must Become a Good Dog Owner
- Proper Puppy/Owner Matching
- Breeder vs. Shelter
- Making Sure Your Puppy is Healthy
- Personality Tests for Dogs
- Helping Your Puppy Feel at Home
- Lessons from the Pack: Becoming Pack Leader
- Don’t be Shocked When Your Puppy Acts Like, Well a Puppy
- Why YOU are the Best Trainer for Your Puppy
- We Crate Train Our Puppies for Their Benefit
- Using Your Voice Correctly
- How To Train A Puppy – The Essential Steps
- Learning How to Walk Nicely on a Leash
- Learning to Learn
- You MUST Catch Him in the Act
- The Importance of an Initial Health Evaluation and Immunizations
- Keeping Your Puppy Healthy
- Puppy Socialization: Before Adolescense
- Puppy Socialization: After Adolescence
- Enriching Your Puppy’s Environment
- Keep Your Puppy From Driving You Crazy
- How to Find a Lost Dog
Module 4: Bringing out the Best in a Rescue Dog
- What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
- The Road to Surrender
- Different types of Rescue Organizations
- To Kill or Not to Kill: The Great Debate
- A Match Made in Heaven
- Questions to Ask the Shelter
- Helping Your Rescue Dog Feel Secure in Your Home
- Getting Along with Children, Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets
- Being Part of the Solution
- The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful – Getting to Know Your New Dog
- Developing a Relationship – The Only Way to Have a Friend is to Be One
- Building Trust – Above All, Your Dog Wants a Great Leader
- Begin at the Beginning -Obedience Training for Older Dogs
- A Good Dog Trainer Never Needs to Use Bad Training Methods
- How Training Will Help You, Your Dog, and Your Relationship
- Pooch on the Couch – Being Your Dog’s Psychologist
- The Timid Dog
- The Aggressive Dog
- The Anxious Dog
- The Hyperactive Dog
- Developing a Strong Human/Dog Bond
Module 5: Health Care, Nutrition and First Aid
- Basic Dog Anatomy
- A Well-Groomed Dog is a Healthy Dog
- Common Behaviors that Signal Health Issues
- Giving Medication Properly
- Dealing with Pests and Parasites
- Breed-Specific Health Problems
- Special Considerations for Elderly Dogs
- Canine Nutritional Requirements
- Are Commercial Pet Foods Good for Your Dog?
- Considering Homemade Food
- Raw or Not?
- Diets and Supplements for Dogs With Special Conditions
- Doggie Gourmet – Make Your Own Dog Treats and Energy Bars
- Giving Your Dog a Practice Vet Exam
- Routine Visits to the Vet
- Vaccines for Dogs that Don’t Eat Off of Sterilized Plates
- Tail Docking and Ear Cropping
- Keep a Canine First Aid Kit
- When Dogs Get Messy
- Doggie 911 – Knowing a Few Simple Things Could Save Your Dog’s Life
- Always Seek Emergency Help!
Module 6: Identifying and Correcting Behavioral Problems
- No Tail-wagging Allowed!”
- Idle Paws Are the Devil’s Workshop
- Consider the Breed
- When is a Personality Trait Not a Personality Trait?
- Don’t Take it Out on the Dog!
- Milk Before Meet – Focus on the Basics
- Helping a Shy Dog Gain Confidence
- Help for Canine Separation Anxiety
- The Dominant Dog and The Cure
- First, a Word About What NOT to Do
- Top 12 Most Common Behavioral Problems – And the Solutions
- The Root of Digging
- Handling Potty Problems
- Why Do Dogs Jump?
- Why Do Dogs Whine?
- Why Do Dogs Bark?
- Why Do Dogs Chase?
- The Escape Artist
- Here is Something Interesting to Chew On
- Ignoring Basic Obedience Commands Like “Sit”
- Rebellious and Complaint Biting
- Out of Control Begging
- Is Walking Your Dog a Real “Drag?”
- The Relationship Checking Account
- Who is Misbehaving Here? Teaching the Humans
- Choose Your Battles: Deal with One Problem at a Time
- Traveling with a Dog
- When Dogs Don’t Get Along
- Love Your Dog Like He Loves You… in Spite of Your Problems
Module 7: Raising the Bar - Advanced Training That Fits the Dog
- A Busy Dog is a Happy Dog
- The World of Canine Occupations
- What Job Was Your Dog Born to Do?
- Who’s Up for a Game of “Pass the Seaweed?”
- Making Playtime Fun for Your Dog — AND For You
- Every Dog – Young and Old – Can Learn New Tricks
- Grade-School Tricks
- High-School Tricks
- Funny Tricks
- Teaching Tricks for Agility
- Another Fun Business Idea
- Competitive Dog Obedience Training, Trials, and Titles
- Agility Training at Home for Your Dog
- Use The Nose: Tracking and Detection
- Is Your Dog a Show Dog?
- When Dogs Heal
- Specialized Trials and Training for Specific Breeds
- Specialized Dog Training – Helping Dogs do Serious Jobs
Module 8: Landing a Job in the Dog Industry
- Your Resume is an Advertisement of You
- Dealing With Employment Gaps
- The 7 Second Rule and Selecting an Appropriate Format and Design
- 10 Tips to Create a Killer Resume
- Create Multiple Resumes
- Compile Professional References
- Export to PDF and also Create an Internet Version
- Start to Finish – Bringing it All Together
- Career Paths in the Pet Industry
- Where Do You Picture Yourself in Five Years?
- The Most Important Step to Getting Hired – Applying
- Where to Look for Jobs
- Your Key to Getting the Interview: The Cover Letter
- Track the Jobs You Apply For
- Tell Everyone You Are Looking for a Job
- Just Start Calling Employers
- Focus on the One
- Companies Post Jobs Because They Need to Hire Someone
- The “Process” Is a Company’s Established Relationship Building Practice
- The Stages of the Hiring Process
- The Initial Phone Screen is not the Time to Ask for a Company Car
- Preparing for the First Interview
- Asking and Answering Questions During the Interview
- Talking About Your CanineClub Academy Certification
- Body Language Isn’t Just for Dogs
- Staying In Control and Making the Right Impression
- Finishing Strong: Making It to the Offer
- The Hiring Process Doesn’t End When You Get Hired
Module 9: The Business Toolkit and Marketing Strategies
- All Roads Lead to Your URL
- Getting Found Locally
- Website Submission and Online Pet Directories
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Web-based Search Advertising
- Adding “Extras” to Your Online Persona
- Leveraging Online Social Media Tools and Blogs
- Using Twitter
- You’re Already a Pro Dog Trainer – Become a Pro Marketer
- Overview of the Business Toolkit
- Reaching the Right Prospects
- Print Materials
- Where to Find Clients and Place Your Flyers
- How to Approach Local Businesses to Hang Flyers
- Other Business Forms and Handouts
- USPS Every Door Direct Mail(TM) and Door Hangers
- Co-Op Advertizing, Coupon Ads, and Local Business Flyers
- Learning How to Soft-Sell
- Persuade and Sell Using Urgency
- Ask for the Business
- Anticipating and Resolving Objections
- Benefits not Features
- The “Free Consultation”
- Offer Ad-Ons
- Strategies to Getting Subscription Customers
- All in All . . .
Module 10: The CanineClub Professional
- Believe You are an Authority on Dogs
- Volunteer at the Local Shelter
- How to Safely Transport Dogs in Your Care
- Take Every Opportunity to Volunteer and Speak at Public Events
- A Professional is a Helpful Resource, Not a Pushy Salesperson
- When and How to Turn Down Dogs and Dog Owners as Clients
- Never Talk Badly About Your Competition
- A Note About Competing on Price
- Your Reputation is Your Most Valuable Asset
- Joining Professional Associations and Adding Certifications
- A True Professional Never Stops Learning
- The Right (and the Wrong) Way to Ask for Business
- Forming and Registering Your Business
- Taking Care of the Financial Side
- Permits and Licenses Requirements for Home Dog Businesses
- Do You Need to be Bonded and Insured?
- Liability Waiver
- Record Keeping, Accounting Methods, and Cash Flow
- Invoicing Customers and Getting Paid
- Listing Your Products Online
- Deducting Business Expenses
- Increasing Your Revenue by Combining Services
- Focus on Your Best Customers
- Managing Customer Complaints
- Knowing When to Hire Help
- There’s a New Person in Your Space
- Independent Contractor vs. Employee
- Using Freelance Designers to Develop New Marketing Materials
- Remembering What It’s All For
Business Module 1: Dog Walking Service
- Dog Walking Service Overview and Earning Potential
- Equipment Checklist and Calculating Start-Up Costs
- Local Bylaws that Could Affect Dog Walkers
- How to Set Your Fees
- Conducting a Consultation with a New Dog Walking Client
- How to Assess If a Dog Is Suited for Group Dog Walks
- The Walk – Before, During, and After
- Dealing with Difficult Dogs and Maintaining Control Over the Pack
- On the Walk Emergency First Aid
- Introduce and Supervise Off-leash Play Time with Dogs
Business Module 2: Behavioral Counseling
- Behavioral Counseling Overview and Earning Potential
- Equipment Checklist and Calculating Start-Up Costs
- How to Set Your Fees
- Conducting a Consultation with a New Client
- Setting Expectations and Realistic Goals
- Presenting a Personalized Plan of Action
- Deciding Which Tools are Appropriate
- Homework and Follow-up for the Owner
Business Module 3: Doggie Daycare
- Doggie Daycare Overview and Earning Potential
- Equipment Checklist and Calculating Start-Up Costs
- Local Bylaws that Could Affect Daycares
- Developing Safety and Health Policies
- How to Set Your Fees
- Design and Layout Considerations of Your Daycare
- Conducting a Consultation with a New Client
- How to Assess If a Dog is Suited for Your Daycare
- What Do the Dogs DO All Day?
- Safe Play and Recommended Games
- Dealing with Difficult Dogs
- Maintaining Control Over the Pack
- Emergency First Aid
Business Module 4: Pet Sitting and Other Services
- Pet Sitting Service Overview and Earning Potential
- Different Services to Bundle with Pet Sitting
- How to Set Your Fees
- Learn About Each Dog/Pet
- Handling Challenging Dogs/Owners
- Pet Sitting as an Add-On
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