FAQs

Yes. Because dog training is such a specialized field, the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers teaches much more than sound fundamentals of dog training and behavior. We offer a basic business program, which stresses the skills necessary for public relations and the basic structure of a successful dog training business.

National K-9 will teach you how to go about starting your own business. Graduates that choose not to work for another dog business or do not have the capital to open their own training center begin by going into people’s homes to work with the dog and the owner. Some of our graduate students prefer this low overhead, in-home training to any other setup. Others prefer to continue further and establish their own training studio or center.

We at National K-9 feel it takes much more than the ability to train dogs to be a great success. Since 1975 we have been developing techniques to better educate and counsel dog owners. This is crucial in preventing misunderstandings and friction between dog owners and dog trainers. Teaching such techniques as customer evaluation and customer instruction is an integral part of our curriculum.

One of the main reasons professional, knowledgeable dog trainers are in such demand today, is because the average dog owner does not have the ability to remedy behavior related issues and problems. This is usually the first time most dog owners seek professional help. At National K-9, your education would not be complete without this form of instruction. National K-9 courses reveal the contributing causes that lead to behavior problems and discuss how to prevent behavior problems before they begin. Our courses will also explore the possible remedies and solutions to prevent and solve behavior problems once they have been established. In addition, students will learn about practical application of obedience training and theory to assist with behavior modification.

One of the main reasons professional, knowledgeable dog trainers are in such demand today, is because the average dog owner does not have the ability to remedy behavior related issues and problems. This is usually the first time most dog owners seek professional help. At National K-9, your education would not be complete without this form of instruction. National K-9 courses reveal the contributing causes that lead to behavior problems and discuss how to prevent behavior problems before they begin. Our courses will also explore the possible remedies and solutions to prevent and solve behavior problems once they have been established. In addition, students will learn about practical application of obedience training and theory to assist with behavior modification.

National K-9 is a school that is dedicated to advancing the field and profession of dog training. The school continues to assess our course content and develop subject matter that assists today’s professional trainers.

We encourage each student to approach dog training as you would any other educational endeavor. If you start by having preconceived notions about dog training and behavior, there is a possibility that you will not be able to broaden your knowledge base. At National K-9 we do not encourage a single “method” or training “tool.” Our function is to educate individuals on the theory and proper use of as many training tools or methods as we possibly can. Training tools in and of themselves are not good or bad. It is how they are selected, introduced, and used that makes them effective in training or harmful to dogs. We have graduates that practice their trade using a multitude of different tools and methods. These graduates in turn have successful business practices and very satisfied clients.

We try to instill in all our graduates the ability to evaluate each individual situation and then choose the appropriate or best suited approach for that dog and situation. Each dog is an individual and must be approached in that way. Professional dog trainers should make determinations of how to approach training or modify behavior based on the dog’s personality, social development, past and present behavior, aptitude for learning, and the dog owner’s goals for that dog. In most situations, there is often more than one possible approach or method to assisting the owner and training an individual dog. We believe that professional trainers should not try to make dogs fit into a singular “method” of training.

National K-9’s ultimate priority is the education and care of interested students, dog owners, and their dogs. There are thousands of dog owners now enjoying their dogs due to our various methods of instruction. Students are also taught business ethics, practical business theory, customer relations and basic advertising skills in relation to professional training.

The National K-9 School for Dog Trainers provides an educational foundation to successfully pursue a career in dog training. At National K-9, our program of instruction is extremely intensive. We also encourage students to spend additional hours studying, practicing and perfecting their techniques through independent study. All studies at National K-9 relate directly to professional dog training. Graduates of our school agree that they must work hard to cover all phases of training and are eager at the end of four weeks to go out and apply what they have learned.

National K-9 students are taught that a dog trainer’s education is ongoing. Graduates are encouraged to continue their education, whether it is through continued independent study of dogs, joining professional organizations, studying with other professional trainers, attending seminars/workshops/conferences and much more.

The National K-9 School for Dog Trainers offers on-going education opportunities in specialized areas such as service dog training, scent detection, tracking, personal protection, and more. National K-9’s course provides graduates with additional information on other areas of dog training, behavior, and care professional development. Visit https://nk9.com/school-for-dog-trainers/continuing-education-opportunities/ for more information.

Yes, National K-9 has been educating dog trainers since 1981 and is approved by The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (reg. # 82-02¬0753T). The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools monitors and regulates Ohio’s private post-secondary career colleges and schools to ensure compliance with standards set by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3332. As a career school, National K-9 must comply with all the rules and regulations established by the State of Ohio.

The State of Ohio recognizes National K-9’s Professional Obedience/ Behavior (4 weeks), thereby granting National K-9 the authority to issue professional certificates to graduates. These professional certifications allow our graduates to use the title of Certified Professional Trainer (CPT). These certificates are accepted throughout the United States and around the world. National K-9 has graduates from over 45 foreign countries and all 50 United States.

The National K-9 School for Dog Trainers is also a member of Ohio-Michigan Association of Career Colleges and Schools.