Course Content

A Better Way To Dog Training Excellence: Practical, Personal, Comprehensive

We provide you cutting-edge education in scientific pet dog training and client management. 

The course combines:

  • Lecture and round-table discussion.
  • Live demonstration and workshop.
  • Hands-on training and individual coaching.
  • Real-life practice interviewing clients.

Our Curriculum Covers

ANIMAL LEARNING

Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): antecedents, behavior, and consequences | Classical and operant conditioning, conditioned reinforcers, discrimination, generalization, habituation, sensitization & desensitization, blocking & overshadowing, motivation, establishing operations, conditioned emotional responses, counter conditioning | Comparison of dog learning to human learning.

DOG BEHAVIOR

Dog development and ethology: physiology and genetics of behavior, action patterns, social signals, body language, social development, critical periods, adaptive significance of behavior.

CUE TRAINING

Principles of shaping by approximation, timing and delivery mechanics, applications of conditioned reinforcer |Sequences for basic cues: sit, down, recall, stay, wait, leash manners, polite greetings, leave it, placement cues, targeting | Behavior in real life contexts| Shaping vs. prompting | Criteria shifts, prompts and prompt-fading, distraction-proofing, analyzing and solving training challenges in a variety of dogs.

BEHAVIOR ISSUES

Assessing, managing, and modifying behavior to address issues such as human and dog directed reactivity, fear related issues, separation anxiety and distress, predation, canine compulsive disorders, resource guarding, barking, housetraining, multiple pet households.

CLIENT CONSULTATION TECHNIQUES

Client coaching, history taking, client goal setting, designing and customizing programs for clients, fostering client compliance, support and effective communication, conflict resolution, written communication skills and follow-up protocols.

Click Here to see the DTIA Schedule


From the Grads

"The wonderful trainers in the Dog Training Internship Academy (DTIA) helped make my dreams a reality. Not only do I have a greater understanding about how animals learn best and many hours of practice under my belt, but I also was given the skills to start my own dog training business right after graduation!" --Alyssa Hosbach, Owner of Dancing Tails Dog Training

From the Grads

"DTIA gave me a real understanding of the how and why of science-based, positive reinforcement training. I now come into new training situations with the ability to pinpoint all the necessary information and make a plan with confidence." --Sathid Pankaew, Behavior & Training Coordinator, East Bay SPCA

From the Grads

"Dog industry business consultant Veronica Boutelle recommended the DTIA program to me when I asked about apprenticeship programs. She is familiar with every program in the country and unequivocally pronounced the DTIA the best one available. Well, she didn’t oversell it." --Erik Grendahl, Canine Behavior Consultant

From the Grads

"Attending the DTIA program was a wonderful decision. Not only will it advance my career but it has also opened the door to so many other professional possibilities." --Luba Podolsky, Mutt Manager, Muttville