So You Want to be a Dog Trainer

by Nicole Wilde

Your step-by-step guide to becoming a professional dog trainer! Advice, tips and insider secrets are presented in an easy-to-follow, down-to-earth manner; it's like having a professional trainer sit down for a helpful chat! Topics include what it's really like to train dogs--and their owners; financial feasibility of different types of training; how to get an education; how to set up your business and advertise; tools and products you should not be without; teaching group classes; teaching in-home lessons; phone tips; safety tips; trainer etiquette. This revised second edition features a brand new section on web advertising, expanded sections on education, tools and products, and an expanded Resources section. This book is required reading in many train-the-trainer courses and is recommended by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Business, Animals

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2001

About the author

Nicole Wilde is an internationally recognized, award-winning author and lecturer, as well as a professional canine behavior specialist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Her twelve books include Help for Your Dog-Reactive Dog, Don’t Leave Me, Help for Your Fearful Dog, and Keeping the Peace: A Guide to Solving Dog-Dog Aggression in the Home. She is on the Advisory Board for the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, the Advisory Board for Victoria Stilwell’s Positively Academy, and the Advisory Board for Apex Protection Project. She is also the Behavior Consultant for Villalobos Rescue Center and has appeared as a trainer on the television show Pit Bulls & Parolees.
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Nicole has written training and behavior articles and blogs for various publications including the Huffington Post, as well as for her own blog, Wilde About Dogs, and is a regular contributor to Modern Dog Magazine. She co-stars in the DVD "Train Your Dog: The Positive Gentle Method," and co-hosted the Dog Talk radio show where her experience, humor and quick wit were put to good use. Nicole lectures worldwide at conferences and for training clubs, humane societies, and other groups.
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Always having had a special place in her heart for dogs in need, Nicole served as Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles’ Animal Services, where she instructed volunteers in handling and behavior, worked with hundreds of dogs, and acted as an adoption counselor. After moving to L.A. County, she volunteered for a County shelter. At both shelters, her efforts were instrumental in many dogs finding loving homes. In addition to working with dogs,

Nicole has worked with rescued wolves and wolfdogs for over twenty years and is considered an expert in the field. She was Executive Director for Villalobos Rescue Center, which was at the time a sanctuary for rescued wolves and wolfdogs, as well as pit bulls and exotic animals. Nicole’s specialty was socializing the fearful wolves who were to live out their lives at the center, and she ended up bringing home three of the especially needy residents to live out their lives with her and her husband. Nicole has presented wolfdog education seminars to animal control officers, schools and specialty groups. Her experience is rounded out by having supervised 40-50 off-leash dogs daily at a doggy daycare, working at a veterinarian’s office, serving as Editor/Chief Writer for Get-A-Pet magazine, and many years of teaching dog training group classes as well as private lessons.
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Nicole is also a photographer and digital artist who loves to use her talents to help animals in need. She photographs dogs to improve their chances of adoption, and donates artwork to various animal-related organizations to raise funds. Nicole owns and operates Gentle Guidance Dog Training in Santa Clarita, California. She lives with two rescued northern breed mixes, sled loads of dog hair, and one very understanding husband. Nicole continues to write books, teach seminars, train dogs, volunteer, assist in wolfdog rescue, and to help dogs in any way she can.
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You can find Nicole's books, seminar DVDs and Wilde About Dogs blog at www.nicolewilde.com, her pet portraits at www.goodmojopetportraits.com, and her artwork at www.photomagicalart.com.
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And you can find Nicole on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NicoleWildeA...) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/NicoleWilde)

Reviews

[Nicole Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note that there is a 3rd edition of this book that is completely updated to include social media and other marketing strategies, along with all the latest resources.

[L-Squared · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition I read is, sadly, very out of date - especially for the current age of paperless promotion via Social Media (Does anyone really use printed pamphlets, flyers, and business cards nowadays?). Since it was published in 2001, there was only the briefest of mentions of business websites, and, understandably, abosolutely no other mention of internet presence. However, the book still gives a great general look at what all is involved in starting and maintaining a successful dog training business. (And I can only assume the newer editions have been updated to reflect the usefulness of the internet/social media in such an endeavor.)

[Timera Cyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful guide into getting into the dog training world. Nicole has a ton of helpful tips. She makes entering the dog training community seem managable and attainable.

[Beth P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed it from CLP. I read up until advertising/marketing section. Good ideas, great resources list. Has websites, trainers, and books to read to further your knowledge.

[Heywu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading if you are thinking about becoming a dog trainer. The reference list is excellent.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover is a bit cheesy and it looks like a low rent book, but it actually has some great advice. I would highly recommend it.

[Suzanne Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good insight, and awesome references!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had great information in it, but I'm disappointed it did not discuss or offer resources that discuss training service dogs.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book on the business of dog training. Practical business related stuff, but lacks more stories that would have made it a better book. A bit dated (who has answering machines now?).

[Mandi Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for someone entering the dog training business.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of information to help new dog trainers get on their feet.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. Simple but very informative.