15 Amazing Dog Trainer Academies in the US
By Wag! Staff
Published: 03/05/2020, edited: 01/11/2023
Overview
- Starmark Academy
- School for Dog Trainers at Highland Canine Training LLC
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Catch Canine Trainers Academy
- The Tom Rose School
- Animal Behavior College
- Top Tier K9
- Tarheel Canine Training School
- Karen Pryor Academy
- Jo-Thor’s Dog Trainer’s Academy
- Rocky Mountain Regional Dog Training Academy
- Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior
- National K-9 Learning Center
- The Dog Trainer College
- Animal Behavior Institute
Dog training is a rewarding career path that benefits pets and their parents in innumerable ways, from helping dogs overcome their fears and learn household manners to helping rescues adjust to their new homes. But if you want to become a dog trainer, where do you get started? Or, if you're already a dog trainer, how can you level up your skills?
Dog trainer hopefuls often start the certification process by volunteering at dog shelters, adoption centers, and veterinary clinics to gain experience with pooches of all ages and sizes. Then, it’s time to learn training methods and undergo the certification process.
Schools like these top 15 dog trainer academies offer a variety of innovative programs on understanding and strengthening the human-animal bond. Read on to learn about some of the top dog trainer schools in the US and what programs they offer.
Location: Hutto, Texas
Duration: 4–12 weeks
Cost range: $6,795–$11,795
Course options:
- Pet Obedience Theory and Application Program
- Canine Training Specialist Program
- Canine Training and Behavior Specialist Program
This school works with animal rescue facilities across Texas to train dogs in need and prepare them for their "furever" home. At Starmark Academy, prospective dog trainers can bring along an untrained dog, or the academy will assign them a local shelter dog to train.
Courses at Starmark include advanced behavior, kennel management, competitive obedience, and more. The Starmark campus offers student housing, a fenced-in sports field, and a state-of-the-art training facility complete with agility equipment, supplies for search-and-rescue and scentwork, and everything else you'll need to become a dog trainer. All courses require participants to purchase an additional $300 training equipment package.
School for Dog Trainers at Highland Canine Training LLC
Locations: Harmony, North Carolina and Hanceville, Alabama
Duration: 6–24 weeks
Cost range: $5,650–$17,775
Course options:
- Master dog trainer
- Obedience and behavior program (most popular)
- Police K9 dog trainer
- Service dog trainer
- Detection dog training
- Search-and-rescue dog trainer
This 50-acre, state-of-the-art dog training campus is home to prospective trainers studying to become K9 police dog trainers, search-and-rescue dog trainers, and more. Those new to the industry may study for as long as 24 weeks. Those already in the field of dog training can take one of the 6-week courses at Highland Canine Training LLC.
This academy has two locations: the main campus in Harmony, North Carolinaand its Southeast Campus in Hanceville, Alabama. Veterans and family members of veterans should keep in mind that the master training program is approved for GI bill and VA benefits; however, programs at the Alabama campus are not.
The Academy for Dog Trainers
Location: Worldwide virtual programs; head office is in Emeryville, California
Duration: Self-paced, with coursework available for up to 2 years
Cost: $7,525
Course options: One comprehensive online course that covers training, behavior problems, body language, conflict types, desensitization, client counseling, psychotropic medications, and more
The Academy for Dog Trainers is an intensive course led by a team of experts from all over the world, covering topics like aggression, reactivity, and client counseling. Prospective trainers should expect to spend 12 to 15 hours per week (or more) attending online webinars and participating in video coaching.
While the Academy's course is self-paced, students must complete all their courses within 2 years of enrollment. Each module must be completed within 6 months. To complete the training program, you'll need to shoot and upload videos of you working with dogs and applying what you've learned.
Location: Little Falls, New Jersey
Duration: Self-paced, with courses lasting 6–18 months on average
Cost range: $1,212–$5,025
Course options:
- Pro dog trainer (core skills course)
- Dog training & behavior (basics pro course)
- Master class course (most thorough course offering)
Catch Canine Trainers Academy combines at-home instruction with on-campus courses to provide a well-rounded and flexible learning experience to prospective trainers. The curriculum is innovative and varied, covering everything from dog body language to business management.
If program participants need extra guidance, there are always mentor trainers available to help — the best part is these services are included in the tuition cost!
The Tom Rose School
Location: High Ridge, Missouri
Duration: 8–50 weeks
Cost range: $6,990–$17,950*
Course options:
- Professionals course
- Master course
- Ultimate course
- Service dog trainer course
The Tom Rose School offers extensive in-person training in multiple disciplines. Students are required to pass testing in AKC agility, specific odor detection, therapy dog training, and other training subjects in addition to basic obedience.
The duration of the course varies depending on the program you choose. The Professionals course is a 15-week program, while the Masters and Service Dog courses are 8 weeks long. The Rose Scholar course is an invite-only, 50-week program available to select graduates of the Masters program.
*Note on cost: The Leaders Program is a recommended prerequisite for the Master and Professional courses. If students choose not to complete the Leaders Program, an additional fee will apply for each class.
Animal Behavior College
Location: Valencia, California; workshops available across the US and Canada
Duration: 6 months
Cost range: $9,717 (payment plans available)
Course options: Dog Obedience Instructor Training Program
At Animal Behavior College (ABC), students practice training techniques on shelter dogs to ready them for life outside the shelter. The college's Students Saving Lives campaign has partnerships and facilities in all 50 states to match online students with local shelter dogs and mentor facilities for in-person workshops. ABC's curriculum is based on the LIMA principles, which implements scientific approaches for effective and safe dog training.
Top Tier K9
Location: Madison, Florida
Duration: Courses vary in length depending on the tier you choose
Cost range: $1,650–$3,950*
Course options:
- Pet training class
- Foundation Dog® trainer program
- Master programs (including service dog training programs and business classes)
Offering both in-person and online learning opportunities, Top Tier K9 training schools can help up-and-coming trainers study a wide variety of training fields. These include service dog training, pet training, and even safe catch decoy training. Business development and project management courses are also available at Top Tier's 4 locations across Florida.
One of the coolest parts about this dog training school is its virtual reality dog training center. Enter the Metaverse to discover a dog training education program unlike any other. For students who prefer a more familiar mode of education, video and online learning options are also available.
*Note on cost: For students who choose to live on campus, living and travel expenses are not included in this cost range.