# Dog Trainer/Behaviorist Two years ago, I adopted Keigo from the Akita Rescue of West New York . The coordinator at the rescue, Kathy, has since been trying to convince me to become a dog trainer. She absolutely gushes every time I see her and really urges me to move forward with the process I admit, it's great to hear an… ## Thread In General · started by sujewel · 9 replies - **Category:** [General](https://nihonken.org/community/c/general) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## sujewel · 2008-02-15T12:58:04.000Z Two years ago, I adopted Keigo from the Akita Rescue of West New York . The coordinator at the rescue, Kathy, has since been trying to convince me to become a dog trainer. She absolutely gushes every time I see her and really urges me to move forward with the process I admit, it's great to hear and has been in the back of my mind. I trained both dogs myself. My only experience with dogs in the past is a cocker spaniel my aunt got me, but she got lose in CA while we were visiting family . Has anyone on the forum ever been through the dog training course? Any advice on the process? ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-02-15T13:04:47.000Z I am looking into it as well. It increases my credibility in talking shelters out of euthanizing dogs. I am supposed to speak with someone next week. I will let you know how it goes. To me it sounds like the greatest job in the world.  I would suggest finding a trainer whose philosophy is similar to yours and ask where/how they got certified. Best of luck ## Evan · 2008-02-15T13:07:33.000Z Cesar Millan! ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-02-15T13:09:45.000Z There is one thing to note about being a dog trainer.  It is very hard to make a living at being a dog trianer.  Usually it is something that someone does for enjoyment during the evenings, while working another job during the day.  There are schools out there that can give you a diploma that says "dog trainer" however the best way to get into it, would be to assist other trainers at a respectable facility near you. Usually the people who make a living off of it, are the ones who own the company that has all of the trainers (not the individual trainers), or animal behaviorists who charge like $100 an hour for visits. If you are just going to do it for fun, you should see if there is a local kennel club in your area that might need help running some of it's classes.  We took Nemo to classes at a kennel club and they were great, the trainers were there because they loved dogs, I don't think they got paid at all. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-02-15T13:45:10.000Z I DO NOT like Cesar Milan. Look a little deeper with him, he uses shock collars on some of his dogs. I'm a monks of new skete girl myself. ## MommyofNiko · 2008-02-15T14:15:43.000Z THOSE are the monks I was talking about...I should of known you knew. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-02-15T14:18:19.000Z I love them ## hondru (moderator) · 2008-02-15T14:45:33.000Z I've spoken with local trainers on how to become a dog trainer.  They have told me the best way to get into it is to start with your own dogs, take them to loads and loads of obedience classes and then find a job helping out an established trainer.  Eventually, they will have you be their assistant and then eventually, you can teach a class by yourself.  Also, just reading and becoming knowledgeable is very important.  They say that while there are courses you can take to become certified, it's experience that most employers look for and what most customers look for if you start your own place.  I have enough space that I could run a training facility on my own property, so I've been thinking about that.  I plan to re-enter the workforce when my youngest (who is negative three months old) is in preschool, so in the meantime, I'm just planning on always being enrolled in a class and getting to know the local trainers.   Of course, I don't plan to make loads of money doing this or anything.  Noah and I have basically decided that he will be the main breadwinner and I will work part-time so I can spend more time with the kids, taking care of the dogs, volunteering in the community, and so on.  So, I'm really just looking for something I'm interested in to keep me busy. ## grandemu · 2008-02-15T22:15:55.000Z Of the times I have seen Cesar Milan (a behaviorist) use a shock collar, it has been in situations where the dog has a potentially life-endangering behavior. Also, he only recommends use as a last resort, and makes sure the person understands how to use the collar as a correction. I don't know that having an invisible fence is that far removed from using a shock collar...the dog gets corrected when it gets too close to the fence line. One situation where he recommended use of a shock collar was when an australian sheepdog living on a farm (allowed to run loose) liked to herd and nip at tires - on cars, tractors, etc. I think the dogs sees it as different when you have the dog at hand to correct it, and when the dog is loose while you work. Obviously not for all off-leash situations is this needed, but I think he had them use it when the dog followed them to the field and they were on the tractor, and this is after associating close proximity to a tire with the correction. I guess the obvious solution is to not let the dog loose, but not everyone sees that as an option. I personally have not used any shock collar for training, and I don't believe electric fences are safe for dogs (due to the fact that anyone can come in, even if the dog can't get out), but I think there are -rare- situations that appropriate and proper use of a shock collar can aid in an dangerous behavior. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-02-15T22:33:54.000Z I have had too many conversations with dog behaviorists who want him strung up. I like that he is a pitbull advocate. And not everything he has to say is crap, but I also have a problem with how misleading his show is. It really leads the viewer to believe that he shows up and half an hour later the dog is all better. I have witnessed this first hand with people getting ready to give away their dogs because they didn't learn the way the do on the show. And I have watched people try to put scared shelter dogs in submission pose "the way cesar does it" and further traumatize these poor dogs. Don't like him. Won't like him. And I saw the episode you spoke of. I still am 100% opposed to shock collars. We could never let a shiba off leash. Should I shock him. NO. I keep him on leash. The owner should adapt not torture their pet. period. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)