Calgary Humane Society’s Canine Training Academy is on hold. Please watch the website for more information.
Is your dream to be a professional dog trainer?
Are you a dog trainer already and want to further advance your skills?
The Calgary Humane Society’s Canine Training Academy could be for you.
What is the Canine Training Academy?
The Calgary Humane Society Canine Training Academy (CHS-CTA) is a unique, 6-month internship program for anyone striving for excellence in science-based pet dog training and professional client consultation. The Canine Training Academy provides a thorough foundation in dog training, hands-on experience with real-life behaviour modification cases, and individual coaching in both training techniques and client counselling.
We give you the skills needed to confidently address any issue you might come across in your work with dogs. As a CHS-CTA graduate, you enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you can change dog behaviour and help your clients, and earn a Certificate in Behaviour Consultation & Training (CBCT). Our students are dog trainers, behaviour counsellors, animal shelter staff, companion dog professionals such as dog walkers and pet sitters, and those wanting to start a new career. We can prepare you for professional success in the dog training field.
We teach force free training methods
Program details:
Students will plan, execute, and trouble-shoot multiple behaviour modification cases
Get instruction, guidance, and feedback from a highly experienced trainer
Observe a variety of client consultations and carry one out
Two programs per year - starting at varying times (Contact Barbara to discuss options)
6 students ONLY per cycle
Part-time study (14 hours/weekdays on evenings and Sundays) View a Sample Week
Combines coaching sessions, video, and lecture
Training takes place at the Calgary Humane Society, Dogaholics or via Webex
Subjects Taught:
Dog behaviour
Animal learning & motivation
Behaviour problems
Cue training
Client consultation techniques
Course Structure
3 hours real time online lecture/discussion
1.5 hours behavior consult observation,participation & debrief
2 hours training coaching
5 hours training with project dog
3 hours study & reading
About the instructor: Barbara Walmer CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP
Barbara is currently the Department Head of Behaviour at the Calgary Humane Society and has been with the organization for 10 years. She has been training and working with dogs professionally for over 15 years. Her experience ranges from working in a vet clinic, to animal shelter work, to group class and private consults. Barbara has also participated in multiple speaking engagements on animal behaviour. Her qualifications include: Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), Tellington TTouch Practitioner Level 2, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP), TAGteach Level 1, and Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed. She is also currently a member of: Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT) and Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Outside of work, Barbara enjoys training and competing with her own dogs. She currently shares her home with two Golden Retrievers, and a Papillion.
Sessions & Tuition
$5,300 for 6-month program Payment plans: available
$50 applications fee When to apply: Year-round
Deposit: $500 due on acceptance
Balance due at course start
Requirements:
Minimum 100 hours experience from one or more of the following: Volunteer dog walking for a shelter, professional dog walking, employment as an animal health technologist, or kennel attendant, fostering dogs, pet sitting, assisting in or teaching dog training classes or participation in dog sports.
Preference: We give preference to students not admitted to their desired session due to lack of space. Additionally, we give preference to applicants with some background in the theory and science underlying dog training, whether from academic coursework, reading, or seminars.
Do you have questions about the Canine Training Academy? email us
shaping trainers today, for a humane tomorrow.