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Professional Dog Trainers Program

Welcome from Ben Kersen

Welcome to the world of professional dog training! If you love dogs, this is your opportunity to work with them in a fulfilling, profitable, and healthy profession. Future careers in dog training are looking very exciting! As you may know, dogs have been used for years to make life easier and more enjoyable for the blind, deaf and handicapped. New advances are taking place in areas like cancer detection and dogs for epileptics. Click here to read more.

Whether setting up your own dog obedience school, working for the police, or training dogs for the handicapped, my program will give you a solid foundation. This program extensively covers the different aspects of dog training, including dogs for movies, television and advertising, schutzhund, police work, conformation, obedience trials, retrieving and field work, flyball, agility, and herding dogs. You will experience all of these canine activities firsthand, from myself and guest speakers who specialize in these areas.

My "praise-play training method" is a system of dog training that really works! My program has made news on radio, TV, and newsprint across North America. Why? Because it's fun for dogs and their owners and produces incredibly fast results. For feedback from graduates, please view our testimonials.

My program is the only government accredited school for dog trainers in Canada and is registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) of British Columbia. Developed from over two decades of experience, my guidance will give you the skills and expertise required to excel in your new career.

I have four goals for graduates of my program :

1. That graduates will find the learning experience fun and enjoyable! My teaching style is relaxed yet professional.

2. That graduates receive value for their dollar. My hope is that students will learn a wealth of information and find the course both stimulating and well organized.

3. That graduates will have the ability to professionally train any breed of dog and solve any type of problem behaviour.

4. That graduates will leave my program with the skills and confidence to start up their own business anywhere in the world.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your interest in my Professional Dog Trainers Program.

Sincerely,
Ben Kersen

DON'T MISS THIS...

***If you are passionate about dogs and are interested in this program, please be sure to check out our Professional Dog Trainers Program video clip. This is one that you won't want to miss. Click here and choose the first video at the top of the page, entitled "Professional Dog Trainers Program."***

Professional Dog Trainers Program Graduates

Professional Dog Trainers Program Graduates, April 1999

I learned more in the short time with you than I did in the previous three and a half years trying to learn on my own. I feel that the experience I have gained by taking the professional trainer program and working on the team teaching it has put me in the elite of dog trainers in my market.

Ron Gordon, Vancouver, B.C
Click here for full letter and contact information

Ben with oddly the Rabbit and Maggie the cat, plus Grads 2004

Ben with "Oddley" the Rabbit and "Maggie" the cat, plus Grads 2004
Click here for full screen

Click here for closeup of dogs and other critters!

Business is wonderful. I am so glad that I took your course. It has changed my life in ways that I never dreamed possible. And believe it or not, I haven't advertised yet! I have the full support of all the vets and they recommend many of their clients to me. I also had a spot on television (news) and two stories in the local paper so that helps as well.

Cara Wilson, Miramichi, New Brunswick
doglady@nb.sympatico.ca

 

 


Professional Dog Trainers Program: Program Information

  • We are located in picturesque Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia. Victoria is consistently rated as one of the most popular tourist destinations in North America.

  • The program runs eight hours per day, five days per week for twelve weeks.

  • Class size is kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. There is a maximum of 4-5 students per instructor for the majority of the program and although there are many guest speakers, Ben actually runs the show and teaches the program!

  • There are always two intakes for the Professional Dog Trainers Program annualy: the first week of September and the first week of April.

  • Our program is eligible for government grants and student loans through the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education Student Services department: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices/. Click on the Designated Schools Lookup link, then type Ben Kersen in the School Name field. Phone (Victoria area): 1-250-387-6100; or 1-250-387-1414 may be faster; B.C. Lower Mainland) : 1-604-660-2610;Toll-free: 1-800-561-1818.


  • Alberta students: This Program has been approved by Alberta Learning for provision of student financial assistance (student loans)
    Contact: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/main.asp

  • New Brunswick Students:This Program has been approved by New Brunswick Student Services for provision of student financial assistance.
    Contact: www.studentaid.gnb.ca

  • ALSO...TD/Canada Trust offers student lines of credit at Prime + 1%: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/student/

  • As prices may be subject to change, please contact us for current fee schedules for the Professional Dog Trainers Program.




    Professional Dog Trainers Program, Staff and Graduates, November 2003

Value

In terms of price and course content, our Professional Dog Trainers program offers exceptional value when compared to similar programs in North America. The Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) of British Columbia has deemed our program worthy of accreditation for the following reasons:

  • Direct video feedback allows students to maintain their momentum uninterrupted while training. After handling a dog, each student receives immediate video feedback on their technique.

  • Job shadowing on real jobs with real clients!

  • Ben's training manual is packed with information and is given to each student to keep. The manual includes all the forms and contracts that Ben has developed over the years. This will prove to be a huge time saver for students when starting their own business.

  • Students handle a mimimum of 35 dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments during the Professional Dog Trainers Program. Students will train dogs of all kinds in real-life situations: busy shopping malls, downtown at rush hour, at provincial parks, etc.

  • Observe for half a day free of charge! We are the only dog training facility in western Canada to offer this opportunity. This is an ideal way to get a feel for the teaching style and receive feedback from other students.

  • Free class reunions. We succeed as teachers when you have succeeded as a professional dog trainer! For that reason we offer a two day follow-up seminar at no charge to all graduates. We review your training technique and discuss your company marketing, advertising, and sales methods.


Bring Your Own Dog

During Ben's program, you will be able to train your own dog(s). When you have completed the course, you will likely have one of the most highly trained dogs in your entire area!


Help Wanted

Priority will always be given to graduates of Ben's program should a trainer position become available. There are also several income-earning opportunities while taking Ben's program if and when work becomes available. This includes: general maintenance, miscellaneous office duties, and commission on sales.


Beautiful Training Venues

Our training facility is a quiet and peaceful acreage in Brentwood Bay, about 19 km North of downtown Victoria. Students will also enjoy beautiful and motivational outdoor settings. Imagine going for a class in one of Victoria's breathtaking provincial parks with lush rainforest all around you. On rainy days, we use a 100-meter long indoor arena at our Brentwood location. This won't happen very often—Victoria gets half the rainfall that Vancouver or Seattle does!

I really want to recommend this course to others. I shall never forget what you taught me for those two months. I will work as a dog trainer as long as possible. Thank you so much.

Shinobu Saito, Tokyo, Japan
S8ZAILU@aol.com


Diplomas and Certification

On successful completion of our Professional Dog Trainers Program, all graduates receive a beautiful 8x10 diploma, something they can be proud of for years to come.

As our program is accredited with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) of British Columbia, graduates will be certified as professional dog trainers.

I can only emphasize that you taught and gave us more than I ever expected.

Darcie Jennings, Victoria, B.C

 

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