Professional Dog Training Curriculum

During the Professional Dog Trainers Program, you will learn the many and varied aspects of dog training you need to be successful in your new career. The following topics will be covered in detail:

Ben shows you how to play it safe! You will notice that even though Ben has been training dogs for 3 decades, he doesn't have the scars to prove it! Learn important safety tips and how to implement them when training dogs of any size and temperament. We spend a minimum of 3 hours on this very important topic.

During the Professional Dog Trainers Program, you will also learn about how to keep your client's dogs safe while at home, at training and everywhere in between. This information is extremely important and is covered extensively in the course. We spend a minimum of 2 hours on this topic.

Canine First Aid basics are also covered for a minimum of 3 hours in the program.

Canine Psychology (alpha wolf, instinct, temperament, etc.)
This component of the Professional Dog Trainers Program will give you an understanding of how dogs reason and respond to the environment in which they live. This information is the foundation of any training, and an essential part of evaluating a client's dog.

Selecting the Right Puppy
At five weeks of age a puppy displays numerous personality traits. Ben shows you how to select a puppy for its health, intelligence and temperament. Ben uses his own tests as well as those used for the seeing eye dogs for the blind.

Puppy Socialization
Ben's techniques for socializing and conditioning a puppy to the stress and noise of modern society are very effective. This is an essential part of a puppy's upbringing, ensuring a stable temperament for future training.

Foundation Training
Ben's foundation training is an excellent start for any dog, young or old. Fun, nurturing, and stress-free for dogs, this concept is unique and integral to his training technique.

Invaluable in the understanding and training of dogs is a working knowledge of dog breeds and the various temperaments and characteristics associated with them.

Obedience training is the leading area of revenue for most professional dog trainers. Consequently, this is the main area of focus during Ben's 12-week Professional Dog Trainers Program. It includes:

Walking Exercise
Complete on leash control with no pulling - ever!
Complete off-leash control in any situation

Sit Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Holding position under heavy distraction (using toys, treats, dogs, people)
Holding position from 600+ feet
Response while in Motion

Down Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
Holding position under heavy distraction (using toys, treats, dogs, people)
Holding position from 600+ feet
Response while in Motion
Indefinite Long Down (1 hour +)
Invisible Down Command

Come Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only
While Playing (with a person, a toy or another dog)
Response from 600+ feet
Response under heavy distraction
Invisible Come Command

Heel Command
On and Off-Leash
Straight Heel
Jot-outs
Fast and slow
Start/Stop with automatic Sit
Circle right and left
90 degree right and left turn
180 degree right and left turn
Third degree
Automatic Heel (hand signal, no voice)
Zig Zags
Tight circle right and left
Heel hand signal only - from a distance
Heel on the spot - right and left
About turn - towards dog
Reverse Heel
Finish on Heel

Stand Command
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only

Down to Sit Command
From 125+ Feet
Hand Signal Only
Voice Only

Down out of Motion
From walk and run
By side and at distance

Road Safety
Automatic Stop and Sit at every Curb

Tricks
Take that Dog
Roll-Over
Spin
Touch
Jump Arm or Leg
Jump over Head
Wave
Bow
Weave through Legs
Rear Up
Speak
Head / eye commands
Plus others!

Tracking
1000+ feet through changes of terrain

Would you believe that most dog owners lose hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of personal property before enlisting the services of a reputable trainer? The results from Ben's counselling for problem behaviour are remarkable. The feedback received from thousands of clients over the past two decades indicates that problems such as aggression, housebreaking, jumping up, barking, chewing, digging, and many more are completely resolved within 2-3 days.

Topics include an indepth and comprehensive study of all problem behaviour areas:

Teaches your "canine clients" to jump back every time a car is heading towards them. This training can be a lifesaver for dogs living in urban areas.

Teaches any dog to stay inside the property line when left out in the yard, regardless of the distraction.

How to teach dogs not to take food from strangers or to scavenge it off the ground, but to accept it only from their owner's hand or their food bowl.

Ben will teach you how to train your own trick and frisbee dog(s) during the Professional Dog Trainers Program. He will draw on his many years of experience to show you how to create your own wonderdogs and make top dollar as an entertainer.

See the Cool Tricks video to witness the amazing routines that Ben's Wonderdogs have performed across North America.

Creating and finding entertainment opportunities at sports events, fairs, corporate picnics, conventions, and private parties
How to involve your audience in your show and get the best response from them
Negotiating the best deal for yourself, and writing up the contract
Pricing: how much should you charge per show?
Pros and cons of working through a talent agent
How to write a press release, and receive tremendous media exposure free of charge
How to ensure your dogs' safety and the audience's safety
Pros and cons of a wireless P.A. system
Pros and cons of using a music soundtrack during your performance
How to promote yourself during your show - company vehicle, T-shirts, signed photos, etc.
Spin-off income: sale of t-shirts, videos, dog training lessons, etc.

Ben has had so much enjoyment performing with his dogs over the years, and now he wants to share that with others. Graduates of the Professional Dog Trainers Program will be invited to make guest appearances at Ben's shows for some first-hand experience!!

Truly a gifted, results-oriented trainer, Ben effortlessly combines his dog training practices with a teaching style that is professional, effective, and fun!

Al Whitlam, Comox, BC

Retrieving any object, using directions (right, left, and straight), send-aways, take it and drop.

A dog trained for protection needs to be absolutely trustworthy in all situations. You will learn the basics on how to train a trustworthy personal protection dog.

There is a big difference between a highly trained personal protection dog and a "junk-yard" dog. The top Shutzhund dogs in North America are fearless and ferocious when competing, yet they are absolutely dependable in day-to-day situations. Over the years, Ben's Wonderdogs were in the public year round and are routinely mobbed by boisterous children after their trick and frisbee show. It may surprise you to know that they all had an advanced level of personal protection training.

foundation training and confidence building
sound off and alarm dog training
role of the agitator (bad guy)
simulating real-to-life protection situations
training to guard property, house, and car without the handler present
how to build drive in a dog and use it to your advantage
recall during the attack command
releasing the agitator after the attack
"automatic response" - teaching a dog to attack automatically when the handler is threatened

Erin Simpson and "Maya vom Bergblick SchH II" were the 1997 Schutzhund II Canadian champions. Erin's extensive expertise will be an invaluable asset to anyone interested in this field of training.

Over the past two decades, Ben has trained numerous dogs for movies, TV, and advertising. Ben will share all his hard-earned expertise in what can be a "dog-eat-dog" industry. This work can be extremely challenging and rewarding and bring out the creative side in any "dog wrangler". Topics include written contracts, arranging payment in advance, and negotiating the best renumeration for your time on the set and for all your "extras".

We will teach you how to make a healthy profit providing these high-demand services, while avoiding numerous pitfalls.

Dog Walking Get in great shape and make money when you take your client's dogs out for a run!

Dog Sitting Make money pet sitting while living rent-free!

In-Home Boarding Learn how to set up your own Pet Hotel or Kennel Alternative boarding dogs in your home.

Doggie Daycare Learn all about caring for your client's dogs while they're away for the day.

Do you know what you are feeding your dog? This component of the program will teach you how to evaluate and choose the best food for your dog's health and of course, for your dollar. In addition I will show you many creative ways to give a dog complete exercise in a safe environment, as well as how to make inexpensive toys that dogs will "attack" for hours on end.

Dr. Rolfe, from the Victoria Veterinary Clinic, has been in business for over twenty years. He will discuss everything from basic first aid to canine CPR.

There is a vast market for flea control services, especially in warmer climates. I will discuss safe and effective means of controlling these pesky critters.

Operating any business requires several key components to ensure success. In this section of the program, particular emphasis will be placed on the creative aspect of owning your own training and boarding facility. Also covered in detail the marketing, sales, and advertising techniques that have seen Ben's business prosper. This includes entertaining with the Wonderdogs at fairs, sports events, conventions, and private parties.

Marketing and Sales: the backbone of any business
Spending your advertising dollars wisely
Advertising conception and implementation
Staging an event the media cannot ignore
Creating an image through company uniforms, vehicles, stationery, etc.
Increasing word-of-mouth advertising
Public Relations: from young children to senior citizens - recognizing your client's specific needs and tailoring your teaching approach accordingly
Subcontracting contracts with staff
Zoning regulations
Incorporation vs. proprietorship
Insurance: What do you really need?
Producing your own DVDs and CDs for clients or for resale
Travel locally or worldwide training dogs, selling your training products such as books, phamphlets, and DVDs, and doing training seminars. Even better, enjoy this travel without paying for accomodation!!
Designing forms, contracts, and literature that save time and repetition
Pros and cons of expanding into: sales of pet food and supplies, dog grooming, pet sitting, and kennel services
Finding training venues and how to get them rent-free
Basic income tax information: how to maximize your write-offs and decrease your income tax.