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Professional Dog Trainers Program

WelcomeBen's Goals for his Students |   Program Information
Program Hours | Start Dates | Student Loans and Grants
Exceptional Value | Bring your own Dog Help Wanted
  Beautiful Training Venues |   Diplomas and Certification


Welcome from Ben Kersen

 

Kersen family and the current wonderdog, Joey.  2008.
Ben, Nancy, & Family - November 2008

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. Dogs have been used for years to make life easier for the blind, deaf and handicapped. New advances are now taking place in areas like dog for cancer detection and epileptics. Future careers in dog training are looking exciting! 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 such as dogs for movies, television and advertising, the german dog sport of schutzhund, 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.

 

"Once the program began, I knew I had selected the right course. Students are motivated and energized to learn because the program is fun and because there is so much support and information available. By the end of the program you'll wonder where the time went and be in awe of how much you have learned.

Having now left Ben's program to start my own training back in California I have really realized the true value of the Wonderdogs Professional Dog Trainer's Program. I have actively compared what I've learned from Ben to lots of local trainers in California and found Ben's methods to be far superior. My clients have been amazed at how quickly I can get results with their dogs and because of this I have had to do very little advertising. Once people learn about the methods you have learned from Ben and see the fast and effective results, your phone won't stop ringing!

If you are passionate about working with dogs, dedicated to becoming successful as a dog trainer, and open to learning a lot than this program is definitely for you!" Click here to read more.

Erin Kramer, California, USA
havick68@hotmail.com 

I have Four Goals for Students taking my Program :

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

2. That students receive value for their dollar learning a wealth of information and finding the course both stimulating and well organized.

3. That students, upon graduating, will have the ability to professionally train any breed of dog and solve any type of problem behaviour.

4. That students 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!

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 to watch! "***

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 close up of dogs and other critters!


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. Over the years, many of our graduates have ended up making Victoria their new home after spending 3 months here!

  • The program runs seven hours per day, five days per week for twelve weeks. There are also evening classes for 4 weeks during the program which run for an additional 2 hours.

  • The student to instructor ratio is kept low to ensure lots of individual attention for each student.

  • If requested, we also provide extra curricular help outside class hours to all students at no additional charge.

  • NEW! Our spring 2010 program is now full. Due to high demand, we have decided to run a fall 2010 program. We expect it to fill up quickly.

  • We are currently accepting applications for our 2010 fall and 2011 spring intakes. Please submit your application early to ensure your space.
  • The majority of Canadian students can write off the entire tuition for our program as a deduction on their income tax if they are self-employed. In addition to this, students in our program are eligible for an educational tax credit of up to $1395.00 as our school is certified as an educational institution by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Canada. See form T2202 on the Canada Customs and Revenue web site for more details.
  • As prices may be subject to change, please contact us for current fee schedules for the Professional Dog Trainers Program and Clinics.

    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

     

    Value

    In terms of price and course content, our Professional Dog Trainers program offers exceptional value when compared to other 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 Ben's immediate video feedback on their technique.

    • Job shadowing on real jobs with real clients!

    • All students receive our Professional Dog Trainers Program Manual which contains over 200 pages of information when all theory related handouts are included . This course material has taken years to develop and is constantly being updated!!

    • Students handle a minimum of 35 dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments during the Professional Dog Trainers Program. Training is often done in real-life situations: busy city parks, the downtown core of Victoria , provincial parks, etc.

    • Ben has over 300 DVD's and videos on every topic and discipline from police dogs to search & rescue! This valuable wealth of information supplements the Professional Dog Trainers Program and can only be fully appreciated upon graduation when students realize how much this has contributed to their overall education.

    • Students in the Professional Dog Trainers Program have access to over 30 dog related books that Ben has collected over the years. New publications are added annually to ensure students are kept up to date with the newest concepts and ideas.

    • Enjoy a great learning environment. We feel that in order for students to learn properly the setting must be quiet and comfortable which is why our program is not taught in a kennel-type setting. You will not find any barking kennel dogs here!

    • 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.

    The Professional Trainers Course has created brand new opportunities for me. I am 42 years old and knew in my heart that it was time for a lifestyle change. I am so glad that I took a risk and left my long term career to follow a passion and invest in myself and my future.

    We spent time with so many knowledgeable guest speakers who are experts in their fields. Ben's instructors were enthusiastic and supportive throughout the course and brought a wealth of information to the table.

    Please feel free to contact me as a reference.

    Cheryl Hughes, Mill Bay, BC
    cherylhughes@shaw.ca


Bring Your Own Dog

During Ben's program, you will be able to train your own dog(s) if you wish. Some students come with four or five dogs! These students leave Victoria not only with a career they can use anywhere in the world, but also with highly trained dogs that will be their future ambassadors! To train just one dog to this advanced level would cost a small fortune – this program is obviously a great value to those coming with one or more dogs.

To see how much your genius dog(s) will learn in our Professional Dog Trainers Program, click on Course Curriculum.


Help Wanted

Priority will always be given to graduates of Ben's program should a trainer position become available. There are also occasional income-earning opportunities available while taking Ben's program. These include: general maintenance, miscellaneous office duties, dog training and commission on sales.

Did you know that dog training companies, kennels and doggie daycares contact us on a regular basis looking for quality staff? Certified Professional Dog Trainers will always be in demand as the pet population continues to rise and dog enthusiasts are willing to invest more on their pet's safety and training. The following are a few examples of dog training facilities looking for qualified staff (please note these positions have now been filled by graduates from our program):

"Hi Ben! I am just wondering if you have any graduates from your Professional Dog Trainers Program that are in the Vancouver area that are wanting full or part-time employment for my dog boarding and training facility. I look forward  to hearing from you."

Janice
TNT Kennels

"Hello, I'm wondering if you could refer me to a couple of your dog training program graduates in the Vancouver area. We're looking for a dog trainer to lead a puppy class in our store - and are looking for a energetic, motivated trainer."

Thanks, Suji
Bow Wow Haus

"Positions available for Guide Dog Training Assistants. The CEO of BC Guide Dog Services asked me to forward this job posting to you. We are hoping you may be able to post it at your school."

Thank you, Trudy
BC Guide Dogs

"I am the owner of a pet services company based in Vancouver, BC. We offer group walks lead by certified trainers from Monday to Friday, as well as puppy visits, pet sitting and one-on-one training. As our company grows we are constantly looking for skilled certified dog trainers to join our team. I am hoping that you might be willing to forward this email to your alumni."

Kind regards, Sarah.
www.muttbuddiesonline.com


Beautiful Training Venues

The majority of our program is taught at our main campus on a quiet acreage in the Brentwood Bay area about 20 km North of downtown Victoria. This location includes access to a 100m (300ft) indoor training area. To see Ben training at our facility click here.

We also go on field trips to many beautiful settings in and around the city of Victoria. Imagine going for a class in one of Victoria's breathtaking provincial parks with lush forest all around you. We also go on excursions to high distraction areas such as downtown Victoria, public beaches and off-leash dog areas.

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

Shinobu Saito, Tokyo, Japan


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

Grads - November 2003

  November 2003 Grads with Ben and staff.

 

 

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