Certified Hands-on Dog Trainer course

Dogue Academy logo

The Dogue Academy is a certified hands-on professional dog trainer course established in 2009. Located in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace borough, aka NDG, my school is where national and international students come to learn how to train dogs, modify behaviour, and master imitation training. The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship (ABA) combined with the Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a unique course for those who want to become certified dog trainers*, behaviour consultants, or animal-assisted therapists. 

Dogue Academy Mission Statement

My mission is to educate, through science-based learning theories, training, enrichment, behavioural management, and behaviour modification, animals and the people who care for them.

Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship Program Details

The English course is open to 18+ year-old individuals with basic dog care experience or a rudimentary understanding of psychology and learning theory. The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship levels 1 to 4 is a one-year, four hundred (400) hour part-time course. It is given consecutively from September to June, with monthly breaks. The curriculum aims to give future professional dog trainers the theoretical and practical knowledge to train and treat mild to severe dog behaviour problems. Our interview will determine your eligibility. You do not need a dog to take this class; however, you must have access to one for your training homework. 

The program’s objectives focus on the dog' physical and emotional language, behaviourism, social-cognitive learning theory, training, behaviour modification protocols, and behaviour management. Each class focuses on deepening and perfecting your clicker training and shaping skills while developing effective problem-solving, decision-making, and program-planning aptitudes. The dog training profession does not solely revolve around associative learning and luring (food bribes). The ABA teaches critical thinking by applying new dog training techniques. Furthermore, students learn to discuss and utilize perceptual, spatial, non-associative learning, imprinting, and complex problem-solving processes. 

Animal-assisted therapy students must conduct an extra five-hour internship to fulfill their certification; thus, we schedule sessions according to the student’s program plan, clientele, or patient. AAT participants must have a university degree in human sciences (teacher, social worker, psychologist, etc.) or be in the process of completing their program. If you are currently in university, please register during your last school year.

The Future of the Dog Training Program

Dogue Academy crest

The dog trainer course gets a makeover yearly to adjust to the latest scientific discoveries. The ABA has evolved tremendously since its creation in 2009, and it will continue to lead the industry moving forward because I strive for excellence. Consequently, I adapt and change based on your experiential learning and feedback. Furthermore, the group has unique supplemental content based on relevant media topics, ethical discussions, and changes within the dog industry. 

Each cohort is part of a social messaging group on the Telegram app. We use the application to discuss homework and assignments, ask questions, exchange jobs, and refer or share memes and videos. Finally, you receive lifetime support and access to our mentorship program at no additional cost. Continued education is vital to me, so I design new classes and add them to the Dogue Academy course content as it moves forward. I invite alums to perfect their skills through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and practical application of science-based learning theories and concepts. 

How to register for the aba

Registration is ongoing, and I accept qualifying students on a first-come-first-served basis. Send a one-page letter of intent (why you want to work with dogs or other animal species) and your curriculum vitae or achievements demonstrating your interest and experience in dog training, behaviour, grooming, walking, kennel, rescue or shelter work. After I receive your documents, I will contact you to schedule an interview to discuss your eligibility, continuing education units, aka CEUs, and alum benefits. 

The interview is done online or in person. If you have conducted your interview in the past, you can register by contacting me directly. Please note I do not give prices over the phone or online. I prefer you make an educated decision, not a financial one. Once you confirm your registration, I will open your file and track your progress, exams, homework, and training plans. I document training sessions and create a digital file with pictures and videos you can then use for your social media needs.

If you studied in another establishment and want to deepen your skills at the Dogue Academy. In that case, you must take and pass the level 1 theoretical and practical exams with 80%. A $175+tx fee is applicable for the exam. If you pass both evaluations, I will deduct the exam cost from your tuition. Dogue Academy is a recognized school by Revenue Quebec and Employment and Social Development Canada as a continuing educational establishment. You can deduct the course fees from your income tax reports. 

* According to the Government of Canada - Job Bank for the province of Quebec.

Dogue Academy calendar

The following schedule is updated each school year to announce the dates. Click on the 2024-2025 school calendar image for a larger view.

Thursday: 18:00 - 21:00
Friday: 18:00 - 21:00
Saturday 9:00 - 17:00

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If you have taken our dog trainer course, please leave us a review on Webwiki or click the Google logo to follow the link. 

Reviews of dogueacademy.com

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY BOOK IS OUT

Animal assisted therapy book cover

The long-awaited Animal-Assisted Therapy: Superstars Change Teen Lives book was released on November 1, 2023 and is available at the Dogue Shop's Bookstore. For out-of-town folks, if you buy the book from the website, I will dedicate and sign it before I send it to you. If you have a special request, make sure to ask in the comment section of your order.

The book is available in two font types: regular and open dyslexia seen here. The Dyslexia font edition is for, you guessed it, dyslexic readers. The manuscript is double the size because the dyslexia font has a wider gap between letters. 

Can you imagine telling your family and friends you read a 516-page book? I can because I, too, am dyslexic.