LEVEL 1 – BASIC DOG TRAINING  

Chris Onthank’s Internship Training Program – Become a Dog Trainer!

INSTRUCTOR:  Chris Onthank, Owner and Founder of Dog Gone Smart in Norwalk, CT.  Chris has been working with animals for over 25 years and has developed a unique training theory that combines instinct with learning.  He is a noted canine behavioral specialist that works with dogs and their humans.  Chris’ personal daily practice involves helping dogs with special issues i.e. aggression, separation anxiety, fear, disabilities and training problems.  He has helped thousands of dogs in his career.  His outgoing personality and fun approach to learning have made him one of the most popular trainers in Fairfield County.  His clients (both human and canine) are highly motivated to work and thoroughly enjoy their learning experience.  Many area trainers have taken Dog Gone Smart’s internship training program with Chris and have successfully started their own businesses.  Guest speakers will lecture periodically on various topics.

COURSE OUTLINE:  Dog Gone Smart is offering a unique opportunity for people to take a course to become a professional dog trainer.  This hands-on course is designed for students with little or no experience with dogs but who are thinking about making dog training a PROFESSION or for those individuals who just want to learn more about dogs in general or who want to volunteer at shelters.  

This 6-week course is the first of FOUR 6-week courses which will be offered in 2009.  The three different levels will teach you:

·         Chris Onthank’s two-pronged approach to dog training which combines a dog’s natural instinct with a positive motivational approach to learning

·         How dogs learn, the pros and cons of various training methods and the types of equipment used

·         How to evaluate individual dogs to determine how they best learn

·         How dogs communicate with each other and with humans, the different stages of canine development and how to determine normal from abnormal behavior

·         How to teach dogs basic obedience including sit, down, stay, walking nicely on a leash, coming when called and much more. 

·         How to fix common behavior problems such as jumping up, housebreaking, mouthing, chewing, counter surfing and much more

·         How to handle dogs safely

·         The different dog breeds and groups including conformation, temperament and instincts

·         Basic canine health, nutrition, first aid and husbandry

·         How to teach and manage a group class – become an effective teacher of both dogs and people

·         How to present yourself clearly and effectively in a classroom setting

Students will be required to observe a 6-week puppy class taught at DGS.   No Dogs.

Cost for Basic Dog Training – Level 1:  $875.00

LEVEL 2 CLASS:   This 6-week course is the 2ND LEVEL of four 6-week courses offered in 2010. Cost for Basic Dog Training – Level 2:  $875.00   STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO WATCH ALL SIX (6) WEEKS  of a Foundation 1 Class.

LEVEL 3 CLASS:  This 6-week course is the 3RD LEVEL of the four 6-week courses offered in 2010.  Cost for Basic Dog Training - Level 3: $875.00. 

For Class Registration, Information & Class Policies