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Pro-Trainer Academy
Our Premier Dog Trainers Program helps aspiring dog trainers reach their dreams by answering the question. How to go about becoming a professional dog trainer in California, by helping them to become professional dog trainers and independent business owners through the program we offer.
Imagine Becoming a professional dog trainer…
- Work that doesn’t feel like work.
- Earning an income by indulging in your passion for dogs.
- Having everything you need to confidently help owners have the dog of their dreams.
- Having the flexibility to learn and grow as a professional, at your own pace, and move down a new career path, even with your busy life.
- Being a member of a community to get ongoing support, work through challenging cases, and be inspired by others.
- Experiencing ongoing support/mentoring from an expert who does every day, what you aspire to do.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted a career in training dogs but never felt confident about becoming a professional dog trainer.
What if you could enroll in a program that can take you there – one that could help you obtain the skills to train dogs AND the skills to run your own business?
Gold Country Trainer Academy has a comprehensive, hybrid (online/ in person) that will give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills to help virtually any behavioral problem that you will encounter.
You will have an amazing foundation to launch into your choice of specialty programs if you desire or focus on serving an amazing array of obedience needs for pets and their parents!
Can you imagine?
If you can, the Premier Trainer Program is for you!
Benefits you’ll receive by joining us:
Create thoughtful Assessments of Teams
You will learn how to assess a team’s (both dog and person) strengths and weaknesses so that you can create a comprehensive plan to help them achieve their goals.
Communication with Clarity
You will have the confidence to train a dog in a way that generates excellent results with the least amount of stress and frustration.
Confidence in Handling all types of dogs
Through our Comprehensive Hands-on Training, you will become confident about handling even difficult dogs… that is after all what we often get called for!
Intensive Knowledge
By applying the intensive knowledge that you acquire in this program, you will build solid obedience foundations and transforms and transform dog behavior for dogs of all ages and behavior challenges.
Marketing
We teach you the best strategies for marketing in order to attract your ideal clients in your geographical catchment area.
Business Plan
Not only do we tackle the dogs, but we teach you all the aspects of running a business and help you create your very own customized business plan so you can hit the ground running upon graduation.
Our proven program is split into three distinct Phases
Gold Country Trainer Academy is much more than an online course. It’s a comprehensive, hybrid (online and in-person options) coaching and mentoring program that provides you with education and support across an entire year. Through a combination of online learning to get you started and online or in-person learning to get you hands-on directly with us, you will develop the necessary skills and support system to feel confident taking on clients on your own or working at a facility, depending on whatever direction you decide to take your training career. We want your dream career to be accessible financially, so we have many options to choose from based on your unique needs and desires.
Phase 1
Online: 6-12 months.
Done from the comfort of your own home on your own schedule.
You will learn the following:
- Understanding Dog Behavior
- How to Communicate Clearly based on how dogs learn best
- How to use a balanced approach to training with a heavy emphasis on positive reinforcement but still ensuring reliability while maintaining a happy confident dog
- Great dog trainers understand all the tools, from food, toy, pressure, e-collar and when to use what. You can’t be great if you only have half a toolbox.
- We focus on filling your toolbox with deep understanding of pros and cons of all methods.
Phase 2
In-person: 5 weeks Intensive in Person*
During this time, you will focus on hands on experience. Whether you do that in your own backyard (figuratively speaking) or you want the ultimate experience of coming and training with us, this phase focuses on gaining experience. Without putting your hands on dogs, you will never progress as a trainer.
We have options for both coming and training directly with us in all areas or getting equivalent work in your neck of the woods.
Phase 3
Online: Practicum
Once you have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2, you must show that you internalized the skills in training, assessments, creating curriculum, and business aspects. You will have set the stage for you to hit the ground running in your own business. You may then enroll in our Practicum.
Successful completion of the practicum is required for certification.
By the end of the program, you will also be able to:
- Identify how best to assess a human/k9 teams’ strengths and weaknesses
- Identify how to create programs for human/k9 teams which emphasize teaching through positive reinforcement, but polishing with pressure as needed to secure reliable behaviors
- Identify commonly made errors in communication between handler and dog and create a plan to fill in the holes based on the team’s capabilities
- Learn to create customized approaches to multiple types of dogs and students based on their needs and abilities
- Create a clear business plan that you can put into action to get a jump start on your new career
At the Gold Country Trainer Academy, you’ll learn how to create a powerfully effective curriculum for teaching dogs and owners, group classes, private lessons, or comprehensive programs using our clearly established tools for K9 communication.
Phase 1: Communicate with Clarity: The Foundation Program 12 Months
Welcome to The Foundation Program, where we lay the solid groundwork for your success! Over the course of 12 months, you’ll receive all the support and structure needed to create lasting change. Here’s what’s included to ensure you get the most out of your experience:
- Bi-Weekly Classroom Sessions
Every two weeks, we’ll come together for engaging, deep-dive classroom sessions where we break down key concepts from the online curriculum. This is your opportunity to really get into the details, ask questions, and get clear on how to apply the material to your own journey. It’s an interactive learning experience where you’ll get personalized feedback and the chance to connect with others who are on the same path. - Bi-Weekly Live Q&A Sessions
Alongside the classroom sessions, we’ll hold bi-weekly live Q&A sessions to make sure you’re staying on track with your training. These sessions are all about you—ask questions, clarify anything you’re unsure of, and get support to keep moving forward confidently. It’s a safe space to receive guidance, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure you’re consistently making progress. - Online Curriculum Access
Our carefully crafted online curriculum is designed to be flexible and self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed while still having structured support. This resource is always available to you, and it complements the live sessions perfectly, giving you a balance of independent study and guided learning. - Live In Person For those local, you can drop in with a dog to assess your skill development in any of our bi-weekly classes at the facility or monthly field trips (once you are at that level).
This program is designed to be comprehensive and supportive, giving you both the knowledge and the accountability to make real, lasting progress. Together, we’ll work toward building a strong foundation for your success—step by step.
Price: $2750
The Foundation: VIP Experience: Personalized Progress
If you’re looking for a little extra attention and guidance, our VIP program might be the perfect fit for you. With monthly check-ins, we’ll dive deeper into your personal journey and make sure you’re feeling confident and on track. Think of it as a partnership—I’m here to support you, give you customized advice, and cheer you on as you make progress. This program is designed for those who want that extra layer of connection and personalized feedback as they grow!
Price- $3750
The Foundation: Elite Success Model
For those who want the ultimate level of support and guidance, our Elite Success Model is the way to go. With twice monthly check-ins, we’ll work closely together to make sure everything is fine-tuned to your unique needs. It’s like having a coach in your corner, always ready to help you adjust and stay on the path to success. This is for individuals who want the very best in ongoing, personalized coaching to ensure they’re getting the results they’re striving for.
Price: $4750
Next Steps…
If what you’ve learned sparks your interest, submit your application today!
Our admissions team will review your information and reach out with suggested next steps. This may be a 1-on-1 consultation with one of our K9 specialists or recommendations sent via email.
We’re here to help you make your dream career a reality!
Phase 2: Communicate with Clarity: Intensive Hands On Application
In-Person Option: Premium Training at GCK9: 5 weeks
During Phase 2, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience across all areas of our facility, working with dogs in various environments and learning to handle real-world situations. Here’s what you can expect:
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Boarding Dogs (Including Challenging Cases): You’ll get the chance to work with dogs of all temperaments, especially those who are stressed by new environments. There’s no better way to improve your handling skills than by working directly with dogs in a boarding setting, learning to keep them calm and comfortable while you handle different challenges that arise.
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Training Dogs: Throughout this phase, you’ll train three dogs in our Board and Train program from start to finish. This is your opportunity to put everything you learned in Phase 1 into action, learning how to train quickly and effectively. You’ll build your confidence as you guide these dogs through their training journey.
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Working with Your Own Dog: You’ll bring your own dog to work on advanced skills, like heeling and retrieving, taking your training to a more refined level. This is a great chance to focus on your dog’s specific needs and see your progress in real-time.
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Client Interaction and Observations: You’ll also get hands-on exposure by shadowing client sessions, sports classes, and service dog outings. This experience allows you to see how different training techniques apply in diverse settings and how to interact with clients effectively. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to work your own dog in these settings, gaining practical experience in different training environments.
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Rescue Dog Prison Dog Program: As part of your Phase 2 experience, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in our Rescue Dog Prison Dog Program. This unique program offers exposure to how dogs are trained in prison environments, providing valuable experience with both rescue dogs and working with incarcerated individuals. You’ll attend sessions and actively participate in the process, gaining hands-on knowledge of a truly impactful program.
Price: $3750
Online Option: Hands-On Experience with Rescue Partners: 5 weeks*
If you can’t make it to our facility for in-person training, we’ve got you covered! Our online option is designed to give you the same hands-on experience, but in your own location. You’ll be required to work with a local shelter or rescue organization to gain real-world experience, just as you would if you were at our facility. This hands-on training is essential to developing your skills, and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
Throughout this phase, we’ll have two to three online calls per week* to review your progress, provide guidance, and answer any questions you have. These calls will ensure that you’re staying on track and implementing what you’ve learned. You’ll also be asked to submit video recordings of all your work, so we can give you detailed feedback and make adjustments as needed. This will allow us to assess your training in real-time and help you continue refining your skills.
While this option is remote, you’ll still get all the hands-on experience you need through your work with local shelters, and we’ll be in close contact to ensure that you’re progressing effectively and efficiently. With regular feedback, video submissions, and online support, you’ll gain the same level of practical experience as those training on-site with us (but you will miss out on our awesome tri-tip dinners!).
Price:- $1950
Phase 3: Communicate with Clarity: The Practicum
Phase 3: The Practicum – Certification Required
You’ve made it to The Practicum! After completing Phase 1 and Phase 2, this is where everything comes together. It’s time to show that you’ve truly internalized all the skills you’ve learned—whether it’s training techniques, assessments, curriculum creation, or understanding the business side of things. This phase is all about applying what you’ve mastered in real-world scenarios and setting you up to hit the ground running in your own dog training business.
Throughout the Practicum, you’ll demonstrate your ability to put everything into practice. You’ll work on real cases, complete assessments, design and implement your own training programs, and even get hands-on experience with the business management aspect. The goal is to ensure that you’re ready to confidently step into the world as a certified professional.
Successful completion of The Practicum is required for certification, marking your transition from student to professional. This final phase will empower you with the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to launch your business and thrive as a dog trainer. Successful students will automatically qualify for lifetime support in our community.
Price: 1450
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Upcoming Events
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