Has anybody else done a dog psychology course?

Question

I am seriously thinking about doing the course myself, but cant decide what is the best way to do it, as i want to do it as a full time career. Has anybody else been succesful in achieving this or should i not bother? If you have been succesful, how did you get started?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I've never taken a course, but read several books:

The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs by Nicholas Dodman
The Hidden Life Of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners by The Monks of New Skete

Each book has taught me more about dogs and more about myself. Highly recommend each one of them.

Cesar Millan talks about starting his career in dog training. That may help you.

Answer 2

Dog psychology seems very simple for a course. They have a pack mentality and follow the leader. If you lead poorly they will follow with poor followthrough. It's mostly a reflection of the owner, not the dog's natural mindset that forms it's behaviour patterns.

That said, I would suggest looking into a course to train police dogs. Where you learn how to train them. This should give a thorough and insightful view into a dog psyche because they mold it the most.

Answer 3

I don't know anyone who has done the course. But I do know a dog who has been to see one. So I guess some people must be successful! My sister took her dog because he was like a naughty child no matter what she did. The psychologist really helped Barney (the dog).

Answer 4

I have not done one myself but like you i have been considering it and I looked on the open college courses but it cost about £240 but I would love to do onexx go to wwwopencollege.com and look up dog psychology

Answer 5

There are a bunch of things you should know about dog training but we are going to discuss what I feel are some the most important. Keep in mind that these are only some of the things you should know. Go here http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?pGXN

1. Repetition is the number 1 principle of dog training. Dogs just like humans learn by doing things over and over in order to get better.

2. Dog Training can and should be fun for both you and your new pet.

3. Training sessions should always be short but sweet. I never work a dog more than 15 minutes in a session to keep from losing the dog's attention. You should train you dog at least once a day but never more than three formal sessions a day.

4. Your goal should be that each training session is just a little bit better than the last one. You need to always strive to make the training better, slowly. I mention this because quite often I see people who do daily training sessions but the dog never gets better and it is not the dogs fault.

5. Having patients is very important in dog training. Losing your temper does not work with a canine it simply makes things worse.

6. Exercise is very important in the training process to get rid of all the dogs nervous energy.

7. Taking your pet for walks is very important because it develops serotonin which gives your dog a feeling of well being.

8. Always be sure to give your dog a bunch of praise in your training. It is your dog's paycheck for doing a great job.

9. Never hit your dog. I have heard people say I never hit my dog instead I roll up a magazine and swat it. It's the same thing... hitting is hitting.

10. After each training session be sure to do something that your dog will enjoy. Take it for a walk, throw the ball or maybe even rub its belly. Just do something that makes the dog look forward to the next training session.

These are things that I teach my dog training students as well as my dog training clients. I hope these things will give you something to think about when training your dog. Spend some time training your dog daily and you will both reap the benefits.