Of course, a lot do both at the same time - take the degree and continue working with dogs, both for training and behavioural rehab. One doesn't necessarily eliminate the other - as your colleague proves

Indeed!
But my colleague works full time in a job she wishes to leave...... and part time in dog training.

I, luckily, work In a job I love and adore and have not the time to leave. What will happen to the aggression cases, the "deaths door" cases, the " I need HELP NOW ON A SATURDAY NIGHT AT 11PM" cases, because my dog bit my grand daughter cases, that I do not feel I can leave for the sake of a dissertation.

I left the career that gave me a securoity, big house and car, to follow my heart into helping dogs and dog owners. I'm not going to step back in time for the "reassurance" of qualifications.
I respect those that do. Totally. Bit I'm not going to. Maybe if someone comes along and fills my role and looks after my dogs and supports me so that I can, but for now, my commitment, right now, is to dogs and their owners who I can help. Right now.

As I said somewhere else before.

Of the 12,000 or so enquiries that we have received about dog training, I can recall 3 who asked about qualifications
. Is that what you call recognised?

I train people who want to become or who already are, dog trainers. I have to my name, several dozen dog training clubs that have been set up by people I trained. Some are very successfull. None are qualified. As far as I know.

Does that help in clearing up the qualifications mystery? Hope so. With the greatest respect, I really want to help people understand how it is...... And the ultimate aim, always for me. is to keep dogs in life long homes - whatever that takes. If Qualifications where the way forward then I would be shouting loudly to all who enquired "GO GET QUALIFIED" for the sake of dogs. But I don't believe it is. it isn't that simple. Else everyone who could pass an exam and could read, would be doing it.

But that isnt how it is. .

Customers should ask about qualifications. And I think they are starting too and are being encouraged to ask. Two companies, similar websites, same length of experience, one is run by a qualified trainer and one isn't. I would goto the person who has taken time out and applied themselves.
Qualifications are coming in for the most mundane jobs nowadays. They are becoming a part of everyday life.

I have spoken to a few people who shy away from qualifications simply because they admit they can't do them. They are not easy and a world away from standing in a hall training dogs. Those trainers are not academic and fear exams. It doesn't make them a bad trainer but in life it is important to test yourself and get a measure.

Anyone can work in a kennels for experience or even teach at a club but do they understand the science of behaviour? It will help them to study it and if they study it, why shouldn't they get a qualification.

Trouble is there are some trainers out there but they don't update their professional development. They have been doing it for 20, 30, 40 years and have never read a current book on dog training. Great experience, but as you know, things move on.

That's a shame. There's nothing worse than working in a job you don't like.

Every behaviourist gets those cases and those calls, even the ones who study to get their degrees and they manage to pull out all the stops to ensure that their customers do not suffer. By implication, you are indeed decrying studying in this field by implying that anyone taking a degree (or other study) somehow lets people down who need their services. This doesn't have to be so and for many it isn't.

As did and do many others . Again, you decry education - 'reassurance of qualifications'. The implication being, of course, that the only advantage of working towards that qualification is personal gratification - it isn't. Furthering understanding and knowledge benefits both the dogs and the owners that the 'student' helps

Sorry, but your posts seem to indicate otherwise

Love it - so many assumptions. I don't know what degree your colleague is doing, but the one I am thinking of is distance learning. Attendance at college is two weekends and one week per year (that week being 4 days). Dogs go with you as you need your dog for the practical aspects of the course. Yes, of course, there are sacrifices when taking qualifications - usually social life, or watching TV etc goes on hold and that time is utilised for study - in other words free-time and we all (no matter how busy we like to think we are) have some of that.

Those who do undertake education also have a commitment to dogs and their owners - let's face it, they wouldn't be wasting their time learning more about them if they didn't

I'm retired now, but when I was working in the industry (not too long ago), I had three vets ask for qualifications before they would trust me to work with their clients. I also had far more than 3 calls asking not only what qualifications I held, but also any organisations I belonged to - not so much in the early years, but most certainly in the last two years I worked.

Well done! It's always gratifying to pass on knowledge isn't it?

The experience vs learning debate will always rage. However, both are beneficial IMHO. I'm not suggesting for one minute that there aren't some very good trainers out their who don't have qualifications (let's face it, universally recognised qualifications in this area haven't been available for too long). However, I would also respectfully advise that there are many good trainers out their who don't neglect their clients by going that extra mile and furthering their knowledge and understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. The science in this field is still evolving and gaining momentum. It will only continue to do that while ever those damned qualifications are there to be earned.

southampton has had BSC animal behaviour for years, as far as im aware.

as have other unis?

never met anyone that has asked after a BSC in dog training, let alone any course, to be honest.

when i try and take them thru my portfolio explaining all my different courses, their eyes usually glaze over.

i always find my enthusiasm at showing them this stuff far outstrips their enthusiasm to hear it.

i dont have issues with BSc's or any courses myself, they just aint the be all and end all, thats all.

Bsc's definitely arent the only, nor always, best route either to become a dog trainer or behaviour consultant.

they arent even the only, nor always best route, to study what's on their own syllabusus.

Several DOZEN clubs set up by trainers you have trained-----blimey----you are a franchise!

rune

Yep, but I only know to one dedicated canine behaviour and training course at degree level. There may be others, but I'm not aware of them. I don't think, but don't know, that there is a practical element as far as dogs are concerned in the Southampton course.

Neither have I . I was asked many times though if I had 'any' qualifications. There are many of course, but not so many that the general public recognise without explanation.

I've found that people aren't interessted in the 'nitty gritty', more whether someone is qualified and if they recognised that qualification it carries weight

Brilliant! Without enthusiasm, a dog trainer won't last long. Without enthusiasm, I doubt they'd get through a more serious course, let alone pass it

No one suggested they were. The 'objection', if you like, is when education is denegrated. No need for it. Those that don't wish to do courses have no obligation to do so at present, but those who do should be encouraged and applauded in their efforts (just my opinion of course)

Nope, you need experience as well, but they are a good route if the course is demanding. It's always useful to know what lies behind behaviour and what lies behind the training that is being carried out. Understanding is a valuable tool in any trainers toolbox

That's an interesting thought. Could you expand a little?

Show me !

I'm thinking of a doing course but the choice of where to start is quite bewildering. Edinburgh Uni Intro is my current front runner.