Being a certified dog trainer at petco....?
Certification means very little in the dog world. People select trainers based on results - i.e. titling your own dogs - and on references - i.e. helping other people train their dogs. I have issues with PETCO training in general as the methods are all developed from a PR standpoint at the higher levels. No serious trainer I have ever met would ever recommend PETCO training and I have never met a PETCO trainer that seriously competed in any canine sport with their own dog or a "real" trainer that began in a PETCO-like situation. If you want the job, then accept the training with a grain of salt and realize it won't transition well outside of that corporation. If you want to be a dog trainer, join a local all-breed club and ask if you can assist with a beginner class, work your way up to being a full trainer and then, when you have enough references and experience, you can start your own business. The training you will learn will not be dictated by a corporation and will applicable to dog sports as well as pet stuff, making your training much more valuable and provable. Why not start showing your MinPin and Lab in some companion sports like obedience, agility, rally or tracking? You're sure to meet folks who can put in a good word or make a recommendation on where to find a mentor once you're in the "dog world".
How to become a Dog Trainer?
The U.S. average for a yearly salary of a dog trainer is about $40,000. If you would like to go to a school to become a dog trainer, I am currently doing online courses with Animal Behavior College, they are wonderful, based out of CA, and they do online courses in all 50 states. I do believe you have to graduate high school first, but it is definitely worth looking into. The programs are pretty short, and not too expensive, you get to do schoolwork at home, and then they pair you with a professional dog trainer in your area to get you hours of unpaid externship experience. It really is wonderful and so easy, I got a 99% on my first test, and I'm doing Veterinary Assisting. So you could do that, or find a local college if that is more your thing and see what they have to offer as far as what you are looking for. Anyway, good luck :)
How do i become a service dog trainer?
As you are still in school I would begin by perhaps doing volunteer work. It gets you experience and something on your resume while you study. Likely you will be cleaning up dog poo.... But you never know where it leads. If you study relevant courses in the meantime - By the time an opportunity comes up, you would be ahead of the pack. I have a friend did not get the university grades and qualifications to work in a zoo or wildlife park. So she simply offered up her occasional Saturday mornings at a National Wildlife Park for free (she started volunteering in year 11). For several years she helped out - no pay. Doing things like cleaning cages and helping to feed. Then the opportunity of a paid position came up - and she got the job. Normally these jobs are hard fought and given to those with Degrees. Now she works there full time. ...Where there is a will there is a way....
How do you become a certified Toastmaster?
Join a club in your area and participate in the series of lectures that they recommend. After you complete a series of these successfully, you will become a Toastmaster. Best of luck, Jeffrey
How long does it take to become a dog trainer?
Well there is Animal Behavior College, which trains you in becoming a Professional Dog Trainer. Their maximum given time to complete the course is 60 weeks but you can finish even faster than that. I completed mine in a little under 40 weeks. I'd say it takes about the same time as an Associates Degree at a good pace. But this is just to learn the basics. To become a good Trainer you must have years of experience working with different breeds, and always reading up on new techniques and informing yourself about breed standards and how each breed has different levels of training. Mentoring under another Trainer (which ABC lets you do during the last few weeks of your course) is a great way to learn how to work the field. Finally, showing dogs/ Obedience trials that you have trained will give your reputation way more credibility. Good luck. http://www.animalbehaviorcollege.com/