Apprenticeships

Dog Training is a Skilled Trade

In the animal sheltering field where dog staff is expected to work with a huge variety of dogs with different behavioral needs, with different backgrounds, and with the biggest range in behaviors anywhere in the field, this is a skilled trade. Skilled trades are taught via apprenticeship.

Dog Trainer Apprenticeship

Many dog trainer certificate programs, dog behavior seminars, and other ways to become a dog trainer are not ideal. They don't reliably lead to employment and they often fail to bring their learners to the high practical skill level necessary to work with animals in a shelter or rescue setting. Not to mention that in a completely unregulated field like dog training and behavior, it can be impossible to find reliable sources of information to get you where you want to go.

This apprenticeship program functions the same as other apprenticeship programs, (like for electricians or other skilled trades.) That's why we're seeking approval from the Office of Apprenticeship to be recognized on the federal level as a qualified apprenticeship program.

This is more than a dog training school. This is more than a collection of jobs with dogs. This is your path to a career working with dogs (and people.) 

What's Included in AWU's Apprenticeships?

You wouldn't consider someone who learns to repair a wall outlet an electrician.

You wouldn't consider someone who unclogs a drain a plumber.

Dog behavior and training is a similarly complex and highly skilled profession.

How does apprenticeship work?

Shelters or rescues employing dog behavior professionals

You will work with the team at Animal Welfare United to customize the apprenticeship program to your program, including a visit from the Journeyman that will be working with your team. You will hire apprentices from your existing staff, or we'll help you recruit and onboard new talent. You'll compensate your apprentice just like you would any other employee, with the apprentice receiving agreed-upon increases to their salary as they demonstrate competence in specific areas.

It's a win-win-win!


Employees working for an animal shelter or rescue

You'll be paired with a Journeyman who will help guide you throughout the program. You'll be in contact via phone, text, email, and video call, and you'll meet face-to-face with your Journeyman at least annually during a hands-on training week at a host organization. This hands-on training is a full week of dog training and behavior. Your Journeyman is responsible for providing you with educational resources, reviewing and discussing your training sessions or written assignments with you, (like lesson plans for training classes, behavior assessments, etc,) and putting you in touch with their network of specialized professionals. 

This isn't a "dog training workshop," "dog behavior seminar," or "dog trainer certificate." This is your path to a rewarding career working with dogs.

Meet Your Journeyman: Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA CBCC-KA

Devan is the founder of Animal Welfare United, and the first Journeyman in the Apprenticeship program. (Devan designed and wrote the curriculum for the program.) Devan has taught over half of the courses in a Bachelor of Science degree program over the course of his 5+ year teaching career as a college instructor, including developing and teaching entirely new courses. Devan has spoken at multiple international conferences on dog training and behavior. Before his teaching career Devan worked as a dog trainer, kennel technician, dog behavior coordinator, animal control officer, and shelter manager. Devan's passion for teaching comes from his often overwhelming drive to see grassroots style evolution in the ways we serve the people and animals in our communities. 

This apprenticeship is expected to be completed over approximately 2 years. It combines a specific blend of recording on-the-job experiences with classroom-style learning. It is intended to bring the apprentice to the level of mastery of their role as "Animal Shelter Worker - Dog Behavior and Training."

On the Job Training

Approx On the Job Training Hours

Train animals - 1,250 hrs

Read, interpret, and respond to domestic canine body language

Teach an animal to perform learned behaviors on cue

Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.


Evaluate capabilities or training needs - 500 hrs

Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training

Evaluate animals for safety, trainability, and ability to perform


Organize recreational activities or events - 150 hrs

Organize or conduct animal-related recreational activities including fundraising events, public training classes, etc


Instruct others on training techniques - 750 hrs

Instruct dog owners in training their dog(s) to perform behaviors on cue

Instruct dog handlers in safe handling techniques

Instruct dog owners in intentionally modifying their dog's undesired behavior(s)


Provide health and wellness advice to patients program participants, or caregivers - 500 Hours

Advise pet owners on how to care for their pets’ mental and physical health


Care for Animals - 750 hrs

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions

Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health

Perform animal grooming duties, such as washing, brushing, clipping, and trimming coats, cutting nails, and cleaning ears

Participate in the process of finding homes for animals seeking rehoming

Transfer animals between enclosures to facilitate care activities

Safely handle dogs in a variety of contexts


Administer basic health care or medical treatments - 50 hrs

Provide treatment to sick or injured animals according to veterinarian's prescription

Inoculate animals, according to instructions

Report signs of illness and respond appropriately to prevent the spread of disease


Prepare foods or meals - 50 hrs

Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species


Monitor health or behavior of animals - 50 hrs

Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury


Clean and Maintain facilities - 50 hrs

Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters such as kennels, and equipment such as leashes and collars.


Document client health or progress - 100 hrs

Collect and record animal information, such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake

Collect and record training progress for clients and dogs


Explain regulations, policies, or procedures - 100 hrs

Respond to questions from patrons about local animal-related ordinances

Assist in public-facing animal control duties such as licensing compliance, stray animal capture, and returning animals to their owners


Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems - 100 hrs

Observe and caution people handling animals to ensure the safety of humans and animals


Perform administrative or clerical tasks - 50 hrs

Answer telephones, schedule appointments, and assist with data entry


Maintain supply or equipment inventories - 50 hrs

Order, unload, and store feed and supplies


Total Hours 4,500 hrs



Related Instruction

Orientation 2 Hours

This remote orientation, presented at the very beginning of apprenticeship, will highlight the specific intentions of this specific apprenticeship and explore Animal Welfare United’s values of belonging, community, curiosity, excellence, humility, kindness, and transparency. 


DOGS 101 - Dog Behavior 40 Hours

In this foundational course, apprentices will examine the behavior and body language of the domestic dog. This course is intended to bring the apprentice to an advanced level of competence in reading and interpreting canine body language. Apprentices will explore what body language can tell us about the dog’s motivations, internal feeling state, and what this means for working with the dog. This course relies heavily on live classroom discussions to avoid over-simplifying dog behavior, and apprentices’ assignments will include collecting video to share and discuss with their course instructor(s). 


DOGS 102 - Reporting Practices 40 Hours

This course will develop apprentices’ abilities to write formal behavior reports that protect the organization in the event of litigation, provide useful and relevant information to adopters, fosters, volunteers, etc. This course will focus heavily on developing apprentices’ abilities to report behavior using objective language, as well as developing a fluency with reporting to make the activity as efficient and effective as possible.


DOGS 103 - Dog Training 40 Hours

This course focuses on the application of theoretical concepts in dog training. These foundational pieces are critical for apprentices to be able to talk to other experts in the field using a shared vocabulary. This course culminates in a 2-hour online exam on dog training theory. This exam is intentionally designed to demonstrate a deep level of knowledge of dog behavior as it relates to training. 


DOGS 104 - Management of Aggressive Behavior 12 Hours

This course is designed to provide the theoretical foundation for the hands-on “Applied Management of Aggressive Behavior” course. This course emphasizes the importance of proactive behaviors to avoid the escalation of aggressive responses in dogs. This course provides strategies for de-escalating aggressive behavior in dogs, and encourages apprentices to develop habits that promote safety for themselves and those around them.


DOGS 201 - Advanced Dog Behavior 40 Hours

This course focuses on virtual classroom discussions to explore dog behavior on a deeper level. Apprentices will discuss active case studies as frameworks for classroom discussions about modifying dog behavior. Apprentices will track progress and troubleshoot their cases with the support of course instructor(s). Apprentices will write at least 5 case studies as a capstone for this course.


DOGS 202 - Instruction Skills 20 Hours

This largely self-paced course will support apprentices offering dog training classes to the public at their organization. Apprentices will meet remotely with their assigned instructor(s) one-on-one throughout this course for assistance in designing lesson plans, help with logistical considerations, and examine feedback based on attendee satisfaction surveys. Apprentices should expect to spend 12 hours instructing public classes.


DOGS 301 - Animal Care and Control 35 Hours

This course will spend substantial time examining diseases commonly found in dog populations, and will also guide students in exploring the details of their local animal control ordinances. Apprentices will learn how to recognize signs of illness, the various ways they are transmitted, and how they are controlled. This course includes an assessment of apprentices’ organization’s outbreak response procedures and an online exam. 


Applied Courses

The following hands-on courses will take place at a host organization. Apprentices will travel to the host organization and stay for 5 days, spending 8 hours per day working hands-on with dogs and people. Apprentices will participate in hands-on lessons with instructor(s), and then be evaluated by instructors on their kinesthetic and theoretical skills related to the course learning objectives. Note that apprentices must complete at least all 100-level courses prior to attending 400-level applied courses, and must complete 200-level courses prior to attending 500-level applied courses.


DOGS 401 - Applied Dog Behavior - 14 Hours

This hands-on course will focus on developing apprentices’ body language and handling skills, as well as their ability to simultaneously read and report dog behavior. 


DOGS 402 - Applied Animal Training - 20 Hours

This hands-on course will focus on developing kinesthetic skills associated with training dogs to perform behaviors on cue, with a specific emphasis on training in the context of the shelter environment. 


DOGS 403 - Applied Management of Aggressive Behavior - 6 Hours

This course will be held on the first day of the on-site intensive to ensure that all attendees are consistent in their safety practices throughout the remainder of the intensive. This content includes an assessment of apprentices’ knowledge gained in the remote counterpart to this course. 


DOGS 501 - Advanced Applied Dog Behavior - 20 Hours

This course will continue to develop apprentices’ kinesthetic skills related to dog behavior, and will place a specific emphasis on their ability to teach others. This emphasis is intended to encourage apprentices to grow the programs in their shelter, and help others develop their skill levels in support of apprentices’ work. 


DOGS 502 Applied Animal Training Part 2 - 15 Hours

This hands-on course will advance apprentices’ training skills beyond basic obedience, and will emphasize apprentices’ ability to coach others in refining their dog training techniques.


DOGS 503 - Applied Client Interactions - 10 hours

This course places specific focus on apprentices’ human skills, as the field of animal sheltering has a significant and critical human component. Apprentices must recognize the importance of the human in animal conversations, and will discuss ways that our biases can negatively impact our work in animal sheltering.

Minimum Qualifications

Section I: Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Applicants must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience.