Dog Training Career
Liam Crowe
from
Bark Busters
Have you ever considered a dog training career? Many dog lovers have taken their love of dogs a step beyond just ownership and have turned it into a profitable career. So where does one learn the fine art of dog training as well as what it takes to start and manage their own business doing just that? Liam Crowe, owner of Bark Busters, a business that trains people how to train dogs, has kindly taken the time to fill us in on what it takes to realize a rewarding dog training career. Not only does Bark Busters teach how to become a dog trainer, it also offers referrals to those looking for a qualified trainer. In the second half of this interview we quiz Liam on things to look for when looking to hire one. Here's our interview…
Q. Welcome Liam, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. I found perusing your website to be quite enjoyable, with lots of great information for those who might be interested in developing a career in the field of dog training. This sounds like a fascinating profession and was wondering what got you into the dog training field in the first place?A. My wife Natalie and I were frustrated dog owners. Our dog Buddy, a Border Collie/ Red Heeler mix, was causing all sorts of problems for us. We had tried all sorts of trainers and techniques, and were unable to find a lasting solution. At our wit's end, we consulted our vet. He recommended Bark Busters. We were amazed at how quickly Buddy responded to the training, and were so impressed that we decided then and there that this is what we needed to do with our lives. Buddy is still with us (now 17 years of age) and has traveled from Australia to New Zealand and the US to help us train and save as many dogs as possible. Q. Could you please tell us a bit about Bark Busters itself? It looks like a great company that you're no doubt proud to be a part of.
A. The thing that attracted us most to Bark Busters were the Australian founders, Sylvia and Danny Wilson. They live and breathe this company and share our vision of saving as many dogs from, surrender maltreatment, euthanasia as a result of behavioral issues. Sylvia was the manager of an RSPCA shelter for ten years and was saddened by the amount of dogs that were put to sleep each month for issues that she knew could be remedied very quickly and successfully. Sylvia and Danny had been training dogs all their lives and realized that they needed to help people before they were at the point of frustration with their dogs. Based on their extensive experience, and their knowledge of working with the dogs that were deemed "un-trainable" Bark Busters was born. Sylvia and Danny started Bark Busters in 1989, and soon were so busy that they realized they needed to expand by teaching others their amazing techniques to help owners and their dogs live happier lives. The real key to Bark Busters success is that we communicate with dogs in a way they understand, we "speak dog." Once we unlock the combination on the lines of communication between owner and their beloved dog, we literally see a transformation in their relationship that makes that bond they have so much stronger.
Learning Dog Training And Starting A Dog Training Career…
Q. Though many love dogs, not all are cut out to be trainers, what are some of the qualities one should possess before considering a dog training career?A. While a love of dogs is an essential part of the equation, people skills are just as important. We are dealing with a very close relationship between the dog and owner, and each family we see has their own unique dynamic. We tune in to the dynamic between all the family members and the dog and really customize the training to their specific situation. Our behavioral therapists and trainers have the ability to assess the environment and fine tune the way the family and dog communicate so, once the lines of communication are open they can live in harmony. Q. Tell us a bit about the other necessary business aspects that come with a dog training career, what should one expect?
A. Like any business there are certain day-to-day activities that need to be implemented to allow the business to run successfully. The beauty of Bark Busters is our best practices are based on years and years of running a successful business and we share these practices with each and every business owner. We have a proprietary intranet system, marketing and PR department, as well as a very experienced team of trainers that provide daily support to our owners. We also offer, training updates, regional, national and international conferences where we meet with our business owners and discuss the challenging and exciting cases we deal with. To find out more visit the Bark Busters FAQ page on our site.Q. How much training is given new franchisees in the dog training techniques used, as well as teaching someone to manage their own business? A. Those interested in a dog training career start with shadowing an existing Bark Busters trainer in their region and then go through and intensive four week course that sees them spending time at our national training center in Denver CO and shadowing more trainers both here and back in their region. Our training is based on the foundation laid by Danny and Sylvia and is constantly updated as we train and interact with more and more dogs. Having trained in excess of 500,000 dogs worldwide from 10 different countries and with 350 offices across the world (250+ in 41 states in the US), we have tremendous resources and an ever-growing educational base to draw from, for those interested in learning how to become a dog trainer.
Hiring A Trainer From Bark Busters…
Q. When looking for a trainer for one’s own dog, what are the advantages of using a trainer from Bark Busters as opposed to using a book or training tips found on various websites?A. There are some great training resources out there, but nothing beats one-on-one tuition at your home. Our training is custom designed to meet your families' requirements and is based on the way dog's naturally learn. We teach you how to communicate using body language and voice tones, in a fun and educational way. Our clients love the convenience of training in their home on their schedule and love the way that the relationship with their dog is enhanced. Also, we offer a written lifetime support guarantee. This unique guarantee offers the peace of mind that, should an issue recur, or a new one crop up, we will return free of charge, for the life of your dog. The guarantee also moves with the dog. So if you, or your dog, happen to move to an area, or country, that has a Bark Buster trainer we will also honor that guarantee! Q. I’ve met people who needed therapists, and many dogs that needed trainers, yet on your site you refer to your trainers as 'therapists'…is there a reason for this? Are there certain techniques used that set a 'therapist' and a 'trainer' apart?
A. We call ourselves behavioral therapists and trainers, because we cover such an all encompassing range of behavioral issues. Q. For those that have never hired a trainer, what questions should an owner ask of the trainer before hiring him to best find out if he’s qualified? A. A lot of our clients ask their vet who they would recommend, so that's a great starting point. I would also ask to see testimonials from clients, and if need be, ask our trainer to meet them at their home to offer a free consultation.
Once again we'd like to give a tail wag of appreciation to Liam for taking the time to answer our interview questions about starting a dog training career. If you're interested in learning how to become a dog trainer, or need a reference to a good one, additional information can be found at the Bark Busters website.
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