Professional dog trainers?
I carried out an Agility1st assessment last weekend, the first one I've done for a while and I was impressed.
This assessment was on two trainers for a club who have signed up all their trainers to the programme. Its a good idea, all club members get the same standard of training and it maintains consistency as the handlers and dogs learn the sport.
What also struck me was each of the trainers brought their own unique style and character to the group and yet they delivered the session to the same high standard learnt from the Agility1st programme.
Dog training clubs provide a service to the general mass of dog owners wanting a well behaved pet. As people learn about the different areas of dog training e.g. agility, obedience, heel work etc. they tend to specialise and often move away from their main club to local trainers or more specialised groups. I understand this, I've done the same in the past, however I still believe its important to support these clubs.
Agility1st set out to support and develop agility trainers in a way that helps them learn about good instruction methods, deliver structured, organised, training programmes in a professional way based upon proven methods. What I saw last weekend reassured me that our original aims were being met.
As a Preferred Education Provider to the Kennel Club (KC), Agility1st work closely with the KC in areas of agility training education. As agility continues to grow in numbers and popularity I believe this partnership will grow too. I'm sure the time will come when dog trainers will need to be registered as are many other trainers, coaches and education bodies in other sports.
The subject of unscrupulous coaches has been in the news again recently. This has highlighted the need for people who provide training and education to be accredited or approved by the organising body.
At the moment anyone can hire a local hall or a grass field and offer dog training services. Isn't that a bit concerning...
This assessment was on two trainers for a club who have signed up all their trainers to the programme. Its a good idea, all club members get the same standard of training and it maintains consistency as the handlers and dogs learn the sport.
What also struck me was each of the trainers brought their own unique style and character to the group and yet they delivered the session to the same high standard learnt from the Agility1st programme.
Dog training clubs provide a service to the general mass of dog owners wanting a well behaved pet. As people learn about the different areas of dog training e.g. agility, obedience, heel work etc. they tend to specialise and often move away from their main club to local trainers or more specialised groups. I understand this, I've done the same in the past, however I still believe its important to support these clubs.
Agility1st set out to support and develop agility trainers in a way that helps them learn about good instruction methods, deliver structured, organised, training programmes in a professional way based upon proven methods. What I saw last weekend reassured me that our original aims were being met.
As a Preferred Education Provider to the Kennel Club (KC), Agility1st work closely with the KC in areas of agility training education. As agility continues to grow in numbers and popularity I believe this partnership will grow too. I'm sure the time will come when dog trainers will need to be registered as are many other trainers, coaches and education bodies in other sports.
The subject of unscrupulous coaches has been in the news again recently. This has highlighted the need for people who provide training and education to be accredited or approved by the organising body.
At the moment anyone can hire a local hall or a grass field and offer dog training services. Isn't that a bit concerning...
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