DingoGirl Dog Training in Brooklyn

Susan's Background

Senior Trainer Susan Ward is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who has been training dogs since 1993. She has a passion for helping reactive and aggressive dogs and their people. After joining the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in 1996 (when she was an instructor at the San Francisco SPCA) she began to study learning theory and humane training methods. Susan helped to design the first clicker classes at the SF SPCA. She is a graduate of Jean Donaldson’s SF SPCA In -House Dog Trainer’s Academy and the Advanced Instructor’s Training Course at Rondout Valley Kennels.

Intensive Apprenticeship for Urban Dog Trainers

This is a 2 month long program designed for people with a fulltime work or school schedule. Susan Ward will accept two apprentices per 8 week session. This apprenticeship will be offered less frequently after the Academy for Urban Dog Training starts in early 2021.

The Apprentices will observe, and in most cases, later assist, in teaching weekly group puppy and dog training classes as well as private sessions and puppy playgroups with Susan Ward, CTC, of Dingogirl Dog Training.

The Apprentices will also attend lectures and demonstrations and complete written tests and practical assessments weekly. There will be approximately 20-25 hours of academic study and applied practice of dog training per week. Most lectures, demos, assessments, training of dogs, and in person training with Dingogirl clients will take place on weekends and evenings. The Apprentices will also train foster dogs of varying ages, sizes and temperaments.

The Intensive Apprenticeship will cover the History of the Dog, History of Dog Training, Learning Theory, Ethology, Development of Force Free Training, Theory and Mechanics of Positive Reinforcement Training, Fallout of Coercion, Best Practices and much more.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a veteran dog trainer in group training classes and private sessions, and to pursue a rigorous academic study of applied animal behavior.

Please email Susan@dingogirl.com for an application. Applications must be sent in by January 8. The fee for this 8 week program is $2000.00.