Texas Academy Trains Dogs, Trainers

Texas Academy Trains Dogs, Trainers 31-4-9 The Triple Crown Dog Academy canine center hosts dog shows, trains and boards dogs, and trains future dog trainers. Courses at the Texas-based center run from 4 weeks to 9 months and can cost up to $12,000 for the full program. "We get students from all over the world, ranging in experience from those who've been trainers for 20 years to those who've never even owned a dog," says Jesse Gabriel, head of the academy. "You have to have a love for dogs, an open mind and a good work ethic. It's often easiest for those with no experience. They start with a clean slate and no bad habits." Classes can be taken in 4-week segments or continuously. Students vary in number from 15 to 20 at any one time. Graduates have the option of applying for internships for more experience working with Academy trainers. Students and interns also get experience working at major dog shows and trials held on the 350-acre facility with its 32,000-sq. ft. training center and 200 indoor/outdoor kennels. The property includes ponds, fields, tracking and herding areas for training and events as well as a 180 by 360-ft. dog sports field. Furnished, on-site housing is available for students who may bring their own dogs. They will also work with untrained dogs from local shelters. "We bring in dogs from shelters and rescue groups who have been given up on by owners because they have problems," says Gabriel. "The students get to work with them and help them be better mannered dogs so they can be adopted. When students have their own businesses, these are the kind of dogs their clients will bring them." She says the Academy has a 98 percent adoption rate for the former problem dogs after students work with them. Ironically, the student graduation rate is 75 to 80 percent. Training isn't easy, in or out of the classroom. "If students have problems, we work with them, but if they aren't willing to work, this isn't a vacation," says Gabriel. "The training is hard, but usually, if you have a good work ethic, you won't have a problem." Students spend the first four weeks learning theory and the basics of dog training. As they advance, they move into behavior modification, agility, kennel and breeding management, personal protection, police, schutzhund (developing and testing traits), tracking and more. "Students are responsible for personal and assigned dogs, feeding, watering and cleaning kennels," says Gabriel. "The day runs from 7 a.m. until 10-11 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students work more with the dogs on weekends." Tuition covers basic equipment, books and supplies needed for the course and runs from $6,545 for the first four weeks to $12,000 for the entire 16-week program. On-site housing is extra and ranges from $100 to $150, depending on type of room. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Triple Crown Academy for Professional Dog Trainers, 200 County Rd. 197, Hutto, Texas 78634 (ph 512 759-2275; www.schoolfordogtrainers.com; www.triplecrowndogs.com).

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