The Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E. Academy

Propelling Your Dog Training Career from Average to Amazing

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Are you ready to:

  • Become a highly sought-after Dog Trainer?
  • Build an amazing dog training program that creates results that dogs need and clients want?
  • Tap into a proven training system that delivers outstanding results?
  • Leverage the knowledge and experience of others who have worked successfully with a diversity of dogs, dog behaviours, and dog trainers?
  • Feel confident knowing that you have what you need to take the guesswork out of getting started, building a training program, and attracting clients?

If you said yes to any of these questions, I invite you to join us in the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Academy!

This comprehensive, online professional dog trainer program will give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills to design customized training programs for the family pet and their owners. The Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Program is also the first step for those individuals who would like to become a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer and use their knowledge of canine behaviour and training approaches to help others.

Why I Created the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E. Academy

When I researched for my first retriever puppy to train for field trial competition, I sought a specific pedigree and read everything that I could get my hands on to learn as much as I could. I joined the local retriever training club and immersed myself in the sport. I was the only woman in our local club who was actively training dogs and I was hungry to learn. There were very few women in the sport and even fewer who trained their own dogs. What I didn’t anticipate, particularly at the local level was the resistance to new, female entrants into the ‘club’.

Imagine how I felt when members of my own club told me that I didn’t know what I was doing and would never succeed. Imagine how I felt when I attended field trials and asked a question of a professional trainer and received a response to “put your dog on my truck” and then he walked away. 

I had two options for that sort of treatment. I could get angry and give up or I could step up. I chose to step up and set out to learn as much as I could to be the best. Fortunately, there were people who were willing to answer my questions in exchange for my time to help them train their dogs (primarily sitting in a field throwing birds and watching how dogs hunt the area of a fall). It was the best deal ever, a true win-win!

Each winter, for several years I traveled to South Carolina to work with one of the top female trainers at the time to learn all that she was willing to offer. It was the journey of a lifetime! During my time at home, I found another mentor who was willing to help me and together we dominated the top 10 high point retrievers in Canada and Ontario for several years. 

Finding someone who believed in me was not only new to me, it was pivotal to where I am today. Being treated like I had no capacity to succeed made me want to succeed even more, yet I realized that not everyone who feels rejected will respond by rising up. 

Fast forward to the current pet dog trainer environment and I was extremely disheartened to see the brutality toward new trainers who were asking questions so that they could learn! In my early days as an aspiring pet dog trainer, I was subjected to similar disrespect on social media by the so-called ‘veterans’ - people who should know better. The difference was that I had decades of experience as a successful competitive retriever trainer. Once again, I could get angry or I could step up. I was disheartened that things were not much different between the two professional training cultures. As a result, I stopped asking questions and simply forged ahead to learn more, ‘lurking’, reading, and attending as many events as I could. In 2006, I met Martin Deeley, the consummate mentor and as a result, established the Ontario Dog Trainer company and quickly grew my business beyond my expectations.

When other pet dog trainers began asking me for help, I knew exactly how they felt and wanted to be sure that they felt welcomed, unjudged, and comfortable asking questions - the way that my great mentors had made me feel. Still, others asked if they could work with me to learn more. I found it rewarding to watch new trainers blossom and knew that I had found my niche to complement my pet dog training business. 

I developed the T.R.I.B.E training method and founded the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Online Academy to coach, mentor, and help others succeed as professional dog trainers.

My goal is to distill my decades of knowledge and experience to provide mentorship to others who want to pursue a career as a professional dog trainer. My mission is to teach and impart more than four decades of knowledge, skills, and experience in a safe, non-judgmental online learning environment so that you can feel like you belong in this profession and accelerate your journey to become a Professional Dog Trainer while avoiding many of the pitfalls often experienced by new trainers.

WHY NOW?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented numbers of first-time dog owners and experienced owners adding a new dog or puppy to their family - often with disastrous results. The demand for experienced, ethical, professional dog trainers has never been greater. How would it feel to "learn while you earn" and start training dogs so that you could help people live in harmony with their dogs and earn an income at the same time? 

THE BENEFITS YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU JOIN:

By the time you complete this program, you will have the skills, knowledge, and understanding to become a professional dog trainer who gets results.

  • You will have the confidence and credibility of a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer that gets results dogs need and owners want.
  • Acquire the skills to develop and deliver effective training programs for dogs of all ages.
  • Have the knowledge and skills to develop and deliver exercises and games that improve a dog's behaviour and simultaneously strengthen the bond with their owner.

WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU JOIN:


VIRTUAL ONLINE LEARNING - “LIVE”

Engagement with your instructor, other students, and program alumni in live, virtual group and individual sessions to ensure that you have an exceptional course experience. This interactive and engaging online experience is specifically designed to enhance your learning. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience! 

CUSTOMIZED COACHING, MENTORING, AND INSTRUCTION

Personalized one-on-one coaching, mentorship, instruction, and support are tailored to guide you every step of the way so that you know how and where to get started, as well as how to attract ideal clients. There are no topics off-limits when it comes to building you as a professional dog trainer.

The opportunity to record each session provides you with an arsenal of call recordings that you can revisit later.


A PROVEN PROGRAM

The T.R.I.B.E training system is much more than an online course. It is a comprehensive, online coaching, mentoring, and support program that provides you with education and support for six full months with the opportunity to join the elite Alumni community at the end of six months. The online format allows you to study and complete the lessons within each module on your own time and at your own pace.

Those with no prior dog training experience are welcome to join us! The complete and comprehensive online coaching and mentoring program takes the guesswork out of dog training so that you can spend less time figuring out what to do and more time ‘doing’ what professional dog trainers do – training dogs so that owners can have the dog of their dreams!

In the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Academy, you’ll learn how to create and deliver effective pet dog training programs using our T.R.I.B.E training method.

By the end of the program, you will also be able to:

  • Identify the methods, techniques, sequence, and flow of T.R.I.B.E. and the integration of these components so that you can design and deliver effective training programs that help dogs and owners live in harmony together.
  • Identify what’s missing in your current training program so that you can make changes to improve results.
  • Design and implement customized pet dog training programs that get results for dogs of all ages.
  • Build your brand and market your skills to enhance your credibility as a professional dog trainer and attract your ideal clients.

Our goal is to ensure that you have a highly effective, personalized learning experience unlike any other training and education program.

Through our online program you will gain dog training expertise in the following ways:

ONLINE MODULES AND LESSONS

Using video lectures, demonstration videos, downloadable templates, worksheets, and video recorded exercises, you will acquire the confidence and knowledge needed to design and implement dog training programs that dogs need and clients want. You will also have access to our large video library that offers hundreds of hours of instruction and bonus lessons on dog training topics, many of which you didn’t even realize were ‘training’!

LIVE GROUP COACHING CALLS

Live, online group calls provide guidance, collaboration, and support to ensure that you have an exceptional course experience. You will have opportunities to engage one-on-one with your instructor, guest speakers, other students, and program alumni to expand your knowledge. This is a truly interactive and engaging online experience that is designed to meet your unique, individual needs.

PRIVATE COACHING AND MENTORING

You will have opportunities throughout the program to work with client dogs, apply what you are learning and receive personalized feedback through private, one-on-one coaching. During these personalized coaching sessions, you will receive customized feedback from Karen, get answers to your questions, and continue to advance your dog training knowledge and skills.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY

When you enroll in our Fall 2021 program, you will receive 12-months access to the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Mastermind Facebook group. In this group, you will find an exclusive and supportive, online community of elite, professional dog trainers and business owners. You can ask questions, gain access to additional resources, network with other dog training professionals, and connect with like-minded individuals. This is a great way to stay motivated and inspired and to meet other dog training professionals during your time in the program and after you graduate.

ADDITIONAL MEMBER BENEFITS

Upon successful completion of the program, you will: 

  • Receive a certificate of completion from the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Academy
  • Be eligible to become a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer
  • Upon successful completion of all certification requirements, receive a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer digital badge for use on your marketing materials to promote your achievement
  • Receive a special invitation to join our Alumni Program for ongoing support, continuing education, and access to special guest speakers and content updates to the program

BONUSES: Additional Training Modules and Guest Speakers

A Training module and lessons to learn about Personality Styles so that you can enhance your connection with clients.

Guest speaker presentations on additional topics including:

  • An exclusive three module series on How to Teach Successful Group Classes for those who want to pursue this income stream. 
  • The Basics of Canine Nutrition so that you can educate and inform your clients.
  • Service Dog Training - what you really need to know about Liability Risk and The Complex Legislation. 

CERTIFICATION

As a graduate of the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Program, you will have the option to complete your T.R.I.B.E certification to stand out as a leader in the pet dog training world, and enhance your credibility to attract your ideal clients. 

To be eligible, you will complete certification assignments at the end of each module to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the lesson content. Following completion of all module assignments, you will complete three case studies to demonstrate that you can apply what you’ve learned in the program. 

By becoming a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer, you will have the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to design and deliver training programs for a wide variety of dogs to a high degree of reliability. The only additional cost is your dedication and time commitment to complete the assignments and case studies. We are here to support you at every step.

THE DOG TRAINER T.R.I.B.E PROGRAM MODULES:

Topics covered include knowing where and how to begin with each client, understanding how dogs think, how to transform dog behaviour without conflict and how to build your own unique brand in a crowded and competitive dog training world. Program modules include the following:

MODULE 2:

Unlocking the Canine Brain - influences and effects on dog brain development and behaviour from the pre-natal period to adulthood.

MODULE 5:

T.R.I.B.E Live! - a library of case studies and teaching videos of the T.R.I.B.E training system categorized by training programs from puppy development to adult behaviour improvement.

WHAT YOU GET:

  • The Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E comprehensive, online course with 6-months of bi-weekly group calls and coaching support
  • On-demand training through our extensive video library database
  • Exclusive access to our online community for ongoing feedback, support & networking opportunities
  • Access to online resources, templates, sample lesson plans, guest speaker handouts, workbooks and more
  • Bi-weekly private virtual coaching sessions to meet your unique needs
  • Support to guide you where needed to complete the case studies for certification. The prerequisite is successful completion of  the assignments for each module 
  • T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer digital badge to promote your achievement

BONUS CONTENT:

  • Video Training Module with lessons on Personality Styles and how to enhance your connection with clients. 
  • Guest speakers on topics that include - How to Teach Successful Group Classes to augment your income, Canine Nutrition, Service Dog Training - what you really need to know, and more to come! 

Here’s what people are saying about Karen and The Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Academy:

“After only one month in the Academy, I already feel like a better trainer.”

- Meg Claiborne, The Composed Canine

“Karen is an outstanding trainer with a wealth of experience and insight. I would highly recommend this program for novice or experienced trainers, or owners/handlers looking to learn more about how to interact with their dog”.

- Derek Shinton, Executive Vice President, Doggieland

“As an apprentice trainer and having worked in the dog industry for the past four and a half years, the best learning I have had has been at her facility. Karen is professional, caring, knowledgeable and open with her policy and procedures. I highly recommend her and her facility.”

- Sue Savage-Westwell, Professional Dog Walker/Apprentice Trainer

“Karen Laws is fair, gentle, firm, and extremely knowledgeable. Amazing facility, incredible service, great support staff. Thanks for all you have done”

- Taylor Kenny, Whole Dog Now

“I can't thank Karen enough for her dedication and insight. Her years of dog training is unmatched. Highly recommend.”

- Andrea Shury, Pet Owner

“The best”

- Jeannine Taylor, Publisher, KawarthaNOW

“We have seen how our Beau has changed in those 6 days, but more importantly how we changed in how we interact, play and train Beau. Karen would share her experiences in training her dogs and clients dogs and what she learned and observed over her 40 years of training. Awesome conversations!”

- Ann Maksan, Belgian Malinois owner

About Karen Laws

KAREN M. LAWS, BSc. B.Ed., IACP-CDT/CDTA/PDTI

Karen’s passion for working with and training dogs started as a pre-schooler helping her Dad to train and hunt with their family beagles. She acquired her first Labrador Retriever puppy at 11 years of age and was instantly hooked on field training.

Karen has successfully trained and handled many of her own Labrador Retrievers from puppy to Field Champion titles in competitions across Canada and the United States and has judged competitions at the Puppy to the Open level. She is a Certified Elementary School Teacher and spent 36 years as a Wildlife Biologist and Policy Specialist with the Province of Ontario, Canada. 

Karen is past President and Director of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and is fully certified with the IACP as a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT), Certified Dog Trainer Advanced (CDTA), and Certified Pet Dog Instructor, (CPDTI).

Whether helping shelters and rescue organizations, training dogs, or teaching owners to see the world through their dog’s eyes, Karen’s mission is to educate, empower, and motivate new and aspiring dog trainers and entrepreneurs to be leaders in the pet dog training industry.  

Karen’s goal is to help trainers succeed by teaching them how to grow and develop their own unique training style to achieve the results that clients want and dogs need.


FAQ:

I am not a dog trainer. Can I still do the program?

Yes! If you have a desire to be a dog trainer, what you learn will show you the way to achieve your dream! Think of it this way... everyone starts somewhere. By enrolling in the Dog Trainer T.R.I.B.E Academy you will have a jump start on your dog training career and will have a clear path forward thus avoiding many of the pitfalls of getting started. 

I have only worked with puppies. Should I wait to start the program?

The pandemic has created a huge demand for puppy trainers. NOW is the best time to get started to accelerate your puppy foundation behaviour training expertise so that you can help families have the best lives with their new puppies!

By the time you complete the program, you will be able to teach puppy owners the value of training their puppy the right way from the beginning rather than try to repair or reteach skills down the road. For some of the hands-on activities, you can also work with an older dog owned by a friend, colleague, or family member.

How long does it take to do the program?

The program is designed to go at your own pace. You will have 6-months access to the online video trainings, 1:1 private coaching sessions, and bi-weekly group coaching calls. After 6-months, you will be invited to join our Alumni Program. For a nominal monthly fee, you will have ongoing access to all the online content, resources, bi-weekly group coaching calls and more! 

How do I become a T.R.I.B.E Certified Professional Dog Trainer?

  • Complete the assignments at the end of each module.
  • Receive a passing grade of 75% or better.
  • Complete three case studies (see instructions at the end of the modules) that include designing and delivering three different lesson plans for three different dog/client scenarios within a training program designed by you. Coaching and support will be available to help you succeed.