The Academy Dog Handler Certification

Service Description

Our 3-Day Dog Handler Certification workshop is an intensive, hands-on course designed to turn you into a confident dog handler. Over one weekend, you'll work directly with professional trainers and training dogs to master the fundamentals of dog handling in real-life situations​. This course emphasizes learning by doing – from leash techniques to behavior management – so that by Sunday, you’ll walk away with practical skills, real experience, and an official certification to show for it. Friday (9am - 4pm): Kick off at 9:00 AM with a welcome and orientation. The morning covers foundational handling theory and safety briefing, after which you’ll jump into hands-on leash work. In the afternoon, practice basic handling exercises with our trained Academy dogs (no need to bring your own dog – we provide friendly training dogs for you to work with​ Expect a mix of short lectures and lots of active dog-handling practice throughout the day. Saturday (9am - 4pm): Deep dive into advanced techniques. The morning focuses on topics like reading dog body language, dealing with common behavior issues on the leash, and refining collar techniques. The bulk of Saturday is spent in the field – you’ll work one-on-one and in small groups with various dogs, applying what you learned on Friday to more challenging real-world scenarios (e.g. handling over-excited greetings or leash reactivity). Instructors provide real-time feedback as you train. By late afternoon, you’ll feel your confidence growing with each session. Sunday (9am - 12pm): A concluding half-day to solidify your skills. Sunday starts with a review and a final round of hands-on exercises to cover any remaining scenarios. You’ll then undergo a practical assessment where you demonstrate your handling skills (don’t worry, it’s as much a learning experience as a test). After successfully completing the assessment, you’ll receive your Dog Handler Certification. We wrap up by early afternoon so you can travel home, armed with new skills and an official certificate! Pricing & Registration. Workshop Fee: $2,500 per participant (includes the full 3-day training, all course materials, and certification exam). There are no additional fees – everything you need for the weekend is provided by The Academy (training equipment, dogs, etc.).