Professional dog training is a profitable and satisfying occupation whether as a main career or as a second income. Our three-week Obedience Behavior Course specializes in teaching students obedience training, behavioral counseling, puppy development, and customer relations with dog owners. Whereas, the six-week Master Trainer Course continues by covering the advanced aspects of today’s professional dog trainer; including retrieval, owner protection, assistance dog training, tracking/trailing, scent detection, and basic police K-9. The Master Trainer Course also provides students with information on dog care, kennel management, and insight into establishing a successful small business practice.

Over ninety percent of our students take the six-week Master Trainer Course; however, if you are not able to attend school for six consecutive weeks, you can begin with the three-week Obedience Behavior Course and complete the remainder of the Master Trainer Course at a later date. We recommend you take the six-week course if you intend to make dog training a full-time career.

The National K-9 School for Dog Trainers is regulated and approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. This state board ensures compliance set by Ohio law and grants schools the authority to issue certifications. Upon completion of a National K-9 course, graduates are authorized by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools to use the title Certified Professional Trainer or letters CPT after their name.

National K-9 graduates pursue a multitude of options within the field of dog training. While most establish their own full-time or part-time training practices, others work with established training centers, veterinarian practices, boarding facilities or other dog related businesses. Some graduates also decide to pursue more specialized interests within the field; such as police k-9, voluntary search and rescue/recovery, scent detection, assistance dog training, therapy dogs, dog sporting activities, and much more.

Interested individuals throughout the United States and over 42 foreign countries have completed a course at the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers. These individuals have come from all walks of life; including: recent high school graduates, administration, industry, education, the arts, government, and more. Regardless of their background these individuals share a common goal: to make a living in a fulfilling career they enjoy. We invite you to explore what National K-9 and its courses can offer.

The National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio was established in 1975 by Scott Mueller. National K-9 began by training dogs for both families and businesses throughout central Ohio. In 1977, Mueller is credited with revolutionizing support dog training when he trained a dog to aid a client who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. Mueller later co-founded the non-profit organization, Support Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc. This organization trained dogs to aid individuals who were physically challenged. Dogs were taught to retrieve objects, assist with wheelchairs and doors, provide physical support and stability, and to perform other physical necessities to make life easier for their humans. As a result their humans became more self-sufficient and independent. Support Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc. eventually merged with Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), based in California. By the early 1980’s National K-9 had established itself as a leader within the field of training dogs for family and service. It was through this early success that the School for Dog Trainers would eventually evolve.

Based on his early experiences, Mueller recognized the need for a more professional approach to dog training and dog trainer education. He began by accepting an apprentice in 1979 and in 1981 he established the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers. Mueller set out to establish a curriculum that would prepare interested individuals to pursue successful careers in professional dog training. During the 1980’s, the School for Dog Trainers expanded its curriculum and attracted students from all over the United States and many foreign countries.

During the 1990’s Mueller formed a partnership with Bob Jervis. This partnership with Jervis allowed National K-9 to expand and evolve its training, behavior, and business-related curriculums. In September of 1999 the School for Dog Trainers celebrated its 100th class. In the early 2000’s, Chris Altier was selected to become a National K-9 instructor and its newest partner. In 2008 after 33 years, National K-9 founder Mueller retired. In 2009 National K-9 surpassed more than 1,600 students attending the School for Dog Trainers. In 2010 National K-9 celebrated its 35th anniversary.

In addition to its School for Dog Trainers, National K-9 offers: Obedience Training, Behavior Counseling, Puppy Preschool, Specialty Training, and Boarding Services to dogs and their owners. National K-9’s comprehensive puppy preschool program has served as a model for many professional trainers around the world. Over the years National K-9 instructors have been continually developing a wealth of experience training a wide variety of breeds and mixed breeds. National K-9 trainers have experience training dogs for handicapped assistance, tracking, and scent detection. National K-9 also has experience training dogs for law enforcement and their handlers.

Throughout National K-9’s history its instructors have taken an active role in the field of dog training and behavior. Instructors have been speakers at veterinary and professional dog trainer conferences. They have also presented information on various training and behavior related topics to businesses, schools and government agencies. They continue to be cited in numerous newspapers, trade, and consumer publications. Additionally they have appeared on national and local television and radio.

Since National K-9’s inception, the entire staff has worked to develop better ways to train dogs and help dog owners modify their behavior. The entire staff takes great pride in developing better ways to effectively educate dog owners, trainers and the public. National K-9 instructors continue to attend professional workshops, seminars, and conferences to keep up on the latest in relation to training and behavior. School Director/Instructor Bob Jervis and Instructor Chris Altier, are committed to National K-9 continuing to evolve and remain at the forefront of professional dog training and dog trainer education.

The National K-9 School for Dog Trainers was founded to educate those who have a genuine concern for dogs and their families. In addition, National K-9 prepares individuals for successful careers in dog training and canine behavior modification. Our experienced instructors instill their high standards of dog training skills and knowledge to students who possess a genuine interest in the improvement of the mental and physical well being of dogs, their families, and communities. All subject matter offered, both in the classroom and in practical application, is conducive to the success of our graduates.

National K-9 is dedicated to advancing the field and profession of dog training. We encourage each student to approach dog training as you would any other educational endeavor. If you start by having preconceived notions about dogs and dog training, there is a possibility that you will not be able to broaden your knowledge base.

At National K-9, we believe that fair and effective communication is the key to improving and enhancing the relationship between dogs and people. We also believe that the education of each dog and person must be approached on an individual basis. Each dog’s training should be based on the dog’s individual personality, past and present behavior, aptitude for learning, and the goals of the owner. At National K-9 we teach our students the importance of evaluating each individual dog and situation in order to formulate an effective training approach. We then address the varied approaches and methods to training dogs, which allow our graduates to have the ability to modify their approach in various situations. Professional dog trainers have a responsibility to understand that not every dog can fit into a singular “method” of training. In addition, students learn the customer relation skills necessary to successfully counsel and instruct dog owners about behavior and proper handling skills.

At National K-9 we have spent our lives working with dogs and educating their owners. Training people who are interested in this rewarding career has become our primary goal.