Interested individuals throughout the United States and over 35 foreign countries have graduated from the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers. These individuals come from all walks of life; including: recent high school graduates, health care professionals, construction workers, sales people, artists, social workers, teachers, and more. No matter what their background and where they are from, they all share one common goal – to make a living in a fulfilling career they enjoy.

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, 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, basic police K-9, assistance dog training, tracking, scent detection, and owner protection. The Master Trainer Course also provides students with information on kennel design and management as well as 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 unable 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.

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

Scott Mueller founded the National K-9 Learning Center, located in Columbus, Ohio, in 1975. Mueller and the staff at National K-9 were credited with pioneering the first support dog assistance program in the United States in 1977. Today such K-9 training programs flourish throughout the United States to assist individuals with physical disabilities. By 1980 National K-9 had established itself as a leader in central Ohio in the field of training dogs for family, industry, and service. It was through this early success in which the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers would eventually evolve.

From this early experience, Mueller recognized the need for a more professional approach to dog training. He began by accepting an apprentice in 1979 and in 1981 he created the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers as a natural extension of his original concept. Mueller and the staff at National K-9 set out to establish a curriculum that would prepare interested individuals to pursue careers related to professional dog training. During the 1980’s and 1990’s National K-9 continued to grow and evolve into a leader in dog training and canine behavior education. National K-9 instructors have frequently been cited in trade and consumer publications. They have also appeared on national and local television and radio. Mueller has also been a guest speaker at several veterinary conferences. In September of 1999 the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers celebrated its 100th class. In 2004, National K-9 surpassed more than 1,400 students attending the School for Dog Trainers.

Our instructors have been continually developing a wealth of experience training more than 100 different breeds and a wide variety of mixed breeds. In addition to training the family pet, service dogs, and tracking/scent detection dogs, National K-9 has experience training patrol dogs and their handlers.

Since National K-9’s inception, Mueller, partner Bob Jervis, and the entire staff have worked to develop better ways to humanely train dogs for family, service, and industry. Our newest partner, Chris Altier, will insure that in the 21st century, National K-9 can continue 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. 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 and their families. 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 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 owner 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(s). At National K-9 we teach our students the importance of evaluating each individual dog and/or situation in order to formulate an effective training approach. We address the varied approaches and methods to training dogs, which allow our graduates to have the ability to modify their approach in varied 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.