About Western States K9 College
Western States K9 College is a professional dog trainer certification school built for people who want dog training to be more than a hobby, they want it to be a career.
Our programs are designed for aspiring and working trainers who want real-world skills, advanced behavior expertise, and the ability to build a sustainable, ethical dog training business. We focus on practical application, mentorship, and professional development — not just theory or testing.
Unlike short online courses or philosophy-specific certifications, Western States K9 College prepares students to work confidently with real clients, real dogs, and real behavior challenges. Graduates leave with the training, structure, and business foundation needed to succeed in today’s dog training industry.
We don’t train dogs here.
We train professionals.
Our Training Philosophy
At Western States K9 College, our approach to dog training education is grounded in real-world application and professional accountability.
We teach students how to assess dogs, communicate with clients, and make informed training decisions across a wide range of behavior cases — from foundational obedience to complex reactivity, fear, and aggression. Rather than limiting students to a single methodology, our programs emphasize understanding behavior, learning theory, and practical decision-making in the field.
Just as importantly, we prepare students for the realities of working with people. Client communication, expectation setting, program design, pricing, and ethical business practices are core components of our curriculum. A skilled trainer without business structure is still underprepared for a professional career.
Our goal is not to create trainers who can pass a test.
Our goal is to create trainers who can build trust, solve problems, and sustain long-term success.
Leadership & Instruction
Western States K9 College was founded and is led by Joe Dickinson, a professional dog trainer, educator, and business owner with decades of real-world experience in the field.
Joe has worked hands-on with more than 10,000 dogs across a wide spectrum of behavior challenges — from family pets to advanced behavior cases referred by veterinarians and shelters. Her work spans private training, behavior modification, rescue rehabilitation, and the development of referral-based training businesses.
As Founder and Lead Instructor, Joe remains directly involved in student education and mentorship. Students don’t just learn theory, they learn the systems, decision-making frameworks, and professional standards used in real training environments.
The college was built to pass on what actually works:
clear assessments, ethical training practices, strong client relationships, and sustainable business models.
Over 10,000 dogs trained nationwide
Extensive experience in behavior modification and rehabilitation
Founder of a successful, referral-based dog training business
Educator and mentor to trainers across the U.S.
Preparing Trainers for Real Careers
Graduates of Western States K9 College go on to build professional careers across the dog training industry.
Many launch independent training businesses, offering private lessons, behavior modification services, group classes, and specialized programs. Others expand existing pet care businesses or move into advanced roles working with shelters, rescues, or veterinary-referred cases.
Because our programs emphasize both training skill and business development, graduates leave with more than a certification, they leave with a clear understanding of how to attract clients, structure services, communicate professionally, and grow sustainably.
Success in dog training isn’t defined by a single path. What our graduates share is confidence, competence, and the ability to apply their skills in real-world settings.
What You’ll Learn
At Western States K9 College, students develop the practical skills and professional judgment required to work confidently as dog trainers.
Our curriculum is designed to move beyond theory and into application. Students learn how to assess behavior, design effective training plans, communicate clearly with clients, and adapt their approach to real-world variables, including environment, temperament, and client expectations.
Equally important, students gain the foundational business knowledge needed to operate professionally. From structuring services and pricing to managing clients and maintaining ethical standards, we prepare trainers for the realities of working in the field.
This education is not about memorizing techniques.
It’s about developing the competence, confidence, and decision-making skills required for long-term success.
Who Western States K9 College Is For
Western States K9 College is designed for individuals who want dog training to be a professional path, not a side hobby or short-term interest.
Our programs are best suited for people who are committed to developing real-world skills, working directly with clients and dogs, and building a sustainable career or business in the dog training industry. Students who thrive here value mentorship, accountability, and continuous learning.
This program may be a strong fit if you are:
Exploring dog training as a long-term career
Planning to start or grow a professional dog training business
Interested in behavior modification and real-world application
Seeking mentorship and structured guidance
Ready to treat dog training as a profession
Meet Your Instructors
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Joe Dickinson is the founder and lead instructor of Western States K-9 College, an internationally experienced dog trainer, behavior specialist, consultant, and educator. During more than 25 years in the profession, she has worked with over 10,000 dogs in obedience, behavior modification, rescue rehabilitation, sport, scent detection, herding, and police and personal-protection work. She is also an AKC-approved evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R. Puppy, Community Canine, Urban CGC, and temperament testing.
Joe began her professional journey working in veterinary clinics before finding her calling in dog training and building a six-figure dog-training business entirely through referrals. She became known throughout Utah as the behavior specialist called upon for complex cases, including dogs referred by veterinarians, shelters, and rescue organizations.
Her experience reaches across the working-dog world. Joe ran a German Shepherd rescue, bred German Shepherds for police and competitive working homes, trained bird dogs, and trained and competed with stock dogs. As a member of Women in the Outdoors, she became the hunter responsible for handling the dogs, allowing the other women to concentrate on the bird hunt. At a local animal shelter, she implemented enrichment, socialization, behavioral-evaluation, and training programs. Her dogs have appeared on reality television, and Joe has taught behavior seminars across the country while working with clients and students internationally.
Today, Joe teaches aspiring and established trainers how to see the dog in front of them, solve difficult behavior cases, work effectively with owners, and build sustainable businesses. Through Western States K-9 College, her mission is to help people develop the judgment, practical ability, and business skills required to build meaningful, profitable careers working with dogs.
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Business Director – Western States K9 College
Entrepreneur | Small Business Mentor | Operations StrategistI’m Shannon — the engine behind the systems, strategy, and support that power Western States K9 College. With over 20 years of experience in the pet industry and a deep background in business operations, I help aspiring trainers turn their passion for dogs into sustainable, profitable careers.
I’ve built and managed everything from small-town startups to seven-figure service businesses. I’ve led cross-functional teams, built systems that scale, and coached business owners across the country in operations, marketing, and client success.
Today, I bring all of that expertise to our students.
🧩 What I Bring to the Table:
Two decades in the companion animal industry
Built and scaled 7-figure pet businesses from the ground up
Expert in operations, project management, and marketing strategy
Mentor to hundreds of dog trainers and entrepreneurs
Creative leader with a background in design, education, and team-building
I don’t just talk about business, I’ve lived it. I know the pressure of balancing passion with profitability. I know what it takes to build a career in the dog world that doesn’t just look good on paper, but actually supports your life, your family, and your future.
At Western States K9 College, I help our students build real businesses, the kind that create freedom, not burnout. Whether you’re launching your first side hustle or scaling your services to six figures, I’ll help you craft the systems, strategy, and support you need to grow with confidence.