Admissions at Western States K-9 College
Professional Dog Trainer Certification — 100% Online
A structured, career-focused program for individuals pursuing dog training as a profession, with expert mentorship and guided support.
Submitting an application does not obligate you to enroll. It’s simply the next step in determining whether this program is a strong fit.
Personalized Mentorship | Real-World Training | Ongoing Community Support
Trusted by Students And Certified Trainers Nationwide
“I just started the course, but I love that it’s so different from others I’ve taken. I’m already certified, but other programs didn’t have the same level of educational quality. This one is far more comprehensive, and the live lessons are amazing!”
— Teresa, Certified Dog Trainer
The application takes about 5 minutes and helps us understand your goals before recommending next steps.
What Makes Our Certification Different
Our program was built by real dog trainers for people who want more than another online course. It’s an interactive, mentorship-driven education designed to help you build real-world skills, confidence, and a fulfilling career.
🐾 Personalized Mentorship – Ongoing one-on-one guidance from expert trainers who stay with you through every step of your journey.
🎓 Three-Part Certification Pathway – Obedience, behavior modification, and business mastery.
💬 Weekly Live Coaching & Community – Real-time feedback, accountability, and lifetime support from peers and instructors.
⏰ Learn at Your Own Pace — for Life – Lifetime access to all materials and updates, so you can refresh your skills anytime.
🐕🦺 Career-Focused Training – Not just dog training — we teach you how to build a thriving, profitable business.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before applying — clarity comes through the process.
Joe meets with applicants to help them decide if this career path fits their goals
At Western States K-9 College, we don’t train hobbyists — we build professional dog trainers.
Our certification program is designed for individuals who intend to apply their training skills beyond their own dog — whether through professional practice, nonprofit or rescue work, shelter programs, or other real-world canine services.
If your interest in dog training is primarily personal, exploratory, or limited to improving training with your own dog, this program will not be the right fit.
But if you are committed to mastering canine behavior, developing hands-on training skill, and taking responsibility for working with dogs in a professional or organizational capacity, you’re in the right place.
This program provides structured education, real mentorship, and professional-level standards trusted by working trainers nationwide.
Not everyone will make it through our program — but those who do, lead the industry.
🎓 Your Future as a Certified Dog Trainer Starts Here
Why Apply?
This program is built for individuals who want to go beyond the basics — those committed to professional-level education and mentorship that produces measurable results.
✅ College-Level Curriculum, Flexible Learning
Our coursework combines rigorous academic standards with flexible, real-world learning. You’ll develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that set you apart in the field.
✅ Mentorship-Driven Training Model
Receive ongoing coaching, feedback, and guidance directly from our expert instructors — the kind of hands-on mentorship you won’t find in self-paced online courses.
✅ Professional Certification with Proven Results
Our graduates enter the industry with recognized certification, real-world confidence, and the business acumen to turn their expertise into a lasting career.
✅ Career-Building Support Beyond Graduation
From one-on-one coaching to alumni networking and business guidance, you’ll have lifetime support as you continue to grow your professional training career.
If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, take the first step and apply now!
Many of our strongest students started with uncertainty — commitment is built through mentorship, not required upfront.
Why Many Students Apply During Peak Planning Season
This is the time of year when most people finally have the space and clarity to plan their future. Our Winter/Spring admissions period is always one of our busiest, as students set new goals and map out their path toward becoming a certified dog trainer.
If you're aiming to start your professional dog training career, now is an ideal time to submit your free application.
Most applicants are not training dogs full-time when they apply.
🎓 Our 5-Day Confidence Guarantee
We believe so strongly in the value of this program that we stand behind it completely.
Enroll with zero risk — if you complete your onboarding and decide within 5 days that it’s not the right fit, simply contact us for a full refund.
No hassle. No hard feelings. Just confidence in your decision to invest in your future.
You’re protected by our 5-day confidence guarantee
📝 Admissions Process
How to Get Started
We’ve designed our admissions process to be supportive, transparent, and pressure-free. Applying does not mean you are committing to enroll — it simply allows us to have a real conversation and determine whether this program is the right fit for you right now. If you’re still deciding whether dog training is the right path, that’s exactly what the admissions process is designed to help you clarify.
🐾 Step 1 — Submit Your Application
The application is the first step in starting an admissions conversation, not a commitment to enroll.
Once submitted, your application allows us to:
Review your background and goals
Understand what you’re looking to do with dog training
Determine whether this certification aligns with your experience, timeline, and expectations
Your $150 application fee is currently waived ($0).
After submitting your application, you’ll be invited to schedule a one-on-one admissions conversation with Joe.
💬 Step 2 — Admissions Conversation (Clarity First)
This conversation is designed to help you gain clarity — not to pressure you into a decision.
During this call, we will:
Walk through your goals and experience
Explain exactly how the program works
Answer your questions honestly
Tell you directly whether we believe this path makes sense for you now — or if waiting or preparing further would be a better option
Many applicants use this conversation simply to understand their options before deciding whether to move forward.
🎓 Step 3 — Acceptance & Next Steps
If we mutually determine that the program is a strong fit, you’ll receive an acceptance email with the option to move forward.
Once accepted:
You’ll have 72 hours to confirm your spot
Tuition and payment options are discussed after we’ve determined mutual fit.
Payment options are reviewed transparently during the admissions conversation. Available options include:
Paid in full
6-month payment plan
12-month payment plan
We do not offer open-ended or low monthly installment plans. All options are designed to support students who are ready to commit to professional-level training.
Tuition: $3,500
Application Fee: $0
Payment Options: Flexible & Personalized
Comparable programs of similar depth often range from $8,000–$10,000. Western States K-9 College is intentionally structured to keep high-level education accessible without sacrificing quality or support.
🐕 Step 4 — Immediate Access
Once enrolled, you’ll receive immediate access to your coursework, live coaching schedule, and mentorship community so you can begin right away.
💬 “The admissions process was so easy. They actually took the time to talk with me about my goals and what I wanted from my career.”
— Kim
VA Credentialing Assistance
Veterans may be eligible to use VA Credentialing Assistance (CA) to help cover tuition for approved certificate programs.
Credentialing Assistance is a VA education benefit designed for career-focused certifications and is separate from GI Bill benefits.
Western States K-9 College offers certificate programs that may qualify under this benefit, depending on individual eligibility and VA approval.
Real Students- Real Support- Real Results
Train Anywhere, Learn Everywhere 100% Online & Interactive
Convenience and Flexibility: All course materials, video lessons, and resources are accessible online, allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Whether you're at home, in a café, or traveling, you can access your training anytime, anywhere.
Interactive Live Sessions: Participate in weekly live virtual group classes where you can interact with expert trainers and fellow students. These sessions provide real-time feedback, answer your questions, and simulate real-world training scenarios.
Personalized Coaching: Our one-on-one coaching sessions are conducted virtually, offering personalized guidance and support tailored to your unique needs and progress. You'll receive expert advice and mentorship without the need to commute or rearrange your daily routine.
Global Community: Join a diverse and supportive community of aspiring dog trainers from around the world. Share experiences, collaborate on projects, and build a network of professional contacts that can help you throughout your career.
Unlimited Access: With our online platform, you have unlimited access to all course content, including over 100 videos and three comprehensive workbooks. This ensures that you can revisit and review materials as often as needed.
Work-Life Balance: Our virtual format is ideal for those balancing work, family, or other commitments. The flexibility to learn from any location makes it easier to fit professional development into your busy life.
Immediate Application: The skills and knowledge you gain can be immediately applied in your local community, regardless of where you live. Start building your dog training business and establish credibility without geographical limitations.
Deciding If This Is the Right Time?
If you’re seriously considering dog training as a paid profession, this short check is designed to help you clarify whether pursuing dog training professionally makes sense right now.
It’s okay if you’re still exploring. Many people use this step simply to understand where they stand and what their best next step might be.
If you already feel ready to apply, you’re welcome to proceed directly to the full application.
Our programs require ongoing monthly tuition commitments beginning at $349.
Professional certification is a significant commitment, and timing matters.
If now isn’t the right moment, we encourage you to continue exploring and return when the timing aligns.
Not Ready Today? That’s Normal.
Most applicants visit this page more than once before applying.
Some people apply immediately.
Others take a few days (or weeks) to review expectations, talk it through, or sit with the decision.
There’s no penalty for coming back — and when you’re ready, the application will still be here.
Why Timing Matters
Professional dog training is a skill-based career — and progress compounds with time.
Students who begin now are positioned to:
Build real training experience over the next 3–6 months
Develop confidence before peak demand seasons
Avoid another year of “almost starting”
Waiting doesn’t make the decision easier — it usually delays the results people want.
What Happens After You Apply
Submit a short application
Have an admissions conversation with Joe
Decide — with guidance — whether this is the right path for you
Many applicants decide after the call, not before.
We understand this is an important career decision, and we want you to feel 100% confident before you move forward. That’s why we offer one-on-one discovery calls — so you can get your questions answered and know exactly what to expect.
📞 Schedule a discovery call with our team
📧 Or email us at joe@westernstatesk9college.com