Admissions for Professional Dog Trainer Certification
For individuals pursuing — or seriously exploring — dog training as a paid profession, with structured mentorship, real-world guidance, and business foundations for professional practice.
This certification is designed for people who intend to work with dogs professionally — including trainers, vet techs, shelter staff, and career transitioners ready to formalize their skills and build a sustainable income path.
Applying begins a professional evaluation process.
It does not require commitment, payment, or immediate enrollment.
Personalized Mentorship | Real-World Training | Ongoing Community Support | 100% Online
Trusted by Aspiring And Established Trainers Nationwide
Our students come from a range of professional backgrounds — from those entering the field to experienced trainers advancing their credentials.
“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 sustainable career in dog training.
🐾 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 – Go beyond technical skills with guidance on professional practice, client work, and building a sustainable dog training income.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before applying — clarity comes through the process.
Joe meets with applicants to assess readiness and recommend next steps
At Western States K-9 College, we build professional dog trainers — not casual hobbyists.
Our certification program is designed for individuals who intend to apply their skills beyond their own dog — through professional practice, shelter work, nonprofit programs, or other real-world canine services.
If your interest is primarily personal pet training, this program may not be the right fit.
However, you do not need to have everything figured out before applying.
What matters is your intent to develop professional-level skill, take responsibility for working with dogs in an organizational or client-facing capacity, and engage seriously in the learning process.This program provides structured education, real mentorship, and professional-level standards trusted by working trainers nationwide.
This program maintains high professional standards — and we support students fully in meeting them.
🎓 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 aligned with your goals, the next step is to apply.
The application helps determine fit and readiness — commitment is built through mentorship, not required upfront.
Most people who ultimately move forward start by submitting an application — not because they’re certain, but because they’re ready to engage in the process.
Who This Program Is Designed For
This certification supports people entering dog training from different professional starting points — with one shared goal: working with dogs beyond their own.
Career Transitioners
You may be a fit if you:
✔ Are pursuing dog training as a paid profession
✔ Are transitioning from another career or starting fresh
✔ Want structured education, mentorship, and real-world skill development
✔ Are prepared to take responsibility for working with dogs beyond your own
Working Dog Professionals
You may be a fit if you:
✔ Already work with dogs (training, shelter, rescue, veterinary, or related roles)
✔Want formal certification, advanced behavior knowledge, or business structure
✔Are looking for mentorship, credentials, and long-term professional growth
Why Many Professionals Apply When They’re Ready to Move Forward
Professional dog training is a skill-based career, and progress compounds over time. Most students apply at the point when they’re ready to stop planning and start building real experience — regardless of season.
Applying does not lock you into enrollment.
It begins a conversation designed to clarify whether this path makes sense for you right now.
Most students who ultimately enroll started by applying before they felt fully certain.
The admissions process is designed to help you clarify your next 90 days — not your entire career.
🎓 Our 5-Day Confidence Guarantee
We believe strongly in the value of this program and want you to feel confident moving forward.
If you enroll and complete onboarding, you’ll have 5 days to experience the program. If you decide during that time that it’s not the right fit, simply contact us for a full refund.
No hassle. No pressure. Just the space to make a confident, informed decision about your next step.
You’re protected by our 5-day confidence guarantee
📝 Admissions Process
How to Get Started
Our admissions process is designed for people who intend to pursue dog training professionally and want to determine readiness, placement, and next steps.
Applying allows us to assess readiness and determine whether this certification is the right next step now — or outline what preparation would make it a stronger fit.
🐾 Step 1 — Submit Your Application
The application is the first step in professional review.
Once submitted, your application allows us to:
Evaluate your current experience working with dogs
Understand your professional goals and timeline
Determine whether this certification aligns with where you are now
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 confirm fit and readiness — not to convince you to pursue dog training.
During this call, we will:
Review your application and experience
Explain exactly how the program works
Answer your questions honestly
Review expectations, timelines, and outcomes
Evaluate professional pathways, including client work, income goals, and business readiness
Discuss tuition structure and enrollment timing
Determine whether we recommend moving forward now
This is a decision-focused conversation. If accepted, applicants should be prepared to confirm enrollment within the defined 72-hour window.
Some applicants are accepted.
Others are advised to prepare further before enrolling.
🎓 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.
Accepted applicants are expected to confirm enrollment within 72 hours in order to secure placement in the upcoming start group.
Enrollment confirmation includes:
Selecting your tuition structure
Completing your enrollment agreement
Scheduling your first tuition payment within the defined enrollment window
Tuition and payment options are reviewed transparently during the admissions conversation and finalized upon acceptance.
Available tuition structures include:
Paid in full $3,000.00 (a $500 savings compared to installment options)
6-month payment plan $549/mo
12-month payment plan $349/mo
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.
Why Timing Matters
Professional dog training is a skill-based career — and progress compounds over time.
Starting the admissions process earlier allows you to build experience, confidence, and momentum gradually, with structure and guidance, rather than rushing decisions later under pressure.
Students who begin the admissions process now are positioned to:
Build real training experience over the next 3–6 months
Develop confidence before peak demand seasons
Establish credentials and direction instead of staying in a holding pattern
In most cases, clarity comes from doing the work — not from waiting for certainty.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
If you’ve been reviewing this page and weighing your options, that’s often a sign you’re ready to move into clarity through action.
