Apprentice Training Programs (Adult and Youth)
This program is for:

* Those looking to train their own dogs at a higher level
* Those looking to train for competition and titling
* Those just wanting to be better communicators with their dogs
* Those that wish to train others in the future

What you will learn:

* Pack management
* Dog Psychology
* Proper type of reward, and timing
* When to treat and when not to
* Training techniques
* Many canine disciplines (to include everything we teach)
* Handling difficult dogs

You can train for one month or a year. This is a relaxed course and is almost all hands on. There is no stress, only learning. There are no tests, so relax and have fun. It is up to you how much you want to learn, and what you wish to do with it. For your resume or personal achievement, you will be keeping an hourly training log/journal, and there are four levels of achievement.

* Level One—60 hours
* Level Two—60 hours
* Level Three—60 hours
* Level Four—60 hours

Total 240 hours

You will get a certificate at each level. Each level will take you about three months to achieve at 20 hours a month/5 hours a week, but you can take as long as you want to get through each level. Currently there are only two apprentice positions available at any one time. As more qualified trainers commit to the apprentice program more positions will be available. The apprentice will have the opportunity to attend several training a week with the trainer to learn. It might be one of any of the below:

* Working with a pack of dogs
* Professional Search and Rescue work
* Tracking
* Man Trailing
* Human Remains Detection
* Article Search
* Area Search
* All the classes mentioned on this web site

If you are interested in this program let me know and I will put you on a list. The first two slots will be first come first serve. There are no prerequisites, but you must be physically able to do the work, and have reliable transportation to get to training destinations. Most of the training will be in the Tidewater area. You do not need to own a dog, however if you are to improve your training skills, and you do not have a dog, then assisting by training a dog from the SPCA several times a week, will assist you in this area.

Apprenticeship fee is $600 per month. You will be presented with at least 20 hours of training opportunities each month, however there may be as much as 40 hours. At 20 hours of normal private lessons that would run you $1200. We work very close with our apprentices and that is why we only have two positions open per trainer. The good thing about a monthly fee is if after a couple of months you find you do not care for this line of work, you’re not out a huge tuition fee.

*Possible youth program available for scouts and badge earning.