ADTC Dog Training Academy combines structured study, supervised practice and owner coaching to prepare students for professional dog training.
Small classes. Individual coaching. Contact ADTC to register your interest in an upcoming cohort.
A capable trainer must recognize what a dog is communicating, understand how learning works, make safe decisions and help an owner carry those skills into everyday life. Those abilities shape the academy’s curriculum and assessments.
ADTC teaches an individualized, balanced approach. Students learn to assess the dog, choose appropriate methods and rewards, measure progress and change the plan when the dog’s welfare or response calls for it. No technique is a substitute for observation, sound judgment or competent supervision.
The program is being developed for both people pursuing dog training independently and prospective ADTC employees. School enrollment does not grant access to ADTC’s business systems or guarantee employment.
Both pathways use scheduled coursework, instructor feedback and individual assessments. The current planning model spans 26 weeks; final dates, workload and instructional hours are confirmed for each cohort before enrollment.
Complete online coursework between weekly Saturday classes at ADTC. Supervised labs build from safe handling and observation to integrated training, owner coaching and practical assessment.
Follow scheduled online coursework and class support, then attend a two-week supervised training intensive in Wichita. Continue with approved case work and submitted evidence from home.
Students are assigned a pathway at enrollment. Both routes require demonstrated competence; time spent in class alone does not establish a pass.
The planned curriculum connects the following subjects through lessons, visual resources, practice, case studies and assessed demonstrations.
Body language, stress and fear signals, arousal, communication, context, escalation and recovery. Learn to describe what you can observe before deciding what it means.
Classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement, consequences, timing, shaping, luring, capturing, generalization, motivation and reward selection.
Puppy development, adolescence, adulthood and aging; breed tendencies, working roles, health, environment and individual learning history.
Marker words, engagement, sit, down, stay, place, leash handling, recall, impulse control, distraction training and realistic reliability.
Jumping, puppy biting, house training, door darting, pulling, poor recall, settling and appropriate household routines.
Dog and human reactivity, leash reactivity, barrier aggression, resource guarding, fear, separation-related distress and noise sensitivity. Management, risk assessment and referral decisions come first.
Fit, inspection and handling of leads, long lines, collars, harnesses and muzzles; instructor-led evaluation of training tools, including the Educator FE-560B, and clear stop criteria.
Canine first aid and CPR, emergency recognition, transport, infection control, cleaning, feeding, medication records, rest and enrichment. Clinical lessons and practical standards are undergoing review before release.
Explain and demonstrate each skill, guide the owner through practice, provide specific feedback and confirm understanding through teach-back.
Intake, baseline observations, training plans, daily care, progress updates, photos and video, two-week handover and follow-up coaching.
Factual case notes, client consent, privacy, progress reports, clear homework, goal setting and ethical communication. Academic work uses school forms and does not require access to ADTC business software.
Working with suitable rescue dogs, approved handling recordings, baseline and progress evidence, behavior plans and truthful adoption-support materials.
Scope of practice, veterinary referrals, incident reporting, accessibility, dog suitability, safety decisions and recognizing when to stop.
Written assessments, case studies, supervised practical evaluations, a final knowledge examination, capstone evidence and individual instructor review.
Study dog communication, learning theory and safe handling. Complete the required safety checks before approved handling exercises.
Apply skills under direct supervision during Saturday labs or the residential intensive. Use approved recordings for remote assignments and respond to instructor feedback.
Complete written tests, practical assessments, owner teaching and approved case evidence. Instructors review the full record before a certificate can be issued.
The academy is designed to show lesson completion, overall progress and an individual report card. Requirements are labeled as not attempted, in progress, awaiting grading, needing revision or completed.
No. Students follow a cohort schedule with released coursework, deadlines, feedback and supervised practice. Additional support and remediation are arranged with the instructor.
The planned credential is the ADTC Certificate in Professional Dog Training, awarded only after all requirements are met. College partnership and credential arrangements are still being developed. No college credit, accreditation or financial-aid eligibility is currently promised.
It is part of the planned curriculum. Clinical content, equipment requirements and practical assessment standards must complete review before that module is released. Reading or watching a video alone does not establish CPR proficiency.
Tell us about your goals and whether local Saturday classes or the distance pathway fits you. We will help you understand the program and next steps.
