Working With A Dog Professional Mentor

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Business Tools for Dog Care Professionals

Working With A Mentor

what to look for

	Extensive training experience
	Teaching ability
	Credentials—a graduate from one or more of the schools listed here, belonging to one or more of the associations
	Methodology—a commitment to scientifically sound, humane, positive reinforcement training
	Interest—sincerely invested in helping the next generation of trainers learn and succeed

what to ask for
Access to expertise. Time. Experience. Guidance.

what does it look like in practice?
Depends on your goals. A mentorship might look like this:

Assisting in classes, eventually teaching in them.
Riding along on private training appointments, eventually taking part in them.
Asking questions after each observation.
Getting feedback from your mentor (e.g. 30 mins after each class/appointment, 1 hr per week)

what you have to offer
Time. Skilled assistance. Collegial discussion.

Trainers often don’t have good class assistants—or any at all. A dedicated assistant with some training knowledge is a big help, and can increase a trainer’s bottom line by allowing him or her to increase class size.

Trainers who treat aggression often struggle to find qualified help to carry out treatment protocols. A mentee can be an enormous asset to private training. Even in basic obedience cases you can be a great help by providing well timed distractions and being another person for the dog to practice with.

Mentors often enjoy the collegial aspect of the relationship. A mentee is someone to share ideas with, discuss shop and techie stuff, and being asked questions that help them to see their own practice through fresh eyes.

Trainers often have plenty of paperwork to attend to and office time to put in. Sweeten the deal by offering administrative help. You can be a huge help to your mentor while also getting a backstage view of what it means to own a training business.

Researching A Mentor

	Search professional association lists (APDT, IAABC, etc.).
	Visit a trainer’s website for bio, credentials.
	Read any books or articles he or she has written,
	Take your dog to the trainer’s class if possible.

A Plan Of Attack
Approach. Talk with the trainer after class or send an email. Describe what you have to offer and what you hope for in return.

Explore. Invite the trainer out to lunch to discuss further and see if there’s a personal connection to build on. If so, suggest formalizing the arrangement—what does the trainer expect of you, and what will you get in return?

Pinpoint. Be specific regarding hours, reading, activities, etc. Clear expectations and deliverables on both sides will keep the relationship strong and beneficial for all involved.