Certification Levels
The levels are listed in order and every level is the prerequisite for the next one. (So, you need to complete the Bronze Workshop before you start the Silver Workshop.)
Bronze Certified Trainer—Imprinting Target Odor
Learn how to introduce a new target odor to a variety of scent detection candidates in a scent detection lab, and motivate them to find source (the highest concentration of odor). You'll learn how to handle odor properly, plus the essentials of scent theory (how scent travels in air currents). In your final exam, the dog you trained will pass odor recognition tests in blind searches.
Silver Certified Trainer—Indicating Target Odor
Learn how to motivate dogs to indicate with a bombproof trained final response, by turning it into the dog's favorite game. You'll teach a clear system of communication so the dog tells you where scent is located or tells you none is present (clearing). In your final exam, the dog you trained will consistently indicate in blind searches.
Gold Certified Trainer—Double-Blind Verification
You'll learn how to introduce the daisy wheel, and food and toy distractions. You'll create a systematic plan for proofing off distractions e.g. a peanut alergen detection dog will learn to indicate on peanuts, but not cashews or handler scent. In your final exam, the dog you trained will pass a double-blind test.
Platinum Certified Trainer—Medical Alert
In our platinum level medical alert detection training you'll learn how to specialize in training medical scent detection for service dog candidates (e.g. nut allergens, hypoglycemia, anxiety). Note this course only teaches the scent detection component, not general service dog training like public access or other task training.
Case Studies
You'll learn by training dogs and case studies with varying breeds, ages, sizes, drive, reactivity, blindness, deafness, neuromuscular impairment, and exercise restrictions.
Ernie's Imprinting
For example, this final exam features Liz and Ernie (who is deaf), completing our online 7-Day Imprinting Course remotely. Liz is an agility trainer with no prior scent experience, but passed with flying colors.
Wellesley's Indication
Leila owns a doggy daycamp in New York, where she took our Imprinting and Indication courses remotely, and practices regularly with her clients' dogs. In this video, Wellesley (an Afghan Hound) is learning to indicate his handler-scented lotus ball (stuffed with food), by lying down and staring at it.
Cosmo's Medical Alert
Cosmo is a Bernedoodle service dog candidate who detects peanuts, to help keep his owner from being hospitalized for allergic reactions. Some of the containers in the daisy-wheel contain distraction food odors, like pistachios and almonds (which his owner enjoys eating).
1. BRONZE CERTIFIED TRAINER PROGRAM—IMPRINTING TARGET ODOR
In the first level of instructor training, you'll get access to our online course, where you can learn the basic science underpinning scent detection training. You'll study how to introduce a new target odor and motivate dogs to search.
The more you put into the training program, the more you'll get out of it. All students are required to complete the pre-Workshop homework.
1A. Online Bronze Course
If you'd like to get a headstart, you can start training a green dog at home, log your sessions and make a list of questions to bring to the in- person workshop. If you're unsure about starting training remotely, that's no problem. You can wait until you complete the Workshop and get home before you start training your demo dog.
50 Lessons
First, you'll select a target odor. When in doubt, use a handler scented coaster (which you could pair with new odors later). Learn exactly how to introduce the scent, set up your own scent detection lab, basic odor hygiene and all the steps in the imprinting process. Learn about the most important mistakes and how to avoid them. Get answers to your questions right inside the lessons or on our private Facebook Group.
15 Demonstration Videos You Can Access On Any Device
Watch a concise video demonstration that you can download and use to practice. Learn how to let the dog choose their rewards from a reward menu, and why you should be doing a taste test before every session. Every training session is designed to be short, efficient and nearly impossible to fail. Most dogs complete imprinting in about 7 training sessions with our field tested protocols.
11 Homework Assignments
Choose the format that helps you to learn best (including video, PDF Handouts, and audio instructions). You'll get 1 year of access, so you have plenty of time to work through the homework with the dog you're training. Troubleshooting is included in the price. If you get off track, we'll suggest options to modify and fit the unique dog you're training. You'll grow as a team, building trust and confidence. See Ernie's final video below.
1B. Intensive 3-Day Hands-on Workshop in Calgary
Next, you'll bring an inexperienced dog with you to attend an intensive 3-day workshop in Calgary. You'll practice training that dog to complete a blind container search, including pinpointing source (the highest concentration of odor). You'll leave with a certificate of participation.
You are required to bring a suitable dog to train at the workshop. All students must bring an inexperienced demonstration dog to train using our methods in the hands-on workshop. You don't need to own the dog, but you need regular access to train that dog, ideally several days a week. Your success depends on selecting a suitable candidate who can be trained in a scent detection lab. If you select a fearful dog who is scared of the boxes and won't take any food rewards, you'll lose the opportunity to train the dog under supervision and receive valuable feedback. Aggressive dogs are not suitable and may be asked to leave to keep the other dogs and people at the facility safe.
Students are required to attend 8 hours/day on each of the three workshop days. You'll receive feedback in debriefings after each of your training exercises, including suggestions for improvement. At the end of the weekend, students who have attended all of the Workshop will get a Certificate of Participation.
1C. THE FINAL EXAM
When you get home, it's time to apply what you learned to complete the training with your dog. You'll let us know when you're ready, and we'll send you the final, written online exam. You'll submit 2 videos of you introducing a green dog to target odor and completing a blind container search. Once you successfully complete all the components with a score of at least 80% and sign our Code of Ethics, you'll receive your Bronze Certified Trainer certificate.
Note:
You can stop participating at any stage, but the fees are not refundable. If you complete the Certificate of Participation and you're in good standing, but life events prevent you from completing the final exam, we understand. You can keep your Certificate of Participation, but will not become a Certified Trainer. Talk to us about options if you'd like to pause your courses and resume at a later time.
We expect a high degree of professionalism from certified trainers. Students that default on payments or behave in a way that contradicts the Code of Ethics by using aversive training or cruelty to animals will no longer be in good standing and will lose access to all components of the course, without the possibility of reinstatement.
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