🐾 Pro-Trainer Academy: Phase 3
🐾Phase 3
The Practicum — Your Graduation Moment
Welcome to Phase 3: The Practicum — your official graduation and launch into the professional dog training world. This isn’t just a formality; it’s your chance to demonstrate that you’ve truly internalized everything you’ve learned, from behavior theory and hands-on training to curriculum design and business development.
During this final phase, you’ll independently train two dogs over a six-week period from your home — without direct guidance. This is your time to lead, apply critical thinking, and make decisions like a true professional. At the end of the practicum, you’ll present your work, receive targeted feedback, and walk away with a renewed confidence in your skills and instincts.
In addition to the training component, you’ll complete two essential professional development projects: a full business plan and a custom-designed training curriculum. These final assignments are crafted to set you up for success as you transition from student to business owner or working professional.
Phase 3 is your moment to shine — a celebration of your growth and a powerful step toward launching a successful, fulfilling career in dog training.
$1450
Phase 3: Independent Practicum
Phase 3 is the final phase of the Pro Trainer Academy.
It is intentionally independent.
This practicum exists to verify that participants can take full responsibility for training dogs — planning, executing, and delivering results without guidance or intervention.
Phase 3 is not instructional. It is evaluative.
Scope of Work
During Phase 3, participants are required to independently train two dogs over a period of up to six weeks.
This work is completed:
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From the participant’s home
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Without coaching, troubleshooting, or real-time support
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Using the same professional standards applied throughout earlier phases
Participants are expected to:
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Set clear training goals
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Make timely, defensible decisions
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Prioritize the dog’s welfare and learning
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Deliver results consistent with professional expectations
Flexibility is built in to allow for individual dogs, but prolonged indecision or unnecessary delay is not aligned with professional practice.
Submission & Evaluation
At the conclusion of the practicum, participants submit documentation of their work for review.
Evaluation focuses on:
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Quality and clarity of training outcomes
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Decision-making across the full training process
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Ability to work independently and responsibly
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Consistency with professional standards demonstrated in earlier phases
This review is not a coaching opportunity.
It is an assessment of readiness.
Graduation & Verification
Upon successful completion of Phase 3, participants graduate from the Pro Trainer Academy and receive a Gold Country K9 Professional Training Verification.
This verification confirms that the individual has demonstrated the ability to:
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Train dogs independently to professional standards
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Make sound training decisions without support
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Act responsibly in real-world training contexts
This verification reflects standards met under direct evaluation. It is not a license or a guarantee of employment.
