This test covers the basics of dog training, like how animals learn and the basics of working with people and their pets. If you need some help studying, there's a series of free lectures that cover all of the course material. The exam fee is $25, but we often have scholarships available. Just ask!

As of today, there's only one Regional Manager and that's our founder, Devan Amundsen. So after you pass your test, you can schedule a meeting with him. All future Regional Managers will also be qualified experts in the field. Their job is to help coordinate logistics of volunteers and help keep your local program running smoothly. Your Regional Manager will help you identify your areas of expertise, set your availability, and get set up to start taking clients!

You'll receive cases assigned to you by your Regional Manager based on your availability and your scope of expertise. Your Regional Manager will work side-by-side with you to create, implement, and troubleshoot a training and behavior modification plan. We'll also help grow your knowledge so you can take a wider variety of cases, put you in touch with other volunteers to discuss your cases and troubleshoot, and identify how you can help keep your local program alive and well! 

Check out the Volunteer Position Description for details about volunteering.

For some people, being a Free Dog Trainer goes beyond just being a hobby. It turns into a career. Our goal is to have enough full-time paid trainers to meet the demands of every community we serve. That requires ongoing education for staff and funding. We're here to help with both.

Once your local program has grown enough to support a paid trainer, Free Dog Trainers partners with Animal Welfare United to provide an apprenticeship program for onboarding new staff. That apprenticeship allows you to gain both classroom education as well as practical experience all while getting paid to work for the people and dogs of your community. It's a true win-win.

Check out the Apprentice Dog Trainer Position Description for details

Our goal is that you, your team, and your Regional Manager will work together to build your local program that can support as many full-time trainers as needed within a region. At this point, we want you to be a full-time salaried dog trainer for your community. You'll help lead local fundraising and community events, oversee a team of volunteers there to support you in meeting the needs of your community, and most importantly: Provide totally free dog training for the people and dogs in your community.

Check out the Staff Dog Trainer Position Description for details