Learn one-on-one with Mary McNeight, CCS, BGS in our dog trainer internship program.

In this apprenticeship in Waterloo Illinois you will be working hands on on a daily basis with both puppy and adult dogs to teach them both public access skills and medical alert dog training tasks. This isnt some book reading, take a test, get a certificate, graduate without having put your hands on a dog educational program. This is a down in the trenches, hands on, intensive, consistent, one-on-one, individual instruction by Mary McNeight on a daily basis, one-of-a-kind educational learning opportunity.

Science Based Training Methods Seem Magical

In this video you will see an example of some of the many training techniques you will be learning to create confident service dog puppies.  We will focus on socialization and task training during your individual time with Mary.  Mary mainly utilizes scientifically sound marker training (clicker training) and positive reinforcement based training methodologies.  There will be no alpha roles, choke chains nor intimidation used in our program.  What a relief!  You will be amazed how much you will like working with these dogs once you see what positive reinforcement training can accomplish.

Service Dog Training Is Hard Work

If you think you are coming here to play with puppies and get a certificate for it, think again. We are training dogs to save peoples lives. If you arent OK with picking up poop, bathing dogs, task training in the morning, public access training around the community at night, stuffing kongs, being covered in dog slobber, having your clothes ruined by an excited puppy, vacuuming up dog hair and mopping every night, watching any one of our over $4000 dog trainer DVDs video library as you fall asleep, 100% day-in-day-out, take a puppy back to the apartment you rented, full-of-nonstop-hard-work and rewarding experiences, educational immersion opportunity then please go elsewhere.  See what our last student from Spain thought about her experience!

If you think you are too much of a novice to be able to handle this program, think again. This program is designed for the complete beginner. We will teach you how to train these puppies the basics from sit, down and stay to much harder commands like getting help in an emergency, fetching a diabetes testing kit, socializing these puppies to things they will encounter in their daily lives to sitting calmly under your seat in a christian rock concert at a local church. Depending on the timing of your apprenticeship you might also be helping to assist or even instruct parts of my diabetic alert dog classes. You will also be taught how to use cameras for video recording and editing so that you too can use youtube videos to advertise your business.

Are you still interested? Here are the specifics:

  • Start Date: ASAP

  • Internship Length: 60 days

  • Cost: $6000 for 60 day apprenticeship. Non-refundable $1000 deposit in the form of a check due upon enrollment in the internship. Compare this cost to the $1300 4 day intensive class and you can see how amazing this value is. The final balance will be due two weeks before you arrive. There will be no credit card or debit card payments. All payments must be made by check.

  • If you want to learn about creating your own Youtube videos and selling your own training videos, we can help you do this as long as you have access to a newer Apple computer (prefer 27 inch iMac), Final Cut Pro and a DSLR camera capable of recording HD resolution video.

  • Housing: You will have to rent an apartment in the local community. If you cannot find a furnished one, we may be able to help you find used furniture for your unit. Local apartments rent from $350 a month to over $800 depending on how nice of a unit you want.

  • Transport: Waterloo has only one bus with a incredibly small service area. You will not be able to rely on it. You will need your own vehicle, either your personal vehicle or one you have rented

  • Certification: You will get a framable certificate stating that you have passed our rigorous internship program

  • Post Graduation: This educational opportunity does not guarantee employment with any service dog training program but will get you extensive experience and help with starting your own business training service dogs.

Now you know the basics, please contact us ASAP by emailing mary@servicedogacademy.com if you are interested. Please also make sure you read the disclaimer below to be sure this opportunity is for you.