Apprentice Program
Ready to launch your career in dog training?
Level 1 is open enrollment, fully online, and entirely asynchronous. No application, no interview, no waiting for the next cycle. Start today, from anywhere in the world, and work through it on your own schedule.
Whether you are ready to build a career training dogs or you are still deciding whether this is the life you want, Level 1 is where you find out.
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in dog training and behavior, whether you are pursuing a professional certification (e.g., CPDT-KA) or looking to deepen your understanding of canine training. The curriculum focuses on learning theory, canine behavior, instructional skills, and professional ethics, with an emphasis on practical application in real-world settings.
Why Choose Our Apprentice Program?
We split the program into three levels by design.
We hope you fall in love with dog training as a career. We also know you should not have to sink thousands of dollars into finding that out. Level 1 gives you the academic foundation on its own terms, at a price that does not ask you to bet your savings on a career you have not tried yet. If it turns out this is your path, Levels 2 and 3 are waiting. If it turns out it is not, you still walk away understanding dogs better than most people ever will.
Dive in immediately: The academic knowledge starts on day one. You are not waiting on a cohort, a mentor pairing, or a start date.
Learn from the best: Shelby Semel and a team of experienced trainers and certified behavior consultants.
Built to stack: Everything you learn in Level 1 gets expanded with hands-on experience in Levels 2 and 3.
Hands-on experience that counts: We know how hard it is to get the experience required for the CPDT-KA exam without already being in the field. Our progression and mentorship give you the guidance and the hours.
Program Levels
Level 1: Foundations
Open enrollment. Online and asynchronous. Open to aspiring trainers anywhere in the world.
Your entry point into professional dog training, taught by Shelby and her senior team. No application required.
Comprehensive Content: Video lectures, textbook chapters, handouts, quizzes and activities in every module.
Understand training theory: the science of behavior and positive reinforcement.
Go at your own pace: plan on 5 to 10 hours a week for about 3 months, or move faster if you want to.
Lifetime access: The material stays yours, to revisit whenever you need it.
Level 2: In-Person Mentorship
NYC based. Completion of Level 1 and an interview required.
Hands-on experience under the guidance of senior trainers and certified behavior consultants.
Mentor Pairing: Work one-on-one with an experienced mentor.
Shadow and Assist: Observe and help with group classes (NYC only).
Log Hours: Fulfill the required "related activity hours" for the CCPDT exam.
Level 3: Career Track
NYC based. Completion of Level 2 required.
Start applying your skills by working directly with clients and dogs in a variety of settings.
Client Training: Take on your own clients in NYC.
Shelter Training: Train and rehabilitate dogs through partnerships with local shelters.
Advanced Skill Development: Assist with complex behavioral cases to deepen your expertise.
CPDT-KA Exam Preparation
Our program ensures you’re not just logging hours but developing the expertise and confidence to pass the exam. By the end of Level 3, you’ll have:
Completed over 300 hours of qualifying experience, including client interactions, group classes, and shelter training.
Gained practical knowledge in positive reinforcement techniques, behavioral assessments, and training plans.
Worked under the guidance of CPDT-certified mentors to ensure you’re exam-ready.
Not ready to dive in? No worries. Sign up here for all the latest details on the program, Level 2 and 3 cycles, and what we are building next.
FAQs
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Item descriptionNo. Level 1 is open enrollment. You can sign up and start today. Applications and interviews only come in at Level 2, where spots are limited by how many mentors we have in NYC.
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$995 as a one-time payment, or $250 a month for four months. Either way you get lifetime access to the course.
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Every module comes with textbook chapters, handouts, quizzes and activities, plus video instruction from Shelby and the senior team. You keep access for life.
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Level 1 is designed to be flexible, with 5-10 hours per week recommended. You can balance it around your schedule while exploring a career in animal training and behavior.
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Absolutely! Level 1 is designed for beginners who have a strong interest in behavior and training, but no prior experience, giving you a solid foundation before advancing to hands-on mentorship and real-world training.
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Our program is designed to prepare you for a successful career in dog training, whether you want to work with pet owners, shelter dogs, or behavioral cases. Many of our apprentices have gone on to pass the CPDT-KA exam and launch careers with private clients, shelters, or training companies, including working at Shelby Semel Dog Training.
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Unlike many programs, we combine hands-on mentorship, real client work, and structured exam preparation. You won’t just log hours—you’ll gain meaningful experience under the guidance of certified trainers.
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Not for Level 1. It is fully online and open to aspiring trainers anywhere in the world. Levels 2 and 3 are NYC based, because they are built around in-person mentorship, group classes, and shelter partnerships.
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That is exactly who Level 1 is for. The program is built in levels so you can get the academic foundation without committing thousands of dollars to a career you are still exploring. Plenty of people take Level 1 to find out whether this is their path, and the knowledge makes them better dog owners either way.
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Yes. You can take the Level 1 final exam for a one-time testing fee of $100. Email us at contact@shelbydogtraining.com to arrange it. Please note that there are no retests when testing out of Level 1. If you do not pass, the next step is to enroll in the course.